Aug 102014
 
Rashad Jennings, New York Giants (August 9, 2014)

Rashad Jennings – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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Rashad Jennings waited patiently behind Eli Manning as the quarterback read the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense. Manning shouted out signals, made adjustments and aligned everyone just right.

With every word Manning uttered, Jennings listened intently. He knew Manning knew exactly what to do. He knew Manning saw something.

“He made sure we were in the right play,” Jennings said.

The ball was snapped, guard Geoff Schwartz sealed a defender to the left, center J.D. Walton another to the right, a running lane appeared and Jennings darted through.

The rest? Well, that was easy.

“The rest was just a race,” Jennings said.

New York’s prized free-agent acquisition darted 73 yards through the gaping hole for a touchdown, highlighting New York’s 20-16 victory over the Steelers on Saturday night in East Rutherford.

“This is the beginning,” Jennings said. “We are still learning and growing and have a lot of stuff that we need to make sure we take care of, myself included. We are happy where we are at, but we are not satisfied.”

Jennings’ touchdown run highlighted an otherwise dismal performance from the Giants’ starting offense. Playing in front of their fans for the first time this season, the team never got into a rhythm, only picking up one first down all four possessions they were on the field.

Aside from Jennings 73-yard run, the Giants’ starting offense netted only eight measly yards (five of which came from a penalty). Wide receiver Victor Cruz went catch-less and Manning failed to complete a pass on his only two attempts. Taking into consideration the team’s Hall of Fame game against the Buffalo Bills, Manning has yet to have pass travel more than 10 yards in the air.

“I think we’ll try to learn from this and understand that it’s just the preseason,” Manning said. “Not everything is going to be perfect, but we’ll definitely have some stuff to look at and to get better on a few things.”

Following Manning, second-year pro Ryan Nassib entered. The Syracuse alum finished 12-of-21 for 81 yards and led the team on a pair of field goal drives. But a costly error nearly cost the Giants the game.

With the Giants leading, 13-9, Nassib attempted to hit Michael Cox out of the backfield on a swing route. Cox missed the pass, which traveled behind the line of scrimmage, and Howard Jones scooped it up and returned it for a 28-yard touchdown. After the referees looked at the replay, it was determined the backwards pass was a lateral.

“You play those plays out and let the officials sort it out,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “That’s what he did and hopefully that’s what we’re doing in those circumstances always.”

While the mistake put the Giants down, it didn’t rule the team out. Instead, it was just another dose of Corey Washington dramatics. After catching a 73-yard, game-winning touchdown last week in Canton, it was Washington who the Giants went to again with the game on the line.

Facing a third-and-goal at the Steelers three, quarterback Curtis Painter threw a fade to Washington. The undrafted rookie went up and came down with the ball, putting the Giants on top for good.

“I’m 6-4, tall and lanky,” Washington said. “I can go up and get the ball. That helps against smaller corners. It can be big for the team this year.”

The Giants (2-0) will have Sunday off before returning to practice on Monday. The team travels to Indianapolis to take on the Colts (0-1) this Saturday.

Giants-Steelers Game Highlights: Video highlights from Saturday’s Giants-Steelers game are available at NFL.com.

Tom Coughlin Post-Game Press Conference: The transcript and video of Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s post-game press conference on Saturday night are available at Giants.com.

New York Giants Post-Game Player Media Sessions: Transcripts and video clips of the post-game media Q&As on Saturday night with the following players are available at Giants.com:

Post-Game Notes: Fullback John Conner may have suffered a concussion on the game’s last play. He will undergo further tests.

Not playing for the Giants in the game were: wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. (hamstring) and Trindon Holliday (hamstring), tight ends Daniel Fells (knee) and Xavier Grimble (hamstring), linebacker Jon Beason (foot), tackle Will Beatty (leg), running back Peyton Hillis (ankle/foot), cornerback Trumaine McBride (hip), and defensive linemen Mike Patterson (shoulder) and Kelcy Quarles (ankle).

Aug 102014
 
C.J. Barnett, New York Giants (August 9, 2014)

New York Giants – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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NEW YORK GIANTS 20 – PITTSBURGH STEELERS 16
It wasn’t pretty. In fact, at times, it was downright ugly, but the New York Giants defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, 20-16 to improve to 2-0 in preseason play.

Eli Manning didn’t complete a pass, Victor Cruz went catch-less again and there were a few miscommunications between the quarterbacks and receivers. If it weren’t for Rashad Jennings 73-yard touchdown and Corey Washington’s game-winning, fade-route grab, there’s a chance the below list is simply filled with duds. On to the recap…

THE STUDS:

Rashad Jennings

  • Rashad Jennings, New York Giants (August 9, 2014)

    Rashad Jennings – © USA TODAY Sports Images

    The Giants’ free-agent acquisition from Oakland made quite the first impression in front of the home town fans taking his second carry of the game 73 yards for a score. Despite being known primarily as a down-hill runner, Jennings showed some impressive speed pulling away from all defenders on his way to the endzone.

Damontre Moore

  • It was another nice showing from the second-year pro as Moore continually got after the passer and made a few impressive plays on the run. There was a near sack of Landry Jones on third down that forced an incompletion and a chase down on a screen play that forced a punt. Granted, Moore was going up primarily against the second-team offensive line, but there were flashes of extreme potential. It may be time the coaches give Moore some looks with the starters.

Jay Bromley

  • It’s been well documented how Jay Bromley grew up a New York Giants fan. Maybe playing at MetLife Stadium lit a little extra fire inside because the rookie was all over the place. Bromley was active as a pass rusher, stuffed a few running plays and made a mockery of  Steelers’ offensive lineman Cody Wallace. At one point, Bromley pressured Landry Jones into an incomplete pass while being held.

Corey Washington

  • Another game-winning touchdown for the rookie, who seems to only catch them. On a third-and-goal from the three, Giants’ quarterback Curtis Painter threw one up in single coverage and let Washington go and grab it. The issue with Washington’s roster chances are the fact he has little value on special teams. He’s seen a few reps as a gunner and kick returner in practice, but that’s usually with the third or fourth teamers. Not to take anything away from the young man, but he’s also making these plays against a team’s fourth-string defense.

Jason Pierre-Paul

  • A little vintage JPP shown by the former All Pro. Pierre-Paul rocked Bruce Gradkowski on a drop-back pass, chased down a receiver on an end around and was a force against the run.

Prince Amukamara

  • This list could go on and on for the defense, but the final nod goes to Amukamara. The third-year pro was extremely physical against the Steelers and looks poised for a big season. He’s comfortable in the NFL now, and seems to have found his niche and is really playing some good ball.

THE DUDS:

Eli Manning

  • Eli Manning, New York Giants (August 9, 2014)

    Eli Manning – © USA TODAY Sports Images

    Maybe it was the fact Ben McAdoo continues to hold the reigns incredibly tight on the two-time Super Bowl MVP, but the fact Manning went 0-for-2 in four series is a bit alarming. Manning has yet to attempt a pass over 10 yards, has yet to find Victor Cruz and didn’t pick up a single first down. It’s either McAdoo being cautious, or Manning not taking shots. Head coach Tom Coughlin said there were more pass plays called than run, so maybe Manning’s checking out of them.

Victor Cruz

  • Granted, it’s tough to catch a pass when your quarterback throws only two in four possessions, but it’s game No. 2 without a catch for the former Pro Bowler. Cruz needs to get more comfortable with the offense. I’ll watch the film over the coming days to see if he was open on either of Manning’s two passes, but this is now seven possessions without a grab.

Jayron Hosley

  • It’s getting to be noticeably bad for the former third-round pick. Hosley has shown nothing to make him warrant a spot on the final 53-man roster even if he were not going to be suspended. He’s constantly beat for completions. When he’s not beat for completions, his receiver is still open, he just does something illegal before the pass gets to him. It was two more defensive pass interference calls against Hosley tonight.

Charles Brown

  • The Giants need Will Beatty to get healthy…and they need it to happen fast. Brown has been beat continually by Jason Pierre-Paul in practice and now it’s happening in games. Jarvis Jones beat Brown for a sack, then allowed another pressure a couple series later.

THE GOOD:

  • Nice outing for the starting defense as a whole tonight. Aside from a few nice runs by Pittsburgh, the defense played held the Steelers in check. There weren’t many open receivers and there was pressure on the quarterback.
  • While a few runs were negated because of penalties, rookie running back Andre Williams continues to impress. Wiped out by a Geoff Schwartz hold, Williams broke free on a long run on a draw play where he showed power and some speed/agility. He’s looking more and more like he can be a game breaker.
  • Jacquian Williams made a very nice play against the run early on. The linebacker came from the backside, use some nice acceleration and tackled LeGarrette Blunt.
  • On the Rashad Jennings touchdown run, credit Geoff Schwartz and J.D. Walton with two key blocks to create a huge running lane. The Giants’ offense seems to want to throw the ball, but the team has fared better running the football these first two games.
  • Walter Thurmond III had great coverage on a Ben Roethlisberger attempted pass on third down for Lance Moore. It was physical coverage, but legal, and the play resulted in an incompletion, forcing the Steelers to settle for a field goal.
  • Assuming this is a good thing, but I don’t recall the Steelers going anywhere near Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie Saturday all night.
  • Ryan Nassib continues to improve each and every week. Sure, he didn’t have the highlight 50+-yard touchdown, but he’s been more calm in the pocket, shown poise and is getting better. Progress, that’s all you can ask for with Nassib.

THE BAD:

  • The Steelers screen pass to Dri Archer was set up perfectly. Sometimes that happens, which is why this goes under “The Bad” and not “The Ugly.” Kudos to Amukamara for chasing him down.
  • The run defense wasn’t the best for the Giants on the Steelers’ opening drive. There were holes, a missed tackle by Johnathan Hankins and a few poor angles.
  • As much as his teammates seem to love him, Charles James II is far from a lock on the Giants’ roster. Granted, he’s helped by the injury to Bennett Jackson and poor play of Jayron Hosley, but James needs to do everything he can to stick on the team. Muffing a punt? Not something that’s going to help. On his first opportunity, James let one go right through his hands and on the next punt it was Preston Parker back deep.

THE UGLY:

  • The offense. There really isn’t anything else to say. There was an expected learning curve when the Giants announced a transition out of Kevin Gilbride’s old offense and Ben McAdoo’s new one. But between practices, and now games, the poor offensive play is extremely noticeable. For whatever reason, things aren’t clicking and it’s alarming. In four series, Manning went 0-for-2. He threw two passes in four series. Two. Not to mention in the seven offensive series Manning has played this preseason, he has yet to throw a ball more than 10 yards. It’s not good. It’s not bad. It’s flat out ugly. Things haven’t looked good in training camp and now they aren’t looking good in the game.
  • Maybe it’s just the way the NFL is played now, but the penalties were on overload Saturday night. Defensive holdings, offensive holdings and pass interferences had it raining yellow hankies at MetLife. Again, it’s early in the preseason, but it was a bit much. A total of 10 were called on the Giants totaling 109 yards.
Aug 082014
 
Eli Manning, New York Giants (August 3, 2014)

Eli Manning – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Giants, August 9 , 2014

It’s a gradual learning process with the New York Giants this season as the offense continues to learn Ben McAdoo’s new West Coast scheme. Sunday’s Hall of Fame game was a taste. Saturday’s game versus Pittsburgh should be the appetizer.

THE STORYLINE:
Progress. Progress. Progress. Last week versus the Buffalo Bills, the Giants’ starting offense took the field for three possessions. Two looks very bad, one looked very good. The good one came against the Buffalo’s No. 2 defense. Tom Coughlin said on Tuesday the Giants installed two new elements of the offense in practice this week. Is there an improvement with the starters? We’ll see.

FOUR DOWNS:

Andre Williams, New York Giants (August 3, 2014)

Andre Williams – © USA TODAY Sports Images

First Down
Who’s the Giants’ No. 2 running back?
When David Wilson announced his retirement, it ended the career of a promising back far too soon, but it also opened up questions on who exactly will be spelling Rashad Jennings. Andre Williams flashed in Canton, but he hasn’t proven he can catch. Peyton Hillis has proven he can be a serviceable back, but he’s dealing with an ankle injury. Kendall Gaskins and Michael Cox? The two had a combined 22 carries a year ago. Can someone from this group step up?

Second Down
Can Charles James II handle punt return duties?
When Giants’ special teams coordinator Tom Quinn spoke to the media last week, he said Charles James II and Preston Parker would get extended looks as a punt returner with Odell Beckham Jr. and Trindon Holliday ailing. Holliday is no sure bet to make the team, James isn’t exactly a lock either. The chance to show his value on special teams should be music to his ears for the young corner. If James can show he can be a serviceable returner, reliable with the chance at a big return every now and then, it could go a long way for him making the team. He’s on the bubble as a corner, being a returner could be just the edge James needs.

Third Down
Will the first-team offensive line and tight end be able to generate running room for Rashad Jennings?
Last week, the answer was no. Last year, Eli Manning found himself constantly in 3rd-and-long situations because the Giants had no running game. The Steelers will be a good test.

Fourth Down
Can the first-team defensive line generate a pass rush?
Last week, the answer was again no. The Giants need to see more of pass rush from Jason Pierre-Paul, Mathias Kiwanuka, Cullen Jenkins, and Johnathan Hankins.

Michael Cox, New York Giants (August 3, 2014)

Michael Cox – © USA TODAY Sports Images

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Connor Hughes – RB Michael Cox
Playing with some very, very bad offensive linemen in front of him, Michael Cox flashed versus the Bills on Sunday. The one play that stood out to me was the screen pass in which he applied a perfect chip bock, then took a few steps up, caught the ball and picked up a good gain. With Hillis ailing and Wilson retired, Cox should see extended reps at running back. This is his chance to not only prove he deserves a spot on the final 53-man roster, but a role on the offense as well. There are reps to be had, Cox needs to grab them. If he can’t? Well, there could be a roster move made next week to bring in another body.

Eric Kennedy – WR Rueben Randle
We heard last  year at camp how great Randle was doing. We’ve heard that times this year as well. Last week, Randle didn’t have a pass thrown in his direction. In 2013, Randle played in all 16 games but he only averaged 2.5 catches per game, did not score in the last six games of the season, and only had one 100-yard receiving game all year (the opener). With Hakeem Nicks gone, Rueben is being penciled in as the the starting split end or X-receiver. He’s got to be a guy who can get open and make plays against top cornerbacks. If not, teams will constantly double Cruz. Who knows when Odell Beckham will be able to play, and how productive he will be since he is so far behind? Randle needs to prove he can do it.

THE INJURY REPORT:

• Jon Beason (PUP LIST/foot/out)
• Will Beatty (pre-planned/leg/out)
• Trumaine McBride (pre-planned/hip/out)
• Odell Beckham Jr. (hamstring/out)
• Xavier Grimble (hamstring/tbd)
• Geoff Schwartz (knee/tbd)
• Mike Patterson (shoulder/tbd)
• Trindon Holliday (leg/out)

FROM THE COACHES MOUTH:
Tom Coughlin: (on how he manages a second preseason game when for many its their first) “If there is a normal role, I suppose you are describing it. Our guys will play the same amount or maybe a little bit more than they did before. I still want to see, if we can, everyone who is dressed. If they are able to play, I would like to see them all.”

THE FINAL WORD:
Connor Hughes – There was promise shown in Canton, now it’s time to build on that and develop consistency. I want to see what Eli Manning looks like another week into the offense. I want to see an improvement amongst the offensive line. I want to see if Marcus Harris can continue to move what he’s shown in training camp to the game day field. But more importantly, as the story line says, I just want to see progress. Because I got the score right last week, although teams wrong, I’m picking again :)
Giants 20 – Steelers 14

Eric Kennedy – On the offensive side of the ball, I still expect growing pains (ups and downs) with Eli Manning and the new offense. But he’s still not my #1 concern. My number one concern is do the Giants still have enough offensive weapons to really scare other teams. We have Cruz. But we don’t have a tight end. I’m not sure we have a starting split end (Randle has to show me; how far behind is Beckham?). I like the running backs, but losing David Wilson takes away the home-run hitter who I think would have done very well in Ben McAdoo’s offense. When will Will Beatty be able to play a full game? And how will he rebound? Do we have a starting-caliber right guard? Defensively, everyone has been saying JPP is back, but we haven’t seen it yet. Can these ends rush the passer?
Steelers 20 – Giants – 13

Aug 112013
 
Damontre Moore, New York Giants (August 10, 2013)

Damontre Moore Blocks a Punt – © USA TODAY Sports Images

Giants Win Preseason Opener 18-13: The New York Giants defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field 18-13 on Saturday night. Typical for a first preseason game, it was not a picture-perfect for either team, and at times a bit of a snooze-fest for fans to watch.

The most memorable plays came early in the game. The Steelers received the football first. After picking up one first down, the Steelers’ possession bogged down with a holding penalty and then an 8-yard sack by DT/DE Cullen Jenkins on 3rd-and-16. The Steelers successfully punted the ball away but were penalized and had to re-kick. DE Damontre Moore blocked the second punt; WR Louis Murphy recovered and returned the ball to the Steelers’ 5-yard line. Unfortunately, one run and two incomplete passes later, the Giants were forced to settle for a 23-yard field goal by PK Josh Brown.

The Steelers tied the game 3-3 on their ensuing possession by successfully running the football against the Giants’ first-team defense, albeit missing defensive ends Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Tuck. The Steelers gained 36 yards on the ground on this drive (and 81 on the ground in the first half). The Giants were fortunate that WR Antonio Brown could not get his second foot down on what could have been a 20-yard touchdown over CB Corey Webster. The Steelers settled for a 34-yard field goal.

On QB Eli Manning’s second and final possession, he found WR Rueben Randle for a 16-yard catch-and-run on 3rd-and-9. Then three plays later, on 3rd-and-4, Manning hit WR Victor Cruz deep over the middle for a 57-yard catch-and-run. The Giants led 10-3 near the end of the first quarter. Manning finished the game 2-for-5 for 73 yards and a touchdown. RB David Wilson only managed 16 yards on five carries.

After a Steelers’ punt, the Giants’ turned the football over at their own 44-yard line when an untouched RB Andre Brown clumsily fumbled the football away on a pitch. The Giants’ defense gave up a first down on 3rd-and-15, then 4th-and-2. They held after that but the Steelers did manage to kick a 41-yard field goal that cut the lead to 10-6.

Both teams exchanged punts. The Giants then finished the first half with a 10-play, 68-yard drive that resulted in a 30-yard field goal by Brown with no time left on the clock. The Giants were aided on this drive by two 15-yard personal foul penalties on LB Jason Worilds. QB David Carr was a bit shaky for the Giants despite what looked to be solid stats (7-for-11 for 64 yards). Brown finished with 23 yards on four carries.

Neither team did anything offensively in the third quarter. QB Curtis Painter played for New York in the third period and finished the game 5-of-11 for 55 yards. RB Da’Rel Scott could not get anything going on the ground, rushing 10 times for 12 yards. The Giants benefited from a Pittsburgh screw-up when the quarterback and running back collided in the end zone on a simple handoff, resulting in a safety and a 15-6 Giants’ lead. But the Giants blew another opportunity when S Tyler Sash recovered a muffed punt at the Steelers’ 28-yard line. The Giants could not pick up a first down and Brown missed a 38-yard field goal. The Steelers only picked up one first down in the third quarter.

The Giants made the game more interesting than it should have been in the fourth quarter when it was a comedy of errors on QB Ryan Nassib’s first possession of the game. Two penalties and poor run and pass blocking put the Giants in a dangerous 3rd-and-22 situation. OC/OT Keith McCants snapped the ball over Nassib’s head, resulting in a defensive touchdown for the Steelers. Giants 15 – Steelers 13.

Both teams exchanged punts. The Giants then managed to drive 54 yards in 10 plays, the big play being a 29-yard pass from Nassib to WR Julian Talley on 2nd-and-12 despite heavy pressure. Some strong running from RB Michael Cox (9 carries for 33 yards) helped the Giants to get into field goal range. Brown hit the 47-yard field goal to extend New York’s lead to 18-13 with less than five minutes to play.

The Steelers did threaten on their last possession, driving from their own 18 to the Giants’ 39-yard line but two sacks, one each by CB Charles James and DE Adewale Ojomo, put the Steelers in a 4th-and-20 situation. When their last pass fell incomplete, the Giants took over and knelt on the ball to end the game.

Video highlights of the game are available at NFL.com.

Injury Report: WR Kris Adams broke his leg in the game. OT Chris DeGeare also left the field with an ankle and MCL injuries. X-rays were reportedly negative but he will undergo an MRI on the knee on Sunday.

Post-Game Notes: The following Giants did not play in the game: RB Ryan Torain (concussion), FB Henry Hynoski (PUP-knee), WR Hakeem Nicks (groin), WR Brandon Collins (hamstring), OG Chris Snee (hip), OL James Brewer (concussion), OT Justin Pugh (concussion), DE Jason Pierre-Paul (PUP-back), DE Justin Tuck (back), DT Markus Kuhn (PUP-knee), CB Terrell Thomas (knee/hamstring) and S Cooper Taylor (hamstring).