The New York Giants opened the preseason with a 34-25 victory over the Buffalo Payments on Saturday afternoon at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park.
It was a constructive first step for the Giants, who’re coming back from an unsightly 3-14 marketing campaign in 2024 that just about resulted in a house-cleaning. And whereas there are a number of areas the crew should shore up, the general efficiency breeds loads of optimism.
The Giants will maintain conferences on Sunday and luxuriate in a Monday off earlier than returning for the primary of two joint practices with the New York Jets on Tuesday.
Here is a take a look at whose inventory is up and whose is down after the primary week of the preseason.
Fill up: 2025 draft class
Quarterback Jaxson Dart, edge rusher Abdul Carter, offensive lineman Marcus Mbow, and tight finish Thomas Fidone all flashed in some unspecified time in the future on Saturday afternoon. Fidone had some lapses, however Dart, Carter, and Mbow got here away from the sport glowing. Basic supervisor Joe Schoen clearly has one thing with this draft class — the longer term is starting to look brilliant.
Inventory down: Injured veterans
The Giants have been with out a number of notable gamers on Saturday, together with guard Evan Neal, large receiver Jalin Hyatt, and cornerback Cor’Dalte Flott. All three would have had a major alternative to enhance their standing and make a play for greater roles this season, however as an alternative, watched helplessly from afar. Flott’s absence is especially noteworthy given the continued struggles of cornerback Deonte Banks, who was the one starter to play a whole half. There was a possibility for acquire, and Flott, Neal, and Hyatt all missed out.
Fill up: Mike Kafka
Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka was calling performs from the sideline as an alternative of up within the sales space, and he needed to come away from Saturday’s recreation feeling fairly good. All 4 of his quarterbacks led scoring drives because the Giants put up 34 factors. Whereas there isn’t any formal recreation plan through the preseason, Kafka obtained into the circulate of the competition, leaned into what was working and away from what wasn’t. The outcome was success.
Inventory down: LB Chris Board
This spot might have simply as simply gone to linebacker Chris Board, however his particular groups worth creates a buffer not supplied to undrafted rookie free brokers like cornerback O’Donnell Fortune. With simply 25 seconds remaining within the second quarter, Fortune let a receiver get behind him for a 58-yard reception that set the Payments up for a area objective. It was very almost a landing, however to Fortune’s credit score, he did not surrender on the play and made a touchdown-saving deal with on the six-yard line. Nonetheless…
Fill up: RB Dante Miller
Do not even trouble wanting on the yards per carry (2.2) as a result of it is deceptive. Operating again Dante Miller flashed on Saturday, particularly within the display screen recreation, and his explosiveness has some Giants followers daydreaming. Each time Turbo touched the ball, it felt like there was big-play potential, and that is the impression he wanted to make with Tyrone Tracy Jr., Devin Singletary, and Cam Skattebo forward of him on the depth chart.
Inventory down: OL James Hudson
Veteran deal with James Hudson gives an edge the Giants love, however that may’t be the one factor he brings to the desk. With Andrew Thomas having missed important time over the previous two seasons, Hudson should present dependable stability on the place, which he did not do on Saturday. On his solely drive of the sport, Hudson was referred to as for back-to-back penalties, together with a false begin, which has been a persistent drawback for the Giants in coaching camp. His errors killed a possible landing drive and compelled the crew into a protracted area objective scenario.
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