The next pass Daniel Jones throws in a game will be for real.
He was kept out of Sunday’s preseason finale — the Giants’ 31-27 loss to the Jets — as coach Brian Daboll liked what he saw from his starting quarterback in the previous two preseason games and in the joint practice last week with the Jets.
“We took a look at some of the play time in practice and some of the play time in games,’’ Daboll said. “Some, we just decided to not play. It was a case-to-case basis.’’
Jones started the first two preseason games. He completed 76.9 percent of his passes (20 of 26 for 185 yards), did not have a touchdown pass and tossed one (deflected) interception. His five offensive series produced one field goal, one rushing touchdown, one punt, one turnover on downs and the one interception.
Saquon Barkley, also held out versus the Jets, had four rushing attempts for 13 yards and caught one pass for 8 yards in the preseason.
The Giants finished 2-1 in the preseason.
This is the first time Daboll as a head coach will make the calls on the 53-man roster, in concert with general manager Joe Schoen, also in his first year in a final decision-making role.
Daboll said he will review the third preseason game and then get to work on the roster.
“I’m sure we’ll have conversations [Sunday night],’’ Daboll said. “We’ll meet in the morning, meet again in the morning, meet in the afternoon. There will be a lot of meetings.’’
The Giants used four starters on defense: inside linebackers Blake Martinez and Tae Crowder, cornerback Aaron Robinson and defensive end Jihad Ward. Robinson had some trouble early dealing with the Jets’ starting receivers.
Rookie TE Daniel Bellinger and DL Jalyn Holmes were forced out with concussions. Bellinger caught three passes for 37 yards before he went out.
Second-year running back Gary Brightwell got the call to return a kickoff in the first quarter. This could be his role once the season starts. Brightwell played well as a rookie on special teams but did not get on the field on offense. He could stick on the roster as the fourth running back and also return and cover kicks.
Newly re-signed Ryan Santoso kicked a 36-yard field goal in the second quarter. Santoso was brought in last week with Graham Gano in the concussion protocol.
Scottish punter Jamie Gillen dropped a snap late in the second quarter, quickly recovered the ball and on the move booted the ball away. Gillen uncorked a 67-yard punt in the fourth quarter but Khalil Dorsey was unable to prevent the ball from bouncing into the end zone for a touchback.
The starting offensive line, from left to right, was Devery Hamilton, Jamil Douglas, Jon Feliciano, Max Garcia and Will Holden. Douglas took over at center after Feliciano was taken out.
Credit: Source link
