Giants vs Steelers: Four Standout Depth Performers

Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Giants Victorious 20-16

The Giants upended the Steelers on Saturday night 20-16 to enhance their preseason mark to 2-0. In a game that lacked aesthetically pleasing football for most of the sixty minutes — ten penalties, an overabundance of three and outs and a dropped punt — the Giants concluded the proceedings on a high note with a 12-play 80-yard touchdown drive with 2:50 remaining.

Rashad Jennings‘ explosive 73-yard scoring scamper aside, the Giants offense couldn’t move the football until the fourth quarter. Big Blue D held the massive upper-hand throughout, however, as Pittsburgh converted 2/14 third downs and they’re only TD came on a fumble (backward pass) recovery. On that note, which Giants’ roster question marks stood out in the game-winning sequence?

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Standout Depth

Corey Washington, WR | 3/23 yards TD | During the week, Washington insisted that he’s more than simply a vertical threat. He took steps towards proving that last night, as all three of C-Wash’s receptions (three targets) were of the possession variety: a back shoulder timing route, a stop route and a jump ball in the green zone. Washington is too big and strong for these roster fodder defensive backs… he could overwhelm them by accident. It’s time to break him out before the 4th quarter, see what we really got.

Curtis Painter, QB | 7/7 68 yards TD | Painter must have felt like he was back at Purdue last night, picking apart conservative corners until the end zone party. In a GW drive that chewed up 7:26 off the clock, Painter hit Travis Harvey twice, Corey Washington twice and Preston Parker, Adrien Robinson and Kendall Gaskins all once. When given the freedom to connect with his initial read, Painter’s strong arm and timing are evident. Is the backup quarterback job a competition again?

Kendall Gaskins, RB | 10/46, 3/19 | Gaskins isn’t going to make you miss in the backfield, but if he gets rolling towards the line of scrimmage unfettered — good luck bringing him down on the first hit. He’s a big boy at 6’1 238 lbs. He runs lower than expected and his ability to shed off lower body shots is impressive. Gaskins is a competent receiver as well that shows some shiftiness in the open field. The Richmond product is outplaying Michael Cox, and it’s not particularly close. The Giants clearly want a better look as he was out there for a heavy portion of the second half.

Jordan Stanton, DE | 1 sack | The James Madison alum notched his second 4th quarter strip sack in as many games, neither of which was recovered by the Giants line. Against Buffalo he won with speed off the edge, but last night it was Stanton’s persistence that paid dividends. Depending on how many DE’s the Giants choose to roster on the 53, Stanton has a shot to break camp with the team… Worst case (and more likely scenario) we’re looking at a practice squad stalwart. At 6’4 263, Stanton certainly looks the part of ‘specimen’.