Eye Test: New York Giants Defeat New York Jets 21-20
By Curt Macysyn
The New York Giants defeated the New York Jets 21-20 in their annual preseason dual. That was job one. Passing the eye test was job two.
How the G-Men achieved the result was less significant than the bigger picture of the win. There is plenty of work to do prior to meeting the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 11. Big Blue’s first-team defense held serve against the Gang Green, while the offense struggled again.
But the monkey is off of the team’s back. Another win in a meaningless final preseason will level the Giants’ record to 2-2.
What are the results of the “Eye Test”?
Passed Eye Test on Offense: Tavarres King
In a game that featured the likes of Odell Beckham, Victor Cruz and Eric Decker; a practice squad performer stood out. His name is Taverres King, and he spent last season on the Giants’ practice squad.
King caught two touchdown passes and seemingly separated himself from the pack.
NJ Advance Media reported on Aug. 27, 2016 that King realizes the importance of performing with a limited snap count. “It’s extremely important,” King said. “These are things that matter, right? For me to get an opportunity, for the coaches to believe in me, Ryan (Nassib), my teammates, to believe in me to give me the opportunity to make a play like that, it’s tremendous. It means a lot.”
Separation was needed to distinguish practice players from game performers. King has gained a few yards in front of the likes of Anthony Dable, Darius Powe, Roger Lewis and Myles White.
Failed Eye Test on Offense: Ereck Flowers
The offensive line cannot be called a “work in progress” for two reasons. First, no one knows if the individual parts are capable of getting better. Secondly, some of the parts have never been NFL high performers (Flowers, Newhouse, Jerry).
Maybe the unit will improve, but maybe it won’t.
“Ereck Flowers at left tackle struggled against Sheldon Richardson. Plenty of offensive linemen will have their hands full with the powerful Richardson, but Flowers is a first-round pick, and the Giants need more from him,” wrote Paul Schwartz of the New York Post on Aug. 27, 2016.
If the goal is a Super Bowl title, can anyone with a straight face say the offensive line is of that caliber?
Flowers was happy to see last year’s offensive line coach, Pat Flaherty, in San Francisco these days, according to the New York Post on June 16, 2016.
“It is a good adjustment, in every way,’’ Flowers said of Solari. “All of his techniques and different drills and everything he does. He is a great coach.’’
All great, except nothing has changed on the field. And last year’s sore ankle is apparently healed. There is no back-up plan behind Flowers, so either he improves or the offense struggles.
Passed Defensive Eye Test on Defense: Kerry Wynn
After all of the big ticket signings, Kerry Wynn still a forgotten man on the Giants’ defense. The more the team tries to push him out with the likes of Damontre Moore and Owa Odighizuwa, they can’t.
Moore is already gone, and Odighizuwa gets plenty of ink. Wynn’s acrobatic interception that turned into a 73-yard pick six was highlight reel material.
“Unlike some defensive linemen who lumber after they find themselves with the ball, Wynn looked like a natural ballcarrier,” according to Newsday on Aug. 27, 2016.
With Olivier Vernon and Jason Pierre-Paul in the fold, there remains no doubt about the starters. But having a rotation of defensive ends keeps everyone fresh. With a $600,000 salary, Wynn is worth his weight in gold that way.
Failed Eye Test on Defense: Janoris Jenkins
Teams don’t sign big money players to make rookie mistakes. That’s two in two weeks for Janoris Jenkins, as he didn’t turn his head around on Eric Decker’s touchdown. The gnashing of the teeth over the Eli Apple selection, should swing to the Jenkins’ signing.
“He gambles too much at times
and he is too aggressive in his tackling, causing misses.”
Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) on Janoris Jenkins
Living with Apple’s rookie mistakes on one side, with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie on the other side would have been fine. Fitting all three guys on the field this season will be challenging for Steve Spagnuolo.
In fact, Pete Prisco of CBS Sports thinks that Jenkins is the Giants most over-rated player.
“The ability is there, but the constancy is not. He gambles too much at times and he is too aggressive in his tackling, causing misses. This is a chance for Jenkins to prove his talent and consistency have meshed for his new team,” Prisco writes.
Hard to argue with that sentiment right now.