If anyone was expecting this game to be a rematch of the Super Bowl, well I just wouldn’t know what to tell them except that they might need some sort of help. New England didn’t play any of their regulars tonight. There was no Tom Brady or Wes Welker. However, Giants head coach Tom Coughlin had other ideas for some of his starters. Quarterback Eli Manning and wide receivers Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks all saw action in the first half.

What stood out the most to me about Eli Manning tonight was perhaps the fact that Coughlin played Manning so much. In a preseason game where both teams are hoping they come out at the end injury-free, playing Manning at all tonight was a roll of the dice by Coughlin. Giants fans had to have been a little nervous everytime Manning dropped back to attempt a pass. He finished the night going 4 of 6 for 29 yards.

It’s possible that one of the reasons Coughlin decided to play Manning so much tonight was because he may have wanted him to get a few reps in with Nicks. It was his first and only game played in the preseason. Nicks caught 1 pass for 6 yards, however he also was able to get some game-action under his belt before going forward with his preparation for the regular season.

Notables

The Giants came into tonight’s game knowing they have to prepare to trim their roster down to 53 on Friday. This was the last chance for players fighting for spots to make a worthwhile impression on head coach Tom Coughlin and his staff.

Andre Brown ran with authority in the third quarter on an impressive drive that led to a Giants field goal from Lawrence Tynes. Brown also had a fumble in the fourth quarter while fighting for extra yards. The Giants were able to recover the fumble. Despite that mishap, Brown made a solid case for himself tonight finishing with 14 carries for 55 yards. It could make things very interesting for what the Giants decide to do with their running back depth chart after Ahmad Bradshaw and David Wilson. Da’Rel Scott could be on the bubble now.

Wide receiver Ramses Barden finished tonight with 4 catches for 31 yards. Barden may have done enough to ensure himself a spot on the 53-man roster.

Adewale Ojomo continued his impressive preseason and he may have forced the Giants hands with his play on defense.There is definitely a buzz now based off of his play. He had two run-stuffing tackles,  and it was his strip and sack that set up the go-ahead field goal by Tynes in the fourth quarter.

What’s Next

No more preseason games !!!  The Giants start defense of their championship next Wednesday at home against the Dallas Cowboys.

The offense seems to be coming together, although the execution could have been better. The chemistry between Eli Manning and Victor Cruz already looks to be in midseason form. Cruz gave the Jets secondary fits in the first half, finishing with five receptions for 51 yards.

Ahmad Bradshaw didn’t see much playing time tonight. He left early in the first quarter to get x-rays on his right hand which turned out to be negative.

The battle for Bradshaw’s primary backup didn’t get much seperation tonight. D.J. Ware saw early action after Bradshaw went out of the game, however didn’t really make a get that attention grabbing moment tonight against the Jets. Ware finished with 15 yards on 11 carries. Rookie David Wilson had 26 yards on eight carries and it seems the first round selection may have the inside track on getting more time.

Jayron Hosley had the highlight of the night when he intercepted Mark Sanchez and returned it 77 yards for a touchdown. Hosley may have opened more eyes tonight with that play.

The battle for the third wide receiver spot remains to be a battle. Ramses Barden failed to gain any seperation from the pack of receivers battling for the position. Barden was the first on the field to receive a chance on third down and dropped the pass Manning threw his way. The next pass thrown to him also went incomplete in the end zone when he couldn’t get seperation from Darrelle Revis. Second round pick Rueben Randle’s one catch on the night was an impressive one on a deep pass from David Carr that went for 49 yards. It wouldn’t surprise me if head coach Tom Coughlin is thinking this might just be a receiver by committee scenario until someone breaks out from the pack.

If there is an area of concern it would definitely be the stability and depth of the Giants defensive line. They have been hit hard by injuries this summer. Backup middle linebacker Mark Herzlich left the game in the third quarter with a hip pointer. Herzlich has played well in camp and is pushing Chase Blackburn for that starting spot.

Next week the Giants get to play their first official “home” game when the Chicago Bears come in for week 3 of the preseason.

“I took a prescription drug (Adderall) legally under a doctor’s care for an anxiety condition during the off season in March of this year,’’ Sash said. “The purpose was to help me with public speaking appearances. I had no idea that this prescription drug was banned by NFL policy

Reports in the Ny Post and his twitter indicate that Tyler has already appealed the four game unpaid suspension. Tyler Sash went on to say the following regarding his positive drug test:

“Although I take full responsibility for this situation, I also want to state that I have never cheated or taken performance-enhancing drugs, and I frown on those who do. I am highly disappointed by the league’s decision in this matter, but I will continue to do my best on and off the field. From this point on, I will be more conscientious about every single thing I put in my body. Once again, I want to reiterate that I have never been and will never be associated in any way with performance-enhancing drugs. The timing of this positive test was March 2012, a time during which there is no physical performance required of me. I hope this explanation reinforces my innocence and shows that my intentions were pure.”

Tyler Sash’s agent came to young safeties defense noting the following on his twitter account”

“It is obvious from the timing of the positive test that Tyler’s intent was not to gain any advantage of performance enhancement as there are zero physical or competitive requirements of him for anything during the month of March. Unfortunately, like many NFL players have experienced, the appeal process is usually an exercise in futility. After a passionate explanation during the appeal of the circumstances involved, the NFL ultimately denied the appeal. This is a young man who has done everything right, and who had never failed a test for any illegal substance or performance enhancing substance in his career, including college. He has been a good citizen, a good teammate, and has never troubled anyone. For players who came into the league in a lockout year and were rushed through the process of being prepared to play, in my eyes were at a distinct disadvantage to the educational process offered to rookies about the protocol for obtaining exemptions for specific prescriptions.

What can you say about this? As a Giants fan I’m upset.  As a fan of the NFL I’m upset. As a Psychologist I’m upset about this. As a human being I’m upset about this too. Tyler Sash did nothing morally or ethically wrong. He took a prescription that was prescribed for him and by all accounts he took the correct dosage. I understand fully that teenagers, young adults, and adults abuse Adderall all the time but obviously Tyler did not.  I support the NFL 99.99 percent of the time. However, this time I disagree. The NFL needs to examine their drug policies as Tyler Sash took a drug that is used to treat ADHD/Anxiety per dosing guidelines with the proper documentation. The NFL needs to use common sense. 

– Clint Sintim was lost for the season with a ruptured patella tendon. He will be put on the IR today.

– Da’Rel Scott pretty much locked himself up a roster spot after scoring a 65 yard touchdown off of a fake punt. He has shown flashes of breakaway speed during the preseason that the coaching staff must be excited about.

– Jerrel Jernigan bobbled two punts again, but also added a few pretty catches and a 2 point conversion. He left the game late in the 4th with an apparent wrist injury, that did not seem to be serious.

– Rhys Lloyd went 1 for 3 with fieldgoals albeit they were from more than 45 yards out.

– The Giants have until 4pm today to trim their roster from 85 to 80. Should be interesting to see who the other 4 are along with Dillard going to the IR.

For more news, updates, and analysis follow me on Twitter:

http://twitter.com/erobertsny

- First thing that stood out to me was Ryan Mallet. Looks like Belichick did it again. Kid was throwing lasers all game. Brady’s predecessor in the making. The Patriots also scored 47 points – the most in their franchises preseason history.

- Vick scored a touchdown on the opening drive. Vince Young, Ronnie Brown, Nnamdi and the dream team took their first snaps as new Eagles.

- Cowboys Dwayne Harris went buck wild on the Broncos in a close game. Orton looked ok, Tebow not so much-  regardless of his stat line.

- Russell Okung got hurt for Seattle. Again. Early reports were that it was not that serious.

- Kevin Kolb had a good rapport with Larry Fitzgerald even though they came up scoreless together. Still think they need another wide receiver to take pressure off of Fitzgerald. A veteran perhaps. Terrell Owens anyone? Buehler? Buehler?

All in all it was great to see live football again.

For more news, updates, and analysis follow me on Twitter:

http://twitter.com/erobertsny

– Jerry Reese spoke to the media yesterday. In a nutshell he said: Giants will “definitely” make the playoffs, David Baas is a pro-bowl caliber center, Kevin Boothe signing was a priority, They offered reasonable contracts to Boss and Smith, and they have been following the plan all along. Handled it with class, as usual.

– Travis Beckum sat out a 2nd straight practice. I think its time to check out John Carlson’s availability in Seattle.

– Cotchery signed with the Steelers – Most likely meaning Giants will stick with their own wide-outs.

– Osi has been officially cleared to practice on Monday.

– Saturday night, August 13th, Giants at Panthers Preseason Game 1. In the words of Bart Scott, “Cant Wait!”

– Giants are off from training camp today as they are en-route to Carolina

For more news, updates, and analysis follow me on Twitter:

http://twitter.com/erobertsny