Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Pro Football Focus Evaluation
The Giants and Bills graced the field for “semi-real” last night — you know, preseason — and on that note, statistics once again become part of our weekly NFL regimen. Deep Stats to get all specific on you, because specificity is how Pro Football Focus makes its hay. With only one game on the docket to sort through, the experts at PFF released their player ratings in warp speed. Let’s take a look at some conspicuous advanced info for Giants personnel:
Offensive Ratings
Despite completing 16 of 22 composite attempts, the Giants quarterback trio all earned negative pass ratings: -1.8 for Eli Manning, -1.4 for Ryan Nassib and -0.1 for Curtis Painter. The NFL Quarterback Rating doesn’t concur, particularly in the case of Nassib and his 126.7 QBR. Keep in mind, a perfect passer rating is 158.3. Perhaps PFF took Nassib’s blind throw over the middle into account.
Cincy on the Prowl
Rookie RB Andre Williams earned a 1.1 rush rating for his seven-carry 48-yard effort. Not too shabby for a brief evening’s work. Giants fans are psyched and already anticipating a 4th round steal. His three rushes over right tackle produced 21 yards and a touchdown.
Victor Cruz (-0.3) and Rueben Randle (-0.3) were active participants in 16 pass routes — neither one saw a target. Manning eyed Rashad Jennings out of the backfield, Jerrel Jernigan and Daniel Fells.
Two of the Giants less heralded receivers stole the show: 25-year old UDFA Marcus Harris and 22-year old UDFA Corey Washington. Harris, 1.1 receiver rating (0.5 run block), caught four of his six targets for 49 yards (long of 25). His rapport with backup Ryan Nassib was evident. 13 of Washington’s 18 snaps were in run blocking, but when he finally got a chance to strut his stuff, he made the most of it — a 73-yard touchdown grab over FA defensive back Michael Carter.
Nothing positive to report from the two young tight ends, Larry Donnell and Adrien Robinson. Donnell caught one pass for 13 yards, and he looked lost on the Giants first play from scrimmage. He finished with a -1.2 run block grade in 15 snaps. Robinson ran six pass routes and didn’t make a reception. Team brass is clearly putting his blocking aptitude to the test (-0.6).
Left guard Jamaal Johnson-Webb earned the highest grade along the offensive line at 1.7. Allowed to play to his run blocking strength on 12 of 15 snaps, the 6’6 Johnson-Webb manhandled Buffalo’s depth pieces. Starting RT Justin Pugh struggled to pass block on the first series (-0.9), but he opened up gaping holes for Andre Williams against the Bills’ second unit D (1.7).
Now for the ugly on the O-Line: C Weston Richburg -3.2 run blocking on 26 snaps, OG John Jerry -3.1 pass blocking on 11 snaps, and OG John Sullen -2.9 run blocking on 13 snaps. Richburg drew praise on Twitter for his debut, but PFF saw things very differently upon deeper assessment.