Top 4 takeaways from New York Giants preseason opener
By Henry Buggy
Special Teams Showing Signs of Improvement
If there one positive for the New York Giants on Thursday night, it was their special teams.
Big Blue’s only touchdown came off a special teams turnover forced by Kerry Wynn. The Giants veteran defensive end forced a fumble while making a tackle on the punt coverage unit, and running back Jalen Simmons punched it in the end zone three plays later.
ICYMI: Special teams sets up the TD, Kerry Wynn knocks it loose and Zak DeOssie recovers #CLEvsNYG pic.twitter.com/p4wtgCgnWf
— New York Giants (@Giants) August 10, 2018
Punter Riley Dixon also had a strong debut in his first game with the New York Giants. He averaged 44.2 yards on 10 punts and put Cleveland inside the 20-yard line three times. The Giants acquired the third-year punter through a trade with the Denver Broncos this offseason. Dave Gettleman’s investment of a conditional seventh-round draft pick looks to be a smart move at this point.
Giants kicker Aldrick Rosas also connected on a 42-yard field goal attempt. His top competition, Marshall Koehn, converted on his lone extra point attempt.
The Giants struggles on special teams were well documented last season. At least, Big Blue looks to be turning the corner under the new coaching staff. However, Rosas’ and Koehn’s competition for the full-time gig is far from over.