Top 4 takeaways from New York Giants preseason opener
By Henry Buggy
Pass Defense Remains Top Concern
The New York Giants run defense looked stout on Thursday evening, allowing just 50 yards rushing and 1.5 yards per carry. Big Blue’s pass defense was another story altogether.
The Giants gave up 322 passing yards and three touchdowns through the air. Giants inside linebacker Alec Ogletree was beaten bad by Browns tight end David Njoku on Cleveland’s first score.
The G-Men struggled to cover the tight end position last season. It seems they have yet to fix the issue. Njoku finished the night with two catches for 46 yards and reached the end zone twice. The Giants also gave up a 54-yard touchdown to Browns wide receiver Antonio Callaway as well as a 32-yard reception to Jarvis Landry.
The Giants first-string defense allowed Browns starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor to complete 5-of-5 passes for 99 yards. James Bettcher’s defense had no answers in stopping Cleveland’s aerial attack.
The Giants posted the league’s second-worst pass defense in terms of yards allowed last season. Depth at cornerback and safety remains a top concern, and after Thursday’s performance, the first-team’s pass defense is in question too.
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It’s still early. It’s only the first preseason game. But that doesn’t mean the Giants didn’t learn plenty about themselves Thursday night.