The NY Giants’ starting offensive line was dominated by the Jets’ front-seven in the preseason opener Saturday night
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — If Saturday night’s NY Giants preseason opener against the Jets was a trailer of what’s to come for the offensive line, there’s a decent chance the 2021 feature is a horror flick.
It was skeleton crew out there on offense for the NY Giants, and first-round rookie Kadarius Toney did not dress.
But, the NY Giants did play its starting offensive line. And all of the concerns about the New York’s line, at least through the first quarter of the opening preseason game, are absolutely justified.
On consecutive plays, on second-down and third-down and long situations, NY Giants offensive guard Kenny Wiggins (starting in place of the injured Shane Lemieux) surrendered a pressure and second-year tackle Matt Peart allowed a Bryce Huff sack of quarterback Mike Glennon.
Peart, whom the NY Giants are banking on forming a bookend opposite 2020 first-round draft choice Andrew Thomas, offered little resistance against Huff, who blew right by him for the sack, after producing just 14 pressures all of last season.
Later, Wiggins was beat on a bull-rush by Hamsah Nasirildeen, who batted down a Glennon pass attempt.
If there is one position the NY Giants need to address between now and the season opener against the Denver Broncos, it’s the offensive line. By any means necessary; a trade, free agent signing, or waiver wire addition, this group is in dire need of veteran help.
Here are three takeaways from the NY Giants’ starters in the preseason opener against the Jets:
The NY Giants’ starting lineup:
NY Giants coach Joe judge followed through on his plan to treat Saturday night like teams used to threat the fourth and final game of the preseason; as an audition for young players and a respite for veterans.
Daniel Jones won’t play until at least next week in Cleveland against the Browns, Saquon Barkley doesn’t appear anywhere close to returning. But, the NY Giants did play the starting offensive line and start some players expected to play key roles once the games count for real next month.
Here was the NY Giants’ starting lineup on offense:
QB – Mike Glennon
RB – Devontae Booker
WR – Darius Slayton, C.J. Board, Dante Pettis
TE – Kaden Smith
LT – Andrew Thomas
LG – Will Hernandez
C – Nick Gates
RG – Kenny Wiggins
RT – Matt Peart