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Malik Nabers takes the high road with Drew Lock after rough Giants debut

Nabers knows his time is coming.
Braulio Perez
Braulio Perez

GMEN HQ

Aug 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (9) makes a catch during warm ups before the game against the Detroit Lions at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Are you familiar with the term keeping the Ferrari in the garage? That's how things felt with NY Giants wideout Malik Nabers during his preseason debut with the team. A pleasant surprise arrived when it was announced the No. 6 overall pick would be playing the first quarter.

However, things didn't go as planned. Nabers was on the field for 12 offensive snaps, but he didn't receive a single target from No. 2 quarterback Drew Lock. Lock even missed him pretty open on two occasions. Obviously, Nabers wasn't thrilled with how things went vs. Detroit, but he indeed took the high road when asked about things went with him and Lock.

Malik Nabers isn't down following his Big Blue debut

"It felt good to be back on the football field, playing a real game. We had a plan. I wasn’t sure if I was playing. I did a very good job of getting open, but everything has to go my way to get the ball. It was kind of slippery out there. I think I could’ve done a better job of creating separation, getting better looks for the QB (Lock) to throw the ball in better spots. That’s all I can do - continue to do what I do."
Nabers via reporter Paul Schwartz

Some fans on social media think Nabers was taking a shot at Lock with the, "everything has to go my way to get the ball" part of his quote, but come on, that simply wasn't the case. Nabers even called himself out, saying he could have created more separation for Lock to find him.

There's always going to be assumed drama for a star wide receiver, but the opposite was true here with the Big Blue speedster. Sure, zero receptions in Game 1 is not what anyone wanted to see, but this is still the preseason. Once Week 1 arrives, the rookie and Daniel Jones will surely get on the same page and look to impress. Things will only go up for Nabers from here.

Braulio Perez

Braulio Perez

Braulio Perez is an NCAA Content Director for FanSided, joining Minute Media in 2017 after 2.5 years at the Newark Star-Ledger as a high school sports reporter and 2.5 years at the Lynden Tribune as sports editor. While with the Lynden Tribune, Perez was named the Sports Writer of the Year in 2012 for his division by the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association. At the Star-Ledger, he also assisted in coverage of college football recruiting. Perez's focus has been on college football recruiting, high school sports, the NFL, NCAA and English Premier League. He is also a regular contributor for 247Sports' Cougfan.com.