The New York Giants beat up on the Miami Dolphins on Saturday in a one-sided 26-3 victory. It was clear from the joint practice that the Giants were a superior roster; reports from practice suggested that the Giants’ defense destroyed the first-team Miami offense — a first-team Miami offense that mostly rested in this preseason game.
New York rested most of their players, other than some presumed starters who did not play in preseason Week 1: Greg Newsome II, Paulson Adebo, Dru Phillips, and John
Michael Schmitz. The Giants defense smothered Miami’s offense, which was led by quarterbacks Cam Miller and Mark Gronowski. Miami barely eclipsed 100 total yards, as the Giants controlled the air and ground.
But of course, Miami’s roster is devoid of proven talent, and they rested their starters. Still, it was nice to see New York have a dominating win for a change — it’s an uncommon experience of late for the Giants. New York had 393 total yards, as both of their trenches dominated. These grades will be positive — let’s hope that energy is maintained when the regular season rolls around.
Quarterback
Jameis Winston is a pro’s pro and comported himself well. He finished 15 of 21 for 150 yards with an 11-yard rushing touchdown. Brandon Allen relieved Winston in the second-half; he converted a first down but quickly suffered a sack that resulted in an eventual punt. Allen missed a pair of open receivers, and was fairly conservative. He did complete 13 of 18 passes for 101 yards. Overall, Allen played better than he did last week, but he still missed plays.
Jake Haener, whom the Giants signed earlier this week, played the final seven minutes of the game and mostly handed the ball to Eric Gray.
Grade: B+
Running Back
Tyrone Tracy Jr. started the game behind Devin Singletary, but the third-year back quickly found his rhythm. He ripped off two runs of 10-plus yards and helped the Giants move into the red zone. Unfortunately, wet conditions contributed to a fumble by Tracy Jr., giving the ball away deep in enemy territory with a chance to extend the lead to two scores — a mistake that will never sit well with the coaching staff.
Still, it’s worth noting that Tracy was running effectively before the turnover. Tracy had a positive blitz pickup, but also whiffed on one with 32 seconds left in the first half.
Singletary ran decisively and found holes on under center runs. He looked good and capped off a drive with a 13-yard touchdown run:
Singletary finished with eight carries for 40 yards with a touchdown and one catch for four yards. Tracy Jr. had six carries for 26 yards (4.3 YPC) with three catches for 22 yards. Eric Gray and Damon Bankston took most of the second-half snaps at the running back position. Gray did have 10 carries for 33 yards with six catches for 37 yards.
Grade: B+
Wide Receiver
Odell Beckham Jr. had a 12-yard comeback and also drew a pass interference with the Giants driving down the field in the final minute of the first half. Beckham had a drop in the end zone at the end of the first half that left four points on the board after Dominic Zvada’s field goal. It wasn’t the easiest play, but one that Beckham should have made.
Calvin Austin III was quick and effective underneath. He caught a quick pass and took it 20 yards, and he also had another catch for four yards, while adding 21 yards on a jet sweep that easily gained the edge. Darius Slayton caught four of his six targets for 58 yards and was routinely getting open over the middle of the field. Dalen Cambre caught a few passes from Allen and Haener late in the game, as he continues to fight for a roster spot, primarily as a special teamer.
Overall, the wide receivers didn’t have a massive impact, but it was great to see Slayton be effective, and it was evident that Austin III will have a role in the offensive 11 personnel package.
Grade: B-
Tight End
The tight ends weren’t super involved in the passing attack. Chris Manhertz had a 22 personnel play-action shot designed toward him in the red zone, but it went incomplete. Theo Johnson caught a pass for 12 yards from Winston. Tanner Conner dropped a third-down pass but did secure one pass for 7 yards. Thomas Fidone II had four catches for 29 yards.
Grade: B-
Offensive Line
The Giants owned the point of attack and kept Winston clean throughout the first half. Marcus Mbow continued to impress at tackle, and Josh Ezeudu, as well as Evan Neal, did well run blocking. The first-, second-, and third- team offenses generated good push up front. The Giants rushed for 135 yards in the game.
The “Greg Roman Effect” is creating a physical atmosphere, as players from the previous regime seem to be dictating more on the line of scrimmage, but AGAIN, this is a Miami Dolphins roster that is thin.
Grade: A
Defensive Line
Bobby Jamison-Travis earned a sack in the first quarter of the game to force a second-and-13. Zacch Pickens also earned a sack and had his name called a few times for holding the point of attack and playing well in the run game. Darius Alexander played into the second half, once again, and he almost came away with a safety early in the third quarter. His power-rushing ability is impressive.
Marlon Davidson continued his strong preseason with a pass deflection in the third quarter, as Pickens pushed the pocket. The depth on the defensive line played well against Miami.
Grade: A-
Edge
Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, and Kayvon Thibodeaux did not dress in this game, leaving Chauncy Gholston as the number one edge defender. His presence was felt; his long arms were in passing lanes and he made one tackle near the line of scrimmage. Trace Ford displayed heavy hands and made a few impressive plays at the line of scrimmage against the run. Ford also earned a sack on a muffed snap by Miami.
Grade: B+
Linebacker
Arvell Reese was on the field early in the game, but left after the second series. He blew up a fullback on an iso run that was consistent with many of his physical plays from preseason Week 1. It was Micah McFadden who took many of the early snaps. McFadden played well, earning an early half-sack, and he recovered Phillips’ forced fumble in the first quarter. Zaire Barnes sniffed out a second-and-15 screen.
Both Caleb Murphy and Jack Kelly flashed. Both are in direct competition with Darius Muasau to make the roster, and Muasau didn’t see the field until the threes buckled their helmets. Murphy finished with three tackles and looked physical.
Grade: A+
Cornerback
Greg Newsome II did not dress in preseason Week 1, but his presence was felt early on Saturday against the Dolphins. Newsome II made an impressive run stop at the line of scrimmage on the Dolphins’ first drive, and then knocked a crossing route down on the subsequent play. Newsome II also did an excellent job blowing up an end-around; he kept leverage to the outside and hit the back out of bounds.
Dru Phillips did not fare so well initially; he took a defensive pass interference penalty while surrendering the catch to Kevin Coleman Jr. Phillips, however, did bounce back strong with two physical plays, including a forced fumble.
Starter Paulson Adebo saw action and kept his positive trajectory from his performance in the joint practice. Overall, the Giants’ cornerbacks were sticky in coverage and surrendered little space. The defense, in general, dominated Miami’s offense.
Grade: A+
Safety
Tyler Nubin flashed as a safety and a special teams asset. He came away with a split-safety seam PBU to end the Dolphins’ first drive.
Nubin finished with three tackles and this pass defensed. The starting job opposite Jevon Holland is still up in the air, but Nubin helped himself against the Dolphins. Jason Pinnock flashed some skill with a tackle near the line of scrimmage early.
Grade: B+
Special Teams
Nubin missed a tackle on special teams but also made a big tackle on a punt return later on. Calvin Austin III had a 19-yard punt return at the end of the first quarter. Xavier Gibson had an impressive return, but it was called back by a Micah McFadden holding penalty that was a bit ticky-tacky. Still, it was pleasant to see Gibson find the crease and pick up 24-yards.
Dominic Zvada and Ben Sauls both went 2 of 2 on field goals. Zvada hit from 43 and 34 yards, and Sauls from 27 and 37\ yards. Austin and Gipson looked impressive as returners, and Jordan Stout pinned a pair of punts inside the 20-yard line. To top it all off, Miami muffed a punt, and Beau Brade recovered it with less than two minutes left in the game; it was Caleb Murphy that laid the hit on the punt returner as well — another positive for the linebacker fighting for a roster spot.
Grade: A +
