Big Blue View
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The New York Giants won a football game on Saturday, beating the Buffalo Bills, 34-25, in their first preseason game of 202. Let’s get right to our own unique ‘Kudos & Wet Willies’ review
Playing starters — That is something we have been calling for at Big Blue View and that players seemed to want. I understand the injury risk, but I also know the results of the last two season-opening games — losses to the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings by a combined score of 68-6 — can’t be repeated. Coach Brian Daboll and the Giants MUST take whatever risks are necessary to be ready from the first snap of the season.
This was a risk that, in my view, had to be taken.
GM Joe Schoen liked the move:
Quarterback Russell Wilson, for one, said he “wanted to play.”
Giants’ starters got good, important work early in the game.
Starting defense — The Giants starters played the first quarter, and gave up just 26 yards on eight snaps. That was an excellent effort without Dexter Lawrence in the lineup, even though Buffalo did not play quarterback Josh Allen. The only blemish was a roughing the passer penalty on defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris.
Dante ‘Turbo’ Miller — In a game like this, teams are looking for “bubble” players who force them to take a longer look. Enter Miller, the second-year back who spent last year on the practice squad.
The speedy back made a strong bid on Saturday to be considered for a 53-man roster spot. He carried 12 times for just 22 yards, but it was the passing game where he shone. Miller had seven receptions for 80 yards, with a long reception of 18 yards. He caught a screen pass and went 13 yards on a third-and-12.
Graham Gano — So much for the whole “can Gano be trusted from distance?” narrative. The 38-year-old placekicker drilled kicks from 53, 51 and 50 yards. Now, if he can just stay healthy.
Jaxson Dart — The Giants couldn’t have scripted Dart’s debut any better. They scored on three of the four drives he led, as Dart went 12 of 19 for 154 yards with a 28-yard touchdown pass to Lil’Jordan Humphrey. He also ran three times for 24 yards.
Coach Brian Daboll said Dart was “effective, aggressive, confident in the pocket.”
Marcus Mbow — I didn’t really notice the fifth-round pick, whether he was at left tackle or right tackle. Schoen certainly did:
Offensive line overall — The four Giants quarterbacks threw 45 passes. There were zero sacks (yes, ZERO!!) and only six quarterback hits. Quarterback Russell Wilson said there was plenty of “space” for him to operate while he was in the game.
Russell Wilson — Entering his 14th season in the league, Wilson probably could have begged off the idea of playing in the first preseason game of the season. He didn’t. Wilson went 6 of 7 for 28...
