Big Blue View
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants hosted the New York Jets for their second joint practice of the week on Wednesday, ahead of their Saturday matchup at MetLife Stadium. Another hot August day was highlighted by the Giants’ defense harassing the Jets offense, and holding Justin Fields to a marginal passing day in 11-on-11 drills.
Tae Banks was added to the Giants’ injury report and did not practice. Dru Phillips returned, but practiced sparingly.
I was unable to see the seven-on-seven (red zone) due to my vantage point, but I ascertained that Justin Fields went 4 of 7 twice in his two periods (8 of 14 total). Fields’ four completions were touchdowns in the initial session (again, it was red zone).
Phillips and Cor’Dale Flott had their snaps limited, leading to plenty of first team reps for Nic Jones and T.J. Moore. Dee Williams also received a few first team reps. Something must have happened to Tyler Nubin early in practices, presumably in seven-on-sevens. He was off to the side on the bike without pads by the middle of practice. Raheem Layne received first-team reps with Nubin out and Dane Belton saw the field often in two and three-safety sets. Belton was receiving nickel snaps with Phillips on a pitch count.
The Giants first-team defense got after Fields and held the Jets’ passing attack in check:
Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Chauncey Golsto, and Dexter Lawrence were penetrating and forcing a lot of incompletions that would have likely never been thrown if this were a real game. Shane Bowen was dialing up slot and safety blitzes. The Jets did little to take advantage of the Giants weaker secondary.
Overall, the Giants did well against the run. Thibodeaux started the period with a massive win off the edge that resulted in a tackle for loss. The linebackers were quick to fit, there were only a few contain infractions and a lot of celebrating from the Giants players.
The three plays that were brutal for the Giants were two zone read keepers for Justin Fields around the edge. One went around Burns (I don’t know who had secondary contain); that play went for 12 yards. Fields also took one around the edge that would have likely resulted in a touchdown.
Braelon Allen also scampered to the weak side around Moore for what would have resulted in a 35-yard touchdown. Those three plays by the Jets were some of the only high-marks from their offense.
The Giants second- and third-team defense was also solid against the run and held Adrian Martinez to little success. The first play for the second team was a run to Allen that was quickly stopped by Rakeem Nunez-Roches and Darius Muasau. Two plays later, Golston had a big tackle for a loss and then Nic Jones screamed off the edge from corener for a tackle for loss that was helped out by Micah McFadden.
The end of practice was a one-minute drill, tie...
