The Giants.com crew breaks down the preseason victory over the Carolina Panthers:
John Schmeelk: The second preseason game might be the only time we get to see the Giants' first-team offense, from the offensive line, to the quarterback, to the skill position players. If those 10 snaps for Daniel Jones, Andrew Thomas and eight for Darren Waller are the only ones we see this preseason, could they have been any better?
The Giants showed much of what made their offense work last season. They used a combination of short and quick passes with play-action and some pre-snap motion to create space in the secondary to move the ball 75 yards on 10 plays for a touchdown. Jones immediately found chemistry with Darren Waller, completing three passes. He used his legs to run for yards on a play when there was pressure in the pocket and completed a few passes on the move.
In short, the passing offense looked sharp and in sync. It's exactly what everyone wanted to see in preseason before the team will take the field against the Cowboys in Week 1. Perhaps the most important development was that no one got hurt. You can't ask for more coming out of what has become the "dress rehearsal" game for most teams in the preseason.
Dan Salomone: The game showed that the arrival of Darren Waller doesn't mean Daniel Bellinger won't have a major role in the offense – the latter's role could even be bigger in Year 2. The first drive was a perfect example of what the offense can be with two tight ends. Waller caught three passes for 30 yards as the Giants marched down to the Panthers' 4, where Bellinger waited in the weeds until slipping out for a touchdown. The two closest defenders hesitated just enough to stay with Waller, giving Bellinger a path to the end zone.
"He's got the right mindset of kind of the person we are looking for," coach Brian Daboll said of Bellinger. "He's smart. He's tough. He's dependable. He's a good teammate. He works hard. He puts the team first. I think it's good to have veterans in the room that can help those players as well, those young players. I think he's made strides from when he played last year to where he's at now. Time will tell once we get going here in the regular season. Good young player, has the right mindset and has a good player in the room to learn from as well now."
View photos from the home preseason opener between the Giants and Panthers at MetLife Stadium.
RB Eric Gray (20)
Brian Daboll Head Coach, TE Darren Waller (12)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84), WR Isaiah Hodgins (18), TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)
OLB Habakkuk Baldonado (45)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
OLB Habakkuk Baldonado (45)
T Julién Davenport (71)
RB Jashaun Corbin (25)
RB Jashaun Corbin (25)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)
QB Tommy DeVito (5)
QB Tommy DeVito (5)
RB Jashaun Corbin (25)
RB Jashaun Corbin (25)
RB Jashaun Corbin (25)
RB Jashaun Corbin (25)
RB Jashaun Corbin (25)
WR Jaydon Mickens (88)
QB Tommy DeVito (5)
WR Jaydon Mickens (88)
WR Jaydon Mickens (88)
WR Jaydon Mickens (88)
WR Jaydon Mickens (88)
WR Jaydon Mickens (88)
S Dane Belton (24)
Brian Daboll Head Coach
Don Martindale Defensive Coordinator
Brian Daboll Head Coach
OLB Jihad Ward (55)
ILB Dyontae Johnson (54), DT Kobe Smith (72)
TE Chris Myarick (85)
S Bobby McCain (21)
G Shane Lemieux (66)
TE Chris Myarick (85)
RB Jashaun Corbin (25)
TE Chris Myarick (85)
RB Jashaun Corbin (25)
TE Chris Myarick (85)
T Korey Cunningham (70)
G Shane Lemieux (66)
G Jack Anderson (77), G Shane Lemieux (66)
QB Tommy DeVito (5), Sean Harlow, T Matt Peart (74)
QB Tommy DeVito (5)
QB Tommy DeVito (5), Sean Harlow, T Matt Peart (74)
QB Tommy DeVito (5)
S Alex Cook (23)
QB Tommy DeVito (5)
ILB Darrian Beavers (43)
ILB Darrian Beavers (43)
ILB Darrian Beavers (43)
CB Darnay Holmes (30)
CB Darnay Holmes (30)
DT Brandin Bryant (69)
S Dane Belton (24)
S Dane Belton (24)
OLB Tomon Fox (49), OLB Oshane Ximines (53)
OLB Tomon Fox (49), OLB Oshane Ximines (53)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2), OL Joshua Ezeudu (75)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
RB Eric Gray (20)
CB Amani Oruwariye (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
DT Jordon Riley (95), S Dane Belton (24)
DT Jordon Riley (95)
DT Jordon Riley (95)
S Gervarrius Owens (31)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
S Gervarrius Owens (31)
OLB Tomon Fox (49)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
G Mark Glowinski (64), C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
CB Rodarius Williams (25)
S Dane Belton (24)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
S Dane Belton (24)
DT Kobe Smith (72)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84), QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84), QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
K Graham Gano (9)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84), QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84), QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84), QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84), C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84), WR Isaiah Hodgins (18), TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84), WR Isaiah Hodgins (18), TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84), WR Isaiah Hodgins (18), TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84), WR Isaiah Hodgins (18), TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
RB Eric Gray (20), T Matt Peart (74)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
LB Bobby Okereke (58)
G Ben Bredeson (68)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2), OL Joshua Ezeudu (75)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
LB Bobby Okereke (58)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), QB Tyrod Taylor (2), OL Joshua Ezeudu (75)
LB Bobby Okereke (58), OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
LB Bobby Okereke (58), S Xavier McKinney (29)
LB Bobby Okereke (58), S Xavier McKinney (29)
LB Bobby Okereke (58), S Xavier McKinney (29), S Jason Pinnock (27)
LB Bobby Okereke (58)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
CB Adoree' Jackson (22)
CB Adoree' Jackson (22)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
S Jason Pinnock (27), LB Bobby Okereke (58)
S Jason Pinnock (27), LB Bobby Okereke (58)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
TE Lawrence Cager (83)
TE Lawrence Cager (83)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
DT Jordon Riley (95)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
S Jason Pinnock (27)
DT Jordon Riley (95)
RB Jashaun Corbin (25)
K Graham Gano (9)
K Graham Gano (9)
K Graham Gano (9)
K Graham Gano (9), P Jamie Gillan (6)
Brian Daboll Head Coach
Brian Daboll Head Coach, TE Darren Waller (12)
Brian Daboll Head Coach, TE Darren Waller (12)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
G Mark Glowinski (64), QB Daniel Jones (8), TE Darren Waller (12)
TE Darren Waller (12)
T Evan Neal (73)
G Mark Glowinski (64), QB Daniel Jones (8), TE Darren Waller (12)
T Evan Neal (73)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
WR Parris Campbell (0)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
TE Darren Waller (12)
OLB Oshane Ximines (53)
TE Darren Waller (12)
ILB Carter Coughlin (52)
TE Darren Waller (12)
OLB Habakkuk Baldonado (45)
OLB Habakkuk Baldonado (45)
OLB Habakkuk Baldonado (45)
RB Eric Gray (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
T Evan Neal (73), RB Eric Gray (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
RB Eric Gray (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
WR Parris Campbell (0)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
New York Giants' Parris Campbell runs the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants tight end Darren Waller stands on the sidelines during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley stands on the sidelines during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants running back Eric Gray scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants running back Jashaun Corbin runs with the ball during an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants running back Eric Gray celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones gestures at the line of scrimmage during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones stands at the line of scrimmage during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor passes the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones throws the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt carries the ball during an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones throws the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) attempts to avoid a tackle by Carolina Panthers cornerback Keith Taylor Jr. (28) during an NFL pre-season football game on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
New York Giants wide receiver Darren Waller (12) is tackled by Carolina Panthers safety Xavier Woods (25) during an NFL preseason football game Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Carolina Panthers' Adam Thielen, left, and New York Giants' Isaiah Hodgins talks after an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, left, greets New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones after an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants wide receiver Kalil Pimpleton (81) is tackled by Carolina Panthers linebacker Brandon Smith (40) during an NFL pre-season football game on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, left, greets New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones after an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) cheers on the crowd during an NFL pre-season football game against the Carolina Panthers on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
New York Giants wide receiver Parris Campbell, center, is tackled by Carolina Panthers safety Vonn Bell, left, and linebacker Shaq Thompson, right, during an NFL pre-season football game on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
New York Giants' Darren Waller, left, talks with Parris Campbell, right, and Daniel Jones (8) on the sidelines during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants' Saquon Barkley watches the game from the sidelines during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito looks to throw during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants' Darnay Holmes during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants' Eric Gray (20), second from left, celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (93)
DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (93)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
CB Adoree' Jackson (22)
QB Daniel Jones (8), WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
S Jason Pinnock (27)
CB Darnay Holmes (30)
LB Bobby Okereke (58)
WR Sterling Shepard (3)
TE Darren Waller (12), RB Saquon Barkley (26)
WR Sterling Shepard (3)
LB Bobby Okereke (58), S Xavier McKinney (29)
LB Bobby Okereke (58), S Xavier McKinney (29)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
OLB Oshane Ximines (53)
TE Darren Waller (12)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
RB Eric Gray (20)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
WR Parris Campbell (0)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
WR Kalil Pimpleton (81)
WR Sterling Shepard (3)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)
WR Sterling Shepard (3)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
WR Sterling Shepard (3)
New York Giants' John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), center, prepares to snap the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants' Sterling Shepard runs a route during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants' John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), right, gestures during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants' Daniel Bellinger scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants' Jalin Hyatt catches a touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants' Parris Campbell, left, runs the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, center, throws during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
OLB Oshane Ximines (53)
ILB Darrian Beavers (43)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
TE Darren Waller (12)
TE Darren Waller (12)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
TE Darren Waller (12)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
OLB Tomon Fox (49)
OLB Oshane Ximines (53)
ILB Darrian Beavers (43)
ILB Darrian Beavers (43)
S Alex Cook (23)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
S Alex Cook (23)
CB Gemon Green (34)
S Jason Pinnock (27)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
S Jason Pinnock (27)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
S Dane Belton (24)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
WR Sterling Shepard (3)
T Evan Neal (73)
CB Gemon Green (34)
G Mark Glowinski (64)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
OLB Jihad Ward (55)
DL Leonard Williams (99)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
WR Sterling Shepard (3)
ILB Darrian Beavers (43)
WR Sterling Shepard (3)
OLB Habakkuk Baldonado (45)
CB Amani Oruwariye (20), S Jason Pinnock (27)
OLB Tomon Fox (49)
CB Amani Oruwariye (20), S Jason Pinnock (27)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
S Jason Pinnock (27)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
S Gervarrius Owens (31), CB Tre Hawkins III (37)
RB Gary Brightwell (23)
RB Gary Brightwell (23)
LB Bobby Okereke (58)
LB Bobby Okereke (58)
TE Darren Waller (12)
TE Darren Waller (12)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
TE Darren Waller (12)
RB James Robinson (24)
RB James Robinson (24)
T Matt Peart (74)
OL Joshua Ezeudu (75)
WR Cole Beasley (9)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)
QB Tommy DeVito (5)
LS Cameron Lyons (48)
K Graham Gano (9), LS Casey Kreiter (59)
WR Parris Campbell (0)
WR Parris Campbell (0)
WR Parris Campbell (0)
WR Darius Slayton (86)
RB Matt Breida (31)
RB Matt Breida (31)
CB Zyon Gilbert (38)
T Korey Cunningham (70)
T Korey Cunningham (70)
WR Kalil Pimpleton (81)
RB Jashaun Corbin (25)
WR Jamison Crowder (80)
WR Jamison Crowder (80)
ILB Carter Coughlin (52)
CB Darnay Holmes (30)
ILB Carter Coughlin (52)
TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
CB Darnay Holmes (30)
WR Jaydon Mickens (88)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
Sean Harlow
TE Chris Myarick (85)
DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (93)
DT Kobe Smith (72)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
WR David Sills V (13)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
WR David Sills V (13)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
CB Adoree' Jackson (22)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
DL D.J. Davidson (98)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
CB Darren Evans (35)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
CB Cor'Dale Flott (28)
CB Cor'Dale Flott (28)
CB Nick McCloud (44)
S Bobby McCain (21)
CB Nick McCloud (44)
S Bobby McCain (21)
OLB Tashawn Bower (94)
S Dane Belton (24)
ILB Micah McFadden (41)
OLB Oshane Ximines (53)
TE Lawrence Cager (83)
TE Lawrence Cager (83)
Lance Medow: One area the Giants set out to improve this offseason was stopping the run - they added several defensive linemen and linebackers to help that cause. The game against the Panthers provided a taste of what some of these new faces can provide. Bobby Okereke finished tied with a team-leading seven tackles, including four solo, and was highly active in clogging holes thanks to his anticipation of being in the right place at the right time. His veteran experience will be an asset on the second level of the defense; and one of this year's seventh-round picks, Jordon Riley, is trying to make Okereke's job a bit easier. For the second straight preseason contest, the former Oregon product made his presence felt in the trenches by slowing down the run game or helping to collapse the pocket. Riley's night was highlighted by a stop of running back Spencer Brown, on 4th-and-1 at the Carolina 48 with 2:12 to go in the second quarter, forcing a turnover on downs.
Riley moved around a lot in college, suiting up for four schools, but he's already more than comfortable wearing a Giants jersey moving forward. At 6-5, 325, his frame is ideal for doing damage on the interior of the defensive line and, thus far, that size and strength has lived up to what's listed on paper. The NFL's best defensive lines have several different players they can rotate in and out of the lineup throughout a game. All the Giants need to do is look within the division at the Eagles, who have thrived in that department. With Riley and free agent additions Rakeem Nunez-Roches and A'Shawn Robinson joining forces with Dexter Lawrence, New York will present several options to utilize against an opposing ground attack, a must in the NFC East given the caliber of competition.
Matt Citak: There were many bright spots in the win over Carolina, but perhaps the most encouraging takeaway was the performance of the rookie class. Cornerback Deonte Banks and center John Michael Schmitz were solid for the second consecutive week, yet it was the play of some of their classmates that really opened some eyes, starting with the third-round pick. Throughout the first few weeks of training camp, we have seen wide receiver Jalin Hyatt use his speed to blaze past defenders and get open down the field numerous times. But seeing him do it in a game against another team was a thing of beauty. The most impressive part about his touchdown catch is that it came just one play after Hyatt dropped a pass. Following the game, coach Brian Daboll highlighted the rookie receiver's "next-play mentality," but credit also goes to offensive coordinator Mike Kafka for going back to Hyatt one play after he had the drop. It has become clear that every time Hyatt steps onto the field, opposing defenses will have to account for his speed and big-play ability, which should help open up things for everyone else in the offense.
In addition to Hyatt, running back Eric Gray looked impressive on his 9-yard touchdown run, bulldozing over defenders to punch it into the end zone. But the rookie back also made a couple of instinctive plays on special teams, which helped with field possession. Gray has seen a lot of time returning kicks this summer and could hold onto that role heading into the season. On the other side of the ball, the Giants' final three draft picks each made a strong impression against the Panthers. Cornerback Tre Hawkins III had great coverage on veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen down the field on one play, and did not allow a reception on his 14 coverage snaps. The sixth-round pick has acclimated quickly to the NFL and already looks like he belongs. Defensive lineman Jordon Riley, a seventh-round pick, saw some snaps with the starting defense and picked up a key stop on a 4th-and-1, stuffing the running back at the line of scrimmage to cause a turnover on downs. The Giants' final pick, safety Gervarrius Owens, tied linebacker Bobby Okereke for the team lead with seven total tackles (four solo) and also broke up a pass. While the regular season has obviously not yet begun, the Giants' seven-man draft class looks like they have the potential to play a key role for the team this season.
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