After two joint practices, it was time to strap up for a game.
The New York Giants took on the Cleveland Browns on Sunday afternoon in the second week of the preseason. While they came away with a 17-13 loss, it was another opportunity for the Giants to evaluate their roster in live action.
"I'm proud of the team and the way they came out and competed," coach Joe Judge said. "This is definitely a positive week for us as a team, and we got better this week. We got a lot of quality work in two days of practice with a lot of our vets and young guys. We were able to evaluate our roster and evaluate a lot of players going into the stretch. We are going to New England next week, and we will be able to go with our team as narrowed down as possible. We're not making all the final decisions, but this game will give us a clearer picture going into New England next week in terms of treating it almost like a regular-season game."
Check out the best photos from the Giants' preseason contest against the Cleveland Browns.
Rysen John (44)
Gary Brightwell (37)
Rysen John (44)
Raymond Johnson III (91), Willie Henry (90), David Moa (96)
Devante Downs (52)
Raymond Johnson III (91)
Ryan Santoso (2)
Ryan Santoso (2)
Ryan Santoso (2)
Ryan Santoso (2)
Ryan Santoso (2)
Brian Lewerke (6)
Ryan Santoso (2)
Trent Harris (93)
Dante Pettis (13)
Brian Lewerke (6)
Gary Brightwell (37)
Raymond Johnson III (91)
Riley Dixon (9)
Dante Pettis (13)
Dante Pettis (13)
Riley Dixon (9)
Riley Dixon (9)
Riley Dixon (9)
Trent Harris (93)
Riley Dixon (9)
Riley Dixon (9)
Niko Lalos (57), Devante Downs (52),
David Sills V (84)
David Sills V (84)
David Moa (96), Raymond Johnson III (91)
Head Coach Joe Judge
David Sills V (84)
Matt Cole (83)
Niko Lalos (57), Damion Willis (87)
Niko Lalos (57)
Riley Dixon (9)
Ted Larsen (69), Jackson Barton (72)
Matt Cole (83)
Chad Slade (62), Brett Heggie (61)
Corey Clement (30)
Corey Clement (30)
Niko Lalos (57)
Brian Lewerke (6)
Cam Brown (47)
Brian Lewerke (6)
Brian Lewerke (6)
Brian Lewerke (6), Corey Clement (30)
Brian Lewerke (6)
Rodarius Williams (25)
Ifeadi Odenigbo (44), Devontae Booker (28), Mike Glennon (2)
Rodarius Williams (25)
Rodarius Williams (25)
Trent Harris (93)
Devante Downs (52), Oshane Ximines (53)
Carter Coughlin (49)
Rodarius Williams (25)
Oshane Ximines (53)
Jake Burton (70), Ted Larsen (69),
Madre Harper (45), Rodarius Williams (25)
Elijah Qualls (94), Oshane Ximines (53)
Ryan Anderson (46)
B.J. Hill (95)
Jake Burton (70), Ted Larsen (69), Jonotthan Harrison (64), Kenny Wiggins (79), Jackson Barton (72)
Elijhaa Penny (39)
Elijhaa Penny (39), Kenny Wiggins (79)
Jake Burton (70), Ted Larsen (69), Jonotthan Harrison (64)
Jonotthan Harrison (64), Kenny Wiggins (79), Ted Larsen (69)
B.J. Hill (95), Carter Coughlin (49)
Madre Harper (45)
Niko Lalos (57)
Dante Pettis (13)
B.J. Hill (95), Carter Coughlin (49)
B.J. Hill (95), Carter Coughlin (49)
B.J. Hill (95), Carter Coughlin (49)
B.J. Hill (95), Carter Coughlin (49)
Alex Bachman (15)
B.J. Hill (95), Carter Coughlin (49)
David Moa (96)
Elijhaa Penny (39), Saquon Barkley (26),
Madre Harper (45)
Ifeadi Odenigbo (44)
Devontae Booker (28), Elijhaa Penny (39)
Madre Harper (45)
Oshane Ximines (53)
Chad Slade (62)
Ifeadi Odenigbo (44)
Devontae Booker (28), Saquon Barkley (26)
Chad Slade (62)
Ifeadi Odenigbo (44)
Devontae Booker (28)
Mike Glennon (2)
Devontae Booker (28)
Quincy Wilson (28)
Brian Lewerke (6), Gary Brightwell (37)
Mike Glennon (2), Devontae Booker (28)
Leonard Williams (99), Quincy Wilson (28)
Julian Love (20)
David Sills V (84)
Devontae Booker (28), Mike Glennon (2)
Reggie Ragland (55), Julian Love (20)
David Sills V (84)
David Sills V (84), Jackson Barton (72)
Baker Mayfield (6), Daniel Jones (8)
Nick Gates (65), Johnny Stanton (40)
Jedrick Wills Jr. (71), Xavier McKinney (29), Mack Wilson (51)
Rodarius Williams (25), A.J. Green (38), Madre Harper (45)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Rodarius Williams (25), A.J. Green (38), Madre Harper (45)
Rodarius Williams (25), A.J. Green (38), Madre Harper (45)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon scrambles during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon (2) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New York Giants running back Devontae Booker runs during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon (2) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New York Giants defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo (44) runs off of the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
New York Giants tight end Nakia Griffin-Stewart (47) runs up the field during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
New York Giants quarterback Brian Lewerke (6) drops back to hand off the ball during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
New York Giants quarterback Brian Lewerke (6) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
New York Giants head coach Joe Judge watches as his team plays during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
New York Giants running back Gary Brightwell (37) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
New York Giants linebacker Oshane Ximines (53) runs towards the ball during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
New York Giants defensive end Raymond Johnson III (91) rushes during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New York Giants Ted Larsen, left, congratulates quarterback Brian Lewerke after an 8-yard pass to David Sills during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New York Giants head coach Joe Judge watches during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Cleveland Browns tight end Jordan Franks (87) cannot hold onto the ball under pressure from New York Giants linebacker Devante Downs (52) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New York Giants quarterback Brain Lewerke hands the ball off during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon (2) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New York Giants defensive tackle David Moa (96) celebrates after a sack during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New York Giants wide receiver C.J. Board (18) rushes against the Cleveland Browns during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New York Giants fullback Eli Penny (32) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New York Giants Quincy Wilson runs after an interception during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Casey Kreiter (58), Kaden Smith (82), Julian Love (20)
Madre Harper (45)
Reggie Ragland (55)
Leonard Williams (99)
Oshane Ximines (53)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Saquon Barkley (26), Darius Slayton (86)
Dexter Lawrence (97), B.J. Hill (95)
Austin Johnson (98)
Chad Slade (62)
Cam Brown (47)
Jake Hausmann (49)
Logan Ryan (23)
Chad Slade (62)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Chad Slade (62)
Jonotthan Harrison (64)
Ifeadi Odenigbo (44)
Carson Tinker (46)
Carson Tinker (46)
Carson Tinker (46)
Jonotthan Harrison (64)
Jonotthan Harrison (64)
Jonotthan Harrison (64)
Mike Glennon (2)
Brian Lewerke (6)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Brian Lewerke (6)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Sterling Shepard (3), Kyle Rudolph (80)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Sterling Shepard (3), Kyle Rudolph (80)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Evan Engram (88)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Darius Slayton (86)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Darius Slayton (86)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Darius Slayton (86)
Daniel Jones (8)
Matt Peart (74), Andrew Thomas (78)
Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Jones (8)
Julian Love (20)
Sandro Platzgummer (34)
Jabrill Peppers (21)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Cullen Gillaspia (36)
Devontae Booker (28)
Matt Peart (74)
Sandro Platzgummer (34)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Graham Gano (5)
Chad Slade (62)
Darnay Holmes (30), Logan Ryan (23)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Darnay Holmes (30), Logan Ryan (23)
Darnay Holmes (30), Logan Ryan (23)
Darnay Holmes (30), Logan Ryan (23)
Logan Ryan (23)
Logan Ryan (23)
Matt Cole (83)
Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Evan Engram (88)
Evan Engram (88)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Kyle Rudolph (80)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Darius Slayton (86)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Darius Slayton (86)
Kyle Rudolph (80)
Evan Engram (88)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Darius Slayton (86)
Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Corey Clement (30)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Carter Coughlin (49)
Kenny Golladay (19)
Julian Love (20)
Brett Heggie (61)
Corey Clement (30)
Austin Mack (81)
Jackson Barton (72)
Matt Peart (74)
Alex Bachman (15)
Casey Kreiter (58)
David Sills V (84)
Ifeadi Odenigbo (44)
Ryan Santoso (2)
Daniel Jones (8)
Nick Gates (65), Will Hernandez (71)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Quincy Wilson (28)
Adoree' Jackson (22)
B.J. Hill (95), Cam Brown (47), Saquon Barkley (26)
Brett Heggie (61)
Andrew Thomas (78)
Sam Beal (34)
James Bradberry (24)
Sam Beal (34)
Kadarius Toney (89)
Niko Lalos (57), Shane Lemieux (66)
Niko Lalos (57)
Logan Ryan (23)
Chad Slade (62), Riley Dixon (9)
Rodarius Williams (25)
Logan Ryan (23)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Nakia Griffin-Stewart (47), Logan Ryan (23)
Carson Tinker (46)
Lorenzo Carter (59)
Corey Clement (30)
Lorenzo Carter (59)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Tae Crowder (48)
Oshane Ximines (53)
Oshane Ximines (53)
Austin Johnson (98)
Leonard Williams (99)
Devante Downs (52)
Raymond Johnson III (91)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Blake Martinez (54)
Evan Engram (88)
Cullen Gillaspia (36)
Kenny Golladay (19)
Danny Shelton (75)
Daniel Jones (8)
Kenny Golladay (19), Sterling Shepard (3), Jason Garrett
Kenny Golladay (19)
Here are the standouts from Sunday's game:
WR Davis Sills V
Wide receiver David Sills V showed sticky hands throughout the day. He caught four passes for 31 yards, including an eight-yard touchdown from Lewerke to bring the Giants within one point of the Browns with 7:11 left in the game. The Giants elected to go for the two-point conversion, but rookie running back Gary Brightwell was stopped short of the goal line. Sills led the team in receiving yards last week against the Jets in his first game since the 2019 preseason.
OLB Oshane Ximines
The Giants wanted to get Ximines as many reps as possible on Sunday, and the outside linebacker made the most of them. Ximines led the pass rush with three quarterback hits, including a sack.
"It was good to see X back out there with us," Judge said. "He had a good week of practice. We just wanted to get him some reps in. Go with X and just get him back out there playing ball. He obviously missed a lot of ball last year being injured. He missed a lot of ball this year with starting camp late so the goal for him and (fellow linebacker) Ryan Anderson was to just get them as many snaps as they could with playing ball. I'm happy the way it came out. They did some nice things for us today. Obviously, there are always things to clean up. We're never fully satisfied with the tape. However, they went out there and played a lot of ball for us and definitely did some good things."
WR Matt Cole
The Giants cross-trained a few players on Sunday. Cole, who made the special teams play of the game last week on a downed punt, saw some snaps at cornerback on Sunday. The do-it-all Cole also made a tackle on punt coverage. Meanwhile, rookie cornerback Rodarius Williams took reps at safety as the coaches look to get the most out of the sixth-round pick.
"Whether special teams, offense, or defense, he just says 'yes sir' and goes out there and plays 100 percent," Judge said. "We were sitting there and looking at the amount of guys we were going to play yesterday. We knew the depth of some was going to be an issue. We knew it was going to be a hot day and playing a lot of snaps. We just turned around and said, Let's let Matt go out there. This guy competes on punt returns against a gunner. Let's see what he's got. To be honest with you, I've had experience with receivers in training camp and guys that have stuck around. One thing that impressed us was that he didn't blink. He went out there. He got the ball thrown to him a couple times. He made a nice tackle. He stopped them short right there and forced a field goal. Obviously, the calls were a little new to him. He got a crash course last night on our defense and some meanings, but he went out there to compete."
"They did target my area," Cole said. " I do not want to toot my own horn, but I do not think a receiver caught the ball on my side of the field – Cole World. I think I did pretty good. I just stepped up and just filled in a spot. My coaches helped on the side that are sure about the defenses that they run. I would just charge."
LB Carter Coughlin
Coughlin showed his pass-rush ability again after catching Judge's eye with five tackles and a strip-sack in the preseason opener. On Sunday, he had a sack among four tackles.
RB Devontae Booker
As Saquon Barkley ramps up, Devontae Booker has carried the load in the backfield. He rushed six times for 27 yards on Sunday, including a one-yard leap over the pile for a touchdown late in the first quarter.
"I did not know how long I was going to be out there, but I just wanted to be a spark for the team and for the offense, go out there and do what we have been doing," Booker said. "Got a touchdown with it, and that is always good. Just continue to get better."
Judge said after the game that they have not made a decision on whether Barkley will play in the third and final preseason outing.
"We are going to the doctors and approach it as we get closer," Judge said. "We will have conversations tomorrow and will definitely be increasing what he's doing. I can't tell you exactly what that's going to be. I don't know at this point if that's going to include 11-on-11 or 7-on-7, or whatever it may be, but we're going to make sure we're very calculated with what we do. At the same time, he had a great week this week with the trainers and with what he could give us on the field. I know he is tapping his foot and getting anxious. As soon as we get the greenlight from the medical staff, we'll keep going."
DB Julian Love
Love served as a game captain, recorded five tackles, and earned a new a new nickname from his head coach – "Duct Tape."
"In a meeting in the defensive room, he said, 'Well, we can put you in any situation, wherever we need you, you are like duct tape for us,'" Love said. "That is a true story. Now everyone is calling me duct tape now because he made that comment. It is a short-term solution – duct tape. We will move on to something more permanent."
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