After almost seven months of waiting, the New York Giants finally suited up and took the field for a game.
The Giants traveled to Detroit earlier this week for two joint practices with the Lions ahead of Friday night's preseason opener. Facing another opponent in practice is one thing, but going head to head against a different team in a game setting is another story.
In the confines of Ford Field, the Giants opened their three-game preseason slate with 21-16 loss to the Lions.
Here are five things we learned from the preseason loss.
1. Rookies get first taste of NFL
Despite a strong start, the Giants were unable to hold onto a 10-point halftime lead and fell to the Detroit Lions, 21-16, in the preseason opener.
The defense held the Lions to just three points in the first two quarters. However, the offense was unable to capitalize after starting consecutive drives on Detroit's 32-yard line, having to settle for field goals both times. The Giants were then outscored 18-3 in the second half.
"I think it's just next step, part of the process," coach Brian Daboll said about the preseason opener. "The practices and now the game and there's a lot of guys, particularly young guys that played in competitive spots and now to sit back and evaluate some of the things that we can fix and help those guys with, both as players and as coaches. This is the first game we coached in a while and there's plenty of things we can all do better, and that's – hopefully next week you improve on the things that weren't as good and make some strides for the next few days until we play Carolina."
Friday's contest served as the first NFL game action for the Giants' 15 rookies, some of whom took advantage of the opportunity. Cornerbacks Deonte Banks and Tre Hawkins III, center John Michael Schmitz, quarterback Tommy DeVito and outside linebacker Habakkuk Baldonado were just some of the first-year players to make an impact in Friday's contest. Despite the outcome of the game, the experience the rookies gained in Detroit will benefit them moving forward.
View photos from the Giants' preseason opener against the Lions in Detroit.
TE Tommy Sweeney (89)
ILB Micah McFadden (41), S Jason Pinnock (27), DT Brandin Bryant (69), OLB Oshane Ximines (53)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
S Jason Pinnock (27), ILB Micah McFadden (41)
RB James Robinson (24)
T Korey Cunningham (70), TE Tommy Sweeney (89), OL Joshua Ezeudu (75), C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
CB Rodarius Williams (25)
WR Cole Beasley (9)
ILB Micah McFadden (41), S Dane Belton (24)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
P Jamie Gillan (6), K Graham Gano (9)
S Jason Pinnock (27)
S Jason Pinnock (27)
RB James Robinson (24)
P Jamie Gillan (6), K Graham Gano (9)
QB Tommy DeVito (5)
OLB Tomon Fox (49)
P Jamie Gillan (6), K Graham Gano (9)
LS Casey Kreiter (59), CB Cor'Dale Flott (28)
OLB Tashawn Bower (94)
CB Rodarius Williams (25), OLB Habakkuk Baldonado (45)
CB Rodarius Williams (25)
K Graham Gano (9)
OLB Tashawn Bower (94)
S Alex Cook (23)
OLB Tashawn Bower (94)
OLB Tashawn Bower (94)
P Jamie Gillan (6), K Graham Gano (9)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
ILB Micah McFadden (41), S Jason Pinnock (27), DT Brandin Bryant (69), OLB Oshane Ximines (53)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
K Graham Gano (9)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
K Graham Gano (9)
S Dane Belton (24)
CB Tre Hawkins III (37)
ILB Carter Coughlin (52)
CB Tre Hawkins III (37)
CB Darren Evans (35)
S Dane Belton (24)
CB Tre Hawkins III (37)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
ILB Cam Brown (47)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
CB Tre Hawkins III (37), S Dane Belton (24)
G Ben Bredeson (68), C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), OL Joshua Ezeudu (75)
RB Eric Gray (20)
CB Darnay Holmes (30)
G Ben Bredeson (68), C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), OL Joshua Ezeudu (75), QB Tommy DeVito (5)
T Korey Cunningham (70), G Ben Bredeson (68), C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), OL Joshua Ezeudu (75), QB Tommy DeVito (5),
T Korey Cunningham (70), G Ben Bredeson (68), C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), OL Joshua Ezeudu (75), QB Tommy DeVito (5),
WR Cole Beasley (9)
RB James Robinson (24)
G Ben Bredeson (68)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), OL Joshua Ezeudu (75)
S Bobby McCain (21)
ILB Dyontae Johnson (54)
QB Tommy DeVito (5)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
RB James Robinson (24), T Korey Cunningham (70)
S Bobby McCain (21)
OLB Oshane Ximines (53)
OLB Oshane Ximines (53), ILB Micah McFadden (41), TE OLB Tomon Fox (49)
CB Gemon Green (34), CB Zyon Gilbert (38)
CB Gemon Green (34), CB Zyon Gilbert (38)
ILB Micah McFadden (41)
OLB Oshane Ximines (53), ILB Micah McFadden (41)
WR Jamison Crowder (80)
T Korey Cunningham (70)
QB Tommy DeVito (5)
WR Jamison Crowder (80)
CB Rodarius Williams (25)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
WR Jamison Crowder (80)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
S Dane Belton (24), CB Deonte Banks (36), ILB Micah McFadden (41)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
ILB Micah McFadden (41), S Dane Belton (24)
S Dane Belton (24)
S Dane Belton (24), CB Deonte Banks (36), ILB Micah McFadden (41)
T Korey Cunningham (70), RB Jashaun Corbin (25), TE Tommy Sweeney (89)
ILB Micah McFadden (41), S Dane Belton (24)
T Korey Cunningham (70), RB Jashaun Corbin (25), TE Tommy Sweeney (89)
S Dane Belton (24)
K Graham Gano (9)
CB Tre Hawkins III (37)
CB Tre Hawkins III (37)
K Graham Gano (9)
RB Eric Gray (20)
G Wyatt Davis (67), G Jack Anderson (77), QB Tommy DeVito (5), G Shane Lemieux (66)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
RB Eric Gray (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
WR Kalil Pimpleton (81)
OLB Tashawn Bower (94)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
RB Eric Gray (20)
WR David Sills V (13)
ILB Dyontae Johnson (54)
WR David Sills V (13)
RB Eric Gray (20)
S Alex Cook (23)
DT Kobe Smith (72)
OLB Tashawn Bower (94), S Gervarrius Owens (31)
S Alex Cook (23)
ILB Troy Brown (46)
S Gervarrius Owens (31)
ILB Troy Brown (46), S Gervarrius Owens (31), DT Jordon Riley (95), DT Kobe Smith (72)
WR David Sills V (13)
DT Kobe Smith (72)
OLB Tashawn Bower (94), S Gervarrius Owens (31)
OLB Tomon Fox (49)
Sean Harlow (65), QB Tommy DeVito (5), G Shane Lemieux (66)
ILB Dyontae Johnson (54)
T Korey Cunningham (70)
WR Kalil Pimpleton (81)
WR Kalil Pimpleton (81)
S Alex Cook (23)
WR Kalil Pimpleton (81)
T Korey Cunningham (70)
S Gervarrius Owens (31)
OLB Tashawn Bower (94)
CB Zyon Gilbert (38), S Alex Cook (23)
CB Amani Oruwariye (20)
CB Zyon Gilbert (38)
CB Zyon Gilbert (38), S Alex Cook (23)
CB Zyon Gilbert (38)
CB Darren Evans (35)
CB Amani Oruwariye (20)
CB Zyon Gilbert (38)
G Jack Anderson (77)
WR David Sills V (13)
G Wyatt Davis (67)
WR David Sills V (13)
G Jack Anderson (77)
G Wyatt Davis (67)
TE Ryan Jones (49)
RB Eric Gray (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
G Wyatt Davis (67), Sean Harlow
K Graham Gano (9)
K Graham Gano (9)
TE Ryan Jones (49)
CB Darren Evans (35)
TE Ryan Jones (49)
WR Kalil Pimpleton (81)
WR David Sills V (13)
S Alex Cook (23)
G Jack Anderson (77)
S Alex Cook (23)
OLB Tashawn Bower (94), OLB Habakkuk Baldonado (45)
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor throws during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants safety Jason Pinnock (27) tackles Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants place-kicker Graham Gano (9) greets teammates after his field goal during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll looks towards New York Giants wide receiver Cole Beasley during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito scrambles during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito scrambles during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor scrambles during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants wide receiver Cole Beasley runs during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) stiff arms Detroit Lions cornerback Will Harris during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs is tackled by the New York Giants defense during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants wide receiver Cole Beasley (9) is tackled by Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor scrambles during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (84) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (5) looks to pass against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) is tackled by New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks (36) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) is tackled by New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks (36) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor (2) scrambles during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants place kicker Graham Gano (9) kicks off against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants running back Eric Gray (20) rushes during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor scrambles during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Detroit Lions cornerback Chase Lucas, top, and cornerback Saivion Smith take down New York Giants wide receiver Jamison Crowder (80) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito passes the ball during pregame of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants tight end Tommy Sweeney, defended by Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (42), catches a 14-yard pass for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (5) passes during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (5) passes during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch (32) defends as New York Giants wide receiver Cole Beasley waits on the throw during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants cornerback Cor'Dale Flott (28) break up a pass intended for Detroit Lions wide receiver Dylan Drummond (83) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor scrambles during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants place kicker Graham Gano kicks a 48-yard field goal during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
S Xavier McKinney, DL Dexter Lawrence, CB Adoree' Jackson
DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches
DB Nick McCloud
OT Evan Neal
DL Dexter Lawrence
OT Andrew Thomas
S Xavier Mckinney, DL Dexter Lawrence, CB Adoree Jackson
DB Alex Cook
DT Kobe Smith
ILB Micah McFadden
S Bobby McCain
LS Cameron Lyons
Head Coach Brian Daboll
WR Cole Beasley
OT Korey Cunningham
DB Alex Cook
CB Deonte Banks
CB Rodarius Williams
TE Daniel Bellinger
QB Tyrod Taylor
RB Matt Breida
DT Kobe Smith
RB Jashaun Corbin
DT Kobe Smith
FB Chris Myarick
RB Eric Gray
G Ben Bredeson
OT Tyre Phillips
QB Tyrod Taylor
G Shane Lemieux
OL John Michael Schmitz Jr.
WR Jaydon Mickens
WR Cole Beasley
QB Tyrod Taylor
G Ben Bredeson
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton
RB Eric Gray
RB Eric Gray
OT Matt Peart
WR Jalin Hyatt
WR Jalin Hyatt
WR Jalin Hyatt
ILB Carter Coughlin
WR Jalin Hyatt
ILB Carter Coughlin
DL Leonard Williams
DL Leonard Williams
QB Tyrod Taylor
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux
2. Young DBs with strong start
The Giants have numerous young players in their secondary, and it didn't take long for them to make an impact Friday. On the first defensive play of the game, safety Jason Pinnock intercepted a pass from Lions quarterback Nate Sudfield and returned it 17 yards the other way.
But Pinnock wasn't done there. On the first play of Detroit's second drive, the third-year safety tackled Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs in the backfield for a three-yard loss. A few plays later on fourth and one, Pinnock recorded his second pass breakup on a pass to Lions rookie tight end Sam LaPorta, causing a turnover on downs. The 24-year-old was listed as the first-team strong safety on the Giants' first unofficial depth chart.
"It was good," Daboll said about Pinnock's performance. "He's had a good camp. We were going to play him in roughly 10 to 12 plays, but he had some productive plays early on. So, we got him out, gave some other guys some opportunity. But, pretty productive day for a short amount of time...
"He's athletic. He's explosive. He was a good addition to our team last year. He played a bunch of special teams but I think he's done a good job here in camp. Made the most of his opportunity in the short amount of plays, keep grinding along with him. But he's done a nice job for us."
Right behind Pinnock on the unofficial depth chart as the second-team strong safety is Dane Belton. The second-year player out of Iowa made his presence felt in the second quarter when he intercepted a Sudfield pass intended for Jameson Williams and took it 42 yards the other way, setting the Giants up on Detroit's 14-yard line. Belton finished last season with two interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
First-round pick Deonte Banks got his first NFL game action against the Lions. Banks had strong coverage in his limited action, forcing an incompletion on a pass to Williams.
3. Don Bosco connection leads to TD
The Giants' first touchdown of the game came in the second quarter thanks to a familiar connection. Tommy DeVito, the former Don Bosco Prep quarterback, threw a beautifully placed ball to his former high school teammate, tight end Tommy Sweeney, for a 14-yard touchdown. The score extended the Giants' lead to 13-3.
"Yeah, I know they'd like to get a couple more of those," Daboll said about the former high school teammates. "But it was – I think probably pretty cool for those two guys. I think he was a freshman when Sweeney was a senior. So sudden change you got there on the 13-yard line, and he made a nice rail swing, made a nice catch. Got to be able to do that more when we get the ball down there."
DeVito signed with the Giants as an undrafted rookie in the offseason. The Livingston, New Jersey native finished with 155 yards, one touchdown and one interception on 15 of 24 passing. DeVito also added 11 yards on four carries.
"I think it turned out well at times," the rookie quarterback told the media after the game. "There were a lot of things to clean up, a couple throws that I missed that will haunt me tonight, that I'll be sitting up thinking about. But I think it's just a step in the right direction and I look forward to getting up tomorrow and watching the film."
Sweeney's converted on his only target, turning it into the 14-yard touchdown reception.
4. Veteran WRs step up
It's no secret that one of the Giants' biggest competition battles this summer is at the wide receiver position. While not all of them suited up Friday night, a couple of reliable veterans made a strong impression.
The Giants' leading receiver in the preseason opener was Cole Beasley. The 34-year-old caught all four passes thrown his way and totaled 34 receiving yards. The 12th-year receiver signed with the team just a few days prior to the start of training camp after spending three seasons with Brian Daboll in Buffalo (2019-2021), one of which led to Beasley being named Second-Team All-Pro.
Finishing right behind Beasley in yards was fellow veteran Jamison Crowder. The 30-year-old receiver caught both of his targets for 32 yards. Crowder signed with the Giants back in March after racking up 415 career receptions for 4,667 yards and 28 touchdowns across eight seasons with the Commanders, Jets and Bills.
5. Injury updates; Johnson, Flott leave early
The Giants had a few players leave Friday's game early, starting with wide receiver Collin Johnson. The 25-year-old had one target before he was forced out of the game with a knee injury. Johnson missed the entire 2022 campaign after tearing his Achilles during training camp.
Second-year cornerback Cor'Dale Flott suffered an abdominal injury in the third quarter which forced him out of the game. Flott registered two tackles (one solo) and one pass defensed prior to leaving.
Running back Gary Brightwell and offensive lineman Devery Hamilton did not suit up Friday, but Daboll indicated neither injury appeared to be long-term. "I just think it might not be a day-to-day thing, it might be maybe a week," Daboll said earlier in the week. "Nothing long term."
Guard Tyre Phillips also sat out Friday after "he got dinged up" during practice earlier in the week.
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