EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants kept almost their entire starting defense off the field in their fourth and final preseason game Thursday night against the New England Patriots. They didn’t allow star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. or quarterback Eli Manning into the game. It wasn't worth the risk in the fourth week of the preseason. The Giants had already seen enough from them this summer.
But coach Ben McAdoo wanted to see his offensive line (minus starting center Weston Richburg) on the field to erase the taste of a poor preseason. It didn’t happen, in large part because the struggles of their offensive tackles continued in a 17-9 victory over the Patriots.
Right tackle Marshall Newhouse and left tackle Ereck Flowers both allowed their assignments deep into the backfield on a first-quarter snap. Dont'a Hightower (going against Flowers) recorded the sack of backup quarterback Ryan Nassib on the third-down play.
On its own, the play could be overlooked. It was one bad snap. But the evidence continues to pile, given the struggles Flowers and Newhouse have experienced this preseason, leaving the Giants with serious question marks on both sides entering the season.
Offensive tackle Will Beatty was signed earlier this week, but is he the answer? Beatty is 31 and missed all of last season with arm and shoulder injuries. He still hasn’t taken a hit from a defensive player since December 2014. Beatty is a risk with potential upside. He's a proven starter.
The same can't be said of Bobby Hart, last year’s seventh-round pick. The Giants were hoping he was a viable solution entering the summer. It doesn’t appear he is. Hart struggled this preseason, including at times Thursday night at left tackle.
The real hope was that Flowers would show significant growth and become a reliable blindside protector for Manning after a rough rookie season. But nothing during training camp and the preseason suggests that happened.
Near the top of the Giants' list of concerns: offensive tackle play entering the regular-season opener Sept. 11 against the Dallas Cowboys.
QB depth chart: Manning didn’t play while Nassib again looked shaky, even if it might've been his best preseason performance. Nassib completed 16 of 29 passes for 210 yards and a touchdown Thursday night. He also threw an interception and fumbled (even though it was overturned by a penalty). Nassib’s accuracy was again troubling, and his pocket presence was uninspiring. The Giants can’t be pleased with what they’ve seen from their backup this preseason.
Nassib’s final numbers this preseason: 31-of-75 passing (41 percent) for 379 yards, three touchdowns, three interceptions and five fumbles (two lost).
Maybe that dude could start: WR Tavarres King. Seriously, King has outplayed every wide receiver on the Giants roster this spring and summer besides Beckham. He made play after play again Thursday night.
Whether it was eight yards on an end-around (tied for the Giants’ longest run in the first half), three third-down receptions in the second quarter or his 59-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown in the third, King did enough to solidify his roster spot. If not, there should be an investigation into the matter.
Who got hurt? Nobody. That might be the most impressive part of the Giants’ fourth preseason game.
A surprise player who impressed: CB Trevin Wade. If he was fighting for a roster spot, last season's starter in the slot made quite a strong impression on the outside. Wade tackled well against the run, was all over his receiver on several plays and had an interception of Tom Brady in the first quarter.
Wade had a strong all-around evening.
Big efforts:
DE Romeo Okwara -- The rookie out of Notre Dame was constantly in the backfield. He had a sack for the third consecutive game. It would be surprising if he didn’t stick.
LB Keenan Robinson -- His coverage was strong in the opening quarter. He appears to have a role on this Giants team.
CB Michael Hunter -- Brady tried to pick on the undrafted free agent. Hunter made some plays.
DT Jermelle Cudjo -- He made two tackles for loss while fighting for that final defensive tackle spot.
S Andrew Adams -- The undrafted safety has made a strong impression with a late-summer surge. He made a good tackle and forced a fumble in the second quarter. Was it enough to earn him the fourth safety spot over Mykkele Thompson, who had a missed tackle and was inconspicuous most of the evening?
RB Orleans Darkwa -- He runs hard and fast. Darkwa had nine carries for 37 yards in the first half and looked good in doing so.
DE Kerry Wynn -- He forced a fumble and was an all-around force against the Patriots’ second-string line.
