The New York Giants outpaced the New York Jets, 31-22, in their preseason opener on Thursday night, so here’s a quick rundown of whose stock rose and whose dipped after the game.
Stock up: Quarterback Daniel Jones
A near-flawless performance from the Giants’ top draft pick that displayed some the things the team has been lacking behind Eli Manning – quick reads and accuracy. Not that Manning can’t do that, it just appears like Jones might be doing it better right now.
Stock down: Quarterback Eli Manning
The last thing Manning needed was to come out and look flat. But that’s what happened. The Giants went three-and-out in Eli’s first series. He completed the one pass he was called on to throw but the offense didn’t move with him under center and — as we know — it’s all about optics.
Stock up: Linebacker Jake Carlock
The undrafted free agent out of LIU has opened the eyes of the coaches all summer and now the fans have seen him in action, too. There doesn’t see to be any task to large for this kid. He has a non-stop motor that allows him to never give up on plays and he also has a great feel for the game. Against the Jets, he had a sack and a pick-six.
Stock down: Defensive back Julian Love
This is a tough call for the fourth-rounder out of Notre Dame because he struggled for the most part in his debut. Yes, he did end up making some plays but on the first series, he looks a bit out of sorts. Granted, the Giants are using him in different roles and it might be bit too much right now.
Stock up: Cornerback Corey Ballentine
Sure, he made his share of mistakes but he also showed us what a great athlete he is. Coming from a small college (Washburn), his learning curve should be steeper, but he makes his corrections almost immediately and gets better with each play. Oh, and he ran back a kickoff for 40 yards.
Stock down: Linebacker B.J. Goodson
Relegated to the third string, maybe even the fourth string. His recent hamstring issue combined with the rise of Tae Davis and Ryan Connelly have pushed Goodson to the roster bubble territory. He is going to have to play over his head to get back into the good graces of the coaches.
Stock up: Linebacker Ryan Connelly
The book on Connelly was that he understands the game better than most rookies and is always around the football. After one game, that assessment appears to be a correct one. He was all over the field against the Jets. You will never get less than 110% out of this kid. I expect to see a lot of him this year and in coming years.
Stock down: Running back Paul Perkins
The coaches had been giving Perkins some good reviews in camp, but we saw very little explosion and perhaps some rust from Perkins, who is battling for a roster spot to back up Saquon Barkley. He rushed four times for nine yards and caught two passes for eight more. But…he fumbled and also dropped a short pass.
Stock up: Wide receivers
Sterling Shepard (thumb) didn’t play and neither did tight end Evan Engram. Golden Tate caught one pass. Yet the Giants’ passed and caught the football with relative ease against the Jets. Raise your glasses to Cody Latimer, Russell Shepard, Bennie Fowler, Alonzo Russell, T.J. Jones and Reggie White Jr. They got it done.
Stock down: Defensive backs
Not because they were that bad (they weren’t) but because the new PI challenge rule is going to change the way DBs defend. It looks like coaches are going to win most of the challenges because when you slow a play down on video, you’re going to see an infraction that the naked eye misses.
