The Giants.com crew provide their biggest takeaways from the Giants' 14-3 preseason victory over the Detroit Lions.
John Schmeelk: The Giants rushed for 155 yards on Thursday night. Much of the credit goes to their three running backs, which Matt Citak will cover below, but none of it would have been possible without the offensive line. Despite not playing four of their veterans (Andrew Thomas, Jermaine Eluemunor, Jon Runyan Jr., and Greg Van Roten) and still missing John Michael Schmitz and Evan Neal due to injury, the Giants offensive line consistently won the battle at the line of scrimmage. All three running backs managed at least five yards per carry, and did not have a run that went for zero or negative yards.
The Lions had only two sacks in the game, but Pro Football Focus classified both of those as coverage sacks. The Giants put a lot of resources into the offensive line this offseason, and it appears to be helping not only with their prospective starters, but also their backups.
View photos from the Giants' matchup against the Detroit Lions in the preseason opener at MetLife Stadium.
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New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (13) carries the ball against Detroit Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (15) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) looks to pass against the Detroit Lions during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Seth Wenig/Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) looks to pass against the Detroit Lions during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Seth Wenig/Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks (3) and safety Tyler Nubin (31) celebrate a defensive play against the Detroit Lions during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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New York Giants running back Eric Gray (20) scores a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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New York Giants running back Eric Gray (20) celebrates with tight end Tyree Jackson (84) after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
Pamela Smith/Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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New York Giants tight end Tyree Jackson (84) carries the ball down to the 1-yard line against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) is tackled by New York Giants cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) and cornerback Alex Johnson (25) during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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New York Giants running back Eric Gray (20) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Seth Wenig/Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll gestures during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) looks to pass against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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New York Giants running back Eric Gray (20) and Jalen Mayfield (62) react after Gray scored a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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Detroit Lions wide receiver Maurice Alexander (1) is tackled by New York Giants wide receiver Miles Boykin (81) during an NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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New York Giants running back Eric Gray (20) celebrates with New York Giants guard Jalen Mayfield (62) after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
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New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (9) in action against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29) gets tripped up against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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New York Giants tight end Tyree Jackson (84) dives with the ball during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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New York Giants tight end Tyree Jackson (84) reacts after a first down against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
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New York Giants running back Eric Gray (20) celebrates with wide receiver Gunner Olszewski (80) after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
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New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (15) hands the ball off to New York Giants running back Eric Gray (20) who ran for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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New York Giants running back Eric Gray (20) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
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New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29) gets tripped up against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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New York Giants running back Eric Gray (20) crosses the goal line for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
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New York Giants running back Eric Gray (20) crosses the goal line against Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) to score a touchdown during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (8) is sacked by the New York Giants during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito steps back to pass against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
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Dan Salomone: In his postgame press conference, coach Brian Daboll used variations of the words "tough" or "physical" a total of 14 times. What do you think has been on his mind this offseason? Back at the draft, he let everyone in on a little secret that toughness is "probably near the top" on his list of coveted traits, which we all know are "smart, tough, dependable."
He said that after the Day 2 selections of safety Tyler Nubin and nickel cornerback Dru Phillips, who complemented the ultra-competitive Malik Nabers from the night before. The Giants rounded out the class with running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. and linebacker Darius Muasau, putting a stamp on the third cycle of roster-building under the current management.
Of course, the draft hasn't been the only avenue. Big and small, the Giants have stacked transactions that they hope will ultimately lead to a mentally and physically tough team. [Insert boilerplate disclaimer that the game was largely played by backups] and Thursday night was a step in the right direction, particularly for the defense. The Giants recorded four sacks and eight tackles for loss while holding the Lions to 5-for-17 on third down, 0-for-4 on fourth down, and 0-for-3 in the red zone.
"I thought we brought guys in that have some toughness, young players, some veteran players, and again, this is a physical sport – mental and physical," Daboll said. "So being mentally tough, being physically tough, I think you've got to train that. You do that in training camp. It's also the type of individuals you bring in. I think Ghoby [special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial] does a great job with that. I think [defensive coordinator] Shane [Bowen] does a great job with that, the new coaches we brought in. We're a work in progress, but we're going to try to be physical."
Daboll added, "I thought Shane was really good. Just being the first time with him, very composed, got the play in quickly, good communicator with the signal callers. And I'd say same thing with Ghoby, very organized. They did a nice job creating field position for the first time out there. But the procedure, I was pleased with the procedure of the coaching staff and of the players."
Matt Citak: It would be difficult to come away from Thursday's game against the Lions and not feel encouraged by the Giants' young running backs. While veteran starter Devin Singletary did not take the field, the first three players behind him on the depth chart did, and all three shined.
Let's start with Eric Gray, who was easily the star of the night. The second-year running back touched the ball only eight times, but that was all he needed to make a significant impact as he averaged 12.25 yards per touch. Gray showed great burst while totaling 52 yards on the ground, including a 48-yard touchdown. As if that wasn't enough, he also proved to be a reliable receiver, catching all four passes thrown his way for an additional 46 yards. Gray ran well in the open field, using his shiftiness to force a missed tackle, and finished the day with both Giants touchdowns. It's no secret that there is an open competition for the spots behind Singletary on the RB depth chart, and Gray's performance against the Lions certainly helped strengthen his case.
"I just wanted to put my best foot forward," the second-year back said after the game. "Like I said, I just want to be Eric Gray; just be me. Last year, I kind of made football more than it is. It's just football at the end of the day. Just being me."
Tyrone Tracy Jr. was actually the first running back on the field for the Giants. The lights were certainly not too bright for the rookie in his first NFL action, as he finished with 26 yards on five carries, good for an average of 5.2 yards per carry. He picked up three first downs on his five rush attempts. More importantly, Tracy's elusiveness with the ball in his hands was on full display as he was able to force an impressive five missed tackles. Then there's Dante "Turbo" Miller, who was the final running back to see action in the opener. The 25-year-old rookie carried the ball a game-high 12 times and gained 63 yards, averaging 5.3 yards per carry, with a long run of 19 yards. He also caught two passes for seven yards.
All three running backs played well in their first game action of the season. Who lands on the running back depth chart behind Devin Singletary when the roster is reduced to 53 players should be one of the most intriguing competitions over the next few weeks.
"I thought they were decisive," Daboll told the media Friday. "I thought there wasn't a lot of stutter stepping. I thought they were hitting the hole with good vision. They ran in space. Gray had a nice catch there from (quarterback) Tommy (DeVito). It wasn't perfect, but most of the time they were going forward. They ran hard. They got their pads down. They did a nice job for the first game."
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