The Giants lost a preseason game Sunday, but for Joe Judge it was an encouraging end to a very productive four days.
A 17-13 defeat to the Cleveland Browns in FirstEnergy Stadium didn't diminish the step forward taken in two days of joint practices and in the game.
"This is definitely a positive week for us as a team, and we got better this week," Judge said. "We got a lot of quality work in two days of practice with a lot of our vets and young guys. A lot of guys were taking a lot of balls. We were able to evaluate our roster and evaluate a lot of players going into the stretch."
After intense joint practices on Thursday and Friday, Judge and Browns coach Kevin Stefanski rested their starters for the second consecutive week. Like most NFL coaches in the new three-game preseason, they plan to play their front-line players in the finale. For the Giants, that will be next Sunday night at home against the New England Patriots – with whom they will practice in Foxborough on Wednesday and Thursday.
"We are going to New England, and we will be able to go with our team as narrowed down as possible," Judge said. "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."
With a five-man roster cut looming on Tuesday, Judge wanted to get another long look at his reserves and young players in Cleveland. That made it an easy decision to rest his starters.
"It really went back to the quality of practice we had," Judge said. "With the volume and intensity of the work we had, we thought that it was best for the health of those players, especially with a quick turnaround and one day off in between. As we get these guys ready to go next week, we know it's going to be a hard work week that simulates a regular season week and having a competitive practice session with Patriots. It was the best thing for the health of the team and it also gave us an opportunity to really evaluate a lot of guys on the roster. We have to make sure that we have as clear a picture as possible to give them a fair evaluation."
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)
Mike Glennon started at quarterback – as he did in the opener last week against the Jets – and played the Giants' four first-half series, completing 10 of 13 passes for 86 yards. He hit all six of his passes for 57 yards on a 75-yard drive that ended with a Devontae Booker one-yard touchdown dive.
Corey Clement led the Giants with 30 rushing yards on nine carries. Booker rushed for 27 yards on nine carries.
"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."
Brian Lewerke, who joined the Giants last Monday, threw a team-high 19 passes and completed 11 for 108 yards, including an eight-yard touchdown to David Sills.
Tight end Rysen John had a game-high 58 receiving yards on three catches, including a game-long 29-yarder, before leaving with 14 seconds remaining because of an ankle injury. Sills, Dante Pettis and rookie running back Gary Brightwell tied John for the team lead with three receptions.
But what garnered much of the postgame attention was the unexpected deployment of players. Rookie sixth-round draft choice Rodarius Williams played both his natural position at cornerback and made his debut at safety and had a team-high six solo tackles among his seven stops. Williams has also played in the slot this month.
Linebacker Devante Downs also tallied seven tackles (four solo).
Wide receiver and special teams standout Matt Cole also demonstrated impressive versatility. Make that cornerback Matt Cole, who played the position for the first time since high school. Cole had one assisted tackle on defense and two solo special teams stops.
The Giants needed reinforcements in the secondary after safety Quincy Wilson, who intercepted a Case Keenum second-quarter pass in the end zone, left the game with an ankle injury and cornerback Madre Harris's day ended early when he hurt his groin.
"I actually got the news yesterday," said Cole, who joined the Giants on Aug. 8, one day after he was released by the Jets. "Coach asked me about playing corner, and in my mind, I was like, 'I already play corner on punt return.' He said, 'I am talking about defense.' I said, 'It is too early to be playing games. You can't be for real.' Coach said, 'I am serious. We might need you.' I just stayed ready, and I have a history of playing defense back in high school."
"We got him before we went into the final meetings for prep," Judge said. "We brushed up the best we could. (Defensive backs coach) Jerome (Henderson) did a great job of communicating with him on the field in terms of the technical signs on a play-by-play basis. We kind of had a 10-man huddle, and Matt had a personal tutor on the sideline, but he did a good job."
Second-year backer Carter Coughlin had four solo tackles, including a sack. Oshane Ximines collected a sack and Ryan Anderson and rookie Raymond Johnson III split a sack.
The group of defensive standouts also included lineman David Moa, who was frequently around the quarterbacks, as he is in most practices; linebacker Trent Harris, who had three unassisted tackles; and Julian Love, who started at safety and had five tackles (four solo).
Judge has taken to calling Love "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 because he made that comment. It is a short-term solution – duct tape. We will move on to something more permanent."
The Giants' young players who impressed on Sunday would like to solidify an enduring roster spot.
"Coaches are giving us the opportunity to go out there and play," Moa said. "It's on us to go out there and show them what we can do and try to make the most out of the opportunity."
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