With Tuesday's first round of roster reductions looming, Joe Judge said the goal of the preseason opener was to evaluate the entire roster. The second-year head coach thus elected to rest the majority of his starters, most notably quarterback Daniel Jones, in the Giants' 12-7 loss to the Jets.
While he said afterwards that they need to raise their level collectively, he saw some positives from individuals. Here are those players who stood out on Saturday night:
LB Carter Coughlin
A seventh-round draft choice in 2020, Coughlin has moved from outside to inside in his second season and appeared to thrive in the move on Saturday night. He recorded five tackles, including a strip-sack of backup quarterback Mike White in the third quarter.
"It's awesome that they're moving me around and allowing me to try out different things," Coughlin said. "It was a challenge moving from outside to inside, but the coaches and the other inside linebackers have been helping me a lot and that allows me to play fast and pick up on different things. Guys like (Linebacker) Blake (Martinez) have been really helping me out and it's been a blast."
"I thought Carter did a good job for us overall tonight," Judge said. "He had a couple of things that we have to clean up and nothing was perfect with him, but in terms of a motor, Carter plays with a motor. He's got good athleticism, he has good play strength, he shows some instincts and obviously with us moving him back and forth inside and outside -- the inside is new to him. So there's a lot of things that for him he's experiencing for the first time, but I'd say he's flashed positively throughout camp. He did a lot of things tonight that flashed positively. We have to watch the tape from a breakdown to see exactly how he did, but he's one of the guys that we wanted to really see come into this game and see how he responded to some different situations, both on defense and the kicking game, and he was a positive for us tonight. So, he's definitely a guy that showed up tonight to play and made an impression."
RB Sandro Platzgummer
Originally signed by the Giants as part of the NFL's International Player Pathway Program last season, the Austrian running back recorded his first NFL carry for a 3-yard gain in the fourth quarter. While noteworthy, it was outdone by his second carry, which went for 48 yards. No one was more excited on the sideline than fellow running back Saquon Barkley, who was seen jumping up and down in celebration.
Check out the best photos from the Giants' preseason opener against the New York Jets.
David Sills V (84)
Sandro Platzgummer (34)
Damion Willis (87), Alex Bachman (15)
Daniel Jones (8), Zach Wilson (2)
New York Giants linebacker Tae Crowder (48) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Matt Peart (74), Will Hernandez (71)
C.J. Board (18)
Mike Glennon (2)
Madre Harper (45)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Mike Glennon (2)
Devontae Booker (28), Mike Glennon (2)
Julian Love (20), Reggie Ragland (55), Tae Crowder (48), B.J. Hill (95), Danny Shelton (75)
Julian Love (20)
Willie Henry Jr (90)
Madre Harper (45)
Madre Harper (45)
Rodarius Williams (25)
Niko Lalos (57)
Rodarius Williams (25)
Rodarius Williams (25)
Sandro Platzgummer (34)
Sandro Platzgummer (34)
Sandro Platzgummer (34)
Rysen John (44)
Cam Brown (47)
Sandro Platzgummer (34)
Rysen John (44)
Sandro Platzgummer (34)
Clayton Thorson (17)
Ifeadi Odenigbo (44)
Quincy Wilson (28)
Carter Coughlin (49)
Clayton Thorson (17), Alfred Morris (41)
Isaac Yiadom (27)
Carter Coughlin (49), Cullen Gillaspia (36), Trent Harris (93)
Rodarius Williams (25), Chris Johnson (43)
Rodarius Williams (25), Chris Johnson (43)
Joshua Kalu (39)
TJ Brunson (35), Cam Brown (47)
David Sills V (84)
Isaac Yiadom (27)
C.J. Board (18)
Niko Lalos (57)
Andrew Thomas (78), Corey Clement (30)
Austin Johnson (98)
Dante Pettis (13)
Corey Clement (30)
Ifeadi Odenigbo (44)
Madre Harper (45)
Raymond Johnson III (91)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Darnay Holmes (30), Julian Love (20),
Niko Lalos (57)
Kaden Smith (82)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Damion Willis (87), Sandro Platzgummer (34)
Damion Willis (87), David Sills V (84)
Damion Willis (87), Jake Burton (70)
Damion Willis (87)
Damion Willis (87), Sandro Platzgummer (34)
Damion Willis (87), Sandro Platzgummer (34)
Damion Willis (87)
Sandro Platzgummer (34)
Damion Willis (87)
Damion Willis (87)
Damion Willis (87)
Sandro Platzgummer (34)
Sandro Platzgummer (34)
Riley Dixon (9)
David Sills V (84)
Sandro Platzgummer (34)
Riley Dixon (9)
David Sills V (84)
Clayton Thorson (17), Corey Clement (30)
Corey Clement (30)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Reggie Ragland (55), Isaac Yiadom (27)
during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback Quincy Wilson (28) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants quarterback Clayton Thorson (17) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback Rodarius Williams (25) returns a fumble during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants tight end Rysen John (44) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback Rodarius Williams (25) returns a fumble during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants running back Sandro Platzgummer (34) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants tight end Rysen John (44) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants running back Sandro Platzgummer (34) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants running back Sandro Platzgummer (34) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants running back Sandro Platzgummer (34) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants tight end Rysen John (44) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants quarterback Clayton Thorson (17) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo (44) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback Isaac Yiadom (27) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker TJ Brunson (35) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants running back Sandro Platzgummer (34) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants quarterback Clayton Thorson (17) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants guard Chad Slade (62) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Carter Coughlin (49) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo (44) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive end Niko Lalos (57) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) talks with New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive end Niko Lalos (57) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo (44) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants safety Jabrill Peppers (21) watches from the sideline during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Damion Willis (87) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Trent Harris (93) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants quarterback Clayton Thorson (17) celebrates a touchdown with wide receiver Damion Willis (87) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive end Niko Lalos (57) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver David Sills V (84) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Jackson Barton (72) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants head coach Joe Judge talks with New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh following a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants head coach Joe Judge during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive tackle David Moa (96) and linebacker Carter Coughlin (49) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Damion Willis (87) celebrates a touchdown catch with New York Giants running back Sandro Platzgummer (34) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive tackle David Moa (96) attempts to block a field goal during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Carter Coughlin (49) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive tackle David Moa (96) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Damion Willis (87) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Elerson Smith (58) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Damion Willis (87) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
A look down the line of scrimmage as the New York Giants take on the New York Jets during a preseason game on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants long snapper Carson Tinker (46) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants fullback Cullen Gillaspia (36) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants punter Riley Dixon (9) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants long snapper Carson Tinker (46) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo (44) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Trent Harris (93) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Trent Harris (93) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants quarterback Clayton Thorson (17) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive end Niko Lalos (57) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Dante Pettis (13) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants quarterback Clayton Thorson (17) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Reggie Ragland (55) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Reggie Ragland (55) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Reggie Ragland (55) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Reggie Ragland (55) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Reggie Ragland (55) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Reggie Ragland (55) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Reggie Ragland (55) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Devante Downs (52) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback Rodarius Williams (25) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants center Brett Heggie (61) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
A look down the line off scrimmage during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback Rodarius Williams (25) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants head coach Joe Judge during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants running back Corey Clement (30) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants head coach Joe Judge during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants running back Corey Clement (30) takes a hand off during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants running back Corey Clement (30) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver C.J. Board (18) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon (2) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants head coach Joe Judge during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon (2) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon (2) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive tackle Danny Shelton (75) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants guard Kenny Wiggins (79) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants guard Kenny Wiggins (79) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants guard Kenny Wiggins (79) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) tackles New York Jets wide receiver Jamison Crowder (82) during a preseason game on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Matt Cole (83) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants guard Kenny Wiggins (79) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon (2)during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver C.J. Board (18) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Tae Crowder (48) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver C.J. Board (18) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Reggie Ragland (55) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon (2) drops back to pass during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver C.J. Board (18) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Raymond Johnson III (91)
Joshua Kalu (39), David Sills V (84)
Jake Burton (70), Kaden Smith (82)
Julian Love (20), Shane Lemieux (66)
Jabrill Peppers (21)
Jabrill Peppers (21)
Logan Ryan (23), Madre Harper (45), Isaac Yiadom (27)
Kenny Wiggins (79), Carson Tinker (46)
Logan Ryan (23), Madre Harper (45), Isaac Yiadom (27)
B.J. Hill (95), Tae Crowder (48)
Oshane Ximines (53)
Daniel Jones (8), Sterling Shepard (3)
Ryan Santoso (2)
Alex Bachman (15), Sandro Platzgummer (34)
C.J. Board (18), Jabrill Peppers (21), Dante Pettis (13)
Shane Lemieux (66)
Alex Bachman (15)
Ryan Santoso (2)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Clayton Thorson (17), Daniel Jones (8), Mike Glennon (2)
Corey Clement (30)
Alex Bachman (15)
Darius Slayton (86)
Logan Ryan (23), Adoree' Jackson (22)
Logan Ryan (23)
Ryan Santoso (2)
Ryan Santoso (2)
Adoree' Jackson (22)
Corey Clement (30)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Logan Ryan (23)
Raymond Johnson III (91)
Mike Glennon (2)
Dante Pettis (13), David Sills V (84)
Elijhaa Penny (39)
Andrew Thomas (78)
Mike Glennon (2)
Darius Slayton (86)
Clayton Thorson (17)
Andrew Thomas (78)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Evan Engram (88), Daniel Jones (8)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Darius Slayton (86)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Rysen John (44)
Alex Bachman (15), Sterling Shepard (3)
Darius Slayton (86), Nakia Griffin-Stewart (47)
Madre Harper (45)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Adoree' Jackson (22)
Madre Harper (45)
Logan Ryan (23)
Logan Ryan (23)
Logan Ryan (23)
Julian Love (20)
Adoree' Jackson (22)
Julian Love (20)
Logan Ryan (23)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Logan Ryan (23)
Ifeadi Odenigbo (44)
Ifeadi Odenigbo (44)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Azeez Ojulari (51), Raymond Johnson III (91)
Dante Pettis (13)
Ifeadi Odenigbo (44)
Corey Clement (30)
Logan Ryan (23)
Alex Bachman (15)
Alex Bachman (15)
Alfred Morris (41)
Logan Ryan (23)
Isaac Yiadom (27)
Quincy Wilson (28)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Quincy Wilson (28)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Austin Johnson (98)
Leonard Williams (99)
Austin Johnson (98)
Darnay Holmes (30)
TJ Brunson (35)
TJ Brunson (35)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Carter Coughlin (49)
James Bradberry (24)
Carter Coughlin (49), Cullen Gillaspia (36)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Matt Peart (74)
Andrew Thomas (78)
Jackson Barton (72)
Sandro Platzgummer (34)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Niko Lalos (57)
Niko Lalos (57)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Ryan Santoso (2)
Carson Tinker (46)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Graham Gano (5)
Devante Downs (52)
Ryan Santoso (2)
Dante Pettis (13)
Graham Gano (5)
Shane Lemieux (66)
Kyle Murphy (60)
C.J. Board (18)
Mike Glennon (2), Clayton Thorson (17)
Danny Shelton (75)
Shane Lemieux (66)
Danny Shelton (75)
Ifeadi Odenigbo (44)
WR David Sills
Sills, who has been a standout at training camp, hauled in a 37-yard pass deep down the sideline from third-string quarterback Clayton Thorson late in the first half. Sills also drew a passing interference penalty that brought the Giants deep into Jets territory earlier in the half. Sills, who hadn't played a game since the 2019 preseason after an injury kept him out the entire 2020 season, led the team with 49 yards on three receptions.
"It was really good and exciting to get out there," Sills said. "It was nice to kind of get that first catch, first hit, kind of got the nerves going a little bit, but after that, it's kind of like, all right, let's go, let's go have some fun. I thought we did some good things. Like I said, we didn't get the outcome we wanted, so got to go back and look at the tape and see how we can improve."
WR Matt Cole
Wide receiver Matt Cole, a former Jet, made a nice play in the first quarter on a punt return and swatted the ball back into the field before it could hit the end zone. The result was pinning the Jets inside the 10, which certainly caught the eye of Judge, a former special teams coach. Judge also noted linebacker Cam Brown for his performance at the gunner position.
WR Damion Willis
Signed at the start of training camp, Willis scored the only touchdown of the night for the Giants on a 21-yard pass from Clayton Thorson midway through the fourth quarter. It was the only catch for the 6-foot-3, 204-pounder, who most recently played in a regular-season game with Cincinnati in 2019.
Notable Plays
Rookie CB Rodarius Williams saw extensive action in his first live game, and while there was good mixed with the bad, he recovered a fumble and returned it 29 yards into Jets territory. Three plays later, Willis caught his touchdown…DT Danny Shelton stuffed Ty Johnson for a loss to force a turnover on downs…WR C.J. Board handled all kickoff and punt return duties, averaging 24.5 yards on the former and 15.5 yards on the latter…P Riley Dixon placed three of his six punts inside the 20.
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