PFF takeaways from Giants preseason
The Giants wrapped up their three-game preseason schedule on Sunday with a 31-27 loss to the New York Jets. The loss brought their record to 2-1 ahead of the start of the regular season.
The team saw some players step up when going up against players from other clubs over the last few weeks, including some veterans and younger players.
The Giants finished the preseason ranked first in the NFL in total yards (382.7) and passing yards (279.0) per game. They also finished at the top of the NFC in passing attempts (143), completion percentage (71.3 percent) and fewest sacks allowed (three).
Here are some key preseason takeaways from Pro Football Focus.
*The highest graded Giant from the preseason was also the player who registered the most turnovers for the defense across the three games- veteran inside linebacker Austin Calitro. Calitro registered an interception against the Patriots in the opener. He then picked off another pass against the Jets on Sunday and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown, and also added a fumble recovery and tackle for loss in the preseason finale. Calitro earned a team-high 90.4 overall grade in the preseason, which included elite 91.2 pass rush and 81.5 coverage grades. He picked up five total pressures on just 19 pass rush snaps,
"Tough. Dependable. Smart," Daboll said about the veteran after the preseason finale. "He's played in multiple roles. He's done a good job in the kicking game. He's really been a good addition for us at that spot."
*Rookie inside linebacker Micah McFadden put together a strong preseason. He earned an 81.9 overall grade across the three games, and graded out well in all areas. His final marks on the preseason included 77.4 run defense, 78.3 pass rush, 82.8 tackling and 67.0 coverage grades. His 13 total tackles was among the team's preseason leaders.
*Defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence did not play against the Jets, but still did enough in the first two games to earn one of the highest marks on the defense with his 79.8 overall grade. Lawrence played just 18 total defensive snaps, including 10 pass rush snaps, and received a 77.1 pass rush grade.
*Safety Nate Meadors finished with 12 tackles (eight solo) against the Jets, seven more than any other Giant. This capped off a solid preseason for the fourth-year safety, who got a overall grade of 73.7 on 113 total snaps. Meadors' 88.5 tackling grade was the highest on the team, while his 74.5 coverage grade was the highest among the team's defensive backs. He lined up all over the field in the three preseason games, as he picked up snaps on the defensive line, in the box, at free safety and in the slot.
*On offense, let's start up front where the Giants had three of their expected starters grade well in pass protection. Offensive linemen Jon Feliciano (82.2), Mark Glowinski (82.1) and Andrew Thomas (80.8) all received strong pass block grades. Feliciano (22 pass block snaps) and Thomas (21 pass block snaps) did not surrender a single pressure on their pass block snaps, while Glowinski surrendered just one hurry on 37 pass block snaps. Meanwhile, Evan Neal received a 95.8 pass blocking efficiency on his 37 snaps in pass protection.
*When it came to run blocking, offensive lineman Devery Hamilton led the way with an elite 91.8 grade on 51 run block snaps. Ben Bredeson was right behind him with a 91.5 run block grade on 23 snaps, while Andrew Thomas got an 88.9 grade on 10 run block snaps. Fullback Chris Myarick was also among the team's leaders with his 81.3 run block grade.
*Overall, Bredeson received the highest overall grade among the O-linemen with his 88.8 in just one game. Thomas came in a close second with his 85.7 overall grade, followed by Hamilton and his 76.1.
*David Sills received a solid 74.5 overall grade, which included a 71.9 receiving grade and a 77.3 run block grade.
*Gary Brightwell had the highest rushing grade among the team's running backs, as he picked up an elite 86.4 rushing mark after he gained 51 yards on nine carries (5.7 avg.). His 70.0 overall grade was just behind Antonio Williams' 70.6 for the highest among the Giants' backs.
View the best photos from training camp at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
QB Daniel Jones (8)
Darnay Holmes (30)
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll fist bumps quaterback Daniel Jones (8) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday July 28, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Daniel Jones (8)
Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
WR Kenny Golladay (19)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday August 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Daniel Jones (8)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Evan Neal (73)
Adoree' Jackson (22), Julian Love (20)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
LS Casey Kreiter (58)
Brian Daboll Head Coach
CB Darnay Holmes (30)
David Sills (13)
New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (17) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Sunday August 7, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Darnay Holmes
Don Martindale Defensive Coordinator
Julian Love
G Ben Bredeson (68)
TE Daniel Bellinger (45)
Matt Breida (31)
WR David Sills V (13)
WR David Sills (13)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
RB Matt Breida (31)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Tyrod Taylor (2)
David Sills (13)
Tyrod Taylor (2)
Blake Martinez (54)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Kenny Golladay (19)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Kenny Golladay (19)
Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
Angela Baker Offensive Quality Control Coach
Andrew Thomas (78), Azeez Ojulari (51)
Matt Breida (31)
David Sills (13)
Blake Martinez (54)
Daniel Bellinger (45)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Evan Neal (73)
Kenny Golladay (19)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Tyrod Taylor (2)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Jones (8)
Laura Young Director of Coaching Operations
Matt Breida (31)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
Carl Banks
G Ben Bredeson (68)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
Jamie Gillan (17), Graham Gano (9)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
David Sills V (13)
Saquon Barkley (26)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
Tyrod Taylor (2)
Saquon Barkley (26), Lawrence Cager (81)
RB Matt Breida (31)
Brandon Jacobs talks to team post-practice
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
Justin Ellis (71)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Amani Toomer
WR Kenny Golladay (19), RB Saquon Barkley (26)
Kadarius Toney (89)
Daniel Bellinger (45)
OL Mark Glowinski (64)
P Jamie Gillan (17)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
Tyrod Taylor (2)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
WR Kadarius Toney (89)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
Tae Crowder (48)
Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
Daniel Jones (8)
Davis Sills (13)
Julian Love (20), Adoree' Jackson (22)
Daniel Jones (8)
Andrew Thomas (78), Kayvon Thibodeaux (5), Daniel Jones (8)
Julian Love (20)
Evan Neal (70), Mark Glowinski (64)
Eli Manning
Tyrod Taylor (2)
David Sills (13)
Head Coach Brian Daboll, Eli Manning,
S Julian Love (20)
Tyrod Taylor (2)
K Graham Gano (9), P Jamie Gillan (17)
Justin Ellis (71)
Jihad Ward (55)
Daniel Bellinger (45)
Saquon Barkley (26)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
Blake Martinez (54)
Tae Crowder (48)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
OT Evan Neal (70)
Daniel Jones (8)
Osi Umenyiora
Saquon Barkley (26)
WR Kenny Golladay (19)
LB Blake Martinez (54)
Darnay Holmes (30)
S Julian Love (20)
Kadarius Toney (89)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Don " Wink" Martindale during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday July 27, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Saquon Barkley (26)
DT Justin Ellis (71)
Leonard Williams (99)
Daniel Bellinger (45)
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a pre-season football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday August 21, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
WR Kenny Golladay (19), QB Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26), Micheal Strahan
S Julian Love (20)
DL Leonard Williams (99)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
OL Jon Feliciano (76)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
DL Dexter Lawrence (97)
Saquon Barkley (26)
New York Giants players huddle during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday July 27, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
T Andrew Thomas (78), OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll talks with Osi Umenyiora during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday August 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
New York Giants cornerback Adoree' Jackson (22) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday August 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Sunday August 7, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
during a pre-season football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday August 21, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday July 30, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (17) during a pre-season football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday August 21, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)gets blocked by New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger (45) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday August 19, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants' Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday August 3, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive coordinator Don Wink Martindale during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday August 8, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday August 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offense huddles during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday August 3, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll talks with former NFL coach Bill Cowher during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday August 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants Head Coach Brian Daboll during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday August 3, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants' Kadarius Toney (89) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday August 3, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday August 1, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants' Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday August 1, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll waves to his family following a preseason NFL football game against New England Patriots on Thursday August 11, 2022 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday August 8, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) carries the ball during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Sunday August 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Sunday August 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Sunday August 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor (2) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Sunday August 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Jihad Ward (55) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Sunday August 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) carries the ball during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Sunday August 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday August 8, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday July 28, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll introduce boys from the San Miguel Academy following training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday August 3, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal (73) during a preseason NFL football game against New England Patriots on Thursday August 11, 2022 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during a preseason NFL football game against New England Patriots on Thursday August 11, 2022 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants linebacker Jihad Ward (55) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday July 28, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor (2) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday August 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants players huddle during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday August 9, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday July 29, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday August 9, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal (73) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday August 9, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Blake Martinez (54) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday August 9, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll signals touchdown during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday August 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
A look down the line of scrimmage during a joint training camp practice with the New York Jets at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday August 25, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll fist bumps quaterback Daniel Jones (8) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday July 28, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday August 8, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback Adoree' Jackson (22) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday August 8, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll talks with New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh during a joint training camp practice with the New York Jets at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday August 25, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday August 24, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal (70) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday August 8, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday August 24, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive tackle Justin Ellis (71) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday August 24, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal (70) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday August 8, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday August 24, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday August 24, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Ronnie Barnes during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday August 8, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll watches from the sideline during a pre-season football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday August 21, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants' wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday July 27, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Giants release 7 players ahead of roster deadline
The Giants yesterday released seven players to get a head start on what promises to be a busy week of roster reshaping.
The moves leave them with 73 players, 20 more than the regular season limit they must reach by 4 p.m. today. But it's likely the Giants will pare down their roster prior to a practice that is scheduled to begin at 1:45 p.m.
"We probably will do it before," coach Brian Daboll said yesterday.
The most significant transactions could be additions, not subtractions. The Giants will surely be studying the waiver wire and could bring in several players they believe can help them.
Daboll was asked how active he expects the Giants to be in the trade and free agent markets, as well as waiver acquisitions.
"I think that's a really good question for (general manager) Joe (Schoen)," Daboll said. "I'll try to answer it the best I can. I think that we're open to really improving our team in any way we can. Whether that's active in those areas, we're looking to improve however we can. I think Joe and his staff, we've been meeting all morning on different things. They've been doing a really good job of their communication, talking to the coaches and looking at different players to evaluate. I think Joe is open for business."
View photos of the New York Giants' 2022 roster as it currently stands.
OL Jack Anderson
DL Ryder Anderson
RB Saquon Barkley
TE Daniel Bellinger
S Dane Belton
G Ben Bredeson
RB Matt Breida
RB Gary Brightwell
LB Cam Brown
TE Lawrence Cager
S Landon Collins
LB Carter Coughlin
LB Jarrad Davis
G Wyatt Davis
DL Justin Ellis
OL Jon Feliciano
CB Cor'Dale Flott
OLB Tomon Fox
K Graham Gano
OL Nick Gates
P Jamie Gillan
G Mark Glowinski
WR Kenny Golladay
WR Isaiah Hodgins
CB Darnay Holmes
CB Adoree' Jackson
WR Richie James
S Tony Jefferson
WR Marcus Johnson
QB Daniel Jones
LS Casey Kreiter
DL Dexter Lawrence
S Julian Love
CB Nick McCloud
LB Micah McFadden
S Xavier McKinney
DL Henry Mondeaux
CB Fabian Moreau
T Evan Neal
OLB Azeez Ojulari
T Matt Peart
OL Tyre Phillips
S Jason Pinnock
WR Darius Slayton
ILB Jaylon Smith
QB Tyrod Taylor
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux
T Andrew Thomas
TE Nick Vannett
OLB Jihad Ward
DL Leonard Williams
CB Rodarius Williams
LB Oshane Ximines
