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TDs, Takeaways and Top Plays

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Touchdowns, takeaways & top plays from Giants-Lions joint practice

For the second consecutive year, Brian Daboll and Dan Campbell brought their teams together for joint practices before their meeting in the preseason opener. This time, the Giants are hosting the Lions.

"It's all about competition," Daboll said before practice at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center. "You've been going against each other for the last couple weeks. New faces, new schemes. Good football team. So, we're excited to get out there. … Every year is a new year. We've got a lot of respect for these guys."

Here's what you need to know from Monday:

The New York Giants hosted the Detroit Lions for joint practices ahead of Thursday's preseason opener.

TOUCHDOWNS

After splitting the squads for 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills, all units came together for a lengthy session in the red zone to end practice. The Giants found the end zone twice, first on a run by running back Dante Miller up the middle. Wide receiver John Jiles, another undrafted rookie, then made a leaping catch in the corner of the end zone on a pass from Tommy DeVito.

TAKEAWAYS

Linebacker Bobby Okereke grabbed the lone interception for either team, jumping in front of a Jared Goff pass during 7-on-7 drills in the early portion of practice.

Last season, Okereke was the only player in the NFL with at least 140 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 10 passes defensed. His presence in coverage is expected to grow even more under defensive coordinator Shane Bowen.

"The way Shane calls it, we're going to be multiple," Okereke said this offseason. "We'll be able to combat the offensive strengths, so we'll have a good mix of everything."

And Okereke likes it that way.

"I like getting picks," he said. "I like getting PBUs (pass breakups)."

TOP PLAYS

"100% IN. Got the proof" is the text that Director of Cinematography & Football Content Michael Becton sent me when the dust settled following Monday's practice. The play in question was a spectacular Malik Nabers catch over Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu. Nabers snagged the deep pass while turning and falling backwards on the right sideline just short of the pylon. The question wasn't whether he caught it; it was if he got both feet down in bounds. The official on the field called him out, but upon further review, the sixth overall draft choice was proven to be in. No one was closer to the play than Becton, so everyone should take his word for it.

It wasn't the only long completion of the day for Jones, who earlier found an open Jalin Hyatt for a big gain. The second-year receiver couldn't quite stay on his feet long enough to run in for an untouched touchdown, instead falling just short inside the five-yard line.

"Guys made plays down the field," Jones said in his assessment of the day. "I thought we converted when we had some opportunities, and then when it wasn't there, I thought we got the ball out and kept making positive plays. Certainly, some situations that weren't ideal and we look to sure those up and figure those out. But, overall, I thought we converted our opportunities and made good decisions when it wasn't there."

Hybrid defender Isaiah Simmons is finding a home at the nickel, where his coverage skills and physicality go hand in hand. He showcased both against the Lions with a big hit and then a pass breakup in the red zone.

Wide receiver Dennis Houston has routinely made highlight catches this summer and did so again on Monday, climbing the ladder to pluck a Drew Lock pass out of the air.

Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux flashed off the edge, with the former recording a sack at one point and the latter disrupting a run play in the backfield until reinforcements arrived.

Cornerback Cor'Dale Flott had a nice pass breakup to kick off 11-on-11 drills.

Defensive lineman Rakeem Nuñez-Roches continued his push to start opposite Dexter Lawrence and forced a throwaway in the red zone. It may have been a sack in a live game.

"Nacho has had a really good camp," Daboll said on Friday. "He stood out to me in individual drills, some pass rush stuff. Excellent leader for us."

View the best photos from training camp at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.

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