No good would have come of it. The Giants and Dolphins had a joint practice. They went at it in the Miami sun and humidity for over two hours on Thursday. That was the work and reps they needed. Throwing the starters out there again in an exhibition game served no point.
So John Harbaugh didn’t. The majority of New York’s starters sat out their 26-3 victory over the Dolphins, including Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo. This was an opportunity for those fighting for a starting job, a roster spot.
Here are a few observations from the game …-- When the summer began, and Tae Banks started making plays in West Virginia, it was tough to take him seriously. There was a renewed confidence to him, swagger. Still, the last two years were so bad (filled with poor coverage, ill-advised penalties and questionable effort) that the dropping of another shoe felt inevitable.
But it’s now Aug. 22. Banks keeps getting better. He’s been, unquestionably, their best corner this summer. Saturday might have been his best game.
Banks didn’t start. He came in after Greg Newsome II. He finished with two tackles and two pass breakups. On both disruptions, Banks stuck to his receiver in tight coverage then ripped the ball from their hands.
Ball skills were maybe the biggest criticism of Banks (aside from his effort) during his decline from first-round pick. To see him make those plays, after another good showing in the joint practice, positions him well to earn one of the starting corner spots
-- It’s been a pretty horrific two weeks for running back Tyrone Tracy. His missed block against the Vikings led to Dart getting hit back to Kaysville. Against the Dolphins, Tracy ran it well (six rushes, 26 yards), but fumbled in the red zone.
The Giants clearly aren’t thrilled with their backfield. They wouldn’t have signed Najee Harris if they were. It still seems a long shot he gets cut, but with Devin Singletary as trustworthy as they come, and now Harris in the mix, Tracy might not be as secure as originally believed.
Eagle-eye Dan Duggan of The Athletic noticed Tracy getting reps on the kickoff team. That’s not usually a great sign.
-- The Giants seem set on Malik Nabers and Malachi Fields as their starting two wideouts come Week 1. Calvin Austin seems to have fought off Odell Beckham Jr. and Braxton Berrios for that slot spot. He’s also in the lead for the punt returner job.
Against the Dolphins, Austin caught two passes for 20 yards, had an 11-yard run, and 18- and 11-yard punt returns.
I caught up with Austin at training camp last week. He’s a fascinating person. Really brilliant guy. He said Harvard and Columbia were his two target schools leaving Harding Academy. He walked on to Memphis because his ultimate goal was making the NFL.
-- Odell Beckham Jr. continues to impress, but he let one get away from him. The good: He ran a great route to get open on a comeback. After making the catch, Beckham broke a tackle, back-juked another and skirted forward for 12 yards. The bad: He had a touchdown in the back of the end zone go through his hands.
The broadcast caught Beckham getting open a go route, too, the ball just didn’t come his way. That’s been a theme this summer. You see the veteran beating his guy. For whatever reason, he just doesn’t get targets. We’ll see if that’s enough to make the final roster.
-- It was Dominic Zvada’s turn to kick after sitting out last week. He made 43- and 32-yard field goals, and both his point-after attempts. Ben Sauls also attempted two field goals, making them from 27 and 37 yards. Zvada has been the better kicker in practice. We’ll see what Harbaugh chooses.
-- Something to monitor, but the Giants had Darius Alexander playing late in the third quarter. That’s puzzling. Most every player expected to make the roster was on the sideline at that time. A third-round pick a season ago, Alexander has flashed pass-rush ability, but not much in terms of run defense.
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