Glennon shows poise in battle of backups
Joe Judge sat all of his Giants starters on both sides of the ball Sunday in Cleveland, mirroring the Browns’ approach to this second of three preseason games.
The Giants felt like Daniel Jones’ offense and Pat Graham’s defense got sufficient work accomplished during two joint practices in Berea, Ohio. So Sunday’s game at Firstenergy Stadium served as further evaluation of backups and players on the bubble.
“I think our entire roster got better this week,” Judge said Sunday.
Here is what the Giants and their head coach learned about some key reserves and players clawing to make the team in Sunday’s 17-13 exhibition loss:
Mike Glennon, QB: Jones’ veteran backup importantly looked calm and poised coming off a rough Friday practice. He completed 6 of 6 passes on an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, and he finished 8 of 11 for 86 yards, including two nice throws on the move to his right. Alex Bachman dropped the first. Dante Pettis caught the other for a first down. Glennon hasn’t inspired confidence in camp, so it’s a positive to see some results, albeit against Browns backups.
Devontae Booker, RB: Booker could be the Giants’ Week 1 starter at running back, depending on Saquon Barkley’s availability. He had a slow start to training camp, but Sunday was a good reminder of why the Giants signed him. He had eight touches for 40 yards (six runs for 27, two catches for 13 yards), and dived over the pile for a 1-yard
TD. Booker has had ball security issues, and Corey Clement had shown more spring in his step early in camp (and had nine carries for 30 yards Sunday). But this production from Booker is what the Giants will expect on Sept. 12 against Denver.
Brian Lewerke, QB: The Giants’ new third-stringer showed Sunday that he is better than Thorson, who is now on injured reserve. Lewerke, undrafted out of Michigan State, completed 11 of 19 passes for 108 yards and an 8-yard TD pass to David Sills. He added three runs for 27 yards, and his interception only came on that last-play 27-yard heave to the end zone in desperation. Lewerke is only the third-stringer, but his Giants debut was a good one.
Injuries: Corner Madre Harper left with a groin injury. Before that, he had made a good first-quarter pass breakup on Rashard Higgins in the end zone but was beaten two plays later for a 7-yard Khadarel Hodge TD catch from Case Keenum . ... Safety Quincy Wilson left with an ankle injury. Before he got hurt, Wilson picked off Keenum in the end zone on an ill-advised throw and returned it 15 yards. He also broke up a deep Kyle Lauletta heave with two Browns receivers in the vicinity. … TE Rysen John sustained a non-contact injury late in the fourth quarter and walked off gingerly with some help from trainers. John had a team-high 58 receiving yards on three catches, including a 29-yarder on third-and-19 off a back shoulder strike from Lewerke late. But he went down running a route and grabbed his right ankle.
Notes
Julian Love made four tackles on the Browns’ first drive. He had to because the Giants couldn’t make a stop at the first two levels of the defense. Love told reporters that Judge calls him “duct tape” because he can be used to cover up any situation. … Pettis had three catches for 25 yards, two for first downs. Pettis is an NFL player, but cracking this roster will be an uphill battle. … Bachman had two bad thirddown drops, one from Glennon in the first quarter and another on a great back shoulder throw by Lewerke
late.