Backup QB battle still not settled
Cut day is here, but Giants head coach Ben McAdoo would not tilt his hand in what he plans to do with his backup quarterback competition. Both Geno Smith and Josh Johnson impressed in their final preseason game on Thursday, each throwing for over 100 yards and a touchdown.
McAdoo said the plan all along was to just let the process play out but said it will be a “tough decision.”
“They both graded out high. They played well,” McAdoo said. “We’re continuing the evaluation process (Friday) and we’ll make a decision (Saturday).”
COMING UP ROSAS
Rookie kicker Aldrick Rosas made his final push for the team by kicking four field goals against the Patriots Thursday, including a 48-yard game-winner.
“I think Mike (Nugent) and Aldrick, they both competed at a high level,” McAdoo said. “Mike had a tremendous game last week versus the Jets and we wanted to see how Aldrick responded and he responded very well last night. We’re taking a look at it right now.”
TIGHT COMPETITION
One of the more intriguing depth battles the Giants face is determining which tight ends they will carry behind Rhett Ellison and rookie Evan Engram.
Matt LaCosse made his case against the Patriots, with five catches for 60 yards and two touchdowns resulting in McAdoo singing his praises during Friday’s conference call.
“It was good to see LaCosse produce,” McAdoo said. “We’ve been seeing that in the OTAs and in training camp — him producing, making plays and having a chance to score a couple times, as well as contributing in the two-minute drive, was good to see.”
Will Tye also had a good showing with four catches for 48 yards but did drop a pass that arguably should’ve been ruled a fumble, while Jerell Adams was only targeted once but continues to have value as a blocking tight end.
WHEEL DEAL
Undrafted rookie lineman Chad Wheeler has been used primarily at left tackle, but McAdoo revealed on Friday he sees versatility in the 6-foot-7, 312 pounder.
“I think he has some flexibility to play both sides and possibly inside,” McAdoo said. He also added he sees a bright future for Wheeler.
“I think his best days are ahead of him as a player,” McAdoo said. “I think he has some versatility for us. It’s encouraging.”
Whatever happens with Ezekiel Elliott, it won’t change the Giants’ approach.
Elliott and the NFL Players Association filed an emergency motion for a temporary restraining order against the NFL on Friday, which could block the Cowboys running back’s six-game suspension for an alleged domestic violence incident and allow him to play against the Giants in Week 1.
Yet the Giants are downplaying the possibility of Elliott suiting up for Dallas.
“Whoever rolls out there for Dallas, whoever they put on the field, we’ll be prepared for, we’ll have a plan for,” head coach Ben McAdoo said on a conference call Friday. “We’ll be ready to go.”
Added Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie: “Keep your ear to the street a little bit but at the end of the day you don’t pay too much attention. You look more toward Alfred Morris and (Darren) McFadden.”
Elliott, who was penalized last month for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy,