Rudolph making his case for roster spot
Undrafted rookie Travis Rudolph needed something eye-opening to enhance his chances to stick on the Giants’ roster. He delivered late in the second quarter of Saturday night’s 32-31 preseason victory over the Jets.
Rudolph leaped high in the air to reach a sailing pass from Josh Johnson, taking the ball away from cornerback Darryl Roberts. Not only did Rudolph make the catch, but he also stayed on his feet and scooted for a 57yard gain. It was the longest play of the preseason for the Giants and it had to help Rudolph overcome the odds and move closer to the final roster. “It was just an effort play, really,’’ said Rudolph, who finished with three receptions for 81 yards. “I feel when the ball is in the air, it’s mine. So I got to go get it.’’ The only downside for Rudolph is that he did not score, which was certainly noticed by the other receivers. “I was hoping he was gonna crib it, that’s probably gonna be a fine in our room because he didn’t crib that,’’ Sterling Shepard said. Rudolph smiled upon hearing that. “Yeah, it might be a fine,’’ he said. “We’ll have to see.’’
Odell Beckham Jr. (sprained ankle) was not at the game. Ben McAdoo said, “We thought it was best for Odell to get treatment and not be standing out there.’’ McAdoo said he knew nothing about any laser healing treatment Beckham reportedly was going to have. “Better look somewhere else for that answer,’’ McAdoo said.
In the battle for the backup quarterback job, Josh Johnson got in the game first and went 4-of-6 for 67 yards. Geno Smith was 5-of-10 for 51 yards facing his former team.
“It wasn’t strange,’’ Smith said, “It was good to see some of my old coaches and teammates, guys in the locker room I built relationships with. It wasn’t strange at all. Guys switch teams all the time, especially in this league, you just kinda move on.’’
The Giants took a beating. CB Eli Apple was forced out in the second quarter with a sprained ankle. He had been slowed with an ankle issue and hurt the other one in the game. … DT Jay Bromley left in the second quarter with a sprained left knee. …S Duke Ihenacho went out with a knee injury. … G Adam Gettis (foot) did not finish the game. … RB Shaun Draughn exited with a concussion and neck injury and DE Evan Schwan was carted off with 1:52 remaining.
In the kicking derby, rookie Aldrick Rosas hit a 24-yard field goal in the first quarter. Veteran Mike Nugent drilled a 50-yard field goal in the second quarter and then a 54-yarder early in the fourth quarter. … LB J.T. Thomas played in his first game since hurting his knee in the 2016 regular-season opener. … Rookie Chad Wheeler got some snaps with the starters, replacing Ereck Flowers at left tackle.