Last chance to state case in preseason finales
EAST RUTHERFORD » Any slim slot Kyle Lauletta had of being the Giants’ backup quarterback likely dissipated Thursday night at MetLife Stadium.
Receiving a surprise start in the preseason finale against the Patriots, the rookie fourth-round pick hardly distinguished himself.
He tossed an interception on his third drive. He misfired on two potential touchdowns to an open receiver. He forced a few throws across his body.
All in all, Lauletta finished 8-of-19 on pass attempts for 118 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions, so he appears destined to learn behind Eli Manning and Davis Webb as the Giants’ third quarterback this season.
Lauletta, who played only 10 snaps last week against Jets and entered the night with 16 pass attempts all preseason, began his outing with a 20-yard completion to Kalif Raymond. Lauletta delivered the pass while absorbing a hit as the pocket collapsed.
That was the Giants’ longest reception until Lauletta tossed a 41-yard touchdown to Amba EttaTawo on a crossing route — again as pressure was caving in — on third-and-4 with 12:17 left in the second quarter.
But Lauletta revealed plenty of rookie warts. On one snap during the Giants’ second drive, he evaded a Patriots lineman on playaction but promptly hurled an ill-advised pass across his body into double coverage.
Two plays after a 10-play Patriots field goal drive, cornerback J.C. Jackson intercepted Lauletta on an underthrow ball to a streaking Raymond down the sideline.
Lauletta and Raymond also failed to connect on back-to-back opportunities late in the half from the Giants’ 46-yard line. Both times Raymond established a strong release from his defender. The first-down pass sailed too high. The second-down pass lacked enough zip and forced Raymond to stray toward the middle of the field.