Giants’ defense strong again in joint practice vs. Jets

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants hosted the New York Jets for their second joint practice of the week on Wednesday, ahead of their Saturday matchup at MetLife Stadium. Another hot August day was highlighted by the Giants’ defense harassing the Jets offense, and holding Justin Fields to a marginal passing day in 11-on-11 drills.

Tae Banks was added to the Giants’ injury report and did not practice. Dru Phillips returned, but practiced sparingly.

I was unable to see the seven-on-seven (red zone) due to my vantage point, but I ascertained that Justin Fields went 4 of 7 twice in his two periods (8 of 14 total). Fields’ four completions were touchdowns in the initial session (again, it was red zone).

Phillips and Cor’Dale Flott had their snaps limited, leading to plenty of first team reps for Nic Jones and T.J. Moore. Dee Williams also received a few first team reps. Something must have happened to Tyler Nubin early in practices, presumably in seven-on-sevens. He was off to the side on the bike without pads by the middle of practice. Raheem Layne received first-team reps with Nubin out and Dane Belton saw the field often in two and three-safety sets. Belton was receiving nickel snaps with Phillips on a pitch count.

11-on-11

The Giants first-team defense got after Fields and held the Jets’ passing attack in check:

Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Chauncey Golsto, and Dexter Lawrence were penetrating and forcing a lot of incompletions that would have likely never been thrown if this were a real game. Shane Bowen was dialing up slot and safety blitzes. The Jets did little to take advantage of the Giants weaker secondary.

Overall, the Giants did well against the run. Thibodeaux started the period with a massive win off the edge that resulted in a tackle for loss. The linebackers were quick to fit, there were only a few contain infractions and a lot of celebrating from the Giants players.

The three plays that were brutal for the Giants were two zone read keepers for Justin Fields around the edge. One went around Burns (I don’t know who had secondary contain); that play went for 12 yards. Fields also took one around the edge that would have likely resulted in a touchdown.

Braelon Allen also scampered to the weak side around Moore for what would have resulted in a 35-yard touchdown. Those three plays by the Jets were some of the only high-marks from their offense.

The Giants second- and third-team defense was also solid against the run and held Adrian Martinez to little success. The first play for the second team was a run to Allen that was quickly stopped by Rakeem Nunez-Roches and Darius Muasau. Two plays later, Golston had a big tackle for a loss and then Nic Jones screamed off the edge from corener for a tackle for loss that was helped out by Micah McFadden.

The end of practice was a one-minute drill, tie game, one timeout, starting at the 25-yard line with the objective being to drive into field goal range. The Giants defense forced a bunch of throws underneath that were “tackled” in bounds. Fields was pressured often and overthrew three passes and the Jets failed to get into field goal range.

1-on-1: DL vs. OL

No team consistently dominated the other in the one-on-one portion of practice. Thibodeaux started the period with an enthusiastic win, defeating rookie Armond Membou with a powerful inside spin move that created ample separation and oriented Thibodeaux toward the pocket.

Lawrence had just one rep and he easily put center Josh Myers on skates before ripping through his inside shoulder for an easy win. Burns faced Olu Fashanu twice; Burns easily won the first rep. Later in the session, Fashanu tied up Burns and eliminated the veteran pass rusher’s counter attempt.

Carter lost his first rep against Max Mitchell, who did well long enough against Carter’s inside move. However, Carter cleanly won his second rep against Membou. Even on Carter’s loss, his bend was evident. Golston had two reps against Chuckwuma Okorafor; Golston quickly won the first rep, but his counter was stopped on the second. Here are other notes from the one-on-one period:

• Chatman had a quality spin against Alijah Vera-Tucker, but the veteran handled it well
• Vera-Tucker also beat Roy Robertson-Harris, although the Giant generated good initial push
• Rakeem Nunez-Roches lost both his reps against Joe Tippmann and Xavier Newman
• Newman also held his own against Jordon Riley
• DJ Davidson generated quality push against Liam Fornadel, but the Jet held up
• Tomon Fox got tied up agianst Samuel Jackson, so Fox took the L.

The one-on-ones turned into two-on-two twist/game drills where the Giants did a very good job. Carter and Golston easily earned pressure that would have resulted in a Carter sack. Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence had a beautifully executed twist where both players uncovered. Ledbetter and Fox earned a quick sack with a Ledbetter swim over a Jet offensive lineman. Chatman earned a sack, working with Robertson-Harris, and Burns and Alexander easily won their matchup for what would have been a Burns’ sack. Davidson did jump offsides twice on the same play, though.

Special teams

Quick special teams note. The first team kickoff was:

Chris Board, Dalen Cambre, Theo Johnson, Dane Belton, Raheem Layne, Chauncy Golston, Darius Muasau, Elijah Chatman, Thomas Fidone II, with Dante Miller/Dee Williams returning. Miller did fumble one of the kickoffs and the coaches lost their mind, rightfully so.