Giants' first unit makes good impression on offense
The Giants' Daniel Bellinger scores a touchdown during the first half of a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers on Friday. Credit: AP/John Munson
On the first drive of Friday night’s game, the Giants were nearly perfect.
In 4 minutes, 55 seconds of game clock, they showcased a scoring drive the likes of which they’d love to see again and again in the regular season.
In the second preseason game for both teams, the Giants beat Carolina, 21-19, at MetLife Stadium.
This particular series started at the Giants’ 25.
Quarterback Daniel Jones targeted tight end Darren Waller on consecutive completions totaling 18 yards.
After an incompletion to Waller with Panther Vonn Bell in coverage, Jones found wide receiver Parris Campbell for 13 yards.
After a short pass to rookie Jalin Hyatt netted a 3-yard loss, Jones scrambled for 6 yards and then found Waller for 12.
Isaiah Hodgins then turned a short pass into a 20-yard gain to the Panthers’ 9. On the next play, Jones found Parris Campbell for 5 yards.
Ultimately, Jones threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to tight end Daniel Bellinger as Waller celebrated in his shadow.
It won’t always be that easy, of course.
But for a first drive at MetLife Stadium in the middle of August, it was picturesque.
“I thought it was a productive drive,” Waller said. “A lot of people touched the rock. Offense moved efficiently and got a touchdown. I don’t think you can ask for anything better than that.”
Coach Brian Daboll was a bit less enthusiastic.
“It was one series,” he said. “It was a good series. Darren had a few catches. Efficient, but it was one series here.”
After the first drive, Jones, Waller and tackle Andrew Thomas were done for the night. Saquon Barkley didn’t play at all.
The rest of the starters stayed in the game a bit longer.
Either way, the goal was reached.
Daboll does appreciate the chemistry that has developed between the quarterback and the tight end who catches everything.
“They work at it. They work hard at it,” he said. “They probably have a long way to go still with it, but the offseason stuff, OTAs, a lot of reps together. In the passing game, that’s really what it’s all about: as much chemistry as you can get.”
Waller said his chemistry with Jones is the result of repetition, a
nd he appreciated the well-executed drive on the first series.
“It’s not an easy thing to do,” Waller said. “Everybody preaches starting fast, and that’s what you want. But it’s a difficult thing to do.”
Jones’ game might change this season because of Waller’s presence.
“He’s a big target. He runs good routes,” the quarterback said. “Creates separation. He’s any easy guy to find. He’s a talented player, smart guy, understands defense and understands where we are trying to use him.”
Jones considered that first drive a confidence-builder.
“I think overall we’ve been pretty confident in what we can do and our level of execution,’’ he said. “Yeah, this certainly helps that.”
The Giants’ defense stymied the Panthers on their opening possession. It marked just the second time Bryce Young was under center in a professional game, albeit in preseason.
As the Panthers moved into the red zone, Kayvon Thibodeaux sacked Young in something of a welcome-to-the-league moment.
The Giants ultimately held the Panthers to a field goal on a drive that lasted 15 plays, covered 62 yards and drained 10:21 of game clock.
That kind of drive, a long one with defensive starters on the field, probably thrilled Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, who got to see his players in extended action. Then the starters had the rest of the night off.
As is often the case in preseason games, the first half told the story.
After two quarters, the Giants led 14-3.
Kimberly Jones covers the Giants for Newsday, a beat she first worked in the early 2000s before joining the YES Network to cover the Yankees. She worked for the NFL Network for more than a decade and has been heard semi-regularly on WFAN.
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