Tag: Ted Larsen

Giants dropped by Patriots, 22-20: Instant analysis

Instant analysis of the New York Giants’ 22-20 Week 3 preseason loss to the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium.

The New York Giants hosted the New England Patriots in their third and final  preseason game Sunday night at MetLife Stadium.

In what was supposed to be the ‘dress rehearsal’ for the regular season, meaning many of the starters would be taking the field for the at least the first  half, the Giants could not fulfill that want.

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The offensive line was missing two potential starters in right tackle Matt Peart (did not start) and left guard Shane Lemieux (injured), replaced by veterans Nate Solder and Ted Larsen respectively.

Also missing from the starting lineup were running back Saquon Barkley, wide receiver Kenny Golladay and tight end Kyle Rudolph. In their place, the Giants started Devontae Booker at running back, Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton at wide receiver and Evan Engram at tight end.

The Giants went three-and-out in their first possession with quarterback Daniel Jones getting sacked by linebacker Josh Uche, who beat left tackle Andrew Thomas.

On defense, rookie Rodarius Williams started in place of the injured Adoree’ Jackson (ankle) and Darnay Holmes started at slot corner. The defense held on third down in their own territory on the Pats’ first drive, holding them to a 41-yard field goal.

Inside linebacker Blake Martinez stripped Pats’ wideout Jacoby Meyers for an interception on the ensuing series. Jones then drove the Giants 45 yards on eight plays down to the New England one. He then threw the ball behind Engram in the end zone which was picked off by D’Angelo Ross.

After another field goal from the Patriots and a trade of punts, Jones led the Giants on a nine-play, 58-yard drive culminating in a pretty 23-yard touchdown strike to tight end Kaden Smith right before the half to give Big Blue a 7-6 lead at the half.

The second half gave way to mostly backups and New England rookie quarterback Mac Jones led the Patriots on two touchdown drives to give the Pats a 19-7 lead. The Giants struck back early in the fourth quarter to narrow the score to 19-14 when quarterback Mike Glennon hit wideout Alex Bachman on a slant for 12-yard touchdown.

After Pats backup kicker Quinn Norden missed a 54-yard field goal, Glennon hit wide receiver Damion Willis on a 43-yard Hail Mary touchdown cutover threw Dante Pettis on the two-point conversion.

The final was Patriots 22, Giants 20.

Notes

  • Engram left the game with a calf injury and didn’t return. Slayton went out with a foot/ankle issue. C.J. Board had his elbow checked out by trainers but returned. Backup offensive lineman Ted Larsen walked off the field late in the game with a knee injury.
  • Jones played the entire first half, completing 17 of 22 passes for 135 yards with one touchdown and one interception for a QB rating of 88.3. He looked unsettled at times but to his credit, he was under pressure more often than not.
  • Thomas had a rough night, giving up multiple pressures and a sack and was also flagged for a hold. Peart was equally inept, getting beat by the Pats’ edge rushers seemly at will.
  • Shepard continued to look sharp, caching five of six targets for 42 yards.
  • Graham Gano uncharacteristically missed a 41-yard field goal in the third quarter.
  • Dexter Lawrence. Lorenzo Carter, Trent Harris and Willy Henry were all credited with at least a half a sack.
  • The Giants finished the preseason with an 0-3 record.
  • The Giants will be making 27 roster decisions by 4:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, which is the NFL deadline for teams to get their rosters down to 53 players.

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Giants fall to Patriots in preseason finale, finish 0-3

The New York Giants dropped their preseason finale to the New England Patriots, 22-20, finishing 0-3.

The New York Giants closed out the preseason on Sunday night with an uninspiring loss to the New England Patriots.

Despite the presence of quarterback Daniel Jones and other starters, the offense demonstrated similar issues to a year ago: poor offensive line play, ugly turnovers and dropped passes.

There were also injuries on both sides of the ball.

With the loss, the Giants end the preseason with a record of 0-3. And while wins and losses won’t count until September, there’s very little to be optimistic about.

Giants dropped by Browns, 17-13: Instant analysis

Instant analysis of the New York Giants’ 17-13 Week 2 preseason loss to the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium.

The New York Giants faced off against the Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland on Sunday afternoon in their second game of the 2021 NFL Preseason.

Kickoff temperature was a sunny 81 degrees and perfect for football. It was another game in which the reserves did most — if not all — of the heavy lifting for Big Blue.

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The Giants game-day captains were safety Julian Love, long snapper Casey Kreiter and tight end Kaden Smith.

The offensive line got a respite in this game after a tough couple of days of scrimmages with the Browns. With five more roster cuts due this week, the Giants wanted to get a long look at the reserves. Jackson Barton started at left tackle with Kenny Wiggins at left guard, Jonotthan Harrison at center, Ted Larsen at right guard and Chad Slade at right tackle. Mike Glennon opened the game at quarterback.

The starting defense was as such: Raymond Johnson, David Moa and B.J. Hill up front with Ryan Anderson, Oshane Ximines, Reggie Ragland and Devante Downs at linebacker with rookie Rodarius Williams and Madre Harper at the corners and Xavier McKinney and Love at safety.

Harper was picked on twice in the red zone on the Brown’s first drive. The first play he broke up a touchdown grab against Rashard Higgins but gave up a touchdowns two player later to KhaDarel Hodge. The Browns’ drive, led by veteran quarterback Case Keenum, went for 81 yards on 10 plays. The Giants’ defense was very lax, especially when it came to containing the edge on running plays.

The Giants charged right back with an 11-play, 75-yard scoring drive of their own, highlighted by a 24-yard completion from Glennon to Rysen John and the rushing and receiving of free agent running back Devontae Booker, who scored on one yard dive to complete the scoring drive.

On the Browns’ next possession, Quincy Wilson picked off Keenum in the end zone to stop a scoring drive. The first half ended with the score tied 7-7.

The Giants allowed 94 yards on the ground in the first half, 7.8 yards per attempt. To be fair, 32 of those yards came an a last-second scramble by former Giant backup quarterback Kyle Lauletta against a prevent defense.

The second half featured the bottom rungs of each team’s depth charts. Brian Lewerke, signed this week by the Giants, played the second half at quarterback leading a scoring drive that ended in a touchdown pass but was followed by a failed two-point try. For a player who has been with the team for a week, he appeared to be quite poised.

The final was Browns 17, Giants 13 with onlookers champing at the bit for the regular season to begin.

Notes

  • When backups are playing backups, it’s difficult to get excited about standout players but several Giants flashed. Booker looked like a No. 1 back, rushing for 27 yards on six attempts and caught both targets for 13 yards.
  • Glennon completed 10 of 13 paces for 86 yards. Wide receiver David Sills had another strong game catching thereof four targets for 31 yards, including a contested catch in the end zone for a score.
  • TE/WR Rysen John had three receptions with one going for 24 yards and another for 29. Unfortunately, he injured his lower leg late in the game, coming lame in what appeared to be a non-contact injury. He walked off underlies own power.
  • Coughlin is still a tad spotty in pass coverage but is without a doubt a solid pass rusher, especially coming up the middle. He had four tackles including a sack in the first half.
  • Harper, who was a ‘bubble’ player entering the game, left the game in the third quarter with a groin injury.
  • Wilson left with an ankle injury, leaving the Giants a bit short at corner.
  • Special team ace Matt Cole was trotted out on defense to fill in and looked fairly comfortable in the role.
  • The Giants went 2-for-2 in the red zone. Cleveland went 2-3.

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5 Giants with the most to gain vs. Browns

The New York Giants will square off with the Browns in Week 2 of the preseason on Sunday, and these five Giants have the most to gain.

Following two days of joint practices, the New York Giants will face off against the Cleveland Browns in their second exhibition game of 2021 this Sunday.

The game, similar to the first week of the preseason, is unlikely to feature many starters but there will be a few. There will also be several role players being evaluated for depth positions.

Here are five Giants with the most to gain against the Browns.

Giants sign veteran OL Ted Larsen, waive two

The New York Giants have signed veteran OL Ted Larsen and waived RB Mike Weber and DB Jordyn Peters.

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The New York Giants continued turning over their roster on Friday evening, announcing the addition of an interior offensive lineman, as well as the release of two others.

Veteran offensive lineman Ted Larsen, 34, was signed, adding much-needed depth at both center and guard.

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The 6-foot-3, 323-pound Larsen was originally a sixth-round pick of the New England Patriots in the 2010 NFL draft. He was released as part of final cuts that year and later signed with the Buccaneers.

Larsen spent four seasons in Tampa Bay before signing with the Arizona Cardinals (2014-2015). He has also spent time with the Chicago Bears (2016), Miami Dolphins (2017-2018) and then made second stints with the Bears (2019) and Buccaneers (2020).

Larsen has appeared in 137 regular-season games with 88 starts. He has also appeared in five playoff games with three additional starts, and earned a championship ring with the Bucs last season.

In addition to signing Larsen, the Giants also announced that running back Mike Weber and defensive back Jordyn Peters had been waived.

Weber (hip) was waived with an injury settlement.

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7 options for the Eagles to replace Brandon Brooks after he suffered torn Achilles

7 guards the Eagles could have interest in adding to the roster after Brandon Brooks suffers torn Achilles

The Philadelphia Eagles have a glaring hole at right guard and one of the most athletic linemen in NFL history just happens to be unemployed.

The Eagles received devastating news on Monday when it was revealed that Brandon Brooks would miss the entire 2020 NFL season with a torn Achilles tendon.

The Eagles have viable replacements on the roster but if the team chooses to look outside the NovaCare Complex, here are seven options that make sense.

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Nov 17, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jason Peters (71) prepares to block against the New England Patriots at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

1. Jason Peters

The free-agent left tackle let it be known last season that he would play guard to extend his career and he’s still one of the most athletic players in the game regardless of position. Peters’s strength, technique, and versatility along with vast experience could allow such a move to make sense.

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4 right guards the Jets should avoid in free agency

The Jets need right guard support if they decide to cut Brian Winters. Here are four guards the Jets should avoid when replacing Winters.

The Jets have a decision to make a right guard this offseason.

The team needs to decide whether or not to retain Brian Winters, who has struggled to stay healthy over the past two seasons. By cutting Winters, the Jets would save over $7 million, which would enable Joe Douglas to find his replacement in free agency.

The market for right guards will start heating up with the position being very top-heavy. We at Jets Wire already listed four guards the Jets should target in free agency. Now, here are four guards the Jets should definitely avoid.

Ronald Leary

(Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)

The Broncos are not expected to bring back veteran right guard Ronald Leary on his current deal.

This is the last year on Leary’s contract and it comes with a team option. If the Broncos don’t pick up the option, he becomes a free agent and the team would create $8.5 million in cap space. Still, even with Leary on the market, the Jets shouldn’t be interested in bringing him in to replace Brian Winters, who appears to be an eventual cap casualty himself.

The connections that would lead Leary to New York are set in place. Leary’s former offensive line coach when he was with the Dallas Cowboys, Frank Pollack, is now in the same position on Adam Gase’s staff.

Leary’s stay in Denver was marred with injuries, though. In his first season in the Mile High City, Leary started 11 games at right guard before suffering a back injury and being placed on injured reserve. The following season, Leary was moved to left guard, where he started six games before suffering a torn Achilles. In 2019, Leary only played in 12 games with a concussion shortening his presumable last season in Denver.

With younger and more healthy options on the market, it would be a mistake for the Jets to target Leary as a reclamation project.

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A look back at Bears’ 2019 free agent class

Before the start of the new league year, let’s take a look back at how the Bears’ 2019 free agent class fared.

Free agency is just about one month away, and the Chicago Bears will no doubt be monitoring the open market and re-signing some of their in-house players set to become free agents.

With quarterback, tight end, linebacker and defensive back just some of the positions the Bears need to address, free agency is shaping up to be a busy one come March 18.

Before the start of the new league year, let’s take a look back at how the Bears’ 2019 free agent class fared.

WR/KR Cordarrelle Patterson

Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Cordarrelle Patterson garnered first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in his first season with the Bears as a kick returner. He averaged 29.5 yards per kickoff return, including a 102-yard kickoff return touchdown against the New Orleans Saints. He also led the NFL with 825 kick return yards. Patterson remains one of the game’s best kick returners, and he showed that he’s also quite the gunner on special teams.

Verdict: While Patterson saw little time in Chicago’s offense, he proved to be the versatile playmaker that the Bears needed. The aim in 2020 should be to get Patterson more involved on offense, where he made some plays when given the chance.

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Bears Week 17 Inactives: Rashaad Coward, Bobby Massie out vs. Vikings

The Bears have released their list of inactives ahead of today’s season finale against the Vikings, and there are no real surprises.

The Chicago Bears have released their list of inactives ahead of today’s season finale against the Minnesota Vikings.

There aren’t any real surprises. Defensive tackle Akiem Hicks and nose tackle Eddie Goldman were previously ruled out, as was wide receiver Taylor Gabriel.

But cornerback Prince Amukamara, who was questionable ahead of today’s game, is officially active. Amukamara’s future in Chicago could be in question, but he figures to once again split reps with second-year cornerback Kevin Toliver, who could take his job next year.

Right guard Rashaad Coward was downgraded to out Saturday while right tackle Bobby Massie has been ruled out. With Coward and Massie both out, the Bears could get a good look at rookie offensive lineman Alex Bars, who figures to line up at right guard if he gets playing time. If not, Ted Larsen will get the start at right guard for the injured Coward.

Here’s a look at the full list of Bears inactives:

It was previously reported that the Vikings were expected to rest some of their starters, including quarterback Kirk Cousins. While Cousins is active, he figures to serve as Sean Mannion’s backup today.

The Bears and Vikings kick things off at noon CT on FOX.

Bears Injury Report Wednesday Estimates: Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman DNP

The Bears didn’t practice on Wednesday, but they released an injury report estimate, where Akiem Hicks and Eddie Goldman didn’t practice.

While the Chicago Bears didn’t practice Wednesday, they released an injury report estimation heading into a Week 17 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.

Defensive tackle Akiem Hicks, who didn’t play against the Kansas City Chiefs, was listed as “did not practice,” along with nose tackle Eddie Goldman, who suffered a concussion against the Chiefs that likely ends his season.

Right guard Rashaad Coward, who suffered a knee injury against Kansas City, was listed as limited. He was replaced by Ted Larsen in that game. But if Coward can’t go Sunday, it would be a good opportunity to see rookie Alex Bars in his first regular-season action.

Cornerback Prince Amukamara was listed on the injury report as he recovers from a hamstring injury. He was listed as a full participant, but he could wind up splitting reps with second-year cornerback Kevin Toliver in Chicago’s season finale.

The Bears will play the Vikings in their season finale Sunday at noon.

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