Browns 10, Giants 6: Position Battle Winners And Losers

The New York Giants had an ugly night against the Cleveland Browns.

Backup Quarterback

The winner here tonight might just be Davis Webb, and he didn’t take a snap.

Geno Smith took the final series of the first half, and most of the second half. And while he moved the ball well, the offense consistently bogged down as it got into the red zone, culminating in a bad interception as he attempted to score the go-ahead touchdown.

Josh Johnson got the ball to close the game out, and he didn’t play any better. The first snap was a bungled hand-off that resulted in a lost fumble. Neither veteran quarterback did much to convince Ben McAdoo that they should be Eli Manning’s back-up.

Wide Receiver

Between Darius Powe and Roger Lewis Jr., Lewis might have made up a bit of the ground he (might have) lost in the first pre-season game. Lewis only had one catch on four targets, but it was to convert a fourth down. As well, Powe missed the game with an injury while Tavarres King left the game with an ankle injury.

None of the receivers did much of anything outside of Odell Beckham Jr. and Sterling Shepard. The Giants might ultimately decide that an additional tight end might be a better use of the roster spot.

Right Guard

At this point I’d say that D.J. Fluker has earned the chance to get a look with the starting offensive line. For the second game in a row John Jerry was a liability at right guard, Both failing to make a block which resulted in a blown play and was pushed back into the backfield.

Fluker was once again solid with the second team, looking both competent in pass protection and strong in run blocking. He did his part in setting a pocket in which his quarterback in work and generated movement in the run game.

Defensive Line

In the first week this was just a battle at defensive tackle next to Damon Harrison, but it’s time to expand it a bit.

Jordan Williams, who Jonathan Casillas predicted would surprise and make the roster, saw the field with the starters and flashed on tape, both of which bode well for his chances of making the final 53-man roster. Williams’ size, build, and experience lets him move between big defensive end, 5-technique, or 3-technique depending on the down, distance and package. That versatility and his play on the field are certainly marks in his favor.

Also, Owamagbe Odighizuwa might be creeping up the depth chart and seemed to get on the field before Avery Moss and Devin Taylor. He didn’t leap off the screen, but it is worth noting.

Kicker

Once again, Mike Nugent did nothing to lose the battle, but with Aldrick Rosas nailing a 47-yard field goal, that isn’t going to be enough.

So far Rosas is responding well to everything the coaches and games throw at him. The feeling is still that the job is his to lose.