Giants news, 8/31: Are the Giants ready? More headlines

Good morning, New York Giants fans!

Judge: “We’re going to coach whoever is available”

The Giants did not put together an encouraging performance Sunday vs. the New England Patriots. They are facing the reality that a number of key players may not be available in the Sept. 12 season-opener vs. the Denver Broncos. There will be changes made beyond Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline to establish an initial 53-man roster.

So, does head coach Joe Judge feel like his team is ready to enter the 2021 regular season?

“We have two weeks to get ready for Denver. Our focus really is on ourselves and getting polished up and building chemistry and getting going,” Judge said. “We’ve just got to get the guys who are available ready to play. In terms of that, one thing to focus on going into the season is you’re never a finished product Week 1. You need to understand that, keep building, keep improving week to week from how you operate in September to keep improving as a team and build towards those long stretches of the season. Look, we’re going to coach whoever is available and it’s our job to have the entire team ready and the entire team progressing, and that’s what we’re going to focus on.”

More headlines

2021 NFL preseason Week 3 rookie grades: Terrace Marshall Jr. pops for Panthers; undrafted RB excels

Azeez Ojulari earned a C+:

The Giants’ second-round pick lined up opposite massive right tackle Trent Brown on Sunday evening, receiving a nice “Welcome to the NFL” experience from the Patriots’ 6-8, 380-pound veteran. Ojulari didn’t back down from Brown (or other linemen), but struggled to get a lot of push, like most smaller edge defenders typically do. He did attack tight end blocks, though, to move down the line against the run; New England tried blocking him with a slot receiver and he stuffed that run for no gain. Ojulari might have beaten Brown with a pure speed rush on an early third down, but New England had a helping running back on his side. His quickness off the snap from a stand-up or hand-down position was evident, but he was never able to beat a block to get to the passer. His athletic frame helps him move in space, whether man-up on a back/tight end or dropping into his zone.

Don't condemn the Giants offense just yet

None of what has happened thus far counts.

Giants-Bengals trade grades: New York gives up position of strength to add depth at weak spot - CBSSports.com

Giants: B

The Giants are strong along the interior defensive line, where they have Leonard Williams, Dexter Lawrence, Austin Johnson, and Danny Shelton. So, they could afford to move Hill -- a rotational contributor who saw his snap share drop from 59% as a rookie to 44% in his second season and 35% last year.

The Giants also need all the help they can get along the offensive line, as we've seen throughout the preseason. Daniel Jones was among the most heavily pressured quarterbacks in the NFL last season, and he remained under duress during the warm-up contests this summer.

Price is an interesting buy-low flier. He's a former first-round pick, so there is some talent there, but he has not played particularly well since entering the league and lost his starting spot lat year. It's also notable that Price plays on the interior of the offensive line (he's gotten snaps at both guard and center) when it seems like the Giants need more help at tackle.

The Giants traded from a position of strength and technically got help at a position of need, but it's unclear whether Price will be much help.

In case you missed it

• What does the Billy Price-B.J. Hill trade mean for the Giants?
• Evan Engram injury update: Giants’ tight end headed for tests after suffering apparent calf injury
• New York Giants roster cuts tracker: News, rumors, trades, updates, more
• Giants 53-man roster projection: Who’s in, out on the initial roster?

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