Big Blue View - Giants 18, Steelers 13: Post-game news, analysisYour place for year-round New York Giants discussion and informationhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47371/bigblueview_fave.png2013-08-11T19:44:44-04:00http://www.bigblueview.com/rss/stream/43747752013-08-11T19:44:44-04:002013-08-11T19:44:44-04:00Coughlin: Run defense needs to get better
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<figcaption>Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Giants' coach Tom Coughlin said Sunday that the run defense by his first defensive unit was not good enough Saturday vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers.</p> <p>It didn't take an expert to see that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a>' first-unit defense struggled to stop the run Saturday night during an 18-13 preseason victory over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a>. The expert who matters most -- Giants' head coach Tom Coughlin -- was not happy with the run defense. That, of course, is a major issue since improving against the run has been a huge objective for the Giants since the end of last season.</p>
<p>"Our first defense had what we call two wins and seven losses against Pittsburgh’s running game and that’s a big objective for us coming in and we’ve got to shore that up and be able to stop the opponent’s run," Coughlin said during a Sunday conference call.</p>
<p>Coughlin was asked to go more in-depth on what he thought the issues were with the run defense.</p>
<p>"Right off the bat, we were reached. They came out running the outside zone play and we did get in a position where we were reached. We didn't get off the blocks and didn't get to a point where we could reject the front and the ball carriers were able to slash and make yardage and a couple of times cut the ball back," Coughlin said. "I think we'll do a better job once we get a look at this tape and understand our gap responsibilities, but this is going to continue to be an objective for us."</p>
<p>The play of the linebackers is a major concern, and here is what Coughlin had to say about that group on Sunday:</p>
<p>"We’re analyzing the linebacker play the entire preseason so that we can get the right people on the field in the right spots," the coach said. "I think there were flashes. I really do. I think there was flashes and I don’t know if it’s any one particular individual that made enough plays or a whole lot of plays for me to say that, but we were steady. We didn’t give up a touchdown, so somebody was doing a good job in there."</p>
<p>Here are a few more nuggets from Coughlin's conference call.</p>
<p>On the fumble by running back <span>Andre Brown</span>:</p>
<p>"It concerns me. Naturally it concerns me and it concerns Andre too because it was careless. I don't care how much and how long you've played the game. There are certain things that have to happen before you run the ball. You've got to look the ball in. If it's going to be a toss or a pitch or a pass or whatever... first, you've got to catch the darn thing and put it away and cover it up before you can go on to the next objective. ... that idea of looking the ball in, I don't know how that escaped last night."</p>
<p>On playing time for rookie quarterback <span>Ryan Nassib</span> as the preseason moves forward:</p>
<p>"He needs to keep getting his feet wet just like anybody else does. It’s a brand new experience and we’ll keep that in mind as we set the order and the number of snaps as they are to be divided up for the next game."</p>
<h5>Injury Notes</h5>
<p>Coughlin said that wide receiver <span>Kris Adams</span> was undergoing surgery Sunday on his fractured left ankle. Offensive lineman <span>Chris DeGeare</span> was having tests done on his injured knee.</p>
<p>Coughlin said he expected <span>Justin Tuck</span> (back) and <span>Justin Pugh</span> (concussion) back at practice Monday.</p>
https://www.bigblueview.com/2013/8/11/4612400/new-york-giants-vs-pittsburgh-steelers-tom-coughlin-run-defenseEd Valentine2013-08-11T13:00:15-04:002013-08-11T13:00:15-04:00Giants 18, Steelers 13: Tom Coughlin reacts
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<figcaption>Justin K. Aller</figcaption>
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<p>Tom Coughlin saw both good and bad Saturday night when the Giants defeated the Steelers.</p> <p>There was, obviously, some good and some bad in the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a>' first preseason game -- an 18-13 victory over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a>.</p>
<p>Here are some of head coach <a target="_blank" href="http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Postgame-Quotes-810-Coughlin-Manning--Rolle/964685f3-52f6-4aff-adbc-2e8082ebb8a8">Tom Coughlin's thoughts on the game</a>, along with some of my own opinions.</p>
<p><b>On the run defense with the starters in the game:</b></p>
<p>"They had some first downs and ran the ball on us right off the bat early on. We’ll just have to take a look at it. It wasn’t a rejection. We did stop some of the runs, but we’re going to have to be better. "</p>
<p><b>Valentine's View</b>: Coughlin is being kind to his defense here, trying not to be critical over what he saw in one quarter of one preseason game. Privately, though, he can't be happy. The way the Giants first-team defense played the run, or didn't play it, is just not good enough.</p>
<p><b>On the performances of the rookies:</b></p>
<p>"For the first opportunity to play in a preseason professional football game, they were excited. They ran around and made some plays. I thought <span>Michael Cox</span> really ran the ball hard when he had his opportunities tonight. Moore obviously was a problem for Pittsburgh from the pass rush standpoint. He did a nice job of that. I thought <span>Johnathan Hankins</span> held his own in there. He's had a nice camp. Hopefully we're going to keep that going."</p>
<p><b>Valentine's View:</b> I have thought this for a while, and I'm not certain I have actually written it. It's early, but this could end up being the best draft class GM Jerry Reese has assembled since the 2007 group that included <span>Aaron Ross</span>, Steve Smith, <span>Zak DeOssie</span>, <span>Kevin Boss</span> and <span>Ahmad Bradshaw</span>.</p>
<p><b>On the play of <span>Ryan Nassib</span>, who didn't get much help from his offensive line:</b></p>
<p>"We’ll have to let Ryan play some. He was chased all over the place. He made the one play down the sidelines. We thought he might have gotten another one but he didn’t have a whole lot of time. We need to work on that. He did make the play though that got the drive going to kick the field goal that kept it out of field goal range for them."</p>
<p><b>Valentine's View: </b>It's virtually impossible to judge Nassib's performance. Even Coughlin admitted <span>Matt McCants</span> should not have been snapping out of the shotgun, and the offensive line play in front of the rookie quarterback was woeful.</p>
<h5>More from Big Blue View</h5>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.bigblueview.com/2013/8/11/4611068/new-york-giants-roster-bubble-michael-cox-vs-darel-scott-vs-ryan-torain">Giants' Roster Bubble: Michael Cox vs. Da'Rel Scott</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bigblueview.com/2013/8/11/4611014/new-york-giants-vs-pittsburgh-steelers-damontre-moore">Giants vs. Steelers: Damontre Moore makes an impression</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bigblueview.com/2013/8/11/4610994/new-york-giants-vs-pittsburgh-steelers-post-game-notebook">Giants vs. Steelers: Post-game notebook</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bigblueview.com/2013/8/11/4610116/new-york-giants-steelers-kudos-wet-willies-review">Giants vs. Steelers: 'Kudos & Wet Willies' review </a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bigblueview.com/2013/8/11/4610734/new-york-giants-pittsburgh-steelers-nfl-preseason-post-game-news-analysis">Giants 18, Steelers 13: Post-game news, analysis</a></li>
</ul>
https://www.bigblueview.com/2013/8/11/4611314/new-york-giants-vs-spittsburgh-teelers-tom-coughlin-reactionEd Valentine2013-08-11T11:13:10-04:002013-08-11T11:13:10-04:00Giants' Roster Bubble: Cox outperforms Scott
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<figcaption>Michael Cox | Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Occasionally during the preseason we will run a series we will call 'Giants Roster Bubble.' Following Saturday night's preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers the obvious place to start is with what we saw from running backs Michael Cox and Da'Rel Scott.</p> <p>If the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a>' third running back slot behind <span>David Wilson</span> and <span>Andre Brown</span> is truly a preseason competition between 2013 seventh-round draft choice <span>Michael Cox</span> and 2011 seventh-round draft choice <span>Da'Rel Scott</span>, you can score the first round for Cox.</p>
<p>By a knockout.</p>
<p>Cox was clearly the more impressive of the two runners on Saturday. He carried nine times for 33 yards, a pedestrian 3.7 yards per carry average. He ran hard and decisively and did have runs of 11 and 12 yards. He also received praise from analyst Carl Banks during the television broadcast for his work on punt coverage.</p>
<p>Scott, a third-year veteran, was much less impressive. He carried 10 times for 12 yards and appeared to leave several opportunities for big runs on the table.</p>
<p>Banks criticized him for going down too easily when carrying the ball and for not being able to step through some ankle tackles.</p>
<p>Ryan Torain, the third running back competing for a roster spot, missed the game with a concussion.</p>
https://www.bigblueview.com/2013/8/11/4611068/new-york-giants-roster-bubble-michael-cox-vs-darel-scott-vs-ryan-torainEd Valentine2013-08-11T10:51:48-04:002013-08-11T10:51:48-04:00Good start for Giants' rookie Damontre Moore
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<figcaption>Damontre Moore | Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Damontre Moore blocked a punt and played well at defensive end for the Giants Saturday night.</p> <p><span>Damontre Moore</span> carried his impressive training camp into the first preseason game Saturday night, blocking a punt, making four tackles, one for loss, and consistently harrassing <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a>' quarterbacks during an 18-13 victory by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a>.</p>
<p>Of his blocked punt, Moore said:</p>
<p>"The play was there. My coaches put me in a great situation," Moore said. "I just ran, did what coach told me to do."</p>
<p>Moore, the third-round pick from texas A&M, was a bright spot for a Giants' defensive line that was missing starting defensive ends <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="#">Jason Pierre-Paul</a> and <span>Justin Tuck</span>. The Giants will need a contribution from other defensive ends, and so far Moore looks like he can provide one.</p>
<p>"I'm pretty pleased," Moore said of his overall effort." We'll see when we get in there and watch film how good it was or how bad it was."</p>
<p>Head coach Tom Coughlin was also <a target="_blank" href="http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Damontre-Moore-could-play-huge-role-in-13/0c8b8899-00cc-4d48-9c49-9c0ee8366693">happy with Moore's play</a>.</p>
<p>"Moore obviously was a problem for Pittsburgh from a pass rush standpoint," Coughlin said. "He keeps coming and he likes it and he had a punt block, which was nice."</p>
<p>The Giants drafted Moore hoping he would eventually join the organization's legion of great defensive ends. It is way too early to say that will happen, but the 20-year-old is off to a good start.</p>
https://www.bigblueview.com/2013/8/11/4611014/new-york-giants-vs-pittsburgh-steelers-damontre-mooreEd Valentine2013-08-11T10:34:29-04:002013-08-11T10:34:29-04:00Giants' notebook: Preseason opener in the books
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<figcaption>Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sport</figcaption>
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<p>News and notes from around the Internet after Saturday's preseason opener for the Giants.</p> <p>Here are a few links from around the Inter-Google following Saturday night's 18-13 victory by the New York Giants over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Be sure to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bigblueview.com/2013/8/11/4610734/new-york-giants-pittsburgh-steelers-nfl-preseason-post-game-news-analysis">check our StoryStream</a> for more about the game.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Cullen-Jenkins-shows-versatility-vs-Steelers/66b780d9-6de4-4750-95c9-a14cabeb9308">Cullen Jenkins shows versatility vs. Steelers</a><br>Cullen Jenkins stepped in for Justin Tuck at DE Saturday.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/giants-insider-andre-commits-turnover-insists-won-eat-article-1.1423719">Andre Brown commits turnover during NY Giants preseason game, but insists it won’t eat him up - NY Daily News</a><br>Andre Brown hoped to make an impression in Saturday night’s 18-13 preseason win to the Steelers at Heinz Field. He did, but it was a bad one as he lost a fumble.</p>
<p><a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/giants/post/_/id/27807/notebook-nassibs-rocky-start-adams-injured">Notebook: Nassib's rocky start; Adams out - Giants Blog - ESPN New York</a><br>PITTSBURGH -- Ryan Nassib's preseason debut got off to a shaky start.</p>
<p><a href="http://insidefootball.com/2013/08/11/giants-hold-off-the-steelers-18-13/#more-6856">Giants Hold Off the Steelers, 18-13 » Inside Football</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/8/11/4610438/steelers-giants-recap-stats-analysis-injury-report">Steelers young linebackers star in 18-13 preseason loss to the Giants - Behind the Steel Curtain</a><br>Young Steelers inside and outside linebackers put on an impressive display in a 18-13 loss to the visiting Giants Saturday in the preseason premiers for both teams.</p>
https://www.bigblueview.com/2013/8/11/4610994/new-york-giants-vs-pittsburgh-steelers-post-game-notebookEd Valentine2013-08-11T06:53:37-04:002013-08-11T06:53:37-04:00'Kudos & Wet Willies:' Rise of 'DaMonster'
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<figcaption>Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Here are the 'Kudos & Wet Willies' for Saturday's Giants-Steelers preseason game.</p> <p>The first <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a>' preseason game of 2013 means it's also time for our first 'Kudos & Wet Willies' review of the season. The Giants defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, 18-13, and there was both good and bad during the game. So, let's get started.</p>
<h5>Kudos To ...</h5>
<p><b>DaMontre Moore</b> -- 'DaMonster' sure looked like the the real deal Saturday night. He blocked a punt and put pressure on <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a>' quarterbacks all night. He had four tackles.</p>
<p><b><span>Victor Cruz</span></b> -- One catch. Fifty-seven yards. One touchdown. One salsa dance. Night over. Good enough.</p>
<p><b><span>Brandon Mosley</span></b> -- I honestly have no idea how the second-year offensive lineman will grade out on film. I just know he started and played all the way into the third quarter, a huge workload for the first preseason game.</p>
<p><b><span>David Carr</span></b> -- Completed 7-of-11 passes for 64 yards and looked like he was in control when he was in the game.</p>
<p><b><span>Michael Cox</span></b> -- The rookie seventh-round pick from UMass impressed with some hard, decisive running.He totaled 33 yards on nine carries.</p>
<p><b><span>Adewale Ojomo</span></b> -- Had a huge preseason in 2012, and picked up where he left off with 1.5 sacks on Saturday night.</p>
<h5>Wet Willies To ...</h5>
<p><b>Giants' Run Defense</b> -- So much for all that talk about improved run defense. The first half Saturday night looked like the same old same old, with the Giants losing the battle at the line of scrimmage. The Steelers ran 17 times for 81 yards (4.8 yards per carry) and had seven runs of five yards or more. That is not going to cut it. The first-unit linebacker play, simply, did not seem to be very good.</p>
<p><b><span>Matt McCants</span></b> -- Snapping the ball over the head of the quarterback and having it result in a Pittsburgh safety is not cool, and it won't help him build a case for sticking around.</p>
<p><b><span>Da'Rel Scott</span> </b>-- Carried 10 times for only 12 yards. Some of that was on his offensive line. Some of that, though, was on him. There were plays to be made in a few instances, and Scott did not make them.</p>
<p>Your thoughts, Giants fans? Who impressed you? Who did not? This, admittedly, is an abbreviated version of 'K&WW.'</p>
https://www.bigblueview.com/2013/8/11/4610116/new-york-giants-steelers-kudos-wet-willies-reviewEd Valentine2013-08-11T00:03:54-04:002013-08-11T00:03:54-04:00Giants 18, Steelers 13: Recap, First Impression
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<figcaption>Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Giants managed to hold onto an early lead and win their first preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers 18-13 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh PA.</p> <p><span>Damontre Moore</span> made a great first impression as he blocked the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a>' first possession punt attempt to set the Giants up in prime scoring position. The Giants were unable to capitalize with a touchdown as the running game didn't look in sync to start the game, but came away with three points to jump out to an early lead.</p>
<p>The Steelers next possession looked reminiscent of the November game last year when the Steelers were able to run at will against the Giants' defense. The Steelers were able to block the Giants' defensive lineman and linebackers and create running room as they drove the field for an eventual field goal. The inability of the outside linebackers to keep leverage on the runners would become a problem for the rest of the first half.</p>
<p>The Giants second possession showcased the burgeoning talent of <span>Rueben Randle</span> and the magic of the <span>Eli Manning</span> to <span>Victor Cruz</span> connection. On a third and long Eli checked to quick pass to Rueben Randle on the outside to beat the Steelers blitz. Randle beat the first man at the line of scrimmage and then put a move on perennial ALL-Pro Troy Polumanu that would have had Dave Meggett smiling. Victor Cruz shook off the rust of his off-season hold out with a bang as he split the center of the Steeler's defensive backfield for a 57-yard touchdown from Eli Manning.</p>
<p>The only downside to the first few possessions from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a> was the lack of a consistent push in the running game. <span>David Wilson</span> was held in check and <span>Andre Brown</span> didn't run well until the second offensive line was in the game. Wilson also buried his head in the sand on a double A gap blitz pick up with 16 seconds to go in the first half. He needs to step up and get his face in front of the defender if he is going to be an everydown back. Andre Brown also made a mistake when he fumbled a pitch and failed to cover it up before the Steelers could take possession. The lack of a running game and the failure to stop the opponent's running game will have Tom Coughlin chomping at the bit to get back on the practice field this week.</p>
<p>The Giants running stats:</p>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 389pt;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="518">
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<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 7241; width: 149pt;" width="198">
<col style="width: 48pt;" span="5" width="64">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt;" height="21">
<td style="height: 15.75pt; width: 149pt;" class="xl65" height="21" width="198"></td>
<td style="width: 48pt;" class="xl65" width="64">CAR</td>
<td style="width: 48pt;" class="xl65" width="64">YDS</td>
<td style="width: 48pt;" class="xl65" width="64">AVG</td>
<td style="width: 48pt;" class="xl65" width="64">TD</td>
<td style="width: 48pt;" class="xl70" width="64">LG</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; outline: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" height="21">
<td style="height: 15.75pt; width: 149pt; outline: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class="xl66" height="21" width="198"><a style="outline: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/15929/michael-cox">M. Cox</a></td>
<td style="width: 48pt; outline: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class="xl67" width="64">9</td>
<td style="width: 48pt; outline: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class="xl67" width="64">33</td>
<td style="width: 48pt; outline: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class="xl67" width="64">3.7</td>
<td style="width: 48pt; outline: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class="xl67" width="64">0</td>
<td style="width: 48pt; outline: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class="xl67" width="64">12</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; outline: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" height="21">
<td style="height: 15.75pt; width: 149pt; outline: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class="xl68" height="21" width="198"><a style="outline: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/12490/andre-brown">A. Brown</a></td>
<td style="width: 48pt; outline: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class="xl69" width="64">4</td>
<td style="width: 48pt; outline: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class="xl69" width="64">23</td>
<td style="width: 48pt; outline: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class="xl69" width="64">5.8</td>
<td style="width: 48pt; outline: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class="xl69" width="64">0</td>
<td style="width: 48pt; outline: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class="xl69" width="64">8</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; outline: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" height="21">
<td style="height: 15.75pt; width: 149pt; outline: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class="xl66" height="21" width="198"><a style="outline: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/14887/david-wilson">D. Wilson</a></td>
<td style="width: 48pt; outline: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class="xl67" width="64">5</td>
<td style="width: 48pt; outline: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class="xl67" width="64">16</td>
<td style="width: 48pt; outline: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class="xl67" width="64">3.2</td>
<td style="width: 48pt; outline: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class="xl67" width="64">0</td>
<td style="width: 48pt; outline: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class="xl67" width="64">9</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; outline: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" height="21">
<td style="height: 15.75pt; width: 149pt; outline: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class="xl68" height="21" width="198"><a style="outline: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/14087/da'rel-scott">D. Scott</a></td>
<td style="width: 48pt; outline: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class="xl69" width="64">10</td>
<td style="width: 48pt; outline: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class="xl69" width="64">12</td>
<td style="width: 48pt; outline: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class="xl69" width="64">1.2</td>
<td style="width: 48pt; outline: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class="xl69" width="64">0</td>
<td style="width: 48pt; outline: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class="xl69" width="64">5</td>
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<p> </p>
<p>Damontre Moore made a great first impression as he flew all over the field. If he wasn't pressuring the quarterback he was chasing down the runner from behind. The Giants might have hit the lottery getting a talent like this in the third round of this year's draft. He's still young, and there are reasons he slid in the draft, but if he can produce like he has at every other level he will be a star for the Giants' defense.</p>
<p><span>Ryan Nassib's</span> first appearance for the New York Giants is one he would probably soon like to forget. Penalties, turnovers, and sacks taken show just how far he has to go to be considered the heir to Eli's throne. Luckily for Nassib, <span>Landry Jones</span> debut started out just as bad, as the Giants were able to force a safety as the rookie from Oklahoma botched a handoff on his first snap of the game for the Steelers.</p>
<p>New placekicker <span>Josh Brown</span> showed plenty of leg by booming his kickoffs though the end zone or at least deep into it. He finished the game 3/4 on field goal attempts as he missed a very make-able 38 yarder wide left. The plus he provides in field position will only be appreciated if he can be as reliable as <span>Lawrence Tynes</span> was on field goals. <span>Steve Weatherford</span> and <span>Zak DeOssie</span> looked to be in mid-season form as they put on a show when called upon in the punting game.</p>
<p><span>Tyler Sash</span> had a tremendous special teams game and played well with the second defense. The writing is on the wall for Sash as this is a make or break preseason for him. <span>Marvin Austin</span> is another player that needs to show well in the preseason for the Giants to keep him. He played played extensively after the ones left the field as he was paired with <span>Mike Patterson</span> for a large part of the game and was hit and miss. When Austin stands up and uses poor technique he is easily driven down the field and that happened tonight against the better Steelers' offensive lineman.</p>
<p><span>Da'Rel Scott</span> had an opportunity to show he can run the ball and failed to do so tonight. He was too easily taken down and never looked to be an NFL caliber running back. He will have to show up big time on special teams to beat out rookie <span>Michael Cox</span> who looked like the better pure running back tonight. Cox looked like he was shot out of a cannon on a few plays, but also overran his blocking a bit. Patience may be the key with this young back.</p>
<p>In all, more questions were raised than answered tonight, but that's to be expected during the first preseason game. I expect to see a better running game and a more stout run defense when some of the injured stars come back.</p>
https://www.bigblueview.com/2013/8/11/4610246/giants-18-steelers-13-recap-first-impressionsDennis M. Esser