JACKSONVILLE – For as long as the first-line players are on the field, this will be as challenging a test as the Giants want and need this preseason. Passing such a test is not essential, not during the sweltering days of summer, but the collective psyche of the Giants will be greatly soothed if they can hang with the Jaguars tonight at ALLTEL Stadium.
There were glimpses, but no hard evidence, coming out of a 20-8 loss to the Bears that suggested the Giants can dispel the popular notion that they are barely an average team. As much as these practice games are all about progress and rarely about final results, the Giants starting unit – which failed to score a touchdown last week – will have its hands full in the first half with the Jaguars. How well or badly the Giants hold up will indicate what buttons Jim Fassel must push heading into the last week of training camp.
The Jaguars, one of the most talented teams in the league, present Giants-sized problems on several fronts. Their defense is blitz happy, and that will allow the Giants to learn much about their newly-assembled offensive line, which protected Kerry Collins well (no sacks, little pressure in 18 pass attempts) in the opener. If Lomas Brown and Luke Petitgout on the outside and Ron Stone, Dusty Zeigler and Glenn Parker in the middle can withstand the defensive surge of the Jags, it’s a good sign for the Giants. If Collins is too often flat on his back, watch out. The Panthers opted to not even play their starting quarterback, Steve Beuerlein, in a 34-14 loss to the Jaguars, but Collins is expected to play the entire first half.
On offense, the Jaguars have one of the league’s best receiver tandems in Keenan McCardell and Jimmy Smith, both of whom will give the Giants a hint as to how effectively cornerback Dave Thomas, a former Jacksonville player, can survive as a starter. Thomas is huge for a corner, but there is plenty of concern about his ability in coverage. The Jags’ offensive balance will also show the Giants just how ready for action young cornerbacks Emmanuel McDaniel, Reggie Stephens and Ralph Brown are, or how far they are from heavy-duty NFL competition.
There will even be an education on special teams, an area in need of repair after a dismal pre-season debut by the Giants. Picking up the pieces on the coverage units was a major theme all week, attracting Fassel’s attention and his anger. The Jaguars’ Stacey Mack returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown last week against the Panthers, meaning the Giants will have to improve on special teams in a hurry.
Important decisions await input from several players who need to show something to the Giants coaching staff. It looks as if free safety Shaun Williams (sprained toe) might not be ready for the Sept. 3 regular-season opener, which puts backup Lyle West on the spot. West blew a coverage call last week and if he continues to make such gaffes, the Giants may have to locate and sign an unemployed safety with some experience.
Joe Montgomery will receive his first pre-season action and will run the ball some with the starters, something he’d like to do in the regular season. Montgomery would at least like to get back in the race for the starting running back job that Ron Dayne may already own. Dayne is expected to receive a similar workload to the 17 carries he had in the first pre-season game.
Others need to state their case, quickly. Receiver Brian Alford performed poorly in the pre-season opener, dropping a pass and running several wrong routes. He is in danger of getting nudged off the roster in favor of Thabiti Davis, who has never played in the NFL but was impressive with six catches against the Bears.
Another big game from Davis could decisively turn things his way.
“That’s what being in camp is all about, making plays and taking advantage of your opportunities,” said Davis, who went to Wake Forest and spent time in the training camps of the Panthers and Jaguars. “My mindset was to come in and make an impression on special teams. I knew the position of wide receiver was pretty much filled up, so I saw my chance of making the team was making an impression on special teams. If a position comes open as a fifth receiver hopefully I’ll be in a position to fill that spot.”
Going against the Jaguars, a team he spent time with before getting released, makes it that much more exciting. “I definitely want to show them I can play at this level, I think they know that,” Davis said.
The unusual first name of Thabiti is Swahili and means Strong and Kind Man of Truth. “I try my best to live up to it,” Davis said.
If he continues to play the way he has, he may be able to call himself something else: A New York Giant.
