Foxborough. Primetime. Giants. Patriots. What was just a preseason game, with the point of playing the backups to evaluate the final roster, had turned out to be a thriller into the final seconds. The Giants were able to overcome their deficit to score 21 unanswered points to secure their fourth win of the preseason 31-28. Here are the Studs & Duds from the finale.
Studs:
QB: Kyle Lauletta
Kyle Lauletta may have just found himself as the third string quarterback this season. I know I mentioned in a previous article that Tanney beats him out for his film-room capabilities, but Lauletta showed tonight that it’s his job to lose, and this town isn’t big enough for the both of them. Lauletta led a game-winning drive with a TD pass to Alonzo Russell with no time remaining. Lauletta finished the game going 22-40, 247 yards, and 2 TDs.
WR: Alonzo Russell
Russell has impressed me this preseason in many ways, and tonight was his breakout game. Russell has shown great hustle, never quitting on plays, and going the extra mile every down. Tonight, he caught the biggest catch of his career, a game-winning touchdown pass with time expiring. Russell had his man beat numerous times tonight, and he made the big plays when they needed him. He finished with 5 catches for 92 yards and 2 TDs.
RB: Wayne Gallman
Gallman showed the work horse he is with some hard running tonight. What seemed to be a small competition between Perkins and Smith this preseason, it seemed to switch gears, adding Gallman to the mix. Gallman was running with a purpose tonight, adding power behind him. Gallman showed his power when he bulldozed his way into the end zone. He finished with 7 carries for 29 yards and a TD.
Duds:
QB: Alex Tanney
Tanney has had a rough stretch of games since the first preseason game against the Jets. He had 2 interceptions on back to back drives that ended up being points for the Patriots. Tanney had some poor throws, and could not escape pressure on the night. Tanney did have a nice TD pass to Russell early on, but since then, he struggled on the night. He finished 4-12, 53 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs.
WR: Reggie White Jr.
White made a valuable catch on the final game-winning drive, but despite that, did not show as much flash as we’ve seen. White dropped a TD pass that was lucky it did not turn into an interception off the deflection in the end zone. He finished with 2 catches for 15 yards.
CB: Henre Toliver
Toliver has struggled most of the preseason. He has had many missed tackles and struggled in the pass game tonight, allowing a big TD to Demaryius Thomas that was underthrown. Toliver did not turn his head around, and let Thomas walk right in for the score. If Toliver wants to make an NFL roster, he has some tackling to clean up.
Side Notes:
- BJ Goodson played much better tonight. Although he may not fit this defensive scheme, I think he did enough to earn a spot elsewhere.
- Rookie TE’s CJ Conrad and Jake Powell came to play tonight, making some big catches and plays.
- Paul Perkins did have a productive game tonight, rushing for 54 yards on 11 carries.
- Daniel Jones was perfect 4/4 on his only drive, making great throws to Golden Tate both on the slant and on the fly route near the sideline.