The rookie looked good kicking for the Giants for the first time under the lights.
Aldrick Rosas got first crack at field goals in Friday night’s 20-12 preseason loss to the Steelers and did just fine, kicking for the first time at MetLife Stadium.
Rosas nailed a 27-yarder late in the first quarter. Veteran Mike Nugent was up next and hit from 30 yards out. Rosas made a big move when he hit a 52-yarder late in the second quarter. Rosas hit the ensuing kickoff deep into the end zone for a touchback.
“The whole field goal operation, it was all great so it was easy for me to go out and swing away and do my job,’’ said Rosas, who has not hit a field goal of more than 50 yards since high school.
Nugent countered with a 45-yard field goal with 10:30 left in the third quarter.
“I thought both kickers kicked real well,’’ coach Ben McAdoo said. “I’ve never been so excited to kick a field goal.’’
Rookie TE Evan Engram, the first-round pick from Ole Miss, got his first and only reception in the second quarter, a play-action pass from Geno Smith for 11 yards.
“I mean, it’s stuff you can’t put into words, this feeling, this dream come true, to be out here with these guys, was really exciting,’’ Engram said. “A unique and amazing feeling. I felt really at home out there, felt comfortable.’’
DT Jay Bromley continues his strong summer. He dropped RB Fitzgerald Toussaint for a 1-yard loss on third-and-1 to force a punt. … Backup C Brett Jones had a low shotgun snap that resulted in a loss of 7 yards, as Josh Johnson had to fall on the ball. … Rookie LT Chad Wheeler had a rough moment when he was beaten badly by LB T.J. Watt for force a Johnson throwaway on third down. … DE Jordan Williams had a sack in the third quarter. … S Duke Ihenacho was forced out with a hamstring injury. Other than that, the Giants appear to have come out of the game healthy. … CB Valentino Blake had a diving interception. … The Giants allowed seven sacks.
Three healthy Giants players were held out: QB Eli Manning, DE Jason Pierre-Paul and CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. WR Odell Beckham Jr. was in uniform, but did not play. The following players were held out due to injury: WR Tavarres King, S Ryan Murphy, LB Mark Herzlich, LB Keenan Robinson, WR Kevin Snead, WR Sterling Shepard and DT Robert Thomas. … QB Ben Roethlisberger and WR Antonio Brown did not play for the Steelers.