CLEVELAND — Next week.
If you want to see the real Giants — you know, the starting players — on the field in these summer games, your time is coming. All those that are healthy will be out there in the preseason finale against the Patriots. And not merely for cameo appearances. For a full half, at least.
That action will give everyone involved a better feel for the readiness of the Giants for the real thing, Sept. 12 against the Broncos in the season opener.
“I know the starters, the guys up front are especially ready to get after it,’’ safety Julian Love said. “The closer we get to Week 1, everyone’s pretty fired up.’’
What transpired Sunday against the Browns was not intended for the purpose of firing anyone up for the actual season. Head coach Joe Judge went exclusively with his backups — as did Kevin Stefanski with the Browns. This means Daniel Jones will get his first preseason action against the Patriots at MetLife Stadium.
Without him, and all the other frontline players on offense, there was not much in the way of, well, anything for the Giants, as far as scoring or moving the ball. They kept things simple and tried to get out of town as healthy as possible, and accomplished that in a 17-13 loss to the Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Judge, after seeing Jones practice against the Browns’ defense for two days in Berea, Ohio, felt that work was sufficient enough for the third-year quarterback to sit this one out.
Tellingly, Judge immediately after the game first mentioned that there was “a lot of quality work this week’’ and he never really delved into the details of what happened for 60 minutes against the Browns.
Why no starters?
“It really went back to the quality of practice we had,’’ Judge said. “The volume, the intensity of work that we thought it was best for the health of those players, with a quick turnaround with one day off in between, and to get these guys ready to go next week. And it also gave us the best opportunity to evaluate a lot of guys on the roster. We’ve got to make sure we have as clear a picture as possible to give them a fair evaluation.’’
As far as evaluations go, figure outside linebacker Trent Harris, receiver David Sills, tight end Rysen John (until he got hurt late) cornerback Rodarius Williams, linebacker Carter Coughlin, defensive lineman David Moa and linebacker/gunner on special teams Cam Brown all helped themselves with their play. And how about Matt Cole, a first-year wide receiver, who filled in at cornerback in the second half.
Unlike the preseason opener, when Judge used his starting offensive line for 18 snaps in the loss to the Jets, there were no starting offensive linemen making an appearance in this one. That meant the all-reserve group of left tackle Jackson Barton, left guard Kenny Wiggins, center Jonotthan Harrison, right guard Ted Larson and right tackle Chris Slade got the chance for extended action.
It was, as expected, a mixed bag. Case Keenum, the Browns’ backup quarterback, hit KhaDarel Hodge on a 12-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter despite solid coverage by cornerback Madre Harper, a young player squarely on the roster bubble who went out with a groin injury. Mike Glennon, after a lackluster showing in his Giants preseason debut last week, was much better in this one. He went 6-for-6 for 57 yards on a drive late in the first quarter that cashed on with Devontae Booker’s 1-yard scoring leap. The most significant play was Glennon’s well-placed toss to John for 24 yards.
Glennon finished up completing 10 of 13 passes for 86 yards, looking more like the competent backup the Giants believe he is. Lest we forget, Glennon was playing behind a backup offensive line and was throwing to none of the receivers who will be featured in the regular season.
Brian Lewerke, after only three practices with the Giants, went in at quarterback in the second half.
Looking ahead, the Giants will partake in joint practices Wednesday and Thursday in Foxboro, Mass. Saquon Barkley will be ramped up this week, although he is not expected to get any reps on the field in live practice action against the Patriots’ defense.
“We will definitely be increasing what he’s doing; I can’t tell you exactly what that’s going to be,’’ Judge said. “Make sure we’re very calculated and careful with what we do. I know he’s tapping his foot and getting anxious.”
The season opener is in three weeks. Can Barkley be ready?
“I don’t have a crystal ball,’’ Judge said. “I wouldn’t eliminate any possibility.’’