Due to starters of most teams not going anywhere near the field, many view the fourth week of preseason as the least meaningful of all. To those playing however, it's one last gasp to make the cut and reserve their spot in the final 53 man roster. With final position battles about as close as it gets, there is no room for error.
Geno Smith started the night and played well enough but it may be too little too late for the erratic Geno Smith as even showed too often this preseason that it's only a matter of time before he reverts into a turnover machine no matter how well he starts out. Josh Johnson stepped in and played the way he played all preseason. Nothing special. Consistent but solid. Better on tape than on the stat sheet. Davis Webb was all but guaranteed a spot upon being drafted as the future number 2 with an outside chance of being the heir apparent to Eli Manning. So while he didn't wow anyone in the month of August, he didn't have to.
Since Paul Perkins already had the number 1 running back spot locked up, it allowed for the rest to duke it out one last time. Shaun Draughn had the most productive night with 54 yards and score on 14 carries on what most likely was his last chance at auditioning for other NFL teams. Orleans Darkwa had a decent night with 6 totes for 40 yards while Wayne Gallman's effort style running left him with 27 hard yards on 8 carries. Shane Vereen did what he always did with 28 yards out of the backfield and a 15 yards rushing. Nice night overall but probably the last night for Draughn.
Wide receivers had an interesting night. With Odell Beckham, Brandon Marshall, and Sterling Shepherd standing on the sideline the rest were able to duke it out for the last two spots one last time. Travis Rudolph topped off his stellar preseason with another fine performance as he caught 3 passes for 46 yards while Roger Lewis dropped a pass and thus left the door open for once unknown camp body and childhood friend of OBJ, Ed Eagen to work his way into the mix as he already jumped out to a lead in the return game. Dwayne Harris had already lost return duties in 2016.
After two years of injuries and reports of looking great in camp, we were able to watch Matt LaCosse work the field. With Rhett Ellison and Evan Engram off the the field, LaCosse got the start and answered with 5 receptions for 60 yards and a pair of scores solidified Lacosse's spot. Unfortunately for the likes of Will Tye, roster bubble guys cannot fumble the ball under any circumstances. Despite being the most productive receiving tight end for the Giants the last two years, it might be over for him.
Again with the defense. Even the second team impressed. Kerry Wynn jumped off the screen with an athletic pick six and Robert Thomas blew open the middle of the line for a sack. Donte Deayon struggled as he got beat early for a touchdown by Patriots camp body Cody Hollister but his impressive preseason should be enough to overlook that.
Mike Nugent was nowhere to be seen last night while Aldrick Rosas had another flawless night and finished it with a 48 yard game winner. Whoever wins the job has earned it outright. Even the one who loses deserves a spot elsewhere.
The next time we see the Giants, they should look different and the game will finally count against the Cowboys next Sunday.