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New York Giants cornerback Rodarius Williams didn’t dress for a Friday night preseason game against the Carolina Panthers but he wasn’t injured.
The curious decision gave way to an explanation on Saturday as head coach Brian Daboll revealed that Williams has been waived. The transaction was filed on Saturday morning.
Brian Daboll, asked why Rodarius Williams didn’t play last night, says he is healthy and the Giants actually released him this morning
Believe the Eagles cut his brother Greedy Williams today, too
Rough day
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) August 19, 2023
Williams, a sixth-round pick of the Giants in the 2021 NFL draft, flashed early in his career but quickly became hampered by injuries. He suffered a torn ACL in Week 5 of his rookie season and began last season on injured reserve (IR) before being activated in November.
In eight career games (one start), Williams has recorded 16 tackles (16 solo), two passes defensed, and one interception.
With the arrival of rookies Deonte Banks and Tre Hawkins, Williams was bumped down the depth chart and became a bubble player. He struggled in a Week 1 preseason loss to the Detroit Lions and the two sides ultimately parted ways.
It’s unclear if Williams influenced that decision away from the field.
Ironically, Rodarius’ release comes on the very same day his brother, Greedy Williams, was released by the Philadelphia Eagles.
With a need at cornerback and a current opening, it will be interesting to see if the Giants attempt to move on from one Williams only to pursue another.
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Korey Cunningham got spun around pretty good last week in Detroit and if the Giants had cut him after the game, or this week, few would have objected.
He needs to severely step up his effort this week against a tough Carolina front if he has any designs of reversing the narrative about himself.
Chances are he gets cut anyway and ends up on the practice squad, but for even that to happen, he’ll need a good game here.
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The New York Giants opened the 2023 preseason on Friday night at Ford Field and fell to the Detroit Lions by a score of 21-16.
The game was a tale of two halves as the defense played above board over the first two quarters before deep reserves faltered late. There was more consistency on offense but that wasn’t necessarily a good thing as the O-Line struggled from the kickoff to the final whistle. The lacking depth there is a genuine concern.
But not all was bad. In fact, there was quite a bit of good, especially as it relates to the team’s 2023 NFL draft class.
Whose stock is up and whose is down after the preseason-opening loss? Let’s take a look.
It’s Jason Pinnock kind of day on Giants Wire and across most Giants platforms, and deservedly so. The safety played just five snaps on Friday night before being pulled due to a stellar performance. How often do you hear that? Two passes defensed (one on fourth down), a tackle for a loss and an interception.
It was a brutal showing for the Giants’ offensive line outside of rookie center John Michael Schmitz. Korey Cunningham and Wyatt Davis were at the center of the struggles, routinely giving up pressures, QB hits and sacks. They also struggled to run block effectively. The one saving grace for Davis is that he saw time at tackle, which was out of position for him.
John Michael Schmitz pieced together a solid performance in his NFL debut and particularly excelled in pass protection. He was a little more spotty as a run blocker but played about as well as the Giants could have hoped. Of the team’s 2023 draft class, he had the best night and took another step toward securing a starting job.
Now on the bubble, it was an underwhelming night for Rodarius Williams. After finding his way back from various injuries over the past two seasons, Williams was inconsistent with his tackling and didn’t inspire much confidence as a whole. It was a step back after two solid joint practices with the Lions and it puts his future in an even more precarious position.
Jordon Riley was an under-the-radar star on Friday night. You’ll see just one tackle in the box score — a run stuff inside the 10-yard line — but his presence was felt elsewhere. The big-bodied seventh-round pick was eating up numbers along the offensive line and although no flags were thrown, he was drawing should-be holding penalties. It was a quiet performance that was actually quite loud.
Tomon Fox raised his stock while Oshane Ximines hurt his. He was unable to set the edge multiple times against the Lions and just generally seems like a liability against the run. His stock was further damaged by Fox producing more as a pass rusher (two QB hits to one) despite playing fewer snaps.
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The New York Giants open their preseason on Friday night against the Detroit Lions following two joint practices earlier this week.
It remains unclear who head coach Brian Daboll will play and who he won’t, but it’s a safe bet that players on the roster bubble will see extended time. The Giants have several tough decisions to make in a few weeks and would like to compile as much information as possible.
It’s make-or-break time for a number of players, including the following seven who are firmly on the bubble. Some will play, potentially helping their chances, and at least one will not.
The Giants are lacking depth at inside linebacker and that will give Carter Coughlin an opportunity to stick but he still finds himself on the outside looking in. That’s especially true when considering the Giants are poking around the free agent market.
Second-year linebackers Micah McFadden and Darrian Beavers are likely to stick, and Cam Brown is an excellent special teams player, so it all becomes a numbers game for Coughlin.
The Giants drafted Deonte Banks and Tre Hawkins III, both of whom have performed well in camp, and they expect to get Aaron Robinson back from the PUP list eventually. That puts added pressure on players further down the depth chart, including Rodarius Williams, who started his NFL career strong before injuries and inconsistent play took over.
Once upon a time, the Giants expected Shane Lemieux to be their long-term answer at left guard but injuries have riddled his career. With John Michael Schmitz now expected to start at center, it pushes veteran Ben Bredeson back to the guard spot. There’s plenty of additional competition there with Joshua Ezeudu, Wyatt Davis and Tyre Phillips, who has been an early surprise in camp. That means the odds are getting longer for Lemieux.
Evan Neal is a lock to start at right tackle but the Giants still need a swingman. Matt Peart, a 2020 third-round pick, could be that guy and is currently listed as the primary reserve on the Giants’ official depth chart. However, like Lemieux, injuries and inconsistency have plagued his young career and faces competition from Devery Hamilton, Marcus McKethan, Korey Cunningham, and the versatile Tyre Phillips. He needs to impress this preseason.
David Sills may be a close friend of quarterback Daniel Jones who is well-respected in the locker room, but the numbers at wide receiver are deep. Sills currently finds himself buried on the team’s unofficial depth chart and the climb to the top seems long. Sills has found a way to stick over the past four seasons but time may be running out. Perhaps it’s another practice squad year for the 27-year-old, who came over from the Buffalo Bills after they signed him as an undrafted rookie free agent.
Chris Myarick is an interesting name because he plays both tight end and fullback, but he currently finds himself all the way at the bottom of the Giants’ unofficial depth chart. With Darren Waller and Daniel Bellinger locks to the make the roster, Myarick faces an uphill battle to stick. His best route to a spot may come at fullback but it’s unclear if the Giants intend to use him in that capacity this preseason.
Gary Brightwell is currently third on the Giants’ unofficial depth chart behind Saquon Barkley and veteran Matt Breida, but rookie Eric Gray is a lock to make the roster. That creates a numbers game for Brightwell, who provides additional value on special teams. But will Gray also assuming key special teams roles, it puts Brightwell in a precarious position. A recent ankle injury, which will keep him out a while, only compounds the issue for Brightwell.
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After a rough day on Tuesday, the New York Giants took the field for the second and final joint practice with the Detroit Lions on Wednesday. They’ll enjoy an off day on Thursday before their preseason opener on Friday night.
Prior to practice, head coach Brian Daboll refused to acknowledge the struggles of his team the day prior, instead calling the joint practices “productive” multiple times.
“It’s practice so we are out here competing. I thought it was productive. We will go out here and try to have another one today,” Daboll said. “I’m not worried about chatter; I just want to go out there and have a good practice. Our guys were ready to go, I thought we had a good productive practice, and we will try to have one today.”
Lions head coach Dan Campbell said the joint practices should serve the team well enough to leave their starters out on Friday but Daboll wouldn’t commits to the same. It remains unclear who will and will not play.
“It’s just kind of like a Friday in the regular season. We’ll talk about that as a coaching staff tonight, tomorrow and come up with our decisions,” Daboll said.
Back on the field, all eyes were on quarterback Daniel Jones and the offense, who were looking to rebound from an ugly performance.
Here are some notes, takeaways, and video highlights from the final joint practice between the Giants and Lions:
One day after a rough performance drew a plethora of negative headlines, Daniel Jones bounced back in relatively dominant fashion.
Proving that the critical reaction was overblown, Jones shined in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills early. He tossed several touchdowns, including two in the red zone, but also tossed a near-interception (ball was dropped).
OK Daniel Jones. Surgical in 7-on-7. Four passes on money to begin the drill. The final was one that thread the needle to Darren Waller between two defenders. Very impressive.
Yesterday, even when Jones completed passes, he made it harder for his wideouts. Passes were always,…
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) August 9, 2023
And now we’re through the first set of team drills. Daniel Jones looks really, really good.
Five reps. Jones completed all three of his passes, the highlight a deep in cut to Hodgins. Jones did a nice job climbing pocket and delivering it.
Some early credit here to #Giants…
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) August 9, 2023
Daniel Jones with two TDs to Darius Slayton in latest 11/11 team period: one from fringe, split two defenders. The other a juggling grab in air from Slayton in back left corner of end zone from goal line formation. #NYGiants
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) August 9, 2023
Practice is over. It was a very, very good one for Daniel Jones & the offense. Have more in a bit. #Giants
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) August 9, 2023
Was Jones perfect? No, but there was a lot more good than bad — the exact opposite of Wednesday.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell was fired up prior to Tuesday’s practice and his team emulated that emotion. Their energy eclipsed that from the Giants and it showed on the field.
More aware of what to expect on Wednesday, the Giants raised their game and came out energized. As result, their performance on both offense and defense improved…significantly.
More edge to today’s practice, more players hitting the ground (against coaches’ wishes)…
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) August 9, 2023
The Giants hope to bring Wednesday’s same intensity with them on Friday night.
Rookie wide receiver Jalin Hyatt sustained a minor issue to his wrist over the weekend and was forced to leave Wednesday’s practice to have it taped up.
Meanwhile, cornerback Rodarius Williams got tangled with a Lion during one of the practice drills and headed off to the sideline to be examined by trainers.
Giants rookie WR Jalin Hyatt on the sideline during 11 on 11 getting what looks like his right wrist taped up. Appeared to do something to it Saturday m on a red zone target, but had continued practicing and producing… he’s now throwing a ball with trainers to test how it feels
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) August 9, 2023
After breaking up a long pass, Rodarius Williams got tangled a bit getting up and is getting checked out on sidelines
— Charlotte Carroll (@charlottecrrll) August 9, 2023
Both Hyatt and Williams (also a wrist injury) returned to the field.
The Giants gave wide receiver Sterling Shepard the day off for maintenance and basically did the same for running back Saquon Barkley despite him suiting up.
Barkley saw limited action on Wednesday as the Giants managed his workload.
Things were a little chippy on Tuesday and some words were exchanged, but the teams avoided a fight. Intensity picked up a bit more on Wednesday and that very nearly led to an exchange of blows.
Giants linebacker Oshane Ximines and Lions offensive tackle Germain Ifedi were the two that nearly set things off.
Oshane Ximines **almost** just started the first big fight of camp. Got his ass kicked on a run play and guess he didn’t like it
— Justin Penik (@JustinPenik) August 9, 2023
We had a scuffle! Oshane Ximines and Lions’ Germain Ifedi got into a bit during some team red zone drills
— Charlotte Carroll (@charlottecrrll) August 9, 2023
The Giants defense came to play on Wednesday and the entire unit seemed to make an impact. Forced fumbles came in bunches thanks to safety Dane Belton specifically (video a few slides down).
Giants first team defense has forced two fumbles the last two drives. Both fumbles forced by Dane Belton. He also recovered one of them, Kayvon Thibodeaux recovered the other.
— Justin Penik (@JustinPenik) August 9, 2023
Kayvon Thibodeaux set the edge on a run play really nice. Giants defense winds up forcing another fumble. Kayvon recovers another fumble (not sure if RB was down or not but looked like a fumble)
— Justin Penik (@JustinPenik) August 9, 2023
Beyond just the turnovers, the Giants defense was able to set the edge, dominate in the middle and generate a pass rush on the outside.
Got to see some Giants DL vs Lions OL 1v1’s
• Dex & Leo looked really good. Dex is so powerful. Leo used power + diff moves
• Kayvon & Azeez had some reps where they beat guys around the corner with speed. Azeez showed some power too. Nice to see some good plays from them— Justin Penik (@JustinPenik) August 9, 2023
Giants first team defense & second team defense starts off strong today in team periods
First team D didn’t allow a first down in four plays. Two runs for minimal gain (one where Okereke pursued nice on a run outside the tackles)
Leonard Williams had a sack + an incompletion
— Justin Penik (@JustinPenik) August 9, 2023
Undrafted rookie free agent Gemon Green also hauled in an impressive interception.
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