Jets and Giants close in on preseason openers
For NFL veterans who have been through numerous training camps, running drills, fine-tuning skills, and building team chemistry in the sweltering dog days of summer can be monotonous and mentally draining. For rookies, many trying to make the 53-man roster, training camp offers an opportunity to learn what is required to be a successful professional. Constant preparation, discipline, and being detailed and persistently punctual are just some of the qualities that are instilled in first-year players.
Yet they, like their more experienced teammates, look forward to getting to the preseason opener. While many established players often sit out much of the preseason, it still provides a measure of where teams are and their chances to make the playoffs and—even more aspirationally—be a Super Bowl contender.
The Giants are first up for the New York-area football teams, because they host the Detroit Lions tonight at 7:00 p.m. at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets will be at MetLife at noon Saturday to face the Washington Commanders.
The Giants and Lions held joint practices on Monday and Tuesday, and scuffles broke out between opposing players on both days. On Monday, Giants quarterback Daniel Jones was the instigator by shoving Lions defensive lineman Alim McNeill. On Tuesday, rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, the Giants’ top pick in April’s NFL draft, selected No. 6 overall, exchanged blows with Lions safety Kerby Joseph.
“Oh, Lord. Daniel got jiggy with it,” joked defensive lineman Brian Burns, a two-time Pro Bowler whom the Giants acquired in a trade with the Carolina Panthers this past March. They subsequently signed him to a five-year, $141 million deal with $87 million guaranteed.
“I’m going to need him to back up,” Burns said of Jones, who missed the 11 games last season due to injuries, the final eight because of a torn ACL in his right knee. “But Daniel, he’s a competitor, man. He’s a fighter, so I don’t expect anything less from him. But I don’t need him in that. I don’t need him to get hit. Keep him healthy.”
Jones said he was dutifully supporting his teammate, offensive lineman Greg Van Roten, who McNeill had shoved to the turf.
“A situation happens like that, you try to stand up for your guys,” said Jones. “I thought it was good competitive practice all day today, and we made some plays and did some good things.”
While the Giants, under head coach Brian Daboll, are hoping to be a team that can go deep into the season with the playoffs still dangling in front of them, the Jets are fully expecting to be in the mix for a run at the Super Bowl.
They begin joint practices today with the Commanders and will get an up-close look at the No. 2 pick in April’s draft—quarterback Jayden Daniels, the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner from Arizona State to whom Washington is giving the keys to drive the franchise.
“It’s going to be fun,” said Jets head coach Robert Saleh.
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