Back at it today with Patriots practice today and Monday (Giardi covering while I'm on Felger & Mazz from 3-5 p.m.), but wanted to put a bow on a few things:
• Giants game ratings and 3 up/3 down;
• Preseason overall ratings and 3 up/3 down.
GIANTS GAME
The game was a slop fest, and there wasn't enough there to break down, but the key takeaways will be in 3 up/3 down.
THREE UP
OT Vederian Lowe: Held his own with extended reps at both tackle spots, including some chances against Abdul Carter. He's starting to come on a bit.
OG Jared Wilson: Only 10 snaps, but it was a clean sheet, and he looks like he has settled back down.
QB Ben Wooldridge: Certainly spotty in spots (pass slightly behind Javon Baker who could have sat against inside leverage, took a sack when John Jiles was open, and an errant throw that Jack Westover had to dive for), but he was money on the touchdown drive with well-timed passes to John Jiles, Jeremiah Webb (ran one excellent route - and the pass he didn't see in the end zone was perfectly placed), Phil Lutz and the Webb TD pass was excellent. I thought the pick-six was on the now-released Jaheim Bell for not sitting in the zone. Had another excellent boot pass to Jiles. Wooldridge isn't very big and not that athletic, but he can spin it. And considering what he was playing with, a pretty good showing. Would like him on the practice squad, but as a No. 4, not No. 3.
FOUR DOWN
OG Sidy Sow: He was absolutely horrendous in this game, and it was not surprising he was among the early cuts.
TE Jaheim Bell: Another easy cut after running wrong route on the pick-six and a poor run block.
G/C Cole Strange: The goal-line holding penalty was not all his fault (Caeden Wallace) failed to help enough on the initial double team, but he failed to make a case to stay on this team, especially with two poor snaps.
G Caeden Wallace: Flashed with a couple of nice run blocks, but he five that were not good. Another player who didn't show he should stay.
THREE UP
S Kyle Dugger: Finally started to look like his old self, and actually did well as a middle of the field safety even if the interception was a gift from the Giants. His only blemish was one missed tackle. Is that enough to keep him on the team? Could be.
DE Keion White: After reviewing the film, White was more impactful than I thought but it still wasn't dominating enough against backups and third-stringers. I still think he might be behind K'Lavon Chaisson and Elijah Ponder, who has way more variety in his pass rush moves.
DT David Olajiga: The international pathway player has really done a nice job since arrived and I would not be shocked if he was on this roster at some point. Powerful guy.
THREE DOWN
CBs Jordan Polk/Miles Battle: Polk has already been released and Battle might not be far behind after his performance.
LB Monty Rice: He took two terrible angles on runs, and was responsible for the embarrassing screen touchdown because he didn't maintain leverage and hung Dugger out to dry. No surprise he was released.
S Marcus Epps: I've had him on my 53 but I think that's coming to an end. He's really shown nothing at this point.
PRESEASON TOTALS
THREE UP
RB TreVeyon Henderson: Only 16 plays on offense, plus a 100-yard kickoff return. Quite the debut and the hype is very real.
WR Efton Chism: Was extremely effective against depth pieces in the games. The only question is, can he do that against NFL starters? I think he can.
OT Will Campbell: He may have struggled at times against starters in practices, but he was good against backups in the games. That's a start.
THREE DOWN
Going to leave out the obvious...
QB Drake Maye: Didn't play well at all against backups without the benefit of any scheme. Does it mean anything? I'm not sure.
C Garrett Bradbury: Was good in the first game, but so poor in the second that he lands on this list and is a chief concern going into the season.
G/C Cole Strange: Was given every opportunity to prove himself to a new coaching staff and he didn't do it.
THREE UP
DE Truman Jones: Did everything he could to earn a roster spot. Do the coaches thnk he can do this against starters? That's a key question.
DT Khyiris Tonga: Produced more pressure than Milton Williams in less than half the snaps. That was a pleasant surprise.
DE Keion White: Underwhelmed in the pressure department - which has to be his calling card - but didn't have one negative play.
THREE DOWN
CB Kobee Minor: If he makes this team, it's all a future bet. He didn't show well in the games.
S Marcus Epps: I know he's coming off ACL surgery, but he played a lot of snaps in the preseason ... does anybody remember anything from them?
LB Jack Gibbens: Looked really slow in space, especially against the Giants.