The New York Giants are currently in Cleveland for two joint practices with the Cleveland Browns leading up to their preseason game. This will be a great test for the Giants in many ways, as the Browns have many strengths on their roster. Most importantly, this will be a time to scout opposing teams to try to add some offensive line depth and other areas of need. The Giants have many things to improve on leading up to this week’s preseason game, so here are three storylines to follow as New York is on the road for the next few days.
Storylines To Follow for Giants and Browns Preseason Game and Joint Practices
The Offensive Line Will Be Tested From the Beginning
The New York Giants starting offensive line had a good showing against the New York Jets last week. In 11 pass-blocking snaps, the unit only allowed one pressure, which came from Matt Peart giving up a sack. In the run game, running backs averaged 5.5 yards per carry, which is solid for a unit looking for anything positive.
This week, they will be going up against the likes of Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney, along with former Giant Olivier Vernon. In their own practices, there have been injuries at the outside linebacker position, so the offensive line has not gone up against any top-tier talent yet this summer.
These will be good tests for young tackles in Andrew Thomas and Matt Peart. The real competition will be in the interior of the line, with Will Hernandez and Shane Lemieux (if he practices). The Browns have Malik Jackson and Andrew Billings manning the middle of their defensive line, so it will be interesting to see how the Giants two young guards, and Nick Gates handle the challenge.
The Defensive Line Needs To Create Pressure
These two teams met last year in Week 15, with the Browns taking the win. One glaring issue was that the Giants failed to pressure the quarterback all game, only capturing one sack, which came from Dexter Lawrence.
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These practices, preseason games, and the regular-season contests will come down to the work in the trenches. With rookie Azeez Ojulari added in and Lorenzo Carter healthy and practicing again, the outside linebacker group and defensive line as a whole need to show they can provide consistent pressure.
The Browns offensive line is no joke either, as they arguably have the best unit in the entire NFL.
The Secondary Will Face Off Against a Great Receiving Corps
The Giants know they have a great secondary brewing with James Bradberry, Logan Ryan, Jabrill Peppers and others. This unit is bound to be even better than they were last season. It is quite impressive how quickly this passing defense turned from one of the league’s worst to one of the best.
This week, they will go up against a stellar Browns wide receiver corps. The big storyline is former Giant Odell Beckham Jr, but he will likely be kept out of team sessions because he, like Saquon Barkley, is coming back from an ACL injury suffered last season.
Nevertheless, the Browns still have a solid wide receiver room, with Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins and Donovan Peoples-Jones. Going up against this type of talent will definitely help this secondary prepare for the season and become an even better unit.
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