Football is back, well it’s just the preseason. NFL football is back tonight as two games will be featured with one of them being the New York Giants hosting the Detroit Lions. Despite it being just a preseason game, there are many storylines to follow for both teams with the start of the regular season on the horizon.
The Lions are looking to build off their near Super Bowl appearance from a season ago, while the Giants are looking to bounce back after a 6-11 campaign a year ago. While many starters won’t be suiting up for the New York Giants like Daniel Jones and Malik Nabers, here is what to watch out for tonight in this matchup.
Early Look At Brian Daboll Calling Plays
https://gty.im/1175955297
Even though it’s just a preseason game, there is much anticipation of seeing Giants Head Coach Brian Daboll calling plays. It was rumored throughout the entire offseason that Daboll would take over the play-calling duties over Offensive Coordinator Mike Kafka. Now that seems like it will be the case for the start of the Giants preseason opener.
New York’s offense has not been scoring much and producing lots of results ever since Kafka was hired as the offensive coordinator back in 2022. The Giants ranked 18th in points per game with 21.5 in 2022 and fell to 30th last season at 15.6. So, this can be an early look at what Daboll can call and do with the play sheet now in his hands.
Yes, it’s just a preseason game, but this gives Giants fans a sense of if maybe the offense can finally turn things around this season. Since 2022, the Giants have scored 30 or more points just four times including the postseason. Daboll has to prove tonight and the rest of the way that the Giants offense can play and look much differently under his stewardship.
An Early Look At Potential RB2
Starting Running Back Devin Singeltary is also not expected to suit up for the Giants tonight which means it could present opportunities for the other running backs on the Giants roster. One of those running backs is Tyrone Tracy Jr. who New York selected in the fifth round. Tracy started his collegiate career as a wide receiver at Iowa before finishing his career at Purdue as a running back.
Tracy may end up being a sneaky good pick for the Giants and he has the opportunity to show why tonight. In his last season as a Purdue Boilermaker in 2023, Tracy set career highs in both rushing yards with 716, rushing attempts with 113, and had a career-high eight touchdowns. The fifth round pick also averaged nearly 6.5 yards a carry as well. Tracy is also getting the endorsement of his college running backs coach.
“There’s things that translate no matter where you play at,” Purdue Running Backs Coach Lamar Conard said. “One thing for Tyrone that he does exceptionally well is he’s hard to tackle. From Pop Warner to high school to college. I know it’s a different level of athletes. The game’s a bit faster. But I wouldn’t put anything past that kid in terms of to continue to change his body, change his mind. He’s tough as nails, man.”
Despite it just being preseason tonight and probably not getting many reps, this could be a really good opportunity for Tracy. He is not only a solid running back but has also proven to be a great pass-catching running back as that has been on display at training camp. Look out for Tyrone Tracy Jr. tonight in the New York Giants preseason opener.
