![\"\"](\"https:\/\/platform.bigblueview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2025\/08\/ScreenRecording2025-08-22at7.59.29AM-ezgif.com-optimize.gif?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100\")
<\/a><\/p>\nAlexander (91) is lined up as the 4i technique in the right B-gap (white tape on his arms, red gloves). And while the play was negated due to a penalty, Alexander easily collapses the pocket and drives the right guard back into the quarterback\u2019s lap. He did the same thing to the left guard the next play (second-and-12).<\/p>\n
Like Carter, I noted that the Giants made a point of bringing Alexander onto the field for third downs after the initial drives. That likewise suggests that he could start out as a passing down weapon while he acclimates to the regular season.<\/p>\n
The story here isn\u2019t what Skattebo did on the field, but rather that he was on it in the first place. It feels like ages ago now, but Skattebo got out to an incredibly exciting start to camp. He spent the next couple weeks dealing with a hamstring injury and missed the first two preseason games. He returned to practice this past Monday and immediately got back into the thick of things.<\/p>\n
Skattebo only got on the field for 10 plays (three carries, 12 yards), but he looked solid doing so. He was also moved around the offensive formation and even took snaps split out as a receiver in an empty backfield formation. He might be RB3 for now, but I suspect we\u2019ll see plenty of him in short order.<\/p>\n
Mbow got the start at left tackle and was on the field for 37 plays. The best thing I can say about Mbow as the Giants third left tackle is that I barely noticed him out there. That isn\u2019t to say that he didn\u2019t do anything noteworthy, and he certainly had some nice blocks out there. But rather, the left side just wasn\u2019t a concern.<\/p>\n
The Patriots tested Mbow with speed and power, tight and wide alignments, and he handled them all well. Most of his reps were stalemates, not dominating but also not losing, but that\u2019s perfectly fine for an offensive lineman. And the few times he did lose, he lost with dignity (that might be my new favorite turn of phrase for blocking) and bought the quarterback time to scramble or get a pass off to a receiver.<\/p>\n
Can\u2019t ask for much more than that from your third left tackle (and a rookie at that).<\/p>\n
Fidone needed a big night after being largely invisible against the New York Jets, and he got one.<\/p>\n
He didn\u2019t quite get the start, not getting onto the field until the third offensive snap, but he got a lot of work against the Patriots. Fidone was on the field for 60 total offensive and special teams snaps, getting work on punt and kick units as well as both a blocker and a receiver.<\/p>\n
The highlight of his night was the 28-yard catch and run from Tommy DeVito, but I would argue that his work on special teams and as a blocker were more impressive. Fidone worked on both sides of the punting and kicking units, blocking and running downfield in coverage, which definitely increases his value to the squad. He also looked pretty good as a blocker for his teammates. He isn\u2019t punishing blocker, but he\u2019s able to use positioning to seal running lanes and do enough to slow down defenders as a run and pass blocker.<\/p>\n
Fidone looks like a candidate to emerge as a hidden gem and has made Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll\u2019s jobs harder over the next few days.<\/p>\n
Collins has been an absolute rollercoaster through camp and the preseason. Exciting highs that make you think the Giants got a steal in undrafted free agency\u2026 And then painful lows.<\/p>\n
This game was a real low for Collins, as he caused a second interception with a route that wasn\u2019t just imprecise but very wrong. He also had a couple bad drops on passes that hit him in the hands and would have been very nice gains.<\/p>\n
Collins has good quickness for a big receiver and he could probably grow into a viable possession receiver with some big play upside. But he needs to get better at the mental side of things before he can realize that potential. He looks like a prime candidate for the practice squad.<\/p>\n
The Giants had two actual safeties active for this game, and Paige made the most of the opportunity. I don\u2019t know if it will be enough to jump K\u2019Von Wallace on the depth chart, but Paige was very active in all night long. He played a total of 66 snaps on special teams and defense, and wore a bunch of hats for Shane Bowen\u2019s squad. He lined up as a free and strong safety, a pseudo-linebacker, and even a slot corner.<\/p>\n
Paige was definitely best around the line of scrimmage and did a very nice job of coming downhill to take on blockers, fill gaps, and make tackles in the run game. Missed tackles and poor positioning by the second level players was the biggest problem with the Giants\u2019 run defense in the first two games, and we saw that remedied against the Patriots. Paige\u2019s play was a big factor in that, and he\u2019ll be a tough cut. He could emerge as a viable replacement (or teammate) for Dane Belton with a year on the practice squad.<\/p>\n
Fortune probably doesn\u2019t have a path to the final 53-man roster, but he\u2019s definitely a player the Giants will want to keep on the practice squad. He\u2019s a relatively slight corner and has just average quickness and agility, but he has solid speed down the field as well as length. He also knows how to use his length to his advantage.<\/p>\n
The highlight was him locating and high-pointing a pass to prevent a touchdown, but he also did a good job of playing receivers\u2019 hands to knock the ball away at the last instant.<\/p>\n
Fortune is behind Nic Jones and Art Green — and the fact that the Giants used Jones to help fill out their thin safety position is probably a good sign for him. Fortune will probably be signed to the practice squad and could have the opportunity to make noise next year.<\/p>\n
Ford is a player who\u2019s motor runs hot all the time. It\u2019s undoubtedly a good thing (overall) and something coaches love to see. But it\u2019s also something of a double-edged sword that\u2019s gotten Ford into some trouble.<\/p>\n
He hustled to recover a fumble against the Bills which led to a touchdown, but he also had a roughing penalty which gave the Bills the ball on the Giants\u2019 goal line.<\/p>\n
This game, he generated pressure as well as helped to shut down the Patriots\u2019 running game… While also collapsing the edge so hard on one play that he not only lost contain on a naked boot, but never even notice that the snap was bobbled. Ford will likely be signed to the practice squad and is another player to watch next year. To a certain extent, he reminds me of Dave Tollefson back in the day as a player without ideal measurables but who\u2019s solid depth thanks to his competitive toughness. Those guys are worth keeping around.<\/p>\n