Here are three meals to take away from the Giants ’17-14 preseason loss to the Browns on Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium.
1. The strong use of Devontae Booker during the first quarter was an indication that the Giants know that Saquon Barkley will participate in increased shares for the first time this week. Booker ran the ball six times for 27 yards, scored a touchdown in a 1-yard jump and grabbed two passes for 13 yards before giving way to Corey Clement in the second quarter. It was a strong display for Booker, who ran behind the offensive line of all reserves.
2. Carter Coughlin remains an intriguing prospect for the Giants. He had a third pass for a Case Keenum sack for a 9-yard loss in the second quarter, proving once again that he has the skills to reach the quarterback. Coughlin is being tried by an inside defender, a new place for him. Leaving coverage, he was rightly called to a penalty for passing interference when he crashed into Jordan Franks. In the second half, Coughlin hurried to seek an attack on point coverage.
3. The Giants have an Eli who can run. It is Eli Penny, the side defender, who almost never puts the ball in his hands. He has 59 career attempts, but 31 of those came in 2017 with the Cardinals. Penny has 28 rushing attempts in three seasons with the Giants. He scored 9, 9 and 7 yards (the first throw was recovered by a holding penalty) the first three times he touched the ball. Penny, who is already a valuable special teams player, can be more than that, if need be.