C-Mac got an unexpected full overnight thanks to the Yankees being rained out, and after watching some of the joint practice between the Giants and Lions ahead of Thursday’s preseason opener, he, too, was impressed by Malik Nabers showing out.
But how seriously can we really take that performance?
“Yesterday, I wanted to temper my enthusiasm with it, and talked about how we know these guys are typically consistent; if there's one position that has somewhat consistently at least come close to expectations in the draft, that you can feel pretty safe drafting, it’s wide receiver,” Chris said. “These big-time wide receiver prospects typically at least become fairly good pros, same with running backs even if they’re not worthy of the pick with the actual value that the position gives you, but most of us Giants fans thought Nabers, and Rome Odunze, and Marvin Harrison Jr. are all gonna be really good players in this league – and then you start to see camp and they're using him in every different scenario and getting him the ball a million different ways, and it’s clear he’s going to be the focal point of the offense without Saquon Barkley.
Yes, a lot of optimism there, but that’s all controlled. So, too, is a joint practice, but the difference is it’s not against guys you’ve taken a million reps against.
“I love the fact that the Giants remembered last year and took it personally, with more fights in these practices, even if it all seems counterproductive,” C-Mac said, “but in real first look against another team, not the Giants’ crappy defensive backfield, but a legitimate team that has Super Bowl aspirations, Nabers has absolutely dominated. I have to give Daniel Jones credit for looking better, but for the first time in his career, he's gonna be able to just turn and throw to somebody and let him go make a play, and that really hasn't been an option for him at all.”
The numbers may be skewed, but that connection between Jones and Nabers, one Danny Dimes really has never had, simply has to breed optimism that this is a real thing.
“I know these numbers can be overblown, but to go 16-for-17 throwing to Nabers in these two practices, with two touchdowns? He had one contested where he went up and got it and came down toe-touching on the corner of the end zone…he absolutely dominated this Lions team,” Chris said. “Now, I don't want to get crazy, it’s still practice and I've put a lot into the idea that just showing up and not allowing the Lions to kick their ass and being tougher so I don't wanna get too hung up on the numbers, but now the question is, how dynamic can this player be, and how does he change this team?”
Danny Dimes hasn’t seen a dynamic receiver, but we did have OBJ making Eli look even better in those days, so maybe we can get back to that?
“It’s yet to see if Nabers can be that, but what we’re seeing is someone who can catch the contest ball the way Kenny Golladay was supposed to,” C-Mac said, “so to have that, and to have Daniel Jones already have the connection with him to go 16-of-17? The difference of an offense when your best playmaker is a wide receiver and your offense is being led by your pass attack in today's NFL is enormous. I feel so much better about that kind of offense.”
Take a listen to C-Mac’s entire soliloquy above!