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Dottino: 3 Takeaways From The Giants' Loss To The Jets

By Paul Dottino
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Coach Tom Coughlin has said it in so many words and cornerback Prince Amukamara may have been a bit more obvious with his observations: the Giants are not where they need to be with only one preseason game remaining.

The reasons, including injuries, are irrelevant because it's up to the staff and their players to do whatever is necessary to enhance the Giants' chances of a successful season.

The cut from 90 to 75 players must be made by Tuesday at 4 p.m. The more dramatic cut to 53 comes by Saturday at 4 p.m.

So how well did the Giants do with three of their key issues in the 28-18 loss to the Jets?

1. GOING DEEP: Coughlin handed out some plaudits to rookie Landon Collins and third-year pro Cooper Taylor for their involvement in helping to make several plays on defense. Collins held down first-half reps with the starters and didn't show any lingering signs of his knee injury. Taylor came in with the reserves and -- much like he showed in college -- was able to shoot through the line on a blitz to make a sack. But if you think the Giants were totally satisfied with this unit, guess again. FS Stevie Brown -- cut by the Texans the other day -- will be in for a workout Monday morning with the intention of beginning a second stint with the Giants.

2. BACKING UP: Third-string MLB Uani 'Unga continues to force himself onto the radar with a motor that simply won't stop and a nose that does a great job of sniffing out the ball carrier. Backup OLB Jonathan Casillas (neck) did not play against the Jets -- OLB Mark Herzlich (concussion) was out, too -- and the special teams unit suffered, allowing Walt Powell's 54-yard punt return for a touchdown.

3. WIDE OPEN? WR Preston Parker got promoted to the No. 3 spot with Victor Cruz (calf) out, although none of the backup receivers truly separated themselves from the rest of the pack. Veteran James Jones was victimized when Marcus Williams literally wrestled the ball from his hands as Jones was going to the turf for a turnover that killed a potential Giants scoring drive.

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