Giants fall to Detroit Lions in preseason opener, 21-16, as Brian Daboll’s temper flares

Giants safety Jason Pinnock strengthened his hold on a starting job in Friday night’s preseason opener with an interception and tight fourth-down coverage on a Detroit Lions turnover on downs at Ford Field.

Third-string quarterback Tommy DeVito also threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tommy Sweeney on a connection between two New Jersey natives who both starred at Don Bosco Prep.

But Brian Daboll’s Giants fell to Dan Campbell’s Lions, 21-16, reinforcing a lack of depth on New York’s roster, in particular on an offensive line that surrendered five sacks.

A 95-yard kick return touchdown by Detroit’s Maurice Alexander early in the third quarter started the Lions’ comeback from a 13-3 halftime deficit. The special teams breakdown also elicited an icy glare from Daboll at coordinator Thomas McGaughey on the sideline, which was interesting.

Because certainly, it was on the head coach, too, and not just his coordinator, when punter Jamie Gillan out-kicked his coverage and two players missed tackles: long-snapper Cameron Lyons and corner Gemon Green.

Daboll lost his temper plenty of times earlier in the game, as well, as he often does in practice.

He eviscerated people on his headset and the sideline after Tyrod Taylor’s offense went three-and-out on their first drive after Pinnock’s interception. And Daboll chewed out his offensive line after a failed fourth down run to James Robinson at the Lions’ 18-yard line early in the second quarter.

There were some positives to build on, of course.

Edge rusher Tomon Fox’s hit on Detroit QB Nate Sudfeld forced the underthrow to Pinnock. And safety Dane Belton’s interception of a Sudfeld overthrow late in the second quarter set up DeVito’s first career NFL touchdown: a pass from a kid who grew up in Cedar Grove to another who was raised in Ramsey.

Still, the Lions outgained the Giants 327 to 216. The Giants converted only 2-of-13 third downs. And Daboll’s team committed eight penalties.

Here are more notes from the Giants’ first of three exhibition games, which most of the key starters sat out:

— The Giants’ offense managed only 10 net yards in starting QB Tyrod Taylor’s two drives, despite starting field position at the Lions’ 32-yard line both times. Taylor had a 19-yard scramble, but it was called back due to a holding penalty by running back Matt Breida. Both drives resulted in Graham Gano field goals from 48 and 42 yards, respectively.

— First-round corner Deonte Banks benefited from a dropped pass by Lions wideout Jameson Williams on a deep ball late in the first quarter inside the Giants’ 10-yard line. Banks then finished the drive with good coverage on a third-down incompletion to wide receiver Chase Cota before Detroit’s field goal and first points.

— Left guard Josh Ezeudu, rookie center John Michael Schmitz and right guard Ben Bredeson played extensively in a trial of the three-man interior that Daboll and the Giants are considering for their starting group. Schmitz had some good moments, but the results were a reminder that Daboll’s offensive line remains a work in progress. Right guard Mark Glowinski, who has seen both first-team and second-team work recently, sat out of the game entirely. The Giants’ lack of depth on the line due to both injuries and poor play was glaring, especially at tackle.

— Wide receiver Collin Johnson left the game with a knee injury, and slot corner Cor’Dale Flott left with an abdominal injury. Johnson was having a strong camp after returning from a torn Achilles last summer. Flott got hurt breaking up a fourth-and-goal throw from Sudfeld to Lions receiver Dylan Drummond to force a turnover on downs at the end of the first half. Safety Nick McCloud was not in uniform, an unexpected development after he practiced both days in Detroit.

— Slot receivers Cole Beasley and Jamison Crowder both looked good. Beasley caught four passes for 33 yards, and Crowder hauled in two for 32 … Rookie running back Eric Gray made an underwhelming debut as a returner on both punts and kicks. The door appears open for both of those jobs. Gary Brightwell, the top kick returner, is injured and didn’t play … Running back Jashaun Corbin sprung a 33-yard gain up the right side behind good blocks from center Jack Anderson and right guard Sean Harlow … A 22-yard DeVito pass to David Sills set up Gano’s go-ahead fourth quarter field goal for a 16-14 lead with eight minutes to play. But the Lions’ Adrian Martinez drove their offense 69 yards in 11 plays, after a Sills facemask on the kickoff, for the go-ahead 1-yard TD run and the win, before a last-minute DeVito fourth down desperation interception.