The positive Giants took from Kyle Lauletta’s nightmare debut
Mike Shula was just stating the facts.
Days after Kyle Lauletta made his NFL debut in the fourth quarter of the Giants’ blowout win over the Redskins, Shula was asked if anything left him encouraged about the rookie quarterback.
“Well, yeah, he got experience,” the offensive coordinator said Thursday.
Lauletta went 0-for-5 with an interception after replacing Eli Manning. The Richmond product had been inactive for the first 11 games of the season before getting bumped up to the backup spot in Week 13.
The Giants’ 40-0 lead entering the fourth quarter Sunday finally opened the door for the fourth-round draft pick to get on the field, which didn’t go as he had hoped.
“About like a lot of the other young guys that we’ve been around that have come in the first time — it’s unfortunate we didn’t have more success with him in there,” Shula said. “But he’ll learn from it.”
Cornerback Janoris Jenkins figures to match up against Corey Davis on Sunday. His thoughts on the Titans’ leading receiver, who has 54 receptions for 765 yards and four touchdowns?
“Corey Davis? What number is he?” Jenkins asked.
Davis is No. 84.
“He’s all right,” Jenkins said. “He’s a receiver. Just going to go out there and play football.”
After not practicing Wednesday because of a sprained ankle, tight end Rhett Ellison returned on a limited basis and participated in individual drills. He said he expects to be able to play Sunday.
Before having to leave the Redskins game early due to the injury, Ellison made his impact felt in run blocking for Saquon Barkley.
“This group of tight ends, everyone prides themselves on being a good run blocker as well as being a well-rounded guy,” Ellison said. “No one wants to be labeled a ‘receiving tight end’ or a ‘blocking tight end.’ Everybody wants to be able to do everything.”
Ellison’s 23 receptions are one shy of his career-high.
The Giants practiced in their field house Thursday, safe from the elements, but special teams coach Thomas McGaughey said he would be bringing his specialists into the elements to get them prepared for anything.
“It’s just life in good old New Jersey,” McGaughey said.
