Art StapletonNorthJersey.com
EAST RUTHERFORD - Jake Kubas offers up this self-scouting report of the undrafted offensive lineman from North Dakota State who has opened eyes with his toughness since arriving with the New York Giants back in the spring.
"I might not be the prettiest, I might not be the most athletic, I'm not a freak left tackle or anything," Kubas told NorthJersey.com. "But I like to say, if I were a candle, I'm gonna burn the longest. I'm gonna go longer than everybody else. I won't quit until the job's done."
Kubas finds himself in a new circ*mstance for younger offensive linemen with the Giants, who spent the first two years of the Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll era leaning heavily into the development of rookies and players without much experience as professionals up front.
This year, the Giants have invested in two veterans as certain starters in left guard Jon Runyan and right tackle Jermaine Eluemunior, two more to compete for the backup center job (Austin Schlottmann and Jimmy Morrissey) and another to compete for a starting job in guard Aaron Stinnie.
Then, in the first week of training camp, the Giants signed Greg Van Roten, who should settle in as the starting right guard when center John Michael Schmitz completes his return after a shoulder injury cost him a week of practices.
So where does Kubas, the former North Dakota State star, fit? He's been the left guard on the second team throughout camp and started his NFL debut in the preseason victory over the Detroit Lions last Thursday night. He's technically sound and exceptionally quick to the second level and as a pulling guard, which the Giants love to use in their run game.
The Giants gave Kubas $270,000 guaranteed, the most for any undrafted player they signed this year. His pre-draft evaluation offered an interesting twist when a snowstorm hit Fargo the night before his Pro Day.
Giants assistant offensive line coach James Ferentz beat the inclement weather to town and was there on campus to work out Kubas. Clearly, the Giants were impressed and he was a post-draft priority. So far, so good.
Kubas tweaked his shoulder late in Monday's practice, but as if he needed to prove his toughness - not only did he participate Tuesday, he got reps with the first team when Van Roten kicked from right guard to center, splitting reps there with returning center John Michael Schmitz in team drills.
Then Kubas took his usual snaps at left guard with the second team, another sign of the Giants' belief in his potential.
"Every day has pushed me to become a better football player, really hone in on technique and fundamentals," Kubas said. "I think, being a guy from a smaller school, you kinda get away with some bad technique and bad fundamentals a little bit at that level of college football. You can't get away with it here, so it's been a big emphasis for me to keep improving on as much as I can each and every day."
Here's a look at where the rest of the Giants' rookie class - undrafted players included - stands heading into the second week of the preseason in advance of Saturday's game against the Texans in Houston:
Malik Nabers, WR
Nabers has been outstanding and an impact player within this offense from the jump. So you can understand why the Giants were left holding their breath when he went to the sideline late in Sunday's practice with what the team later diagnosed as a minor ankle sprain.
All tests came back clean and Nabers should be back on the field soon. His arrow is pointed to Week 1.
Tyler Nubin, S
Nubin blew up a play in his NFL debut with a big-time hit of the opposing pulling guard, showing his downhill explosiveness. There's no doubt the second-round rookie will play a role on this defense. What we will see is whether Nubin can catch Dane Belton and earn a starting spot next to Jason Pinnock. He's good enough, and he has time if he's healthy.
Dru Phillips, CB
Phillips' toughness was on display in the joint practices and the third-rounder from Kentucky has taken command as the first-team nickel. An ankle issue led to the Giants pulling back on his participation in practice to begin this week, but he should not be sidelined long.
Theo Johnson, TE
Johnson has seemingly caught all the way up after missing the early part of camp due to a hip flexor. He's got a real chance to be a factor in the passing game and showed flashes of that against the Lions in the joint practices. A nice surprise: Johnson can be used in the run game as a blocker already.
Tyrone Tracy, RB
Decisive. Surprisingly physical. The way the fifth-rounder from Purdue slices through traffic, picking his way to the second level, was impressive to watch in the preseason opener. He has been with the first-team offense alongside Devin Singletary since the tail end of the spring.
Then, the worst case scenario appeared to happen Tuesday: Tracy suffered what looked to be a serious ankle injury when he buckled after muffing a kickoff return. His right ankle was immediately placed in an air cast, he was carted off the field and taken to Hospital for Special Surgery for further evaluation, the Giants said.
Maybe Tracy and the Giants were granted a football miracle.
Tracy was back at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center already and in meetings a shorter time than anticipated later, two individuals with knowledge of the situation told NorthJersey.com.
We’ll see what tests showed in terms of severity, but obviously this provides potential hope that it may not as devastating as initially appeared - even if Tracy has a high ankle sprain that would likely keep him out multiple weeks.
Darius Muasau, LB
Muasau got the chance to wear the green dot as one of two signal callers on defense in the preseason opener with Bobby Okereke getting the night off. He has been caught in coverage against tight ends a couple times in practice. I was impressed with how he attacked the ball with his run fits Tuesday. His true value will need to come on special teams.
Elijah Chatman, DT
Listed at 6-foot and 278 pounds - Giants defensive line coach Andre Patterson says he's up to 285 - Chatman has been making waves while seizing the moment in reps with the Giants' starting defensive line. He has worked throughout the rotation, displaying great change of direction and burst in snaps at times that have come next to All-Pro Dexter Lawrence. His motor is non-stop, as evidenced by the sack Chatman recorded Thursday when he kept coming for Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld, working off his own initial pressure and then that of linebacker Boogie Basham to finally drop him behind the line.
Dante Miller, RB
Miller's speed is undeniable, of course, and the lack of game experience in his time at South Carolina has provided him an opportunity to remind everyone what kind of a running back he can be. He has impressed the Giants with a willingness and the ability to run inside with physicality. His push for the 53 is on the upswing.
Casey Rogers, DT
Rogers showed a disruptive gene in the preseason opener. He's active up front and, at the moment, might not be getting enough attention in a deep position group, probably the deepest on the team. Rogers could wind up on the practice squad just because of the numbers' game.
Ayir Asante, WR
The New Jersey native had such a strong spring, I had him as a sleeper to make a push for the 53 in training camp and the preseason. So far, Asante has been relatively quiet working with the third-team offense and near the back end of the group of punt returners. He was not targeted in the game against the Lions and returned one punt for four yards. Alas, all it takes are a few big moments over the next two weeks and his fortunes could change.
John Jiles, WR
Jiles has been running with the third team in camp and has yet to truly stand out. His chances may come later in camp and in Week 3 of the preseason against the Jets.
Alex Johnson, DB
Johnson has flashed some with the third team, but he's yet to make a move up the depth chart. He played the most of any player in the preseason opener with 52 snaps plus five more on special teams. That volume should give him more chances to impress.
Marcellus Johnson, OL
Johnson is working as the third-team right guard and he played well in 17 snaps against the Lions. He is a developmental prospect as an undrafted rookie.
Jude McAtamney, K
He converted a point-after touchdown and had two kickoffs in the preseason opener. The Rutgers product should get more opportunities as a member of the International Pathway Program, and will likely stay with the Giants on the practice squad.
Ovie Oghoufo, OLB
The undrafted edge played 32 snaps in the preseason opener on defense and added 11 more on special teams. He had four tackles and a pass defensed that came on a knockdown at the line of scrimmage.
