Notebook: Where Giants stand heading into final week of training camp

*One job still to be claimed is the starting cornerback opposite Deonte Banks. Cor’Dale Flott held that position for most of training camp, but he has not played in either preseason game because of a quad injury. Nick McCloud started in Houston and played 20 snaps – as did four other starters – but did not record a tackle.

“We’ll keep on competing it out,” Daboll said. “Obviously, Flott wasn’t out there. We’ll see where he is this week. I thought McCloud did a nice job like he normally does when he goes out there, dependable, consistent, durable. So again, we’ll let that play out.”

*In what is an ongoing series, Daboll provided his latest thoughts about the offensive line’s progress.

“They continue to improve,” he said. “I’d say we’ve added good pieces in terms of the veterans that we’ve added. Communication, it was good to get (center) John Michael (Schmitz) back out there so he could work with some of the guys. Veterans that care, that are smart, that are tough, that have played the game, that are all on the same page. That’s what it requires to be an improved, good offensive line is making sure five guys are playing as one, seeing it through the same set of eyes. I’ve said (offensive line coach) Carm (Carmen Bricillo) and (assistant line coach) James (Ferentz) have done a good job with that group. We’re in a preseason. There’s not a lot of unique blitzes, different fronts, communications that go on. But the technique and the fundamentals of keeping the pocket firm, protecting inside out, get some movement in the running game, I’ve been pleased with that.

“Those guys are competing. They’re doing a good job. I’d say they’re fulfilling the requirements that we look for in terms of being smart, staying on the same page, playing together, but then having that physical demeanor, that play style that we covet. A lot of work that needs to be done. But that first group, I’d say in particular, I’ve talked about that before, they’re doing a good job of communicating and trying to play the way that we want to play up front.”

*Schmitz, who returned to the field last week after missing eight practices with a shoulder injury, was replaced in the game prior to the other first teamers.

“We had him at 15 plays for this game and we got him to 15 and we took him out,” Daboll said. “I think he could have probably played a little bit more, but that was the plan going in so we stuck with that.”

*Because had not yet spoken to the team’s athletic trainers, Daboll had no updates on the Giants’ injured players, both those who did not play and those hurt in the game yesterday.

*Kicker Graham Gano, at 37, the Giants’ oldest player, had a fleeting moment of glory vs. the Texans when he tackled Steven Sims after a 61-yard return on the second-half kickoff. The ball was moved all the way back to the Houston 10-yard line because of Max Tooley’s illegal block penalty.

“But I got a lot of love from the defensive guys on the sideline,” Gano said. “They said it was good form, wrapped him up, got him down. So, I felt pretty good about that.”

Gano realized not everyone shared that feeling.

“I don’t think the coaches are too happy with me getting in there on it but, but sometimes you just gotta show them you can do it,” Gano said. “It keeps you young. I think it builds a camaraderie, too, with the guys. They say, ‘Okay, Graham’s getting in there as well. At the end of the day, I’m one of the 11 running down on the kickoff. They ideally don’t want me doing that in the preseason, but, I wasn’t told not to.”

Gano said the new NFL kickoff rules have not required him to make a significant adjustment.

“I’m used to just kicking the ball where they want me to kick it,” he said. “It’s nothing really different for me. I think we’re doing a good job. The team’s responded well.”