Experience pays off for Eric Gray, Tommy DeVito

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Giants’ preseason opener is the first opportunity for the team’s rookies to showcase their skills in a game, but it was a pair of second-year pros who stood out in a soggy 14-3 victory against the Detroit Lions Thursday night in MetLife Stadium.

Running back Eric Gray and quarterback Tommy DeVito both entered the game in the second quarter. Not coincidentally, it was the only quarter in which the Giants scored.

“Two guys that do the right thing on and off the field,” coach Brian Daboll said. “Where Tommy came from in rookie camp to where he was playing last year to understanding a lot of the nuances of our offense, I think he’s made strides. And I have thought Gray has gotten stronger as camp went on. He made a couple nice plays tonight. Two young players, keep developing them.”

Gray took over for rookie starter Tyrone Tracy, Jr. and scored both Giants touchdowns, on runs of 48 yards and one yard, and led the team with four catches and 46 receiving yards. A terrific fake on his long touchdown run spun around cornerback Morice Norris and put Gray in the clear.

“I just wanted to put my best foot forward,” Gray said. “Like I said, I just want to be Eric Gray; just be me. Last year, I kind of made football more than it is. It’s just football at the end of the day. Just being me.”

After Saquon Barkley left the Giants as a free agent, six-year pro Devin Singletary was signed to be the Giants’ top back. Behind him is a second-year pro in Gray and two rookies, Tracy and free agent Dante Miller, whose nickname is Turbo. Singletary didn’t play Thursday, but the three backups combined for 141 yards on 21 carries.

The young backs don’t attempt to hide the collective chip on their shoulders as they prove they can be productive.

“Everybody has felt like what you are saying,” Gray said. “I feel like everybody has done a great job; whether you’re young and learning the system, or like me, a second-year player in the system, just being comfortable just being yourself.”

DeVito stepped in when Drew Lock injured his hip and completed eight of 15 passes for 92 yards and no interceptions. His longest pass gained 24 yards and was caught by – who else? – Gray, setting up the running back’s touchdown.

“He’s getting better,” Daboll said of DeVito. “I think he’s got firm control of the offense. The guys have a lot of confidence in him. I have confidence in him. He’s really come a long way since he’s been here. It’s good for him to play as much as he did. So, keep on developing him. Quarterbacks are hard to find in this league. Undrafted, free agent, won three games, played in some games last year for us. Still knows he has a long way to go, but smart, accurate, makes good decisions. Good young player to work with.”

Though Gray was a fifth-round draft choice and DeVito a rookie free agent, it was the quarterback who had the more notable debut season. Forced into action when Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor were injured, DeVito started six games, became the first Giants rookie to win three consecutive starts since Phil Simms won four straight in 1979, and earned an NFC Offensive Player of the Week award. He first garnered attention in the 2023 preseason opener – also against the Lions.

“It’s kind of crazy standing here right now knowing a whole year has passed,” DeVito said. “My thoughts going into preseason are a little different now. Last year was a little bit of nerves. First NFL game, so there was a lot of excitement that went into it. But now I kind of get the gist of it, played in some actual games that are a little different than preseason. But treat every game like it’s the Super Bowl. So, you go out there and try to play everything and put your best foot forward.”

Gray played in 13 games – missing four with a calf injury – but totaled only 17 rushing attempts for 48 yards and caught six passes for 22 yards, and returned seven punts and four kickoffs.

“(I learned) that football is the same game I have been playing since I was four years old,” Gray said. “There is no difference. When you’re young, people try to hype up that the NFL is a different league, but it’s the exact same game that I’ve been playing since I was four.”

Thursday night, he played it very well.

“That boy has been in the lab working,” DeVito said. “I mean anytime our backs get to the second level, you usually see me standing back there like this, even when Turbo hit a crease on one of them. I saw him bend the corner and I was like ‘ooh’. They have that ability, and they’ve all done such a great job. But, yeah, Eric especially, to have that screen go and then all of a sudden get up to that second level, make a miss, and I was like, ‘this dude better not get caught’. And he did not. He had a tremendous game. I’m looking forward to seeing him roll more.”