‘Things I think’: ‘Being Eric Gray’ turns out to be a good thing

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Maybe Eric Gray reads Big Blue View.

After I indicated he had been losing ground to Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Dante Miller in the competition for running back snaps behind Devin Singletary, then left him my latest 53-man roster projection, the second-year back had a dominant performance for the New York Giants Thursday night in a preseason game against the Detroit Lions.

Gray had a 48-yard touchdown run, juking Detroit defensive back Morice Norris so violently that Norris lost his footing. That had to be satisfying for Gray, who took an unnecessary hit from Norris during Monday’s joint practice that saw his helmet fly off.

Gray had told me a few days ago that he needed to get back to “being Eric Gray” after a disappointing rookie season.

“I think last year I had to get to myself where I was like it’s just football at the end of the day,” Gray said. “Whether it’s punt return, whether it’s kick return, whether it’s offense, whatever it is, it’s just football at the end of the day.

“So this year I’ve kind of been focusing on just being Eric Gray. Being Eric Gray and focusing on football is the same thing I’ve been doing since I was four years old.”

He reiterated that Thursday night.

“I just wanted to put my best foot forward,” he 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.”

All three of the young, unproven running backs vying for roles behind starter Devin Singletary did positive things Thursday night.

Tyrone Tracy had 26 yards on five carries (5.2 yards per carry), including a 12-yard run. Dante ‘Turbo’ Miller did not always have much help from his blocker while playing in the second half, but did flash his play-making ability with a 19-yard run.

In the running back competition, though, Thursday was Gray’s night.

Let’s get physical

The joint practices with the Lions on Monday and Tuesday were held in searing heat and mostly sunny conditions. Thursday’s game was held in rainy, cooler conditions with temperatures in the 60s.

The conditions placed an additional emphasis on running the ball and stopping the run. The Giants averaged 5.7 yards per rushing attempt (27 carries, 155 yards) and held Detroit to 30 carries for 118 yards (3.9 per attempt).

“The thing I was proud of was that we controlled the line of scrimmage. Ran the football, which you need to do,” Daboll said. “Almost had weather every game we played here last year, so it was good to get weather tonight. Went backwards some on a few holding penalties, but had some lanes, ran hard, blocked force. [It was] going to be an emphasis tonight to be able to run the football, regardless of it raining or not.”

The Lions bullied the Giants during joint practices in Detroit a year ago. Meeting Detroit’s physicality was obviously a point of emphasis for the Giants during the two physical, fight-filled joint practices. That continued Thursday night,

“We established the of scrimmage. We’re gonna need to do that throughout the season,” Daboll said. “We’re going to have to continue to try to do that and establish a run game.[Be a] physical team. Variety of run schemes. That’s something that’s important to me as a play caller. I think it’s important to our team to be physical and be able to do that.

“We need to be a physical team.”

Why Malik Nabers played

I was surprised to see Nabers, the rookie No. 6 overall pick who has looked like a star during training camp, play on Thursday. The conditions were wet, and quarterback Daniel Jones didn’t play. Neither did Dexter Lawrence, Andrew Thomas, Kayvon Thibodeaux or Brian Burns.

So, why did Nabers play three series?

“He’s a rookie,” Daboll said. “All the rookies played. Most all the second-year guys played.”

Kickoff quirk

Thursday night was the first time the Giants have been involved in a game with the new kickoff rule.

We saw a quirk of the rule when Detroit placekicker Jake Bates mishit a kickoff and it hit the ground before reaching the landing zone, which is between the 20-yard line and goal line. Isaiah McKenzie picked up the ball and was tackled inside the 5-yard line. Because missing the landing zone is a penalty, though, the Giants got the ball at the 40-yard line.

Kickoffs might look weird, and there might be things about the rule that will need to be adjusted. I love it, though. The kickoff is an active play now, and you can see the potential for big, game-changing returns.

That’s a good thing.

Daboll the play-caller

We knew he was going to because he has done it since practice began in the spring, but Thursday was the first time we saw Daboll call plays during a game.

With Daboll calling plays and several new coaches on staff, this was the first time the group had worked together in a game.

“The coaches did a great job,” Daboll said. “I was happy with the communication from the staff. Having Carm (Bricillo), having TK (Tim Kelly), having Joel (Thomas) for the first time out there and listening to the defensive guys, listening to the special teams guys. I was happy with the communication aspect of it from all those guys.

“Thought Shane (DC Shane Bowen) was really good.”

Interesting attire

Many Giants have been sporting shirts with the letters D.A.W.G., which stand for “Discipline,” Attitude,” Will,” “Grit.”

Thursday, they debuted sweatshirts that said “Lead, follow or GTFOTW.”

I think there is a message in there.