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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants only scored 14 points again in Week 2, but offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo likes the direction his unit is headed. Eli Manning in particular looked much better against the Cardinals, completing 26 of 39 passes for 277 yards -- and he could have had a few more completions, if his receivers had held onto the ball. "I thought he had some comfort in his feet," McAdoo said Thursday. "He felt good about where he was going with the ball. That is encouraging to see." The Giants only rushed for 81 yards on 27 carries -- just 3.0 yards per run. But the offensive line did appear to give Manning more time in the pocket. "[The O-line] are making progress like everyone else," McAdoo said. "Today was probably our best Thursday practice of the year. We completed the ball well. We didn’t have pads on, but we had a good day running it." McAdoo has featured a three-wide receiver set quite frequently in his first two games as offensive coordinator, but that third wide receiver will be someone else, now that Jerrel Jernigan has been lost for the rest of the season with a foot injury. Preston Parker will get the first crack, and McAdoo spoke positively about him. "Preston is on the roster for a reason," McAdoo said. "We trust him. He can create separation out there. He is aggressive to the ball. We know he is a competitor." As for rookie wideout Odell Beckham Jr., who continues to be sidelined with a hamstring injury, McAdoo says Beckham doesn't even enter into his mind right now. "He has a special skill set. He is gifted. He is talented. He is smart. He is conscientious. I am excited for the chance for him to come out here," McAdoo said. "When he comes out here, it will be a good bonus for all of us." NOT SO SPECIAL: The Giants made two costly mistakes on special teams last week, on back-to-back plays in the fourth quarter -- giving up a punt return touchdown by Ted Ginn Jr., followed by Quintin Demps' kickoff-return fumble. Special teams coordinator Tom Quinn said there were multiple issues on the Ginn return. "Number one thing is you want to make the tackle," he said. "Second thing we want is more hang time and the location. We expect the ball to go to the right, and it didn’t go to the right. [But] whatever comes off his foot, we have to cover." Demps lost the ball after spinning, trying to gain extra yardage. "We have worked on ball security," Quinn said. "We don’t want to spin. That is probably trying to do too much. Just let the game come to you. If you try to hit a home run, you are not going to hit a home run. Hit some singles and they’ll go out." Demps returned several kickoffs from deep in the Giants' end zone, but Quinn said those were good decisions. "We want to be aggressive," Quinn said. "We felt like it was close. You look at the tape and one or two blocks each time and he could come spitting out of there and give us some good field position." INJURY REPORT: Beckham, linebacker Jon Beason (foot/ankle) and linebacker Devon Kennard (hamstring) did not practice for the second day in a row Thursday, although Beason might be back very soon. Punter Steve Weatherford (ankle) practiced on a limited basis, after sitting out on Wednesday. Offensive linemen James Brewer (back) and Charles Brown (shoulder) were limited for the second day in a row. Defensive tackle Markus Kuhn (ankle) practiced fully for the second day in a row.
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