Daboll Reviews Giants UDFA Kubas' Performance vs. Texans

All of the attention from Saturday’s visit to the Houston Texans was spent on New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, and rightfully so. His return to action was headline-worthy for the wrong reasons but a step in the right direction nonetheless.

But preseason games are as much about the contributors in the second half as the starters in the first, and New York has no shortage of storylines sitting behind its starters.

Among them is undrafted free agent offensive lineman Jake Kubas trying to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.

Kubas shined in the first preseason game against the Detroit Lions. In Saturday’s 28-10 loss, he looked the part again – especially in pass protection, where the Giants are likely to prioritize after last year’s series of catastrophes up front.

Still, his spot isn’t guaranteed; several linemen are hoping to be the team’s 10th lineman, and there’s a chance New York only keeps nine.

On Sunday, head coach Brian Daboll spoke about Kubas’ progress.

“I'd put him on with most of the young guys,” Daboll said. “There's been good and then there's been things that we need to work on. He has the right mindset. He's working extremely hard at it.

“Again, he's got some style, play style that we covet in terms of being aggressive, being tough. But there's a lot of things that we're working on with him, just like all the other rookies. But he's acquitted himself well to this point. He's played well in the games. Again, there's a lot of things that we got to go ahead and improve with him. But I like his mindset of where he's at.”

Kubas was worse against the run against Houston than he was against Detroit, as were multiple linemen. In turn, the run game struggled to the tune of 3.36 yards per carry. Backup running backs Eric Gray, Lorenzo Lingard, and Joshua Kelley combined for 35 yards on nine carries.

Related: Giants vs. Texans: Ezeudu, Kubas Names To Watch

It’s safe to assume the Giants’ second-string offensive line isn’t yet settled, putting Kubas in a critical spot during the final exhibition against the New York Jets on Aug. 24. Given the depth of New York’s defensive line and the chance they play their starters longer than New York, Kubas’ work is cut out for him.

He’s caught Daboll’s attention. It’s time to make good on those initial impressions.