Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Don't Edit

By Matt Lombardo | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Allen Park, Mich. -- After a rough stretch of practices that were filled with interceptions and mis-timed throws leading up to a shaky performance in the preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns, Giants backup quarterback Davis Webb bounced back in a big way during Wednesday's joint practice with the Detroit Lions.

Webb set the tone early on during Wednesday's practice, when he flashed control of his arm-strength by rifling in a pass between two defenders to Giants' tight end Scott Simonson for a touchdown during an 11-on-11 red zone drill.

Later, Webb rolled out in the pocket and delivered a nasty back-shoulder throw right on the money to Rhett Ellison for another score.

Don't Edit

Roger Lewis breaks open in the corner, and Davis Webb hits him for a TD. #Giants #Lions — Matt Lombardo (@MattLombardoNFL) August 15, 2018

Don't Edit

With several well-timed anticipatory throws, and improved ball-placement, Wednesday's session was an encouraging sign that Webb has the ability to make every throw on the route-tree after his struggles in recent weeks.

Moreover, Webb was able to be effective in practice against a team wearing a different uniform. It will be telling if Webb is able to carry his momentum from what has been a solid week of work this week in practice into Friday night's preseason game at Ford Field, similarly to how his struggles seemed to bleed into the opener against the Browns.

Don't Edit

While Webb has had strong moments throughout this training camp, Wednesday was his most consistently excellent session since this past spring's OTAs and minicamps.

Here's a sampling of the sights and sounds from Wednesday's practice at the Lions' facility:

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Eli Manning, teammates fire back at Jalen Ramsey's criticism | 'Who?'

Don't Edit

Olivier Vernon shows his potential to be elite as a pass-rusher ... And against the run

Olivier Vernon has made turnstiles out of Giants offensive tackles Ereck Flowers and Nate Solder at times throughout the summer on the way to the quarterback.

Wednesday, Vernon flashed just how dominant he has the chance to be against the run, as well.

During one of the first full-team 11-on-11 drills where the Lions and Giants went against each other on Wednesday, Vernon came flying off the edge and blew up a running play from behind for a three-yard loss.

It has been well documented that Vernon has a chance to be a disruptive force as a pass-rushing outside linebacker, but if he can prove to be a two-way player and also make the type of plays he did against the run on Wednesday morning, it will be a tremendous boost to this defense.

Don't Edit

Eli Manning makes red zone opportunities count

One of the challenges for the Giants in Friday's preseason game is turning red zone opportunities into touchdowns, rather than field goals.

Eli Manning was dominant in those situations on Wednesday morning.

Early on, wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. broke wide open along the back of the end zone and Manning's throw might have been a bit high, but Beckham came down with both feet in bounds for a score. A few snaps later, Manning rifled a pass between two defenders that Hunter Sharp did a nice job to catch and score on.

Don't Edit

Ereck Flowers' struggles lead to a sack

Both Manning and Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford saw very limited reps in the full-team 11-on-11 unscripted periods, as Giants head coach Pat Shurmur and Lions head coach Matt Patricia looked to get extra reps for backups Davis Webb, Kyle Lauletta, Jake Rudock and Matt Cassel.

However, when Manning was on the field in these situations, he didn't get much help from right tackle Ereck Flowers.

During what looked like a promising drive, Lions defensive end Ziggy Ansah blew past Flowers and disrupted Manning just enough in the pocket to allow former Giants linebacker Devon Kennard to pick up a sack.

Flowers allowed three sacks to Ansah during the regular season meeting between the Giants and Lions last season, and looked just about as overmatched against him on Wednesday.

Don't Edit

Meet the Giants' best practice players from training camp 2018

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Eli Apple turns bad day into big moment

Wednesday's practice finished much stronger than it started for Giants' cornerback Eli Apple.

On one of the Lions' first unscripted drives, Lions wide receiver Chris Lacy made a terrific leaping catch in the back of the end zone over Apple. However, by the end of practice, Apple bounced back in a big way.

In one of the final appearances for the first-team defense, Apple jumped the route along the sideline and intercepted Rudock and returned it for a touchdown.

Don't Edit

"I was playing off," Apple explained. "They tried to do, like a slant-wheel type of concept, and I just thought that I needed to make a play, and stepped in front of the ball."

The interception showed exceptional instincts and ball-skills from Apple, who has struggled to maintain both at a high-level consistently so far in his career.

"That's the life of a corner," Apple said. "It's not always going to go your way. Sometimes, they're going to make plays on you. Especially with a great quarterback like Matt Stafford, and great receivers like they have. It's all about staying even-keeled, and making up for it."

If Apple is able to maintain that sturdy mentality and steady level of play, it will be a big boost for a secondary that hopes to avoid the kind of struggles that led to locker room turmoil and mounting losses in 2017.

Don't Edit

Coach's favorite

All-Pro cornerback Janoris Jenkins has been one of the Giants' strongest performers on a daily basis during this training camp, and Shurmur has certainly noticed.

"I think he’s competed well," Shurmur said. "He’s an outstanding football player and he’s so competitive. It’s hard for him not to become one of your favorite guys because he’s tough, he’s competitive, he loves to compete, and I just think he’s a really good player."

Jenkins is the best player in the Giants' secondary, perhaps on the defense, and he has looked like it all summer.

Don't Edit

Clock management struggles strike again

The Giants were out of timeouts and were unable to stop the clock during what was a promising drive at the end of the first half against the Browns on Thursday night, and ran into similar struggles with clock management during Wednesday's practice.

During the final period of the day, an unscripted 11-on-11 1:00 drill, quarterback Kyle Lauletta saved the drive by scrambling for a first down on 3rd down and long, but later was unable to stop the clock in time for a field goal try at the end of the possession as time expired.

It's far too early to hand-wring over Shurmur and the Giants' ability to manage the clock, but this is now two situations where they have been unable to sustain a promising drive because the clock expired. Friday night's preseason game might offer a glimpse into whether it has improved.

Don't Edit

HOW TO REACH ME:

Matt Lombardo may be reached at MLombardo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattLombardoNFL

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

MORE GIANTS COVERAGE:

For the latest Giants news, including comprehensive coverage of this week's joint practices with the Lions, head back over to our Giants' homepage.

Don't Edit

Ryan Dunleavy | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com