EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — It takes a lot to put a smile on Bill Belichick’s face and get a handshake from the stoic New England Patriots coach in the fourth game of the preseason. Third-string quarterback Danny Etling did it all on one play.
In a meaningless game Thursday night in which neither team played their starters, Etling added a lighthearted moment to the contest and iced the Patriots’ 17-12 win with an 86-yard run on an option keeper that totally fooled the New York Giants’ defense.
“Well that was one of the most exciting plays I have seen in preseason, I’ll say. Great call by Chad,” Belichick said, referring to the selection by receivers coach Chad O’Shea, who was given a chance to call the play.
Etling, who also tossed a 1-yard touchdown pass to Ralph Webb early in the second half, said he looked behind him seven times on the jaunt down the right sideline.
“I just wanted to make sure no one was catching me,” said Etling, who finished 18 of 32 for 157 yards after throwing six passes in the first preseason game. “I didn’t realize you could use the Jumbotron.”
Etling’s big run came on the first play after an Alex Tanney-led drive from the New York 1 stalled at the Patriots 14 with New England ahead 10-6 with 4:11 to play.
Etling, who finished with 113 yards on seven carries, faked a handoff and ran an option around right end and scored untouched to give the Patriots a 3-1 preseason record.
“When’s the last time a quarterback ran for 85 (really 86) yards, let alone for the Patriots,” Belichick said. “I’d say at least 20 years, I know that. Maybe (Steve) Grogan, (Jim) Plunkett. Eighty, that’s a long run.
“Nobody has worked harder than Danny. He’s the first one in, last one out. He is diligent. When something like that happens, you are happy for him.”
The Giants finished their first preseason under new coach Pat Shurmur at 2-2.
“I thought the guys played hard, we didn’t make enough plays in the end to win the game,” Shurmur said.
Giants quarterback Eli Manning chatted with receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in the first half, while Tom Brady sat next to the New England water coolers and relaxed.
Two Giants penalties for lowering the head to initiate contact set up Stephen Gostkowski 33-yard field goal in the first quarter.
Rookie Kyle Lauletta, who made the start for New York with Manning and backup Davis Webb held out, put the Giants ahead early in the second quarter with a 41-yard pass to Amba Etta-Tawo. Backup placekicker Marshall Koehn missed the extra point.
Etling set up the touchdown to Webb with a 40-yard pass to K.J. Maye.
Tanney closed out the scoring with an 8-yard TD pass to Alonzo Russell with 48 seconds to play. The 2-point conversion run failed.
GOOD IMPRESSIONS — Giants CB Donte Deayon, who battled a hamstring injury in the preseason, might have secured a roster spot with two interceptions. His drawback is he is small and injury prone.
“I won’t be nervous,” Deayon said of Saturday’s final cut. “At this point, I put it all out on the table, I put my best foot forward. At this point, what happens, happens.” … Patriots free agent CB J.C. Jackson also had two interceptions and broke up a deep pass before being carted off late in the third quarter because of dehydration. “Yeah, I had something to prove tonight. I knew I had to ball. This is the last preseason game and I’m trying to make the roster,” Jackson said. … Giants veteran CB Chris Lewis-Harris was excellent in coverage and tackling.
OBJ — The NFL’s highest paid receiver will head into the season for the Giants having not played a down in the preseason. He has not appeared in a game since breaking his left ankle on Oct. 8. Coach Pat Shurmur said he has been cautious with the 25-year-old wideout, but says Beckham will be ready for the opener.
LEG WEARY — Punters Ryan Allen of the Patriots and Riley Dixon of the Giants had busy nights, kicking six times each.
ANTHEM — There were no displays of protest by either the Patriots or Giants, with both teams standing on their sideline for the anthem.
INJURIES — Patriots: OT Ulrick John (foot) and CB Jackson (dehydration) left the game. John was wearing a walking boot after the game.
Giants: T Nick Becton (ankle) and RB Robert Martin (ankle) had to leave the game.
UP NEXT — Patriots: open regular-season at home against Houston on Sept. 9.
Giants: open at home against Jacksonville on Sept. 9.
GRONK CONTRACT — Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has all the incentives to become the NFL’s highest paid tight end.
Agent Drew Rosenhaus said Thursday the Patriots have added $4.3 million in incentives to Gronkowski’s contract for the next two seasons. The deal includes $1 million in per game bonuses and $3.3 million in incentives for catches, playing time and touchdowns.
Gronkowski has the potential to make $12.3 million this season and $13.3 next year when his base salary jumps to $9 million.
If he hits all the incentives, Gronkowski would be the NFL’s highest paid tight end. He is fourth among tight ends in base salary, trailing Green Bay’s Jimmy Graham ($10 million), Kansas City’s Travis Kelce ($9.36 million) and Washington’s Jordan Reed ($9.35 million).
Most of the incentives are reachable if the 29-year-old says healthy.
The nine-year veteran would receive incentives of $1.1 million for 70 catches, playing 80 percent of the offensive snaps, nine touchdown catches and 1,085 yards receiving. However, he can collect on no more than three incentives.
Gronkowski had 69 catches for 1,084 yards and eight touchdowns in 14 games last season.
Gronkowski’s deal was first reported by ESPN.
This is the second straight year the Patriots have added incentives to Gronkowski’s contact before the start of the season.
Gronkowski has not caught a pass in limited action in the preseason. He warmed up with the Patriots before Thursday night’s preseason finale against the Giants, but he was not expected to play.