Jaxson Dart performed admirably against the Buffalo Bills in his preseason debut. First-round quarterback Brian Dabollis is smitten.
Will Dart make this into a quarterbacking contest between Russell Wilson and the Giants? Has he already done that?
The Giants’ combined workouts against the Jets on Tuesday and Wednesday may provide the answer.
After the Giants’ 34-25 preseason victory over the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, Darts stated, “I expect myself to play well whenever I’m on the field.” Simply attempt to stack these, and I will become more at ease the more repetitions I believe I will receive.
During training camp, Dart has been working with the backup offense on a regular basis. Then, when facing some Bills defensive starters versus Buffalo, he stepped up his game.
With Malik Nabers and the starting offensive line, Joe Schoen and Daboll must now determine whether to begin giving Dart meaningful snaps with the ones.
If they split first-team reps between Wilson and Dart during this week’s workouts and Saturday’s game against the Jets, that would pave the way for Dart to become the Giants’ starting quarterback early in the season.
However, Dart’s quest for the starting quarterback position might be thwarted if they keep Wilson receiving the only first-team snaps and leave Dart with the reserves.
Or at least postpone it a little until Schoen and Daboll are left with no other option due to Wilson, Dart, and the Giants’ early season results.
Recall that quarterbacks selected by teams in the first round of the NFL Draft nearly always go on to play. Additionally, they nearly always start playing considerably earlier than the general public expects.
The offense and the team weren’t particularly good the previous season, which is one of the reasons why most teams select quarterbacks in the first round.
Quarterbacks selected in the first round of the NFL Draft did well enough in college to inspire optimism in their new teams and fan groups.
When Dart came here in the spring, his job was to prove to the Giants that he could be that kind of player.
Dart looked like an NFL quarterback against the Bills, which piqued the fans’ interest in what was to come, even if this was just one exhibition game with many positive and educational moments.
More significantly, following the victory, Daboll struggled to control his excitement.
Daboll remarked of Dart’s performance, “Just about what I thought he would do.” Effective, forceful, efficient, and self-assured. He’s doing well, albeit there are a few things we can improve.
In order to emphasize how poised Dart had displayed during the game, the Giants coach even brought up a Daily News query on Dart’s learning curve.
According to Daboll, he actually does it. Pat may have questioned me about holding onto the ball, based on my understanding. He can improve in certain areas, but we lost out on several third-down opportunities and drops that would have benefited both him and us. However, he is a young player with confidence.
The coach went on, “He’s improved since he’s been here.” I like working with him, but we still have a long way to go. On the sidelines, I enjoy his attitude. He has good game vision. Once more, it’s not that we’re getting; we’ve had a few blitzes and such. However, I’m happy he’s here.
Daboll concluded by saying that the Bills’ defense on Saturday was mediocre. It becomes completely different after the snap when opponents begin to organize their games, launch exotic blitzes, and alter coverages.
But there are other factors besides darts’ play that will determine how early he plays. Wilson’s performance will also influence that choice.
Do you recall Eli Manning at the conclusion of 2019?
After a crushing road defeat at Dallas in Week 1, coach Pat Shurmur substituted Jones for Manning. Then, in Week 3, following a 0–2 start, Shurmur took Manning’s position and declared Jones his new starting quarterback in a victory on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
That season, Manning was 38 years old. Wilson is thirty-six. Additionally, The Athletic’s annual survey of 50 coaches and executives ranked Wilson as a fourth-tier NFL quarterback.
The Jets’ Justin Fields, the Colts’ Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson, the Browns’ Joe Flacco, the Saints’ Spencer Rattler, and two young, untested quarterbacks—the Falcons’ Michael Penix Jr. and the Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy—are all on the same level as him.
Wilson has been selected by the Giants as their starting quarterback for Week 1 every time. Therefore, if he starts the first game against the Washington Commanders and gives this offense and team a boost, the Giants should have plenty of time to get Dart used to the team and work him in later.
But what if Wilson and the Giants offense collapse in the first game of the season? What happens if Wilson struggles early, Dart has a great preseason, and the Giants season begins to wane early?
Doesn’t Dart need to practice with Malik Nabers in order to be ready for such scenario? The Giants should be getting ready for what seems like an impending event, right?
Who the fans will want to see is obvious. Furthermore, the Giants have yet to express trust in or interest in Jameis Winston as a potential addition.
Will Dart be able to play early in the season, then? Given his start against the Bills, will Daboll begin preparing him for that scenario?
The solution will be revealed when the Giants play the Jets on Tuesday and Wednesday.
HOME AND HOME
Tuesday’s joint practice between the Giants and Jets will take place in Florham Park, New Jersey. On Wednesday, the Jets will head east to East Rutherford. The Giants will then play the Jets at MetLife Stadium on Saturday at 7 p.m. According to Daboll, Dru Phillips, the starting slot corner, left the preseason opener because he was unable to go and simply couldn’t complete. It’s comparable to all the other wounded guys at the moment, he continued. Speaking of injured players, franchise left tackle Andrew Thomas (Lisfranc) is having a big week. He must begin playing real football as soon as possible if he is to be prepared for the start of the regular season. Daboll stated, “We’ll just take it day by day with him and keep on improving him.” He will accomplish more when he is able to, and that will be when it happens.
