New York Giants Head Coach Brian Daboll reveals plan for rookie QB Jaxson Dart in first preseason game
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll reveals if rookie QB Jaxson Dart will play this Saturday.
New York Giants fans are eagerly anticipating the first preseason game this Saturday against the Buffalo Bills for one simple reason: rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart’s debut.
Head coach Brian Daboll has waffled a bit this week with expectations for how much the Giants’ starters will play. However, today he finally declared that Dart will play in the preseason opener.
Daboll is yet to clarify if Dart will be the starter for the game, which is unlikely with him being listed as the third quarterback on the Giants’ first unofficial depth chart. It also doesn’t establish how much time Dart will see in the game. At the very least, he confirmed that Dart will play, which is essential for a developmental young quarterback who could take over as the starter by the end of the year.
It is worth noting that in 2018, when Daboll was the Bills’ offensive coordinator after they drafted Josh Allen, Allen attempted 19 passes against the Carolina Panthers in that game. Allen finished his preseason debut going 9/19 for 116 yards and one touchdown.
What should we expect from Dart?
Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka provided a blueprint yesterday for what the coaching staff wants to see from Dart when he plays other teams.
“Like any position, just operating within the confines of the offense and going out there and playing confidently, being decisive, command the huddle.”
Confidence is the most striking word in his statement, because it’s the most critical trait any young quarterback needs besides physical tools. Bouncing back from mistakes and rallying the troops goes a very long way in quarterback development.
Additionally, decisiveness is necessary for Dart specifically. His most significant deficiency as a prospect, and so far during training camp, has been improper timing. Learning timing in the NFL has a steep learning curve. That issue led to Dart’s viral interception at the beginning of training camp, which he’s since rebounded from.
Kafka also included a very similar message to the one WR Malik Nabers gave to Dart.
“I think for Jaxson, for a young player – I know from my experience, it was getting young guys who probably never played as well – he’s out there calming them down and having great poise and great confidence and then just going and playing football. It’s a game you love and you know, you’ve been playing it for a long time. My biggest piece of advice is just go out there, enjoy it, play, have fun and go be aggressive.”
Dart doesn’t need to be completely mistake-free. He doesn’t need a high completion percentage or throw for a ridiculous amount of yards. He’ll be on the right track as long as Dart doesn’t compound mistakes and remains composed.
The Giants are set to face the Bills this Saturday, August 9, in Buffalo at 1 p.m. ET on NFL Network.
