There could be a quarterback battle involving Jaxson Dart at Giants training camp after all.\u00a0<\/p>\n
No, Dart is not competing to be the Opening Day starter. Head coach Brian Daboll quadrupled down Wednesday on Russell Wilson filling those shoes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But before the first practice, Daboll left the door open to the possibility that Dart could outperform veteran Jameis Winston over the summer and be the top backup when the regular season rolls around.\u00a0<\/p>\n
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart looking at the offensive plays on his wrist during practice at the Giants training facility in East Rutherford, NJ. Charles Wenzelberg \/ New York Post<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going to go out here and practice, and the guys are going to compete,\u201d Daboll said when asked if the No. 2 job is up for grabs. \u201cThe roster will be set when the roster is set.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Compare that typically evasive answer, however, with what Daboll said about setting the top of the depth chart: \u201cThese guys will be out here competing, but Russ is our starter.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Giants coach Brian Daboll Charles Wenzelberg \/ New York Post<\/p>\n
Dart took the majority of second-team reps and threw a touchdown and an interception returned for a touchdown in an up-and-down day that jibes neatly with his results in the spring. The rookie first-round pick, with the moxie to believe in tight-window throws, worked behind Winston in 7-on-7 periods but ahead of him in the 11-on-11 periods.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It could be that the Giants just want to load up the reps to expedite Dart\u2019s development and already trust that the 11-year journeyman Winston knows how to prepare for a season as a backup without needing much practice. Or it could be a sign of letting Dart \u2014 who took a single first-team rep \u2014 dictate his own fortunes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAt this time of year, it\u2019s easy to look at veteran players \u2014 not just at quarterback,\u201d Daboll said. \u201cYou kind of know, \u2018All right, they got it. They\u2019re not going to make a lot of mistakes. You trust them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cVersus some young players who are pretty skillful \u2014 maybe they\u2019re a little quicker, maybe they\u2019re a little faster \u2014 but there\u2019s two or three mistakes a day. What you evaluate is, \u2018Are you an error repeater? Do you make the same mistake the next day and then the next day?\u2019 And if that\u2019s the case, it\u2019s hard to put a player out there that does that. These young players, they have to learn quick.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart speaking to head coach Brian Daboll during practice at the Giants training facility in East Rutherford, NJ. Charles Wenzelberg \/ New York Post<\/p>\n
Once Dart is formally bumped to No. 2, and not No. 3, he will be one play away from the field. Then he could start nipping at Wilson\u2019s heels if the Giants start slowly, as underdogs in their first four games.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe makeup of the room allows him to learn from some of his peers,\u201d general manager Joe Schoen said. \u201cHe was in there early [in the spring], working hard, still learning the offense.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a lot, and you have to know what everybody\u2019s doing, but you saw leadership, you saw arm talent, you saw athleticism. He has a long way to go. He\u2019s in a good spot right now.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart calling out plays during practice at the Giants training facility in East Rutherford, NJ. Charles Wenzelberg \/ New York Post<\/p>\n