Big Blue View
Did you REALLY think New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart was going to get through his first season in the NFL without a game like the one he had Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings? A game where he, you know, actually looked and played like a rookie quarterback?
Overmatched on Sunday against a talented defense and a fantastic coordinator with something to prove against a team he is suing, Dart had his worst game as a pro. He completed just 7 of 13 passes for 33 yards and an interception, and was probably lucky not to have a couple of other passes intercepted.
Dart looked confused at times. He looked uncertain. He looked like a quarterback who needed help and knew he really didn’t have any.
Now, suddenly, because for the first time all season a rookie quarterback looked like a rookie quarterback the narrative is that Dart is regressing and that the Giants hurt the rookie’s development by firing head coach Brian Daboll.
In my view, that is an overreaction.
All week leading up to the game Dart and the Giants talked about how this game against Flores, one of the best and most aggressive defensive schemers in the business, and a good, veteran Minnesota defense, would be the biggest challenge Dart had faced. The Giants knew this would be a difficult game and a learning experience for the rookie.
The Giants were missing their No. 1 wide receiver. In fact, they were pretty much missing any pass catcher who could actually make a play. How many times on Sunday did Justin Jefferson remind us that a great wide receiver can make just about any quarterback look better than he actually is?
The Giants played much of the game without three-fifths of their starting offensive line.
Did you really expect this one to be smooth sailing for Dart?
Yes, Mike Kafka’s Giants game plan was conservative. Perhaps a few play-action throws on first down might have been in order. Fifteen consecutive running plays is a lot, but there were two sacks and two penalties when the Giants did try to throw during that stretch.
I think the comparison BBV’s Tony DelGenio made from Sunday’s game to the Week 17 game in 2021 that made it clear Joe Judge needed to be fired is off base. In that game, the Giants were behind 14-0 before quarterback Mike Glennon completed a pass. They trailed 22-3 at halftime, yet Glennon attempted only 11 passes in the entire game. On the Giants’ final possession of the game they simply handed the ball to Saquon Barkley three straight times.
Sunday’s plan wasn’t as conservative as you might think....
