Blogging The Boys
At what point do you think Jaxson Dart will start for the Giants?
Revelations about New York’s newest QB.
22) What have we learned about QB Jaxson Dart since the Giants drafted him 25th overall?
John Schmeelk: A lot, but maybe not in the ways some people might expect. While the coaches will have a great feel for how quickly he is learning the offense, there’s no way for anyone on the outside looking in, even someone like me who has watched every snap he has taken in practice, to have any real knowledge of how that process is going. The Ole Miss product has had your typical rookie quarterback ups and downs, but he does not look completely overwhelmed like some rookies do in their first spring.
Physically, Dart’s arm is more than adequate to play well in the NFL. The touch he showed at Ole Miss has been apparent in practice. He has the ability to place very catchable balls over defenders. He is a good athlete, with the twitchiness to escape from pressure and the creativity to throw on the move. His competitiveness has also been obvious.
What has really stood out for me has been his personality. After he finished his first in-person media availability during OTAs, I turned to Dan Salomone and Matt Citak and said, “He’s Captain Charisma.” Everyone raved about his personality, leadership skills and intangibles in college, and those have been apparent in how he has operated so far as a Giant.
All in all, the player has matched the college scouting report. Nothing has really surprised me. Everything I thought about the player from his college tape and the reports of his personality have matched what I have seen in person. It’s a good start, but there is a long way to go.
The passion to play holds precedent over position for Campbell.
Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said earlier this month that first-round pick Jihaad Campbell will begin practicing with the team in August when he’s cleared to return from shoulder surgery and he also offered a preview of where Campbell will fit into the team’s defense.
Fangio said that Campbell will be lining up at inside linebacker next to Zach Baun while the team waits for Nakobe Dean to return from his knee injury. Fangio was also asked about the possibility of trying Campbell off the edge and said that was something that any thoughts of that would have to wait until Campbell was back on the field.
In an interview with the Eagles’ website, Campbell said his only current goal is to make that return and that he’ll be happy to fill any role the Eagles...
