For the Dart Lovers
Giants minicamp takeaways: Jaxson Dart is already standing out from the crowd, from the Athletic
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. ā Quarterback Jaxson Dart started his New York Giants rookie minicamp news conference Friday by doing things a little differently: He asked the reporters to introduce themselves before their questions.
Dart wants to start getting to know the people who will help shape the coverage of his career, but he himself needs no introduction. Heās the quarterback the Giants traded back into the first round to get in hopes heāll become the next face of their franchise.
And though itās still early, that process is off to a nice start.
Dart finished his first day of rookie minicamp 8-for-10 passing during seven-on-seven drills, with the only two incompletions looking like drops by his receivers. Dart put plenty of zip on his passes, and he even navigated a couple of tight windows. Again, itās early, but he fared well considering he was the only rookie participating in those seven-on-seven drills.
Completing passes is obviously important, but the big emphasis for Dart is on learning the Giantsā hefty playbook and using a cadence rather than clapping, as he did at Ole Miss. Dartās former method went viral in a clip talking about it with former NFL coach Jon Gruden.
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āThis is the first time heāll be out there doing our stuff,ā Giants coach Brian Daboll said. āThereās a reason to try to get him in there and get adjusted to hearing the play call from the walkie-talkie ⦠calling the play, not just running no huddle, (but) using the cadence.
āYou say a couple of words, voice inflection, you continue to learn from that, but I wouldnāt say itās rocket science to learn a cadence.ā
Dart has already been practicing for this part of his transition into the league.
āIāve always kind of practiced it on my own, kind of just messing around with buddies and whatnot,ā Dart said. āI think you have so many opportunities and advantages with the cadence. And you can do so many different things that can take advantage of the defense.ā
Whether Dart will find himself in a position to take advantage of opposing defenses this season remains to be seen. The expectation is that longtime NFL veteran Russell Wilson will serve as the Giantsā starter.
Dart has never not been the QB1, so being a backup will be an adjustment for him. However, he already seems to be trying to take on a leadership role within the team. He said he has tried to speak to as many players on the offensive side of the ball as he could to get people on the same page before camp.
Fourth-round pick Cam Skattebo has noticed Dartās intangibles early, calling him one of the āsmartestā players heās been around.
āThe head coach asks a question, and (he) knows the answer like that,ā the rookie running back said. ā(Heās) into (his) books, and (heās) very smart. (You can tell) just talking to him about football and certain routes and play calls and just hearing him hear a call once and being able to call it multiple times back-to-back.ā
Aside from introductions, there was also humor in Dartās presser. The rookie revealed the necklace he was wearing at the podium was courtesy of his sister. He took it from her room before Ole Missā TaxSlayer Gator Bowl game victory, and itās been a good luck charm for him ever since.
Donāt worry. Dart said his younger sister was OK with his theft, and she got a replacement.
Finally, though Dart was wearing a No. 6 jersey at camp, heās not sure if heās going to stick with the number.
āI kind of have to just look at the pictures to see if I like myself in 6,ā Dart said.
So, donāt go buying those No. 6 Dart jerseys yet, Giants fans.