New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll said on Wednesday that the move to rookie first-round pick Jaxson Dart at quarterback this Sunday vs. the Los Angeles Chargers was “my decision.” Daboll, whose team
is 0-3, offered little in the way of explanation for benching Russell Wilson.
“I think it’s the right decision, and that’s the way we’re gonna go,” Daboll said. “I felt that this was the right thing for our football team, and that’s why it’s happening.
“I don’t think any rookie quarterback is ever just ready to play. You put him in there because you think that he’s done enough to show you that he can go out there and compete, and he’s done that every step of the way.”
Daboll said he met privately with both quarterbacks on Tuesday to inform them of the move.
“Russ was nothing but a pro, which I would expect him to be” Daboll said. “We’re going with Jaxson. We’re going to get him ready to play this week and the remainder of the season.
What are Daboll’s expectations for Dart?
“I expect him to prepare. I expect him to go out here and get better each time he plays,” Daboll said. “It’s not always going to be perfect. But, I do think that he has the right makeup and athleticism.
“We’re going to do everything we can do to help him be the best player. I know he is as well. It’s not just on one person. It’s on the entire team.”
Daboll said he expects Dart to be “a work in progress” as the team’s quarterback.
“There will be some things that he hasn’t seen,” Daboll said. “We’ll try to do the best we can for him relative to our scheme. But, it’s going to take everybody. It’s to take the offensive line, the defense, the kicking game. He just needs to go out there and do his job. Make good decisions, throw the ball where he needs to throw it, make loose plays if he needs to make loose plays, take care of it [the ball]. Doesn’t have to do any more than that.”
Daboll said he will not take over play-calling. Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka will continue in that role.
“I have confidence in Mike,” Daboll said.
Valentine’s View
Daboll needed to own this decision. As I wrote Tuesday, this was the last card Daboll had to play in an effort to turn around a team that has lost 14 of 15 and try to save his job. Dart was the quarterback he wanted, and his future is tied to whether or not Dart becomes the quarterback Daboll thinks he can.
Starting Sunday, we begin to find out.
