WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — The New York Giants’ time in the “football paradise” of The Greenbrier Sports Performance Center in West Virginia is rapidly drawing to a close. It might be a sleepy area without the bright lights he and many of his teammates are accustomed to, but quarterback Jaxson Dart sounded on Thursday like he will miss the place.
“This is like a football paradise,” Dart said. “I think that anytime that you watch any of the movies, the training camps where you’re able to see, those
guys go on little getaways, I think that this is kind of that feel and it’s been a joy.
“I think that what’s really good about being here is that football is the main thing, and that’s how it should be in training camp. So, I really love being here. I know the guys have too because not only has it made us better on the field, but at the same time it’s allowed us to make stronger connections off the field. So, just the more time we’ve been able to spend with one another I’ve loved, and I know all the other guys have felt the same way.”
Has paradise been kind to the Giants as they learn a new offense under coordinator Matt Nagy? Dart and his cohorts have had a rough go against the team’s defense, although things did improve during the last couple of padded practices this week.
“I think that we’re taking steps each day,” Dart said. “Obviously, there’s things that you go out there and maybe it’s our first time running something or whatever, and you kind of have things you talk through. But a lot of times we have the opportunity the next day to have a chance to fix it and go at it again.
“So, I think the really good thing that I’m seeing right now with the offense is our communication after practices being able to fix adjustments for the next day, and that’s really encouraging to see. And I think that if we just continue to do this process we’ll be in a good spot.”Defenses are generally ahead of offenses in these early stages. A big part of that is because there is much more to install and master when it comes to offense.
Dart admitted that part of the struggle against a defense providing a variety of looks and pressure packages is the newness of what the Giants are running each day.
“There’s still more things that we have to put in. There’s still a lot more things that we have to do,” the second-year quarterback said. “But I think at the same time, there’s a good amount that’s in for us and it requires us to be really locked in each and every day because it’s just NFL football. You’re getting a big install each and every day.
“So, you just continue to learn, continue to get reps at things and have a lot of really valuable communication.”
Dart believes dealing with Dennard Wilson’s defense, which may at times be throwing complicated looks the offense isn’t quite ready for yet, can be a benefit.
“I’m happy that we’re able to see exotic looks from Dennard’s defense. I think that they do a really good job,” Dart said. “While we’re installing plays, a lot of times it’s to exotic looks. And so, it’s good for us to have that communication and it’s good for us to make those adjustments and have those conversations so by the time we get into the season, we feel like we’ve seen a lot already, which I’m really happy about just as a communication standpoint.”
