Dart commentary in two parts. Part 1 is Big Blue Banter. Part 2 is Wonder UltimateNYG.
PART 1
You need to listen to EVERYTHING that Big Blue Banter said in their Offensive Film Breakdown. Here are some imperfectly transcribed quotes…
“Dimes throughout the game.“
Eluemunor: Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo are helping to diversify the running game.
“I just love how Jaxson Dart was so poised against the pressure packages of Vic Fangio.”
“We should talk about Dart playing on script.”
“I came away even more impressed (by Dart).”
“Almost flawless against the blitz.”
“He comes off (progression) the initial read so fast.”
“He’s reading really well.”
“He is reading out that Safety (to determine where to go).”
“Resets the pocket. Calm and collected.”
“I want to applaud Dart for quickly being able to process that and find the answer.”
“Has my opinion of Dart changed since we evaluated Dart pre-draft? Yes. Mostly because of the strides he’s taken as a processor. We didn’t know because he didn’t have to process (that much) in college. How fast he comes off his first read. Blitz protections. Where defenders are rotating to. Where he is going to get pressure from.
“His innate ability to maneuver the pocket and find answers. The ability to extend the play. He’s learning how to master the QB position … while being able to extend plays. Keep(s) his eyes downfield. Find(s) a rushing path. Stress(es) the defense and get rid of the football.”
The OL is blocking well but Dart is now moving in the pocket and not taking sacks that might otherwise be taken.
Arm talent, arm slot, perfect ball placement being shown by Dart.. on incompletions!
Footwork needs to be improved, essentially indicates how great the arm talent.
Ball placement… sooo good, his best game since we’ve been watching him.
Kurt Warner: “Jaxson Dart throws a very catchable ball.”
PART 2
Wonder: “Dart has the pocket presence of Brady and Mahomes. He also has effortless running ability. Maybe a comp on running ability is Ryan Tannehill, RGIII or (a young) Aaron Rodgers. I wouldn’t trade him for any of the younger QBs except Jayden Daniels. And his upside may be better than Daniels. He throws a good football. It’s got more velocity than Daniels. The last few weeks I’ve been so impressed, it’s unbelievable how quickly he’s grown in the NFL game.”
When I shared BBB’s pre-draft notes on Dart, Wonder gave his own thoughts. “You don’t get to see a guy “perform” in the SEC. In the NFL you have much smaller windows and much less time to get the ball in there.
“Dart plays like a 6-7 year veteran. He’s going to make some rookie mistakes. I’ll be on record that by 2027 he will be the best or at worst, the second best QB in the NFC. It will be him and Jayden Daniels. I’d be pretty damn happy if I’m a Giants fan.
“I remember the throw Dart made in preseason in between defenders to the TE. He did it with great velocity. And I loved the chutzpah, the confidence to throw the ball in that window. It showed me the moxie, the anticipation, rifling it in, and the ability to physically get it done.”
The UltimateNYG draft analyst continues. “The Giants need to do 2 things. 1) I want pass protectors. Draft them. I don’t want to hear about LBers, Safety. Draft OL. Maximize Dart. 2) I want a WR now. Who knows what, how or when Nabers will come back. Get Dart another WR. 2a) If there is an excellent (Tee Higgins-type) WR available pre deadline, I would do it right now. Maximize Dart.
I generally hate going after WR resources but now is finally the time. So I agree 1000% with Wonder, and I would go after WR as soon as that carousel comes around. I was actually thinking this way after seeing Dart ascend so quickly. Also remember that quality WRs are easier to find than quality Offensive linemen (who don’t necessarily hit the market). So you can get a stud Guard by trading down into the back end of Round 1, whereas excellent WRs are always available via trade or Free Agency.
It may be hyperbole, but Wonder likens Aaron Rodgers’ draft value at 1.24 to the Giants finding Dart when they traded up to 1.25 to get him. Wonder approved the trade up but even he admittedly had no idea Dart would be this good this fast.
On the Thursday night recap of the win vs the Eagles, I noted that I wanted to stop using Dart in design runs and RPOs. Wonder- “I agree, it’s stupid. Why are you doing that? He won’t be doing that in year 5 anyway. Remember what they did to RGIII?! You don’t know when or how he’ll get hurt. So you only want him running when he’s forced to take off and he can slide. This way, along with his presence, he won’t get hurt (as easily). It’s a numbers game. If you’re in a playoff game and you want to run the RPO for a play, ok. But I’m talking infrequently. Don’t expose him to that. Don’t do it.”
What about Daboll? Wonder: “He has to go. That’s the only drawback to Dart’s success.” I would go one step further- Daboll’s use of Dart in the RPO + design runs is GROSS negligence. WONDER- “I agree. He shouldn’t tear an ACL or hurt himself. Daboll is coaching to save his job; he is not doing what’s in the best interest of the franchise. WTF are you doing?!”
Wonder: “I don’t get easily excited about players. One time was Todd Gurley as a freshman in college. Became great. Got hurt, was never the same after the ACL tear. And when he tore his second ACL, it was over. I was excited about the two generational safeties Earl Thomas and Eric Berry. Randy Moss. Here after 3 games I’m excited about Dart the same way. Him and Daniels are by far the most impressive rookie QBs I’ve seen since Joe Burrow. Stafford and Marino were excellent rookies. Those guys didn’t have Dart’s pocket presence.