Josh Allen’s advice to rookie QB Jaxson Dart – Dan Salomone, Giants.com
One New York QB shares his advice and wisdom with another.
The defending MVP won’t be playing, but Saturday will be surreal for Jaxson Dart in the home of Josh Allen.
Brian Daboll, who has worked on the ground floor of both first-round quarterbacks, did not announce if the Giants’ starters will play in the preseason opener in Buffalo.
Daboll, however, confirmed one thing.
“He’s playing,” Daboll said of Dart. “There you go. Tweet that out.”
Everyone did.
Thus, the 25th overall draft pick is set to begin his NFL journey. Whether that happens in the first or second half remains to be seen.
“This is just the start of a dream of mine,” Dart said. “So, I’m excited to take that next step, be out there, compete at the highest level. My family’s going to be there, so I’m super excited to have them a part of this journey with me and I think that’s really it. I’m just stoked for the opportunity.”
Days after the draft, which saw the Giants trade up to select Dart and pair him with Abdul Carter in the first round, the incoming rookie connected with the Bills quarterback. Two months earlier, Allen won his first league MVP award. It was the individual high point of a career that started with Daboll as his offensive coordinator in 2018.
“He’s been somebody who I’ve really looked up to and since coming here, just watching a ton of his tape and how he was able to operate Coach Dabs’ system,” Dart said. “It’s going to be kind of a surreal feeling to be on the same field as him.”
And that system has been known to be difficult to learn, even for veterans.
Knowing the offense is only a portion of a quarterback’s job description. Allen, who is 76-34 as a starter and has led the Bills to six postseason appearances, emphasized everything else.
“He talked a lot about leadership,” Dart said. “That was kind of like his main thing and then trying to be the best teammate for the guys around you because as a quarterback, you have to raise the standards of everybody. Obviously, schematics, I think that what shows up on Coach Dabs’ record is being able to coach many different quarterbacks who have different skill sets and kind of molding offenses around what they’re good at, so kind of just hone in on the key details of Coach Dabs’ offense and really trust it. I think, at times, maybe quarterbacks will predetermine things and not really trust the system, but the special thing about Coach Dabs is he gives us a ton of freedom, so there’s answers to everything that you can really think of.”
Philly has played their first preseason game; here are some takeaways.
Quarterback Tanner McKee looked good directing the Eagles 75 yards over nine plays for a touchdown on the Eagles’ opening drive. McKee was a perfect 2-for-2 for 27 yards and scored on a Brotherly Shove. He continues to show he has a command of the offense and is a very viable back-up to Jalen Hurts. McKee closed the first half completing 14 of 17 for 193 yards, with one bad throw. He threw for two touchdowns and scored on a Brotherly Shove play. He directed two scores in the last 2:46 of the half. Over six drives, McKee directed the Eagles to three touchdowns and two field goals, with one punt. He ended the night completing 20 of 25 for 252 yards and two touchdown passes.
Right guard Tyler Steen’s block on Bengals’ first-team linebacker Logan Wilson, steering him inside, creating a gaping hole on Will Shipley’s 38-yard run on the Eagles’ opening possession.
The Eagles were flagged 10 times for 80 yards.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson missing an open Johnny Wilson midway through the third quarter. Wilson was open and DTR overthrew him.
Cornerback Eli Ricks dropping a sure interception in the last minute of the first half.
Bengals tight end Tanner Hudson thundering through Eagles’ rookie linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. and rookie nickelback Mac McWilliams. Not a good preseason start for a pair of fifth-round picks.
Tight end Grant Calcaterra’s drop on a third-and-5at the Bengals’ 26 on the Eagles’ second drive. McKee rolled right and found Calcaterra on the sideline, and the ball went right through his hands.
Cornerback Kelee Ringo’s terrible angle on Ja’Marr Chase on the Bengals’ second drive. Chase turned the Ringo mistake into a 36-yard touchdown reception and a 14-7 Bengals’ lead. On the play, Ringo did not use the sideline, allowing Chase to cut up field when he stepped inside the receiver. It turned into a very easy touchdown. The Eagles were in a blitz. Ringo did not crowd Chase, giving him way too much respect.
Could the Commanders use a rare rule with Terry McLaurin in 2025? – Serena Burks, USA Today
Washington may have a trick up their sleeve with McLaurin’s contract negotiations.
Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin wants a contract extension. It’s not a secret; it’s been all over the news. He returned to the team during training camp, but did not pass the preseason physical and was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons and Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson also returned to their teams, but neither of them is practicing, holding out for their own extensions.
While talks between all three teams and players continue, each team has an option in its back pocket that it can use if an agreement is not reached. Former NFL agent and current CBS Sports writer Joel Corry writes:
Now, none of these teams really wants to do that for a variety of reasons, but the Commanders specifically do not want to do that with McLaurin. For one thing, at the age of 30, sitting out an entire year will kill all of the momentum he’s built over the last five years. On top of that, McLaurin is an essential part of Jayden Daniels’ development.
Still, if push comes to shove and the Commanders decide they definitely don’t want to trade McLaurin, this is an option.
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