Giants coach Brian Daboll names Tommy DeVito starting QB vs. Packers over Tyrod Taylor
NEW YORK — Brian Daboll surprisingly named undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito the Giants’ Week 14 starting quarterback even though veteran Tyrod Taylor (ribs) is cleared for contact and practicing.
“I just thought Tommy earned it,” Daboll said.
The head coach said he believes DeVito gives the Giants (4-8) their best chance to win next Monday night’s game against the Green Bay Packers (6-6). He said it’s not a decision based on the future but only on this week’s game.
Daboll’s decision is a curious one given Taylor’s superior status and talent, and it is a risky call depending on how the locker room reacts and on how the team fares Monday.
DeVito, 25, has won two in a row and made some good throws. He has the support of his teammates, of course. But he is not a better player than Taylor, 34, despite averaging 17 offensive points per start to Taylor’s 11 this season.
And although this is a lost season, the Giants are not playing for a high draft pick. The players want to win as many of the final five games as they can.
They have absolutely rallied around DeVito, who is a great local story. But he has been sacked on 18.79% of his dropbacks (28 times out of 149) compared to Taylor’s 8.8% (10 times out of 113).
And DeVito has only beaten two of the NFL’s worst teams in nail-biters on the back of an astounding nine turnovers forced by the defense (eight) and special teams (one). That’s not to minimize what he’s done at all. It’s just a fair assessment of the circumstances.
Taylor has been working diligently to return from what is presumed to be multiple broken ribs. He also played good soldier after the Week 6 loss in Buffalo, taking the full blame for a run call before halftime that also was the fault of the coaches for putting that option in his ear.
But instead of going with Taylor, on his fully guaranteed $5.45 million base salary, Daboll has picked the undrafted rookie on a $750,000/$450,000 split salary contract — the higher amount when he’s on the active/inactive list, the lower amount when he’s not.
“He’s a pro,” Daboll said of how Taylor took the news. “Those conversations are never easy.”
Taylor has a 1-2 record as a starter this season. He has appeared in a whopping seven games overall, replacing Daniel Jones in several blowouts before the starter went down.
Taylor has completed 57 of 87 passes for a 65.5 completion percentage, 579 yards and two touchdowns. He has not committed any turnovers. He has run 22 times for 98 yards and fumbled twice but recovered both times.
DeVito has a 2-1 record as a starter. He has completed 66 of 105 passes for a 62.9 completion percentage, 697 yards and seven touchdowns. He has committed four turnovers: three interceptions and a lost fumble.
Wide receiver Darius Slayton was asked on Monday about what differences he sees in the two players on the field and in the huddle.
“Tyrod has been in the league for 12 years, something like that [it’s 13], and DeVito is a rookie,” Slayton said. “There’s a lot of things that Tyrod knows about the game and kind of more so like the way he carries himself, you know.
“Everybody kind of has to learn how to carry themselves, like how you fit into a team as you grow in this league and as a rookie, especially a quarterback, a leadership position, you have to kind of find your way,” Slayton added. “And I feel like DeVito’s done a good job of finding his way quickly, but it’s impossible to close a gap of 12 years. I think DeVito’s done a great job, and Tyrod’s a professional. That’s why he’s been in this league so long. I’m glad to have both on our team.”
