For the second consecutive season, the New York Giants have started three different players at quarterback.
The season began with Daniel Jones starting the first 10 games and compiling a record of 2-8 before he and the team parted ways. The Giants then decided to elevate emergency quarterback Tommy DeVito into the starting role over primary backup Drew Lock.
DeVito did not provide the “spark” that head coach Brian Daboll had hoped as the Giants were walloped, 30-7, by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A forearm injury kept DeVito from starting against Dallas on Thanksgiving, leading Daboll to turn to Lock.
Lock, a 2019 second-round pick of the Denver Broncos who was traded to Seattle in the Russell Wilson deal, had 23 NFL starts under his belt when the Giants inked him to a one-year, $5 million free agent deal this March to back up Jones.
In Dallas, Lock was under severe pressure and was sacked six times. He actually had a better game running the ball than passing it, but his two turnovers — a pick-6 and a fumble that led to another Cowboys touchdown — cost the Giants a chance at a victory.
“I’d say Drew did some good stuff in Dallas,” Daboll said. “He also did some things that he can improve on. I want to give him a full week of preparation, practice, to let him go out there and play this week.”
DeVito is still not 100 percent and is not ready to play as per Daboll. Lock will get the call this week at home against New Orleans.
The former Missouri star has been lying in wait for a chance with the Giants here. He knew Jones had a history of injuries and that he could possibly get to show his wares this season.
“It’s professional football. You expect roller coasters here and there,” Lock told reporters on Wednesday. “But, just excited to be able to go out and play one more time and get to practice with these guys, let them feel my energy a little bit and show them what I’m all about during the week and then go out there and try to get done on Sunday.”
What energy he might be bringing to the NFL’s lowest-scoring offense remains to be seen.
“I think there’s a balance of being a high-emotion guy, but also being loose as well. Not showing any tension in the huddle,” Lock said. “Not showing any signs of defeat, any signs of, ‘Alright, we got to go down there and get this.’ Leaving tension out of it but being intentional, I guess.
“That’s kind of who I am. I’m a loose guy, but at the same time, I can turn it on and be fiery when I need to and I think the guys feel that. Getting out there in a game setting, lights on, it’s fun. I get to bring out a little different tenacity out of myself, because I am a loose, smile all the time, have fun but I can make it very serious when it needs to be.”
The Giants could use a “high-emotion” guy right now as they attempt to break a seven-game losing streak. Maybe Lock is that guy.
[lawrence-related id=737060,737063,737066]