New York Giants' Jameis Winston hilariously compares Jaxson Dart to Taysom Hill

USA Today

5 days ago

This version of the New York Giants is unlike the ones that we've seen over the past decade or so. This is a diverse group of talents and personalities that are ushering in a much-needed breath of fresh air.
Perhaps the most colorful character of the bunch so far has been the veteran quarterback Jameis Winston. Entering his 11th season in the NFL, Winston, a former Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall NFL draft selection, has a huge catalog of experience to draw on from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows.
Winston is the perfect blend of experience and attitude for rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart to be fostered under, and he knows what to do and what not to do as a professional football player.
Winston has essentially seen it all since coming into the NFL with Tampa Bay in 2015. He's been a franchise quarterback, a backup, and a reclamation project at different points in his career.
"It's fun learning a new offense because it keeps you in the curious mode," he told reporters on Sunday. "You're asking consistent questions, you're asking, 'Hey, what does this look like?' You're asking for clips like, 'How does this look vs. this coverage?' I love that, and it just brings out the little kid in me again.
"Sometimes when you get continuity, you're always thinking about the next step and you don't get to focus on just the basics, especially when you're installing. Now, as (Mike) Kafka is installing, I get to learn the basics, and as camp prolongs, I will continue to learn, 'Okay, now this is why we're making this transition. This is why we're adding this look, route to specific concepts.'"
With the Giants, Winston is here for depth and is under no illusions about his status and his role. He is behind Russell Wilson on the depth chart and next to Dart, for the moment, but he knows what the future holds. He's been here before.
When Winston was with the New Orleans Saints, he would drive the team the length of the field only to be replaced in the red zone by the versatile tight ned/quarterback/fullback Taysom Hill. These days, Winston is being asked to step aside for Dart, not for Dart to run, but in general.
It happened to close out practice on Sunday.
"Man, you know I'm used to it. If you remember in New Orleans, Taysom Hill -- I used to drive the team all the way the field and then Taysom Hill used to come in and run quarterback power and score a touchdown, so I was like, 'Hey, Jaxson is Tayson Hill,'" Winston said.
"Tayson's from Idaho but Jaxson's from Utah. I was like, 'It's that Utah connection.' Every time I have a good drive, they're going to take me out and put a kid from Utah in to come score a touchdown. No, but he needs those reps. He needs those red zone reps. I've been in the red zone a lot and that was a good drive. I knew I was going to end up in the end zone, so it allowed me to visualize myself being in the end zone again."
The Giants knew what they were doing by bringing in Winston. He is a positive influence in the quarterback room, the locker room, the huddle, and the sidelines. His demeanor and experience are taking the pressure off both Wilson and Dart while giving the Giants another option under center if needed.