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Yahoo
10 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Russell Wilson and Jaxson Dart show promise in Giants' 34-25 preseason win at Bills
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — It took one half of their preseason debuts for Russell Wilson and Jaxson Dart to provide promising glimpses into the New York Giants' present and future in a 34-25 win over the Buffalo Bills on Saturday. The 36-year-old Wilson — New York's anticipated season-opening starter — was efficient in running the Giants' quick-strike passing attack by going 6 of 7 for 28 yards in an opening drive ending with Graham Gano's 53-yard field goal. The 22-year-old Dart — New York's starter in waiting — then closed the half by displaying his arm strength and mobility in overseeing three scoring drives on four possessions. The rookie first-round pick out of Ole Miss finished 12 of 19 for 154 yards, including a 29-yard touchdown pass to Lil'Jordan Humphrey, while adding three carries for 24 yards. The outcome was decided with the teams trading leads four times in the second half of their respective preseason openers. New York backup kicker Jude McAtamney scored the go-ahead points, hitting a 42-yard field goal with 7:13 remaining. Bills third stringer Mike White threw two second-half touchdown passes, including a 39-yarder on fourth-and-4 to K.J. Hamler. Giants third stringer Jameis Winston led three second-half possessions and went 7 of 11 for 62 yards, including a 7-yard completion to Gunner Olszewski. Tommy DeVito mopped up by going 10 of 14 for 73 yards and a 8-yard touchdown to Jonathan Ward. Otherwise the focus was on Dart's outing. His touchdown capped a seven-play, 80-yard drive with a perfectly placed pass to Humphrey, who brought in the ball at the goal line, a step ahead of defender Dane Jackson. Dart showed his running ability by taking off on a 19-yard scramble up the middle on a drive ending with Gano hitting a 50-yard attempt. He closed the half with a seven-play, 36-yard drive ending with Gano hitting a 51-yard field goal. This is what the Giants were counting on in signing Wilson, now on his fourth team in 14 years, and trading three draft picks to move back into the first round to select Dart 25th overall. New York is starting from scratch at quarterback following a 3-14 record and an offense that finished 30th in the NFL in yards per play and 31st in averaging 10 points per outing. The five-time defending AFC East champion Bills, meantime, have no questions at quarterback in providing NFL MVP Josh Allen a day off. Primary backup Mitch Trubisky went 9 of 13 for 138 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown to Dawson Knox in playing the entire first half. His 58-yard completion to Tyrell Shavers set up newly signed kicker Caden Davis hitting a 24-yard field goal to close the first half. Buffalo signed Davis a day earlier with Tyler Bass sidelined by a pelvis injury. Running back Ray Davis also got involved in the kicking game by hitting the point-after attempt following Knox's score. Coach Sean McDermott suggested he might turn to Ray Davis in the event they need him in an emergency basis. James Cook sighting Bills starting running back James Cook was in full uniform and took handoffs during pre-game warmups. Cook declined to participate in Buffalo's last four practices at training camp as part of a contract standoff in a bid to negotiate a long-term extension entering the final year of his deal. Cook did not play but remained in uniform on the sideline, while wearing sunglasses and a woolen cap. End of an era The preseason outing is set to be the final one played at what's now called Highmark Stadium, which opened on Aug. 17, 1973. The Bills are moving across the street next season to play in the still under construction 'new' Highmark Stadium, which is on schedule to be completed in July. Up next Giants: Hold two joint practices with New York Jets before hosting their Big Apple rivals on Saturday. Bills: Hold a joint practice at Chicago in the leadup to game against the Bears on Saturday. ___ AP NFL:
Associated Press
12 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Russell Wilson and Jaxson Dart show promise in Giants' 34-25 preseason win at Bills
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — It took one half of their preseason debuts for Russell Wilson and Jaxson Dart to provide promising glimpses into the New York Giants' present and future in a 34-25 win over the Buffalo Bills on Saturday. The 36-year-old Wilson — New York's anticipated season-opening starter — was efficient in running the Giants' quick-strike passing attack by going 6 of 7 for 28 yards in an opening drive ending with Graham Gano's 53-yard field goal. The 22-year-old Dart — New York's starter in waiting — then closed the half by displaying his arm strength and mobility in overseeing three scoring drives on four possessions. The rookie first-round pick out of Ole Miss finished 12 of 19 for 154 yards, including a 29-yard touchdown pass to Lil'Jordan Humphrey, while adding three carries for 24 yards. The outcome was decided with the teams trading leads four times in the second half of their respective preseason openers. New York backup kicker Jude McAtamney scored the go-ahead points, hitting a 42-yard field goal with 7:13 remaining. Bills third stringer Mike White threw two second-half touchdown passes, including a 39-yarder on fourth-and-4 to K.J. Hamler. Giants third stringer Jameis Winston led three second-half possessions and went 7 of 11 for 62 yards, including a 7-yard completion to Gunner Olszewski. Tommy DeVito mopped up by going 10 of 14 for 73 yards and a 8-yard touchdown to Jonathan Ward. Otherwise the focus was on Dart's outing. His touchdown capped a seven-play, 80-yard drive with a perfectly placed pass to Humphrey, who brought in the ball at the goal line, a step ahead of defender Dane Jackson. Dart showed his running ability by taking off on a 19-yard scramble up the middle on a drive ending with Gano hitting a 50-yard attempt. He closed the half with a seven-play, 36-yard drive ending with Gano hitting a 51-yard field goal. This is what the Giants were counting on in signing Wilson, now on his fourth team in 14 years, and trading three draft picks to move back into the first round to select Dart 25th overall. New York is starting from scratch at quarterback following a 3-14 record and an offense that finished 30th in the NFL in yards per play and 31st in averaging 10 points per outing. The five-time defending AFC East champion Bills, meantime, have no questions at quarterback in providing NFL MVP Josh Allen a day off. Primary backup Mitch Trubisky went 9 of 13 for 138 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown to Dawson Knox in playing the entire first half. His 58-yard completion to Tyrell Shavers set up newly signed kicker Caden Davis hitting a 24-yard field goal to close the first half. Buffalo signed Davis a day earlier with Tyler Bass sidelined by a pelvis injury. Running back Ray Davis also got involved in the kicking game by hitting the point-after attempt following Knox's score. Coach Sean McDermott suggested he might turn to Ray Davis in the event they need him in an emergency basis. James Cook sighting Bills starting running back James Cook was in full uniform and took handoffs during pre-game warmups. Cook declined to participate in Buffalo's last four practices at training camp as part of a contract standoff in a bid to negotiate a long-term extension entering the final year of his deal. Cook did not play but remained in uniform on the sideline, while wearing sunglasses and a woolen cap. End of an era The preseason outing is set to be the final one played at what's now called Highmark Stadium, which opened on Aug. 17, 1973. The Bills are moving across the street next season to play in the still under construction 'new' Highmark Stadium, which is on schedule to be completed in July. Up next Giants: Hold two joint practices with New York Jets before hosting their Big Apple rivals on Saturday. Bills: Hold a joint practice at Chicago in the leadup to game against the Bears on Saturday. ___ AP NFL:
Yahoo
40 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Grading Giants rookie QB Jaxson Dart's pro debut vs. Bills
New York Giants fans got their first look at rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart in a professional game on Saturday. The early returns on New York's investment are promising. Dart made his pro debut in the Giants' preseason clash with the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, about 3 1/2 months after the G-Men drafted him with the 25th overall pick. He was the second Giants quarterback of the day, taking over from starter Russell Wilson after New York's first possession and playing until the end of the first half. The rookie out of Mississippi finished his day 12 of 19 on pass attempts for 154 yards and a touchdown pass. The Giants scored on three of its four possessions with Dart in the game. In order, his drives ended: punt, touchdown, 50-yard field goal, 51-yard field goal. Here's how USA TODAY Sports grades Dart's debut performance: MORE JAXSON DART: Giants QB Tommy DeVito reveals shared 'Love Island' fandom with rookie Jaxson Dart grades: Giants rookie QB shines vs. Bills There was plenty to like about Dart's performance in his first career game as a pro, even if it was just an exhibition clash in the preseason. One of the biggest takeaways from the overall performance was Dart's poise in the pocket, particularly when he was under pressure. The rookie's first possession under center saw him evade pass-rushers and make a couple of nice throws, even if it ended with a punt. There were other throws later on that showcased the same kind of pocket awareness. There was a nice slip-screen pass Dart made over the outstretched arms of a defender, executed with perfect touch to avoid getting swatted while still giving his running back the chance to make a play. On a following possession, Dart showcased the other side of the spectrum of his arm talent and ball placement. After a false start and rush for no gain backed the Giants up to a second-and-15 play on their own 31, Dart made one of his best throws of the day to pick up a first down. He took the snap, allowed himself time to read through his progressions, kept his eyes downfield while avoiding pressure from edge rushers on both sides, stepped up in the pocket and rocketed a pass to Montrell Washington. The throw was perfectly executed on Washington's drag route, placed between a couple of linebackers reading his eyes and finding the open space in the zone coverage. Dart's best play of the day was easily his lone touchdown pass: a 28-yard beauty of a throw to Lil'Jordan Humphrey. On a third-and-5 play on Dart's second possession under center, the rookie took the shotgun snap, dropped back and floated a touch pass down the sideline that found Humphrey's hands despite solid coverage from the defending cornerback. The throw was even more impressive given the incoming pressure Dart faced. Running back Dante Miller didn't help out up front when the Giants' left guard missed his block, allowing a free rusher up the middle to get in Dart's face as he wound up to make the throw. Regardless, the rookie kept his composure and delivered a perfect ball to Humphrey then took a direct hit after his release. On top of the plays Dart made as a passer, he also gave Giants fans a glimpse of his playmaking ability with his legs, avoiding a couple of would-be tacklers as his pocket collapsed and scrambling up the middle for a 19-yard gain. Dart's debut wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. While his success under duress was notable and impressive, there were a few throws he missed in much easier circumstances. A third down pass attempt on his first possession ended up out of reach for tight end Greg Dulcich despite the separation Dulcich had from his defender. A first down attempt to a wide open Humphrey on Dart's penultimate drive sailed high and incomplete. A couple of plays later, the rookie underthrew a short pass that, while potentially catchable for Washington, ended in a failed third-down conversion attempt. Dart's final pass attempt of the day also fell incomplete when he took a split second too long to get the throw out on third down and placed the ball a hair too far inside on the "out" route. Bills defensive back Te'Cory Couch was able to get his hand in and break up the throw, though the pass was still a catchable one for Washington. There were also a couple of balls batted down at the line of scrimmage as well, one of which almost resulted in an interception. Overall, Giants fans should be excited with what they saw from their rookie quarterback in his first game as a pro, even if it has the caveat of only being in a preseason exhibition game. Grade: B This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jaxson Dart grade: Giants QB impresses in preseason pro debut
