Jaxson Dart gives ultimate compliment to Giants' OL: 'Never played in a pocket like this'
Pro Football Focus ranked the Giants' line 23rd overall out of 32 teams last year. They were stronger in the run blocking phase, with pass protection their biggest weakness. They allowed 48 sacks last season, the 11th highest in the league.
Dart isn't buying into the narrative. He is confident the line can keep him safe.
"I thought they've done a great job, a great job. If you look back at the last game, I don't know how many pass attempts that we had, but we didn't have one sack," he told reporters on Wednesday. "I sent a message to them after the game that I've never played in a pocket like this, so I thought that they've been able to compete at such a high level.
"I think it's really unique just how close that they are, really from wherever they are on the depth chart. They're all together, they're all communicating, and it's been really cool to see. As a quarterback, when you're able to play behind that, it makes your job a lot easier. I thought that they've done a great job, and I know that they're going to continue to work and progress themselves as well."
The Giants are operating this summer without star left tackle Andrew Thomas, who is on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list as he recovers from the Lisfranc injury that ended his season after six games last year. The left tackle position is being filled by veteran free agent James Hudson III and rookie Marcus Mbow.
It's the interior of the line that has been a concern in pass protection. Injuries haven't helped. The team feels they have the versatility and depth to overcome those issues should they occur again this year.
The Giants are hopeful that center John Michael Schmitz takes a huge step up in his third season. Left guard Jon Runyan Jr. is fully healthy after suffering multiple injuries last season.
But it is Mbow that could be the key to improved offensive line play. He's already shown that he's NFL-ready and, even better, can play several positions.
"He's level-headed for sure, and I think that that's one of his strengths, because as a rookie you're going to make mistakes, and there's a lot of learning that you have to do, and I think that it's kind of just shown his maturity," Dart said of fellow rookie Mbow.
"He makes a mistake, he doesn't get flustered, he's able to come back and answer. He's been thrown into a lot of different situations, him starting with the threes and making jumps and playing with the ones. I thought that he's done a great job, and he's a guy that I felt coming to work each and every day, that he's really been consistent in his process of getting here early, doing extra, and I know that he's hungry, and he wants to do the best of what he does."
With that attitude coming in from this rookie class, the Giants' future is trending upward.
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