Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart isn't thrown off his game by intense minicamp

Jaxson Dart’s first taste of pro football probably felt like trying a buffet. A lot to digest but overall satisfying.
Dart had plenty to absorb during the Giants’ organized team activities that it felt overwhelming at times. But the rookie quarterback and first-round pick came away pleased after the team wrapped up minicamp Wednesday.
“I feel like I’ve made tremendous strides, especially from my first day to now,” Dart said. “Just being able to understand the pictures of the offense and what not. Obviously I’ve got to dive into a lot more.
“But I’m definitely just trying to take it to the next level over the summer, really just lock in, hone in on as much as I can throughout this time so that way, when I get back for training camp, I’m on an even better level than I am now.”
Coach Brian Daboll said Dart has been “excellent” this spring in terms of picking up information, and improving. While he hasn’t given many details about his development plan for Dart, part of it is similar to integrating all three new quarterbacks, including Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston.
Overload them at first, then scale it back and see what sticks. Go over what can be fixed or what felt good. Then overload again to repeat the strategy. It’s a philosophy Daboll picked up as an assistant at Alabama.
“There’s a lot of information for the quarterbacks in any system,” Daboll said Tuesday. “But I think throwing it at them, bringing it back, breaking it down in smaller parts and then throwing it back at them . . . I learned that from Coach (Nick) Saban.”
So far, Dart’s handled it as well as can be. He’s had his share of reps with the first, second and third team, Daboll said, but during OTAs that media has seen and minicamp this week, Dart’s mostly rotated second-team reps with Winston.
Dart also noted how tough it is making a confident throw then realizing those windows close because NFL defenders are far more athletic and better playmakers. That happened Wednesday when Dart opened his 7-on-7 red-zone drills with touchdown passes to Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Montrell Washington.
His third pass was picked off by safety Raheem Layne. His second-to-last pass of practice went off the helmet of a defender breaking up the play and into Dane Belton’s hands for another interception.
Dart’s been OK with that. As an aggressive player, it’s easier for him to make mistakes and learn from them instead of being too cautious
“That’s the only way that you're going to get better as a quarterback,” he said. “You can ask the best to ever do it. What was their biggest reason of how they're able to improve and develop? Making mistakes and being able to watch it, look back on it, and have a lot of humility in your mistakes.”
The Giants can afford to hear that now since they’re taking their time with Dart. Wilson took the lion’s share of first-team reps in OTAs and remains in line to be the starter.
Dart won’t be expected to play meaningful snaps when the season begins. He’s done his part to ask Wilson, Winston and Tommy DeVito for advice and they’ve been receptive to helping him along.
“I don't have any pride about myself going over to ask questions and I know that I definitely don't know everything,” Dart said. “So I definitely want to pick those guys' brains because they've done it at the highest level and even won a Super Bowl.”
Training camp will start in late July so Daboll said it’s critical for Dart to “stay on his iPad” and be even more prepared for the team to ramp up.
Dart said he’s up for the challenge. After surviving his first pro course, he’s ready for the next one, even when mistakes come as part of his rookie education.
“I'm just trying to take it day by day and I'm not looking for results immediately,” he said. “I'm a process driven person, so I'm just taking it day by day, rep by rep.”
Notes & quotes
Daboll said he expects Malik Nabers to be ready by training camp after sitting out OTAs with a toe injury. Nabers only participated in walkthroughs during minicamp . . . The Giants announced Wednesday they signed running back and fourth-round pick Cam Skattebo to a four-year, $5.27 million rookie contract. Skattebo was the last of the Giants’ draft picks to sign.