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Jaxson Dart looks bigger and stronger than his rookie year in the NFL with the New York Giants. He insists he weighs the same.
“I’m not like Tim Tebow,” Dart said with a smile. “I’m not like that.”
Still built like a quarterback and not like Tebow, who became a tight end as a pro, Dart has made a concerted effort in recent months to build muscle. That was evident when he took the field for the first week of organized team activities.
“I just think I’m leaner, and our strength team has done an incredible job,” Dart said Thursday. “When you’re starting out in the league, you have a little more resources when it comes to nutrition, making a plan. I had a really good offseason and I was happy to get through last season healthy.”
Dart missed two games last season after suffering a concussion and, yes, the topic of his fall and slide came up after new coach John Harbaugh, offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and quarterbacks coach Brian Callahan took over. The 23-year-old conceded earlier in the week during a fan event at the Giants’ town hall that he had to avoid some unnecessary hits in order to stay on the field.
The proof of this adjustment won’t be clear until September, when the games start counting. During offseason workouts, the goal is to build a relationship with a handful of new pass catchers, including wide receiver Darnell Mooney and tight end Isaiah Likely.
Dart gathered players for informal workouts in California earlier this spring to begin this process.
“It’s something you should do,” Mooney said. “The more reps you get with Dart, the more familiar he gets with you and the more connection you have.”
Returning receivers Malik Nabers, who is recovering from a torn ACL in his right knee, and Darius Slayton were among the injured players who did not participate Thursday. Harbaugh said Slayton underwent surgery to repair a persistent sports hernia and expects the 29-year-old to be ready for training camp.
Nabers’ schedule is murkier, with no guarantee he’ll be ready for the season opener.
“This is probably the first time he’s been hurt like this, and my experience with the guys is the first time they’ve had a serious injury, it’s tough,” Harbaugh said. “It’s difficult because it’s new to him. It’s a difficult process. Our job is to stay close to him and stay with him, and his job is to trust him and work hard. He does his job, and the coaches and the doctors do their job and he will come back.”
Left tackle Andrew Thomas participated in drills Tuesday and Wednesday, Harbaugh said, while nursing shoulder and foot injuries. Thomas said he and the coaches were handling the situation.
Giants sign general manager Joe Schoen to multi-year contract extension
The Giants announced Thursday night that they have signed general manager Joe Schoen to a multi-year contract extension, keeping him able to work with Harbaugh for the foreseeable future.
The two have been complementary since Harbaugh was hired in January, reporting directly to ownership. The extension of Schoen’s deal is a sign it wasn’t just talk, and it comes after New York responded to defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence’s trade request and selected linebacker Arvell Reese and offensive lineman Francis “Sisi” Mauigoa with the Nos. 5 and 10 picks in the draft.
“Joe did a great job tonight, under pressure,” Harbaugh said after the first round last month. “He was very well prepared, obviously, he knew what he wanted to do, he was answering the different calls and communicating with everyone. I thought we did a very good operation. Joe led the way in this area and did a great job.”
Associated Press reporting
