MR. JET BLUE
Webb thrilled to go right from Giants to Jets
Well, at least Davis Webb won’t have to move.
The Jets took a flier on the former Giants quarterback two days after Big Blue cut its former third-round pick.
Mike Maccagnan & Co. signed the 6-5, 225pound Webb to the practice squad Tuesday after he went unclaimed on waivers.
Here’s one interesting wrinkle: My understanding is that offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates was in line to be Davis’ personal quarterbacks coach during the predraft process two years ago before he was hired by the Jets.
“He was somebody we looked at coming out (of college),” Todd Bowles said Tuesday. “To have him available and be able to work with him on the practice squad is something that intrigued us about him— with the size and the arm. We aren’t surprised or not surprised that he’s available. We just thought we’d take a look at him.”
The 2017 third-round pick from Cal never played in a regular-season game for the
Giants. He lost out to rookie Kyle Lauletta and journeyman Alex Tanney this summer. Pat Shurmur and Dave Gettleman evidently didn’t believe that Webb was going to be Eli Manning’s successor.
“You never see it coming,” Webb said about whether he was surprised by getting cut. “I think everybody was kind of shocked… They made a decision. I don’t have to agree with it…. I don’t think many other people did… especially my teammates. But at the same time, I’ve moved on. I wish them nothing but the best.”
Webb, who said he was “fired up” to be with his new team, will have a long road ahead learning his new playbook, but there might be some overlap from the West Coast style principles he learned in Ben McAdoo’s offense.
“I think I took a lot of steps to be a successful quarterback in this league whether that’s a starter or a backup or just another guy,” Webb said.
Webb, who went 28 for 53 (52.8%) for 283 yards and one touchdown in three preseason games, said that he heard “very quickly” from the Jets after he went unclaimed Monday.
“They showed a lot of interest,” Webb said. “I felt wanted. And I’m excited to be here. There’s no doubt about that. I get to keep my house, too.”
Webb has known Sam Darnold for five years dating back to the Elite 11 football camp. Webb was the then-high school junior’s counselor at the camp.