MYSTERY MAN
Backup Webb getting shot vs. Browns
There are two ways to go here for Davis Webb. On one hand, a look at the calendar and what is sure to be a half-empty MetLife Stadium Thursday night is an indication of what is about to transpire.
“It’s one preseason game, treat it as that,’’ Webb said.
On the other hand, there is the novelty of this situation. Webb practices and practices, but never plays. If he looks like a quarterback and sounds like a quarterback, is he an NFL quarterback? He will get on the field as the Giants open their preseason against the Browns, allowing the new coaching staff, his teammates and fans to get a glimpse of what he can do and what he might be.
“Go out there and play as hard as I can and translate what I’ve been doing on the practice field to the game field, because I think I’m doing a lot of good things on the practice field,’’ Webb said Tuesday after practice. “I think I’ve gotten better every day. I think it’s easy to see from a year ago, just how much better I am and how much better I’m gonna get.’’
This is easy to see but difficult to project. Clearly, Webb has progressed during his one year in the NFL, spent studying every move made by Eli Manning, the former and still starting quarterback. This spring and on into training camp, Webb looks more decisive, more confident and more in command of the offense he is directing. He makes plenty of big plays, but at times forces the ball where it does not need to be, leading to mistakes borne out of too much trust in his right arm.
“I have a habit of doing that sometimes,’’ Webb said. “When I’m really feeling good and there’s a tight window I feel I can make most of ’em, but sometimes it gets us in trouble. Play smart and just play the best I can, I think I’ll be plenty good enough.’’
This is all part of the development process. Webb arrived in 2017 as a third-round draft pick who threw the ball all over the place for Texas Tech and then California. The last real game he played was Nov. 26, 2016, when he beat UCLA 36-10 with Cal and compiled a passer rating of 133.1. Last summer, he completed 18-of-34 passes for 190 yards in the preseason and then slid into a non-playing rookie role as the No. 3 quarterback, behind Manning and Geno Smith.
If Ben McAdoo had not been fired after Week 13, Webb would have received his first regular-season snaps. McAdoo’s plan, Webb told WFAN on Tuesday, was to start Geno Smith for two games and then start
Webb the final three games of the season. When defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo replaced McAdoo, the decision was made to reinstall Manning as the starter and Webb never got his shot.
This is the longest Webb has ever gone between games but he does not believe he will be rusty. Coach Pat Shurmur did not divulge his rotation, and it is likely Manning — unlike a year ago — will get a few snaps in this preseason opener. Webb will certainly play. There are two other quarterbacks on the roster, rookie Kyle Lauletta and 30-yearold Alex Tanney.
“I think along the way I’ve gained an appreciation for Davis and his skill set and what he’s able to do and so I’m looking forward to seeing it in a game,’’ Shurmur said.
Ah yes, the game. It is the proving ground and the Giants are highly interested in seeing how Webb functions. Their starting quarterback is 37 years old and, for now, ensconced in the starting job, The Giants would like to believe Webb, 23, is the heir apparent — it would certainly make the organization look good for eschewing a quarterback with the No. 2 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
“He works so hard at it and you can tell it means a lot to him, and it does with a lot of guys, you’re always rooting for those guys,’’ offensive coordinator Mike Shula said. “I think the biggest thing that Davis, as well as any other young guy going into their second year, is don’t try and do too much, just make sound decisions, decisions that help keep our offense on the field. Sometimes those decisions are throwaways so we can go play the next down, but yes I’m excited because he prepares hard and he’s talented and he’s shown some really good things out there.’’
Shula has stressed to Webb the need to be “aggressively patient.’’ Do not be afraid to take chances, but assess the risk and reward on every throw.
“If it’s third and long, nothing wrong with taking a check-down and flipping the field position,’’ Webb said. “You don’t have to force anything downfield. Don’t try to chase something. You want it to be there but it’s not there.’’
The size, the arm, the smarts, it is all there with Davis Webb. Is he good enough to be a reliable backup, for now, and a capable starter in the future? How he performs in these games will give the Giants more of the answers they need.