Rook QB makes big strides with his legs
When in doubt, get the heck out. That is what led to Tommy DeVito’s success, more than anything else, as he turned his fourth NFL start into his best one yet.
“He did an unbelievable job of stepping up and escaping it into the pocket and having that internal clock going off ‘Hey, it’s time to get rid of the ball or time to get my feet moving,’ ’’ guard Justin Pugh told The Post. “He did a fantastic job because we were on edge at times and he got up and got out of there.’’
Getting up and out of there was a big deal.
Yes, there was the spectacular rolling to his right laser to Isaiah Hodgins for a touchdown. Yes, there was a pinpoint pass to Wan’Dale Robinson that fueled the last-minute drive for the game-winning field goal in the 24-22 victory over the Packers. These were highlight-worthy plays and the NFL took notice, as DeVito was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week, quite an honor for an undrafted rookie.
But DeVito’s glaring improvement in one particular area allowed the Giants to put a credible, effective offense in motion more often than not and this bodes well for Sunday’s game in New Orleans.
DeVito in NFL start No. 4 was not sacked. Not once.
“It was something that was a point of emphasis from the week prior, to try to just get the ball out of my hands, use my legs, run, just make decisions a little bit quicker and the offensive line did a great job,’’ DeVito said.
It all works together, and there is little doubt not much of it was working the way it needed to work as DeVito was getting dropped more often than an overmatched opponent in the ring with a young Mike Tyson. DeVito made his NFL debut against the Jets and was sacked twice in nine drop-back pass attempts. The next week, there were six sacks in 26 dropbacks in Las Vegas. Then five sacks in 32 drop-backs in Dallas. There was the incredible nine sacks in 35 drop-backs against the Commanders in a game the Giants actually won. Prior to the bye, DeVito was sacked six times in 31 drop-backs as the Giants scored just enough points to beat the Patriots, 10-7.
The stats were alarming. Getting sacked 28 times in five games was untenable. This was on the offensive line but also on DeVito, who held on to the ball too long and too frequently maneuvered himself into trouble.
The week without a game was beneficial for DeVito and the coaching staff, and when he stepped onto the field for the Monday night game against the Packers, there was much more of an emphasis on DeVito getting the heck out of the pocket when he sensed his protection was closing in around him. He ended up rushing 10 times for 71 yards.
“He’s an instinctive player but that’s something we talk about with — every quarterback is different that you coach, everyone has a different skill set, we try to coach to our quarterback that’s playing,’’ coach Brian Daboll said. “It’s something, based on who you have, you emphasize it maybe less, maybe more. He did a good job preventing negative plays, getting yards when he can get ’em, Staying on track so we could stay on schedule. I think that’s important for any offense. “If guys can run, I encourage them to run, try to take as limited hits as you can but use your athletic ability to your strengths, try to stay in positive downs and distances. It’s easier for everybody: play-callers, quarterbacks, skill players, linemen if you stay in favorable situations.’’ Left tackle Andrew Thomas called sacks, and penalties, “drive killers.’’ DeVito did not kill any drives against the Packers.
“You get the ball out on time, if there is pressure, when he scrambles like he does it makes it easier on us and converts first downs so that’s a good thing for us,’’ Thomas said.
It is a positive development that amid all the hoopla he has received, the “Tommy Cutlets’’ Italian persona and the attention he and his Cedar Grove, N.J., family are receiving that DeVito was capable of making a necessary correction with film study, practice habits and increased awareness for his surroundings.
“I made their jobs a little harder with some of the sacks,’’ DeVito said. “I could have helped out with some of them. Last week really honed in on it and tried to get that number down as low as possible and I’m going to continue to try and do that.’’
Those paid to protect him and view sacks as a shared failure appreciate this immensely.
“It was huge,’’ Pugh said. “Some of the same things will pop up where you’re going to get on edge, defenders are really good. There’s a reason those guys are making $20, $30 million a year on the defensive line, they have to get pressure on the quarterback and for the quarterback to navigate it and do what he did was a huge leap. Getting the ball out quick and escaping, he played his best game.’’