Things got chippy at training camp this Tuesday in large part because of New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Dart, the 25th overall pick from last year's draft, shined as a rookie for the G-Men. He finished the season with 2,272 passing yards, 487 rushing yards and 24 total touchdowns. Although his talent is undeniable, people are starting to question his decision-making.
According to multiple Giants reporters, Dart chucked the football at cornerback Greg Newsome’s helmet after scoring a touchdown during a red-zone drill. Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News said Newsome "did not appreciate" this gesture from his young quarterback.
When asked what he thought about Dart's behavior at camp, Giants head coach John Harbaugh replied, "I think it’s a 15-yard penalty for taunting."
While Harbaugh did his best to steer around any controversy, Giants fans are convinced their quarterback has a maturity issue.
© Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images.
"Time for the starting QB to start maturing," one fan declared.
"John Harbaugh expect grown men to act professional," a second fan said. "Act like it's just another Tuesday."
"Grow up dude," another fan tweeted at Dart.
"Great leadership from the QB," a social media sarcastically wrote.
It's been an interesting offseason for Jaxson Dart.
Back in June, NFL fans had a problem with Dart introducing President Trump at a campaign event at Rockland Community College.
"This was a unique opportunity. You know, being asked and given the opportunity to introduce the President of the United States, you know, my thinking was pretty simple. And the fact of, you know, I’ve always loved this country. I have extended family members who have fought in wars. I have two uncles who have retired from the Air Force Academy, and served themselves. And I have a great grandfather who served as Secretary of Treasury at some point. So the president position has always been a position that I have always respected, regardless of political affiliation, regardless of political party, and my intentions were just that," Dart told reporters. "I also understand in this world, politics can be a sensitive matter, a sensitive topic. I also understand that I am the quarterback of the New York Giants, and that involves a lot of responsibility. It’s under a limelight, under a microscope, and there’s a lot that comes with that, and it’s been something that I’ve embraced."
If the Giants are going to thrive this fall, Dart will need to be at his best. That being said, he'll also have to make sure he's not a distraction for Harbaugh's squad.
