He won two Super Bowls, went to four Pro Bowls and became an All-Pro protecting Eli Manning in the pocket, ex-New York Giants guard Chris Snee made a bold claim about his former quarterback and current starter, rookie Jaxson Dart.
Snee told Paul Schwartz of the New York Post how “Dart’s definitely a lot better-looking than Eli, I’ll start off by saying that. More athletic.”
Many will simply nod and think it’s obvious Dart is more of a physical specimen than Manning. Yet, while Manning was no runner, Dart’s move skills have been getting the 2025 NFL draft first-round pick into trouble and making him a target.
It’s also true that while Manning appeared awkward on the field, he did turn being clutch into an art form. Dart is still trying to do the same during his first season in the pros.
Fortunately, a few key observations from Snee suggest Dart could eventually reach Manning’s championship-level status.
Jaxson Dart Doing the Right Things
Snee also told Schwartz he’s “been impressed with the kid. It’s not easy being a starting quarterback in New York, you need to be wired a certain way and I think he is. He’s a competitor, he’s tough, he’s smart, he prepares. I love to buzz by the meeting rooms to see who’s in, because that was always kind of what Tom [Coughlin] did when he was here, seeing who’s in the meeting rooms early, and late. He puts in the work, he’s got that maturity to him, he’s got the passion, he’s got what I’m talking about as far as hating to lose.”
Those comments reveal Dart is doing the right things, the small things, the necessary things to be great. There are still issues to fix, like the over-eagerness to run and prove himself a warrior.
It’s already landed Dart in danger, but the 22-year-old doesn’t sound worried. Instead, Dart sounded defiant about his playing style when answering questions about any concerns he has teams are targeting him, “Absolutely not. I mean, [Georgia coach] Kirby Smart said the exact same thing every time he played against me. So did [former Alabama coach] Nick Saban. So did every coach that I played in college. This is nothing new. Just try to go out there and play smart. Be available for my team,” per ESPN’s Jordan Raanan.
Dart may not be concerned, but the harsh reality is he’ll need to change to prolong his career. If he can’t, the Giants will be forced to face some uncomfortable decisions to protect their QB1 from himself.
Making smarter choices as a runner is just one part of Dart’s development. He also needs to find the clutch gene Manning possessed.
Eli Manning’s Giants Legacy Looms Large
The legacy of Manning still looms large over every Giants quarterback who has followed. He knocked off Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in two Super Bowls, so it makes sense Manning’s still held in such high regard.
What separated Manning from so many passers in franchise history was the ability to play his best football when it mattered most. Few quarterbacks could turn it on in the playoffs quite like Manning.
That’s the standard for Dart to aim for, but reaching the same level won’t be easy. It’ll require more range to his passing, but Dart will also need the kind of supporting casts Manning was fortunate to direct.
A look at those two title-winning offenses shows how Manning was blessed. The 2007 Giants had Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer at wide receiver, Jeremy Shockey at tight end and a three-headed backfield monster of Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw and Derrick Ward.
Bradshaw and Jacobs were still pounding defenses four years later, but Manning was throwing passes to a trio of explosive wideouts. Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham routinely shredded coverage.
Dart is not nearly as blessed with the same level of talent, but the Giants have some playmakers around their young signal-caller. Running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. possesses notable dual-threat skills, while receiver Wan’Dale Robinson is somebody the Giants are encouraged to re-sign ahead of free agency.
If they can get Robinson’s fellow pass-catcher Malik Nabers and Tracy’s backfield mate Cam Skattebo fully healthy, the Giants can keep a nucleus of game-breakers around Dart. Then he’ll have little excuse not to develop into a quarterback the Giants will hope can be on the same level as Manning.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Giants Great Makes Bold Claim About Jaxson Dart and Eli Manning appeared first on Heavy Sports.