It took exactly 60 minutes for the wind to get sucked out of Big Blue's sails. After an electric and truly dominant preseason, the G-Men laid a total nothingburger against the Washington Commanders in Week 1. It wasn't exactly the best look putting up six points and 231 yards in a loss to a division rival, but ladies and gentlemen: your New York Giants.
After the dust settled on the embarrassment, it was clear to everyone — except for head coach Brian Daboll — that Russell Wilson cannot be the starter moving forward. Yes, the offensive line looked shaky and the ground game contributed next to nothing, but the 36-year-old is not the answer. Considering how poorly he played, the calls for rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart are getting louder.
Dabs has already begrudgingly committed to Wilson as the team's starter in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys. But his leash couldn't be any shorter, and another dud is only going to make the Dart noise more deafening. And while fans anxiously await his debut, one major factor might determine when he finally gets on the field. And according to The Athletic's Jacob Robinson, it's Andrew Thomas.
Jaxson Dart's first start could hinge on Andrew Thomas' health
The 26-year-old star left tackle is working his way back from Lisfranc surgery that cost him all but six games last season. He's been brought along slowly, which makes sense considering foot injuries tend to age poorly for 6-foot-5, 315-pound guys.
Still, he's the biggest missing piece on a line that could desperately use his help. And apparently, the line isn't the only one waiting on his return. Thomas' health might just align with Dart's first start:
Robinson wrote,“My guess is that Brian Daboll waits at least until stalwart left tackle Andrew Thomas, who missed Sunday’s game, is healthy.”
And that makes a lot of sense, but in another world, it doesn't make any. Listen, this team needs something different. It's the same tired story every year with this organization, and everyone is sick of it. The Daboll and Joe Schoen tag-team waited too long to pull the plug on Daniel Jones, and look where that got them. They can't afford to do the same here.
Thomas missed Week 1's contest, and it's anyone's guess as to when he'll be back on the field come game day. He's at least in full pads and practicing, suggesting he's close, but there's no time to waste. What if he suffers a setback? What if it takes him some time to get his legs under him? The "what if" game will always offer more solutions than answers, so why wait for an undetermined time frame when Daboll can just commit now?
This entire coaching staff and front office are on borrowed time. Why stick with the veteran who just completed 17-of-37 passes and R2-D2'd his way through the postgame press conference when there's a more exciting and potentially better option available?
Would having a healthy Thomas immediately help Dart? Undeniably. But should that be the hang-up on whether the 22-year-old should start or not? No. It's time to shake things up and get the buzz back in East Rutherford.
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