The New York Giants went through a massive transformation this week with the undoing of Brian Daboll’s duties. His interim successor is offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, who faced an arduous task on his first day on the job– figuring out who would start under center in Week 11.
With Jaxson Dart out this week with a concussion he suffered in the fourth quarter of the 24-20 loss to the Chicago Bears, Kafka had two options. Stick with Russell Wilson, or go with Jameis Winston. He ultimately decided to move Winston up the depth chart.
Winston has waited patiently and taken all the necessary steps to prove he deserves this opportunity to carry the big blue moniker out onto the MetLife turf Sunday afternoon. This is reminiscent of when Dart was named the Week 4 starter. As the Giants look for some renewed energy, Winston could be exactly what they need to “eat a W” against another strong opponent.
A Proven Starter
The backup spot is becoming more and more familiar for Winston, despite that over the past decade, he has played in 105 games and has started in 87. The 2015 first overall pick threw for over 4,000 yards in his rookie year and was selected to play in the Pro Bowl. He was also second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting that year.
During his five-year stint in Tampa, Winston threw for over 4,000 yards in the three seasons he started in all sixteen games. In 2019, he led the league in air yards with 5,109 and threw for 33 touchdowns.
He accepted his first true backup role in New Orleans, serving as the second option for Drew Brees and eventually Derek Carr. Due to injury, he got opportunities to start in several games for the Saints. Then, with the Browns, seven more starts in one season.
The 31-year-old has a career completion percentage of 61.2% and in his last year as a true starter, he put up NFL-leading numbers in multiple categories. He has proven that he can be a competitive starter in the league, but has also been adaptable and enthusiastic when placed in backup roles. Over his 10 years, whether he is a starter or backup, he works tenfold to prepare for when his opportunity comes.
Locker Room Legend
Winston is truly a one-of-a-kind leader and has done everything in his power to help the team off the field while patiently waiting for this opportunity.
During his time as a third-stringer, he led the team in motivational speeches, invited the team to Bible studies, and was an all-time vibes guy. Above that, he has been monumental in the development of Jaxson Dart.
In other systems, Winston spent countless extra hours watching practice film to see how he could perform and execute to the best of his ability. He is detailed and accountable, and possesses a leadership and passion for the game that simply can’t be taught.
https://twitter.com/strugglemade105/status/1953557069480493399
He is motivating his teammates to leave it all on the gridiron this upcoming week. As he puts it, this team is dangerous when playing at its peak, and proved it in the wins over the Chargers and Eagles. He leads both vocally and by example, and could be an integral part of inspiring this discouraged football team. And he truly leaves nobody behind.
https://twitter.com/JustWinMGMT/status/1703918454116425912
Glitz, Glamour, and Pick-Sixes
At the very least, seeing Famous Jameis back in action will be entertaining.
Winston is as charismatic a character as they come. Every press conference, every interview, every motivational speech is pure entertainment and comedy. He wasted no time commencing the antics after the Giants named him a starter.
https://twitter.com/SNYGiants/status/1988695031486591195
Part of the Winston experience is just seeing purely entertaining football. But the other part is seeing a lot of turnovers.
In his 105 games played, he has thrown 111 total interceptions. Something that has always been a trouble point in his game, no matter how many times he has asked the Lord to deliver him from throwing them.
https://twitter.com/HaterReport_/status/1863823444606927046
This surely played a major role in why Wilson was the starter at the beginning of the season before handing the keys to Dart. The way the Giants’ defense is playing, and with how limited the weapons are on offense, the Giants can’t afford Winston to have these types of games.
What they need this week is the Winston that has seven touchdowns, 519 yards, a 123.3 passer rating and a 66.2% completion rate in his three games played against the Packers. But more than just the facts and figures, they need Winston to breathe some life back into MetLife Stadium, and he may be the only one left that can do it.
Hope Personified
The Giants need some hope real bad, as this season has been grueling and relentless for the team and its fans. From the flurry of injuries to their star players, to the blown losses, to the firing of their head coach. Giants fans don’t have much left to be hopeful for. But Jameis Winston is hope and joy personified.
His energy and joy are contagious, and the Giants need that infectious charisma during this time of desperation. And that surely impacted Kafka’s decision to name him the starter.
Kafka doesn’t have to be a genius to be aware that another Wilson start would likely cause MetLife Stadium to explode because of how loud the collective boos would be from the home fans.
The Giants’ naming Winston the starter this week could be seen as the organization grasping at straws, which, for the most part, is certainly true. This is really the only option left. But it’s not that Winston hasn’t earned this opportunity. In fact, this should show nothing but that opportunities will always be abundant for guys with his work ethic, leadership, and patience.
Plus, the NFL is just more fun when Jameis Winston is on the field.
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