Last year, New York Giants rookie free agent quarterback Tommy DeVito was thrust into the team’s starting role due to injuries to Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor.
As a local New Jersey product, he took full advantage of his opportunity and, along with his colorful family and friends, managed to capture the imagination of Giant fans and add some interest in an otherwise dreadful season.
This week, DeVito was named the Giants’ starter for Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium.
This time around, DeVito knows what to expect and so do the fans.
“Last year was a good story and all, it was kind of like how it happened, but all the fun and games outside, it was fun, it was last year, I’m kind of over that,” he said on Wednesday.
“I’m sticking to football now, not that I wasn’t before, but really focused on that, the external stuff will be on pause. I already had talks with everybody around me, my inner circle, it is going to stay very tight, and make sure that everything is about productions on Sunday.”
DeVito said he was not surprised by the team’s decision to elevate him from the depths of the roster (where he had not taken a single snap this season) over two healthy quarterbacks (Jones and Drew Lock) into the starting role.
“I was open for all outcomes. It’s kind of something that I’ve been preparing for since last year,” DeVito told reporters. “You always say, ‘Stay ready, even though you’re quarterback three. Stay ready, you never know.’ And it’s kind of similar to last year, you never know. But continuing to work throughout this whole season so far, learn, practice, just make the most of it, so that way when the opportunity comes, you’ll be ready for it.”
DeVito went 3-3 as a starter and injected some life into the Giants’ stale offense, but at the same time, made his share of rookie mistakes. He was asked what has changed since we last saw him.
“A lot mentally. Trying to avoid more negative plays than I was. Sometimes taking some sacks where I could have found a way to get the ball out or just make a better decision. So really just the growth from year one to year two of watching a lot more film of myself, of other people and just getting some more ideas for when I’m out there,” he said.
This new chapter likely won’t focus as much on the sideshow of chicken cutlets and Sopranos references but more on football.
DeVito has a better cast around him this time with a revamped offensive line and rookie Malik Nabers at wide receiver, so we shall see if he’s truly worthy of another shot at the job.
