In the month since Tommy DeVito took over as the starting quarterback for the New York Giants, his personality has gotten a lot of attention from adoring fans — and coach Brian Daboll says that personality is one reason he’s sticking with “Tommy Cutlets.”
“He has a good way about him, I’d say, one, as a leader, which I think is important. He can connect with all of his teammates,” Daboll said Tuesday.
“Some of the relationships he has and the things he does during practice with a guy like (defensive lineman) A’Shawn (Robinson), or then he’s over there talking to the offensive linemen, or then he comes back… He’s a pretty personable guy that I think keeps his head down. He did what he was supposed to do. … But I think the players respect how he handles himself as a person, too, and his personality.”
A native of New Jersey who brought a state championship to powerhouse Don Bosco Prep High School, DeVito, 25, has quickly become a favorite of local fans who can’t seem to get enough of the kid whose Italian mom still cooks him “Tommy Cutlets” in his childhood home before he suits up for the Giants.
DeVito entered back-to-back games in late October after injuries to Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor before starting against the Dallas Cowboys on Nov. 12. That was a 49-17 road loss, but Daboll saw enough good to keep DeVito in the starting QB slot since then.
DeVito has completed 65.9 percent of his passes (83 of 126) for 697 yards with eight touchdowns and three interceptions in six appearances this season. He was 17-for-21 for 158 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 71 yards on 10 carries in the Giants’ late win over the Green Bay Packers, 24-22, on Monday night.
“It’s not always going to be perfect, but when people see him in here and working, he’s really just done what we’ve asked him to do, and it’s really important to him. He loves the game of football,” Daboll said.
“I think when you deal with the guy, I don’t think he makes it bigger than it is, either. It’s football. Obviously, it’s the highest level, and there’s different things and coverages and he’s going to get tested, and one week you could be up, one week you could be down.
At 5-8, the Giants have not been ruled out of the playoffs yet but they visit the New Orleans Saints on Sunday needing to keep DeVito’s momentum and team-building going.
“But what I do appreciate is the players and the coaches sticking together, working through things, having a strong commitment to improve, being good teammates,” Daboll said. “Those are all important things for all of us, regardless of what position you’re at, to be able to do those things.”
–Field Level Media