Giants' Jaxson Dart has learned a lot during rookie season

Jaxson Dart will fully evaluate his rookie season after Sunday’s finale against the Cowboys, but he’s already thought about a few things he’s learned in his first go-around as a pro quarterback.

For one, no matter the record, he was reminded that the NFL is a week-to-week league. He inherited an 0-3 team before his first start but in three weeks, there was hope at 2-4. But after that, the Giants blew a 19-point fourth-quarter lead at Denver and spiraled into a nine-game losing streak that included a few more fourth-quarter collapses.

“In college, if you lose two or more than two games, you’re kind of out of it. In the NFL, you’ve got to be able to bounce back quickly.” Dart said of his first lesson. “Then number two, the biggest thing is if you don't capitalize on plays at the very end of the game in crunch-time situations and the other team does, there's a good chance that they might win the game.”

Dart learned some of the lessons the hard way. He had a hand in three of the Giants’ five turnovers in a loss at New Orleans. The Vikings held him to 33 passing yards in a victory over the Giants, but he bounced back with 207 yards and a win over the Raiders the next week in Las Vegas.

It was far from an easy debut season. Dart had as many wins (three) as he did losses last season at Ole Miss. In-game mistakes can be costlier than in college and losing is harder to fix in the NFL.

The Giants, however, found a quarterback they trust to carry them forward. Even in another lost season, Dart made enough strides to generate hope, just as receiver Malik Nabers did a year ago.

Dart also benefited from a full year having Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston in his ear. After every game, one or both of those veteran quarterbacks stood next to him talking him through what happened.

That wisdom, along with watching them start multiple games, helped Dart’s transition just as much as studying film or learning in-game how to adjust to defenses.

“One thing they've just been awesome with me is they've constantly been asking questions like, hey, what more can we give you in this area or during the process of preparing for the game?” Dart said of Wilson and Winston. “I've just had an immense amount of respect towards them, and I'm definitely blessed to have those guys as leaders and people who I really respect.”

Other lessons included being mindful of how to avoid unnecessary hits while also using his legs as a weapon. Dart’s nine rushing touchdowns set a Giants single-season record for quarterbacks and rank third in NFL history by a rookie quarterback behind Cam Newton (14) and Billy Kilmer (10)

There’s hope he can avoid seeing the inside of the blue medical tent as often as he did this season. He had four concussion checks in the regular season and a fifth in preseason. But after the win in Vegas, Dart seemed to understand that it can be more prudent to run to the sideline and go out of bounds or slide in the open field.

His confidence  never wavered despite the losing or seeing Nabers and Cam Skattebo sidelined by season-ending injuries before November. Dart’s rookie year brought growing pains but also optimism that it will lead to something better down the road.

Dart is  grateful about what he gained from this year that can be vital for the future.

“Just having that opportunity to go out there against these great players, it's been a lot of fun just competing,” he said. “I'm just excited for the future to continue to grow. It's going to be a lot of fun going forward.''

Mbow takes pride in earning starts 

Marcus Mbow’s first-year development was overshadowed by Dart and Abdul Carter, but Sunday is a chance for the rookie to leave a strong impression.

Mbow  likely will start at left tackle, his second straight start with Andrew Thomas sidelined. The rookie started at right tackle in Week 9 against San Francisco when Jermaine Eluemunor was inactive.

“It’s a good feeling being able to be out there and play ball. I’m always grateful for it,” Mbow told Newsday. “It’s been a good effort being able to go out there and get better, get experience, get reps. It’s always a good thing.”

Mbow has held his own when called upon. He has picked up only one penalty, which came in Week 9, and had another declined in Week 16 while filling in for Thomas.

Sunday could be an audition for a bigger role next season. If Eluemunor leaves in free agency, Mbow could compete for a starting job.

He wasn’t focused on that, though. For Mbow, starting these last two games is a chance to show  this rookie class has been a positive for the Giants.

“Just go out there, put the best things I can on tape, make the most of my opportunity and be the best player that I can for the team, for the group,” he said.

Burns hopes for All-Pro honor

Brian Burns has one more goal on his mind after his career-best season: his first All-Pro team.

The linebacker, who can add to his career-best 16 1/2 sacks on Sunday, made his first Pro Bowl in three seasons, but an All-Pro selection would mean more because it would be something new.

“I honestly see it as just putting a bigger opportunity in front of me to sustain that level of play,” Burns told Newsday. “I feel like it’s going to make me work harder to keep that All-Pro next to my name.”

Burns is two sacks from tying Michael Strahan (18 1/2) for third-most in a  single season for the Giants since sacks became an official stat in 1982. Strahan’s NFL-record 22 1/2 sacks could be passed Sunday by Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, who has 22.

By Evan Barnes

evan.barnes@newsday.comevan_b

Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.