Tyrod Taylor’s impressive 60-yard pass during Sunday’s game against the Rams has sparked questions about the New York Giants’ offensive strategy. Fans and analysts are wondering if the Giants’ offense is more aggressive with Taylor or Tommy DeVito as the quarterback compared to Daniel Jones, especially when it comes to vertical passing.
The answer to the first two questions appears to be “yes.” Taylor’s Average Intended Air Yards (the vertical distance a pass travels from the line of scrimmage to its target) is 8.6 yards per pass, significantly higher than Jones’ 6.8, which is closer to DeVito’s 6.5. These numbers indicate a more aggressive downfield passing approach with Taylor at the helm.
Taylor’s recent 80- and 69-yard touchdown passes to Darius Slayton in consecutive weeks further support this notion. His ability to buy time, escape pressure, and create off-schedule plays has allowed the Giants to generate explosive passing plays.
Another telling stat is the average pass distance. With Taylor, the Giants average 5.82 yards per pass, while DeVito averages 4.29 yards, and Jones lags behind at 3.97 yards. When Taylor or DeVito played the majority of snaps, the Giants consistently gained more than 5.2 yards per pass attempt in six out of 11 games, compared to only four out of five games with Jones as the primary quarterback.
Additionally, Jones has struggled with passes covering more than 20 yards, completing only 12 of 37 attempts in two seasons under Coach Daboll. Taylor and DeVito have shown better success in this category.
Coach Daboll encourages his quarterbacks to be intelligently aggressive and trust their eyes when taking downfield shots. Taylor’s decision-making against the Rams exemplified this approach, resulting in significant gains and fewer third-down situations.
The reasons behind these different offensive approaches could be multifaceted. One theory suggests that the Giants may have simplified the offense since Jones’ absence, focusing on letting the quarterback play freely and quickly.
Another theory considers Jones’ tendency to overthink plays, potentially slowing down his decision-making process. Simplifying the offense might have been an adjustment to address this issue.
Finally, Jones’ evolution as a more risk-averse quarterback after his rookie season, when he was criticized for turnovers, could play a role. Taylor and DeVito have demonstrated a willingness to make aggressive throws into tight windows, which can lead to big plays.
In conclusion, while the Giants have shown a more aggressive passing approach with Taylor and DeVito, the reasons for this shift could involve simplification, quarterback tendencies, and a desire for big plays. The Giants will need to evaluate these factors when determining their future at quarterback.