EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart slid after a third-down run during Monday's practice. It's likely not something he would have done during his rookie year, when his unwillingness to get down possibly contributed to being examined on five different occasions for a concussion.
The slide at practice drew quite the reaction, specifically from the Giants' defense. Dart slid near the sideline on which the defense was standing.
"We've been begging him to do that for a while," Giants outside linebacker and defensive captain Brian Burns said. "So, I'm glad that he's starting to practice it."
Coach John Harbaugh seemed to love it, as well.
"I did," he said. "I clapped. I applauded. I applauded when he did that. It was great."
It's notable after Dart was somewhat defiant last season about sliding or running out of bounds to avoid the big hit. The reckless style of play became a talking point that often overshadowed his accomplishments on the field.
Coming out of Ole Miss, Dart was critiqued for his unwillingness to slide. On a Barstool Sports podcast, former NFL coach Jon Gruden predicted Dart would be in the blue medical tent often, getting checked for a concussion, if his approach wasn't modified.
It wasn't, and that's exactly what happened, on a fairly regular basis, during his rookie season with the Giants.
This is the latest evidence that perhaps some changes have been made. Dart said that during his first meeting with new quarterbacks coach Brian Callahan earlier this year, they watched tape of certain plays and discussed the risk. It seemed to resonate.
"The most important thing I learned is I've got to be on the field," Dart said during a Giants Town Hall to fans in May.
Dart said that on third and fourth down, and near the red zone, he would still try to run over defenders. But in other situations, such as first and second downs and early in games, he would reconsider.
The situation in Monday's practice was one of those that demanded a slide.
"Critical-situation drill. We were trying to get down a third or fourth down, but mostly third down, anywhere from 3 to 5 [yards] in a game where the offense can win the game in the fourth quarter with a conversion," Harbaugh said. "And so play calls and execution to get that first down, that is what that was. So we had a great play. It came open. He ran around the corner, got the first down, slid inbounds, kept the clock running. All those things were well done."
The defense immediately erupted with some whooping and hollering. They know how important it is for Dart to learn when the right time is to slide or try to run over the defender. They need him on the field for the Giants to win games.
This was the first time in 11 practices during training camp that Dart has slid.
"As you can see, all the guys, the defensive players, were happy that he slid on that one play," wide receiver Darnell Mooney said. "So, he's being smart and, you know, he has his legs as well. So, all-around, great quarterback."
Dart's mobility is a big part of his arsenal. He had nine rushing touchdowns last year, second most of any rookie quarterback in the modern era behind Cam Newton. Dart's 487 rushing yards were third most by a quarterback last season.
But Dart was also regularly off the field, and the Giants won just four games. He officially suffered one concussion during his rookie season.