EAST RUTHERFORD − This has become part of Tommy DeVito’s football reality now.
Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager were debating on the “Today Show” whether living with his parents as a professional athlete in DeVito’s childhood home in Cedar Grove would affect his next dating relationship.
From having his story told on the gossip pages of People and US Weekly to WFAN callers mocking the merit of his current status as an undrafted rookie in the NFL, DeVito is entering his second week as the improbable starting quarterback of the Giants, hoping to keep the focus on what matters most, and in his mind, that’s finding a way to beat Washington on Sunday afternoon at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland.
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There have been memes all over social media suggesting DeVito might be cast in the next Sopranos spin-off, if one ever came down the pike.
All because he joked about the comfort of being home, having to pay zero rent while his mother stays willing to do his laundry and make those now-famous chicken cutlets for dinner, just a 15-minute drive to work at 1925 Giants Drive every day.
“I’m not surprised at this point,” DeVito said with a laugh. “I’ve seen a lot of things and a lot of people have posted a whole bunch of stuff about it, but I mean it is what it is at this point. I’m just saving money.”
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Saving money and cherishing the moment, because as DeVito knows, the opportunity to do this isn’t promised week to week. The only goal was to put everything he had into making this dream come true.
That’s still an unbelievable turn of events for the 25-year-old DeVito, who stood there in the basement of AT&T Stadium last Sunday as the lone player that followed Giants coach Brian Daboll to the podium in the aftermath of their 49-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
Daniel Jones did not make the trip as he awaits surgery to repair the torn ACL in his right knee. Tyrod Taylor is on injured reserve after suffering a pair of broken ribs, but he was there on the sideline, offering support.
But given where the Giants are right now, saddled with a 2-8 record in a season that’s suddenly going nowhere fast, other than the countdown to the 2024 NFL Draft and the possible No. 1 overall pick, depending on how the next seven games play out, the quarterback with all eyes on him is the North Jersey kid who remains a long shot to be in the league from one week to the next.
“Just try to go out and make the most of every play, every opportunity that I get,” DeVito said. “And just try to showcase what I can do.”
DeVito had two touchdown passes against the Cowboys, tying Jones for the team lead this season in one game. He also has a rushing touchdown, one that was 24 seconds from being the game-winner against the Jets three weeks ago.
“I think he’s a good, young quarterback to work with,” Daboll said, “so you know, try to improve him this week from last week.”
Asked if DeVito gives the Giants the best chance to win against the Commanders, Daboll quipped: “Yeah, he’s done a good job.”
And here’s the thing: because the Giants are in striking distance of the No. 1 overall pick, DeVito will become the face of a perceived tanking by the franchise in order to better that standing next spring. The suggestion has already been floated out there − that Daboll and team brass are only playing DeVito to improve those chances of losing − and it’s completely unfair to the situation.
DeVito is a developmental prospect who has been with the team since May, and he’s earned the respect of his teammates with the way he works and the competitive spark within his personality. He is the Giants’ third-string quarterback, and when Jones and Taylor were available to play, DeVito was either the backup or where he spent the first six weeks of the season − on the practice squad.
There is a lot at stake for DeVito, who wants to prove he belongs in this league, and that he can be relied upon when so much goes sideways at the most important position in the sport.
The next opportunity he gets, with the Giants or another team, likely depend on how he performs under the most challenging of circumstances.
“Just to be myself and do what I’ve been doing since I got here,” DeVito said with regard to what Daboll has told him. “Just get better every day and continue to go out and do what I’ve done to get to this point. Be better all around. I mean, I appreciate it. I tried to earn that throughout OTAs, [training] camp and throughout the preseason. I’m going to continue to try to do that, try to live up to that standard, exceed that standard.”
DeVito was feeling extremely sore the day after his first career start, mostly thanks to Cowboys defensive tackle Masi Smith, all 337 pounds of him, falling on DeVito’s left shoulder. All tests came back negative, and even though DeVito was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice, Daboll said he’ll be back as the starter Sunday.
Veteran Matt Barkley should once again be the backup.
“It’s just like, ‘You need to have fun with it. Don’t let anybody else take your joy,’” DeVito said. “It’s a lot of negatives going on the outside. Maybe not you guys specifically, but media in general, it’s a lot of negativities going on with how our season’s been going.
“I try to just enjoy it. You’re in the NFL, you’re, whatever it is, below one percent [of players who make it to the professional level]. Just enjoy the moment, be here, enjoy playing football for your job and just go out and give it all you have.”
2023-11-16 13:26:56
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