New York Giants host Rusty Smith
Rusty Smith (11) passes the football against the Oakland Raiders. Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Giants could add some more depth at the quarterback position by signing somebody with one of the NFL’s best names, as Howard Balzer reported last night that former Tennessee Titans backup quarterback Rusty Smith worked out for the Giants recently. They currently have second-year pro and Syracuse product Ryan Nassib locked in as Eli Manning’s direct backup, but the Giants could add Smith as veteran insurance, though I’m not sure he really qualifies as insurance.
Smith has no touchdowns and four interceptions in 45 career attempts, and he’s completed just 23 passes in those 45 attempts, so it’s safe to say that he’s barely worth rostering. If the Giants decide to sign him on as the third-string quarterback, then he will have to fight for a roster spot in training camp and won’t see the field unless if Manning gets injured and Nassib is beyond horrible.
Nassib is an interesting player to watch going forward, because many people had him as a sleeper prospect last year. I never saw anything special in him and wouldn’t have ranked him in the top three among quarterbacks in last year’s draft class, but Nassib is a smart QB who has above-average accuracy and arm strength and looks like a solid backup in this league. As for Smith, it’s telling that the Giants are the only team that have shown an inkling of interest to this point. There are worse guys to have as third-string signal-callers, though Smith is clearly a lifetime clipboard-holder after taxes, so to speak.