New York Giants: Davis Webb deserves a chance

If the new New York Giants staff is giving multiple players fresh starts, then second-year quarterback Davis Webb deserves one, as well.

Not long after officially being introduced as New York Giants general manager, Dave Gettleman spoke with Steve Serby of the New York Post about cornerback Eli Apple, who found himself benched and suspended at different points of the 2017 season.

“Time will tell. I told him he’s got a clean slate for me. Let’s move forward, let’s see what happens,” Gettleman said about the 22-year old who allegedly became a locker-room cancer during the lost campaign.

There’s nothing wrong with that, even if pockets of Giants fans would disagree and (understandably) want the franchise to jettison Apple as soon as the upcoming NFL year begins. Neither Gettleman nor new head coach Pat Shurmur have worked with Apple, and one or both may believe that the young man who flashed promise during his rookie campaign will mature as a player and a person, and eventually prove he’s all-in on the cause.

If that’s the case with somebody who reportedly caused problems behind the scenes and also visibly quit on plays during games, why doesn’t the same hold true for second-year quarterback Davis Webb? Those of you who have the Giants selecting a rookie signal-caller with the second pick in your mock draft may have already forgotten about the man currently second on the depth chart who turned 23 years old only last month, but he’s still around and working with two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning and other teammates.

"“I’m preparing myself for whenever my opportunity comes,” Webb recently told ESPN’s Jordan Raanan. “I get to work out with Eli Manning and NFL guys daily, couldn’t ask for anything more. I am working just for whenever an opportunity arrives. I am ready to play and play well.” Per Raanan’s piece, Webb essentially has as many questions about his future as do those of us outside of the organization. He’s preparing as if he’ll receive a chance to compete for a roster spot, at least, which is all he can do at this point of the offseason."

No scout, QB coach, coordinator or observer can say, with any certainty, what Webb may or may not be as a pro. We simply don’t know. One of the only things former head coach Ben McAdoo got right during his final reign of terror was to keep the then-rookie a spectator throughout a season that fell apart before Halloween. Regardless of any opinions you heard or read at the time, sending Webb to the wolves before he was ready for meaningful NFL snaps at such a time wouldn’t have done anybody any good.

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Webb largely looked like a third-round pick experiencing his first taste of pro football during August exhibition games. His footwork needed improvements, and he appeared to lack confidence. We now, of course, know McAdoo and others within that staff weren’t overly high on the prospect all those months ago, and it’s possible that could’ve prevented him from progressing further between training camp and McAdoo’s ouster.

Webb possesses traits one can’t teach. He’s listed at 6-5 and 230 pounds, he has a strong arm and, by all accounts, he grew more comfortable in his role. Granted, learning from the greatest quarterback in franchise history has its benefits, but Webb’s dedication despite realizing he wasn’t going to receive opportunities under the prior regime is admirable.

Some may suggest the Giants cannot enter this coming September with two quarterbacks — Webb and an unnamed rookie — who have never taken regular-season snaps behind Manning on the roster. That’s silly. Everybody on the offense will be learning a new playbook and new offensive schemes. Unless Shurmur convinces the Giants to grab one of the quarterbacks he worked with as a Minnesota Vikings assistant, everyone rocking Big Blue will experience a first day of school later this year. Besides, the Giants may pass on this rookie quarterback class, sign a veteran and keep Webb as a backup. So much can and will happen before springtime ends.

Next: 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Full two-round projection

Odds are Webb won’t be the next Dak Prescott or Russell Wilson. He’s done everything a pair of coaching staffs could ask, he’s been praised by his mentor who owns a pair of championship rings and he’s familiar with wide receivers, tight ends, running backs and offensive linemen who will survive March cuts and future trades. The least the Giants can do is let Webb fail before moving on.