After making two starts on the road, Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito plays a home game on Sunday.
For DeVito, the 25-year-old undrafted rookie who grew up in Cedar Grove, NJ, and in the shadow of MetLife Stadium, this has to be surreal.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” DeVito said. “I imagine it’s going to be like the last two games, but with a little more of my friends and family there. That’s really about it. It’s a little tougher to play away, in a road atmosphere. So, it’ll be home, I’ll be comfortable, and it’ll be a lot of fun.”
DeVito will have an army of supporters in the stadium.
The local kid, as the starting quarterback in an NFL game in his home state is compelling stuff. Especially, when you add on that it comes against Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots.
Since Belichick became coach in New England in 2000, six rookies have defeated the Patriots: Ben Roethlisberger (2004), Mark Sanchez (2009), Colt McCoy (2010), Russell Wilson (2012), Geno Smith (2013) and Tua Tagovailoa (2020).
In recent weeks, it’s become clear that DeVito has won over the locker room, especially if you ask Saquon Barkley.
“Tommy’s my guy,” Barkley said. “I love the whole storyline. I love that he’s from Jersey, he lives with his parents and he’s the starting quarterback of the New York Giants. Tommy doesn’t walk around like an underdog. He’s confident. I’m telling you right now, you wouldn’t think that he’s a rookie.
“I’m happy for him and my job as a leader is to continue to stay on his side, help build his confidence and help make plays for him when the opportunity comes.”
Asked at a press conference about DeVito, Belichick said: “Made some good decisions, made some big plays for them. There’s a little bit of lack of experience, but he seems to be pretty football-savvy, street-smart. He made some key plays on third down in the red area and does a pretty good job taking care of the ball.”
Brian Daboll has credited offensive…
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