Giants' Malik Nabers, Jaxson Dart 'got into it' during pickup basketball game

USA Today

8 hours ago

With experience comes wisdom, and New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson has that in abundance.
The 10-time Pro Bowler and one-time Super Bowl champion may not be what he used to be physically, but he's never been as strong mentally. And the knowledge he has brought to the Giants' offense in just a few short months has astounded his teammates.
One player who has come away particularly impressed is second-year wide receiver Malik Nabers, who has heaped praise on Wilson's arm and, more recently, the quarterback's football IQ.
Russ has the smarts
During an interview with Victor Cruz for Bleacher Report, Nabers shared an incredible story about Wilson's ability to read a defense, but not before complimenting his arm talent.
"Having that leader at quarterback, especially with Russ, able to throw anywhere on the football field. That's been a step forward," Nabers said. "Taking shots down the field. Connecting on those.
"His arm angles (are impressive). How he throws the ball. Throwing the ball in a great spot where only you can get it and the defender can't."
But it's the knowledge Wilson brings that's the real story.
"We had a play, and I thought he was going to check it," Nabers said. "I thought it was man, and he knew it was zone. I came back to him and I was like, 'How did you know it wasn't man because I thought it was (zone) and we were going to check.' He was like, 'Something just told me. The position that he was guarding you at, I knew it was on.'
"Man, that's some vet stuff right there. This is vet mentality; understanding how we can get plays in and out."
Managing toe injury
Nabers missed most workouts during the spring as a result of a toe injury that has lingered since college. Eventually, it may require surgery to repair, and head coach Brian Daboll has left the door open to limiting the star receiver in practice this year.
But Nabers may have found a temporary solution in the form of Wilson's physical therapist.
"Russ has the best physical therapist that I have been around," Nabers said. "I went to his crib -- I've been dealing with the toe situation. I told Russ' PT guy about it. I was like, 'Look. My toe has been bothering me.' He was like, 'Okay, cool. We can handle it.' I spent two days over there and I was better.
"The physical therapy that (Wilson) does is unbelievable. He does it in the morning before he comes (to East Rutherford). I'm sure he wakes up at 5 o'clock, gets PT, comes here. When he's done, he gets PT. At the end of the night, he does PT again."
Nabers added that he's learning to embrace Wilson's PT schedule and attempting to emulate it in hopes of remaining healthy and enjoying a long NFL career.
Stepping to the rookie
Nabers hesitantly told a story about quarterback Jaxson Dart, revealing that he had "stepped to" the rookie during a pickup basketball game at Wilson's house this spring. He wanted to see what Dart had in him.
The result?
"I'm not sure if I should disclose this, but I will because it was between me and him," Nabers said. "We were playing basketball at Russell's house in San Diego, and me and him got into it. I was just testing his little dog. I wanted to see if he was really a little dog.
"I got up to him and said, 'What are you going to do?' He stepped straight to me, and I was like, 'Okay. Me and you are fly.' I know when someone is going to come into the game and try and get into it."
That's how you win your teammates over.