No NFL team can replicate Lamar Jackson‘s talents on the practice field to prepare for him in a game.
“Can’t do it!” Giants running back Devin Singletary shouted Friday.
“Damn near impossible,” edge rusher Brian Burns said.
But the Giants (2-11) had to try.
So Ihmir Smith-Marsette, the Giants’ kick and punt returner, played scout-team quarterback in practice this week and did his best Jackson impression ahead of Sunday’s game against the Ravens (8-5).
“It was fun,” Smith-Marsette told the Daily News with a smile on Friday. “I just get to go back there, be Lamar Jackson, act like Lamar Jackson, run around, throw the passes to receivers, just taking full control of the scout team.
“I just tried to give those guys a great look on defense with him being able to scramble the way he does, how fast he is, and make good reads on zone reads and stuff that he does,” he added.
So how well does Smith-Marsette spin the ball when he drops back to pass?
“I can spin it sometimes. The weather was pretty tough up here the last couple days. But indoors, I’m a god,” Smith-Marsette boasted with a sarcastic grin. “I’m just like Lamar. You might as well call me L.J.”
He’s kidding, obviously. There may be no one else in the NFL who commands more respect and reverence from fellow players than the two-time MVP Jackson.
Giants players were filling out NFL ‘Top 100′ ballots in the locker room on Friday, and Jackson was in the top three of virtually every list.
“He’s just one of a kind,” Singletary said.
The Giants did hand Jackson his first career loss to an NFC team, 24-20, early in the 2022 season. But that was keyed by Wink Martindale’s defense forcing two Jackson turnovers in the fourth quarter, including a Julian Love interception return to the Ravens’ 13-yard line to set up Saquon Barkley’s winning touchdown run.
They also had Tyrod Taylor, a true quarterback, running scout team to mimic Jackson’s movements and skills heading into that game.
This weekend, coming off Baltimore’s bye week, Jackson is traveling north to MetLife Stadium with a chip on his shoulder after not running and creating enough in a home loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
His mom actually gave him a hard time about it, and he vowed after that loss to unleash his talents on the Giants this Sunday.
“My momma just told me that,” Jackson said two weeks ago. “She just cussed me out. I’m mad. We’re going to get after it. I’m not going to lie to you. We’re going to get after it. I can’t wait for this bye to get on. We got the Giants coming up. I’m ready to go.”
Daboll was asked what he thought of that comment.
“This guy’s one of the best players, not just best quarterbacks, best players in the National Football League,” the Giants’ coach said as he tries to snap an eight-game losing streak. “He can do it all. He is really a fun player to watch — not when you’re getting ready to play him.”
To get the Giants ready for Jackson this week, Smith-Marsette said he requested the assignment because he had done it before as a rookie for the Minnesota Vikings in 2021.
“I was Lamar my rookie year with the Vikings, and I never took a snap or anything. I just used to hold the ball and say ‘hut’ and then act like Lamar,” he said. “But [this week] they let me actually go from the shotgun and take a snap from the center.
“I would say I went up to them and said, ‘Let me try to be Lamar,’” he added. “And Daboll has seen me throw the ball, he said, and he was like, ‘Shoot, why not? It’ll be a better accurate look, so.’”
Smith-Marsette just took back a 56-yard punt return for a touchdown against the Saints that got called back due to a Greg Stroman holding penalty. So it was fresh in the Giants’ minds how shifty the wide receiver can be with the ball in his hands, as well.
It’s not like he had to memorize any plays either.
“Just show me the cards and let me go to work,” he said with a smile.
Burns said Smith-Marsette’s dual-threat quarterback work was helpful in preparing for the one-of-a-kind Jackson.
“He did good,” Burns said. “He looked like him on certain plays.”
But the edge rusher smirked when asked if Smith-Marsette had earned the right to run some Wildcat plays now with the offense.
“Nah, he’s good for what was needed. He can’t do that sh– for real,” Burns joked. “He’s better as a receiver.”
DEVITO, BOYLE WILL BE GIANTS QBs
Drew Lock (heel/left elbow), who is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game, is expected to be inactive as the Giants’ emergency third quarterback against Baltimore. So Tommy DeVito will start, and Tim Boyle will be elevated from the practice squad as the backup.
Four Giants players were ruled out due to injuries in addition to safety Tyler Nubin (ankle) and corner Tre Hawkins (back) going on injured reserve this week: linebacker Bobby Okereke (back), guard Jon Runyan (ankle), defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches (neck/shoulder) and corner Dru Phillips (shoulder).
Corner Cor’Dale Flott (quad) and Lock are doubtful. Corner Deonte Banks (rib), tackle Chris Hubbard (knee), linebacker Dyontae Johnson (ankle) and offensive lineman Austin Schlottmann (fibula) are questionable.
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