Yardbarker
Yardbarker
x
NY Giants QB Jameis Winston’s Personality a Hit With Teammates
Jameis Winston with the NY Giants Anne-Marie Caruso/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

NY Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton is having fun this spring as the team goes through its OTAs and upcoming minicamp, and a large reason behind that has been the major makeover the team’s quarterbacks room underwent in the offseason.

Projected starter Russell Wilson, veteran backup Jameis Winston, and rookie draft pick Jaxson Dart were all added to a room to join holdover Tommy DeVito. That has turned the quarterback room into an eclectic group.  

“Yeah, it is an interesting compilation of individuals,” said Slayton, the longest-tenured member of the offense. 

The personalities couldn’t be more different. Wilson is the buttoned-down corporate guy. Dart is the new kid on the block who is taking it all in while also looking to put forth a professional demeanor.

DeVito is the "senior" member of the group in terms of being the longest-tenured quarterback on the roster.

And then there is Winston, who injects a lighter dose of personality into the room.  

“Jameis is a wild card, just as a human being. So having his personality around is amazing,” Slayton said.

A different--and missing kind of vibe

Lest anyone get the wrong idea, Winston is very much a professional who does what he needs to do and then some to help the team. But his personality is without a doubt the most vivacious and, according to Slayton, somewhat unpredictable, albeit in a good way.  

“It's so hard to describe,” Slayton said when asked to give an example of why he describes Winston as the “wild card” of the group. 

“It's just how I'm talking right now. He'd be talking just like this, and it's just the random thoughts that come to his head, and they just come out, and it's like, ‘We were talking about a slant–how did we get to Kentucky Fried Chicken?’ 

“I can't think of an exact example, but it's just random hard lefts. Then he comes right back on topics, and it’s like, ‘Am I tripping, or are you tripping?’ But he's a really fun guy to be around.”

Slayton says Winston’s quirky personality is a good thing in that it keeps everyone on their toes.

“He has the most unique balance I've ever seen of light but serious,” Slayton said.

“He's very knowledgeable. He's very serious when he needs to be serious, but at the same time, he has a light energy about him, so it keeps people calm. So, it's not like you're not nervous to play with him.” 

How will the New York Giants do this season? Visit our Facebook page and leave your thoughts.

More New York Giants Coverage


This article first appeared on New York Giants on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

TODAY'S BEST

New report suggests Christian Wilkins release related to 'incident' with teammate
NFL

New report suggests Christian Wilkins release related to 'incident' with teammate

There may be more to Christian Wilkins’ recent surprise release from the Las Vegas Raiders. NFL reporter Josina Anderson reported Saturday that "some sources believe an incident involving a teammate may have factored in-part into the Raiders' fatigue and release" of Wilkins. The nature of the incident is not clear. However, many believe the Raiders had a very good reason to move on from Wilkins considering the money they had invested in him. It also suggests the Raiders saw no alternative if they went straight to a release. Wilkins was dumped by the Raiders just one year into a four-year, $110 million deal. The Raiders suggested Wilkins failed to take rehab seriously as he tries to work his way back from a foot injury. Other teams do not appear to have the same concerns about Wilkins as the Raiders did, and he should find a new landing spot fairly easily. That is one of the reasons some suspect there is more to the Raiders’ decision than they are publicly saying.

Brewers Predicted To Bring Top Slugger To Milwaukee In Huge Deadline Heist
MLB

Brewers Predicted To Bring Top Slugger To Milwaukee In Huge Deadline Heist

Major League Baseball's hottest team cooled down a bit over the weekend. The Milwaukee Brewers just lost their first series since Jul. 3, dropping two of three to the sneaky Miami Marlins. With the trade deadline looming, they'll now shift their focus to a series with the Chicago Cubs that will decide who leaves with sole possession of first place in the National League Central. This Cubs team is ferocious, and it's going to be a tough battle the rest of the way. The Brewers could certainly use one more big bat to tilt the scales in their favor - a bat very much like Eugenio Suárez of the Arizona Diamondbacks, perhaps. One baseball writer believes that a major third base upgrade is on its way to Milwaukee. On Sunday, Matt Johnson of Sportsnaut predicted that Suárez would be traded to the Brewers by Thursday's deadline, giving Milwaukee a .904 OPS and 36 home runs to add to its lineup, which lacks power. "The New York Yankees took themselves out of the mix for Eugenio Suarez with the Ryan McMahon trade and the Seattle Mariners already made a deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks for first baseman Josh Naylor. There are still a few viable suitors for Suarez, but those clubs also need to balance their needs for starting pitching," wrote Johnson. "Enter the Milwaukee Brewers. Suarez is perfect for a team that has the fifth-lowest OPS (.609) at third base this season. He’ll round out the Brewers’ lineup nicely, pairing with a deep pitching staff to help Milwaukee earn a playoff spot." Just because the Yankees and Mariners are somewhat less likely than they were a few days ago to nab Suárez doesn't mean the coast is clear. The Cubs themselves could be in on the two-time All-Star, as could the Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, and Houston Astros. Milwaukee has to be decisive in the next four days. If they think Suárez is the bat to put them over the top, they have to give up at least one high-caliber prospect, which is always tough to do for a player headed to free agency at the end of the year.

All signs point to Yankees moving on from Anthony Volpe
MLB

All signs point to Yankees moving on from Anthony Volpe

With the trade for Ryan McMahon now complete, it would seem New York Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman has fulfilled one of his three priorities. He can now cross third base off the list, which leaves the rotation and bullpen as his remaining priorities. However, according to one Yankees writer, Cashman might not be done with the infield. Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reported this after the McMahon trade: “The Yankees may not be done adding to their infield. A team source said the Yankees are interested in adding a right-handed hitter who could play the infield.” Kirschner adds that the Yankees have had interest in Willi Castro and Amed Rosario. But the question now is, how would another player fit into the Yankees’ infield? Needless to say, Paul Goldschmidt and Jazz Chisholm Jr. aren’t going anywhere, and McMahon is just getting there. That leaves the low-hanging fruit. Anthony Volpe has been at the center of controversy all this season. His 13 errors, many of which had come at make-or-break moments, amount to the second-highest total in the game. In addition, his bat has not been able to compensate, hitting .217/.288/.408 with 14 home runs. There was always a lot to like about Volpe. He won a Gold Glove in his rookie year, his power has always been promising and his speed is nothing to scoff at. Unfortunately, his glove has become a liability, and his speed has also produced very few results. Volpe has swiped just 10 bags in 17 attempts. His power is the one thing that still has some upside, but it hasn’t been enough to justify a spot in the lineup. Both Castro and Rosario have been far more productive at the plate this season than Volpe. Kirschner doesn’t clarify how serious the Yankees are in their pursuit of another infielder, but that most likely isn’t available information. Having just turned 24, Volpe could still become the type of player that was expected from him as a top prospect. However, his recent performance has weighed heavily on his team’s efforts, and it may be buying him a ticket out of the Bronx — or at least a spot on the bench.

Jalen Brunson Reacts To Milwaukee Bucks Signing 10-Year NBA Veteran
NBA

Jalen Brunson Reacts To Milwaukee Bucks Signing 10-Year NBA Veteran

Myles Turner had spent the first ten seasons of his career playing for the Indiana Pacers. Last year, the former Texas star helped lead the franchise to the NBA Finals for the first time in 25 years. However, Turner shockingly signed with the Milwaukee Bucks earlier this month. Via ESPN's Shams Charania (on July 1): " Free agent center Myles Turner has agreed to a four-year, $107 million deal with the Milwaukee Bucks, plus a player option for year four in 2028-29 and a full 15% trade kicker, sources tell ESPN. Stunner." One person who reacted to the signing was New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson (via Roommates Show). Brunson: "I thought the Myles Turner thing was like weird... You know what's crazy about that? I feel like he was on the trading block like every year... It was like that for at least five, six years." Turner finished his final year in Indiana with averages of 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.0 blocks per contest while shooting 48.1% from the field and 39.6% from the three-point range in 72 games. He was the 11th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. As for Brunson, he led the Knicks to the 2025 Eastern Confernece finals They lost to Turner and the Pacers (in six games). Brunson (who has been with New York for three seasons) had averages of 26.0 points, 2.9 rebounds and 7.3 assists per contest while shooting 48.8% from the field and 38.3% from the three-point range in 65 games.