It's not the same.
“Yeah, I think the opportunity I had last year to be able to play in games was the difference from what it is now,” Tommy DeVito said. “I've got a year under my belt. I've played in pre-season games, training and real matches, so it's a little different this time.
This time is the second time for DeVito, who suddenly went from the No. 3 center fielder on the roster to the Giants' starting starter for Sunday's game with the Buccaneers.
The plug has finally been pulled on Daniel Jones, which isn't a shocking development.
DeVito's selection of head coach Brian Daboll, ahead of backup Drew Lock, was not the expected outcome.
“I wouldn't say I was surprised, I was open to all the outcomes,” DeVito said. “It's kind of something I've been preparing for since last year. You always say, 'Stay prepared, even though you're the third-string quarterback.' Stay prepared, you never know.”
Just like that, DeVito captured footage of the first team during Wednesday's training and held a session inside the locker room amidst a large crowd of media.
DeVito went 3-3 in six straight starts last season as an undrafted rookie, after injuries to Jones and then Tyrod Taylor.
It's been a whirlwind few months for the Cedar Grove, New Jersey, native, a time filled with Italian hand gestures, memes, autographs at pizzerias and some good soccer moments.
It was a nice story.
Now he has seven games to play with the Giants, ages 2-8, and this is a great opportunity for him to prove he belongs on the roster in 2025.
“Last year was a good story, it was kind of like what happened, but all the fun and games out there, it was fun, it was like that last year, I kind of got over that,” DeVito said. “I'm committed to football now, not because I wasn't before, but I'm really focused on that, the outside stuff will be on pause. I've already had conversations with everyone around me, my inner circle, and I'm going to stay very tight and make sure it's all about production on the day.” Sunday.
Daboll will tweak the offense to highlight what DeVito does best.
“He has good leadership,” Daboll said. “I think it's been a year in the system where he understands things more. He's done a good job since he's been here, since he was with us last year, and we'll work as hard as we can with him until he's ready to go.
There's no doubt that DeVito brings a different energy.
Jones is the superior athlete, the biggest and strongest. DeVito carries himself with a jersey attitude, and a sense of belonging.
“Different personality, different type of guy, different thought process,” wide receiver Darius Slayton said. He added: “He's got some attitude, some swagger about him, so I expect him to play well, and I think he will.”
DeVito, 26, embraces the mood he takes with him to the court.
At times, it rubbed off on his teammates last season — though his self-belief often couldn't make up for his inexperience, which led to negative plays and too many sacks.
The second time around, his confidence remains part of his identity.
“Yes, I think I bring a certain amount of confidence and energy and swag, whatever you call it, to the team and the people around me,” DeVito said. “I think I've always had that kind of growth since I was younger, so I kind of bring that energy. It's all about really having fun with it for me. It's like a kids' game, and obviously there's a lot of money and a lot of risk in it,” he said. But at the same time, if you don't enjoy going out there, you're not going to play with the same kind of passion that if you did so I really try to keep everyone's spirits up, enjoy it, and bring the energy when I'm out there.
