For those who thought the “Tommy Cutlets” era for the New York Giants was over, think again. Although quarterback Tommy DeVito wants to shed the nickname and persona, his teammates aren’t ready to let him move on.
DeVito was mic’d up during last week’s preseason game against the Detroit Lions and cameras captured several conversations with teammates and reactions to plays being made on the field.
In one snippet, DeVito is told by center John Michael Schmitz that he didn’t have any of the chicken cutlets that DeVito brought in for the team. He then asked DeVito to give him a few of his signature hand gestures.
DeVito tells him that he’s not doing it anymore and that he wants to “change it up” this season.
"I brought cutlets in the whole season!!!"
Tommy DeVito Mic'd Up: https://t.co/9I7vr1vAys pic.twitter.com/AmWnmeo2Lg
— New York Giants (@Giants) August 15, 2024
It’s a bold move for DeVito, but he’s right in not being overindulgent in embracing his alter ego. With the novelty wearing off, he has no other choice but to turn his focus to football.
After making a splash in 2023 with three victories as a starter, DeVito was pushed back to the role of third quarterback again with the recovery of Daniel Jones from ACL surgery and the signing of free agent Drew Lock.
That should make him a roster bubble player this summer, but he’s still very much in the Giants’ plans. Earlier this offseason, DeVito even said it would be a “gamble” for the Giants to cut him. It looks like they are realizing that now.
The injury factor has pretty much sealed DeVito’s place on the Giants’ 53-man roster, plus he continues to show his ability to make plays and put points on the board. He led the Giants on two touchdown drives after relieving the injured Lock in the first half against the Lions.
“I think any time a guy gets nicked up for a little bit, the next guy up has a big opportunity,” Giants quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator Shea Tierney said last week.
“I think Tommy understands that, especially with going through what he went through last year in terms of having to step up when (Tyrod Taylor) and Daniel got hurt. That definitely was an opportunity for him. I have a lot of confidence in Tommy.”
Maybe Schmitz will finally get his chicken cutlets this season but he shouldn’t expect Tommy ‘Cutlets’ to make the delivery in character.
