Former Syracuse QB Ryan Nassib shines, then struggles in Giants loss

Former Syracuse Orange quarterback Ryan Nassib is in the final year of his contract with the New York Giants, and figures to be in-demand as a free agent next offseason. Box scores like last night’s won’t necessarily boost his chances for a shot at a starting gig in 2017, however.

Nassib started for the Giants in the team’s preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins last night, and came out hot. He was four-of-five for 39 passing yards on the first drive, but completed just three of 10 the rest of the way, and threw two interceptions. Nassib seemed comfortable in the no-huddle early, but the Dolphins figured him and the Giants’ offense out for much of the rest of the game. After jumping out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter, New York would not score again in a 27-10 defeat.

Obviously it’s just preseason, but if Nassib is going to find himself a bigger contract and a chance to start elsewhere, he’ll likely need to put in a better effort for the rest of August. As always, once the regular season begins, opportunities will be at a premium since Giants starter Eli Manning is the active leader in consecutive QB starts with 183. Nassib has attempted just 10 regular season passes in his NFL career, but has completed nine of them for 128 yards and a TD. He was five-for-five with 68 yards and a score in 2015.

The Giants have three more preseason games left, and Nassib will certainly receive more opportunities to throw in those as well. They next play against the Buffalo Bills on August 20.