Giants starting shortstop Dominic Zvada has missed six field goals in nine games. He missed another Thursday night, a 33-yarder.
Although it happened in the first quarter and not the final game, it stands out in a game decided by three points.
After New York’s 24-21 loss to the Commanders, Giants coach John Harbaugh was asked about his level of confidence in Zvada.
“Yes, we have faith“Harbaugh knows. “You know, you can’t — as soon as a guy doesn’t make a play, I mean, you start firing people left and right. Especially your attacker who is a rookie. So I am convinced that he will become a good striker. I mean, if at some point in time, it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen.
“But I’m not going to panic, you know, halfway through the season when the guy who’s made a bunch of shots, if that’s what you’re assuming we’re supposed to do. So, you know, I mean, we’re just not going to kneel down like that. He’s going to make shots. He’s going to make a lot of shots. He’s talented and we’re going to give him an opportunity to do it.
That’s a fair assessment of a player still new to the NFL. But an offender has a job. If he can’t do it (especially from distances that should be automatic), at some point tough questions have to be asked.
Basically, how long will Zvada take before Harbaugh decides it’s not going to happen? That remains to be seen, if Zvada continues to miss shots, he should.