When asked Friday how he has managed to survive in the NFL since signing as a rookie free agent in 2019, offensive lineman Brett Toth pointed to his commitment to continuous learning and versatility.
This Sunday, that philosophy will be put to the test as Toth is expected to make his fourth career start—and his first ever at center—filling in for the injured Cam Jurgens.
Toth’s journey has been unconventional. A graduate of Army, where he played in a triple-option offense, he had a steep learning curve entering the league. He candidly recalled his experience at the NFL Scouting Combine, where he couldn’t identify various defensive fronts for the New England Patriots, having only learned the fundamentals of pass blocking weeks earlier at the Senior Bowl.
“Just always learning, being able to help guys any way you can, passing on the wisdom you gained,” Toth said of his approach. “Acknowledging the fact of availability is the best ability. That’s why you learn all five [positions].”
Toth, who stepped in for Jurgens during last week’s win over the Vikings, was critical of his own performance after reviewing the game film. Now, he’s preparing to be the “conductor of the band” for the offensive line, a role that requires precise communication.
“Everyone’s job relies on you putting everyone in the right position to do their job,” he explained.
The task is made more difficult by the New York Giants’ formidable defensive line, which features what Toth described as “generational players,” singling out nose tackle Dexter Lawrence. Toth predicted Lawrence will “go down as one of the best of all-time,” adding, “How great everyone believes he is online or in fandom, he’s even better.”
Although Toth started at left guard against the Giants two weeks ago, he emphasized that moving one spot over to center is a completely different challenge. While he credits Offensive Line Coach Jeff Stoutland for leaving “no stone unturned” in his preparation, Toth knows he will face unscouted looks.
“That’s where you rely on your training in terms of how to react to it,” Toth said, “and put everyone in a position to be successful.”
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