Entering third season, New York Giants QB Daniel Jones embracing pressure to deliver in 2021
Art StapletonEAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Daniel Jones isn't a rookie anymore.
Tracking every pass he throws in training camp, let alone those during the Giants' third OTA (offseason team activity) session Thursday, is a fruitless exercise.
You won't hear about how sharp the quarterback looked, no matter how many times he hit Evan Engram and Sterling Shepard in stride. And save the talk about how Jones continues to emerge as a leader within the organization – he's displayed leadership skills from the moment he arrived, even in the presence of Eli Manning.
So make no mistake: this is Jones' team. All that matters now is what he does with it.
His proving ground is not the practice fields in the shadows of MetLife Stadium. Those glowing scouting reports for a New York/New Jersey quarterback as players run around in helmets and shorts will be reserved for Jets rookie Zach Wilson, whose grace period has just begun.
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Giants QB focused on being the best he can be
For Jones, the anticipation will continue to build toward the Giants' Sept. 12 regular-season opener against the Denver Broncos.
That's when the only evaluation that counts will commence.
“He just has to be the best he is every day,” Giants coach Joe Judge said of Jones, who celebrated his 24th birthday Thursday. “That's what we ask of all our players. It's not going to be perfect all the time, but we need to be the best version you can be of yourself. And as coaches, we can put you in the best position to play your strengths. That's what we ask of all our players.
"Daniel, he never shies away from a challenge, comes ready to work. Some is of the conversations we have when we challenge him internally, this guy steps up every day to the plate and comes to work every day with a plan.”
Giants' offense has more weapons
The Giants spent the offseason talking about the priority of adding weapons to the offense "to help Daniel," as general manager Dave Gettleman said on more than one occasion.
While Kenny Golladay and rookie Kadarius Toney were among those not on the field for Thursday's voluntary practice, and Saquon Barkley continues on his road to recovery from ACL surgery, there's no question Jones finds himself at the helm of an offense that should have far fewer excuses if the Giants don't find their way.
The clock may be ticking on Jones entering his third NFL season, even though the Giants promise they are not incessantly checking their franchise watch for the time.
"It's on all 11 of us to do our jobs," Jones said. "That's certainly something Coach Judge, Coach (Jason) Garrett remind us as a group, as a team, especially on offense, to do our job. Each person of the 11 has to do their job in order for us to be successful. Certainly, the quarterback plays a role in that, come communication, getting everyone on the same page. I have a lot of responsibility in that, but it's on each of us."
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Jones has spent time with Golladay both in North Jersey and out in Arizona as part of a throwing session he organized with the Giants' receivers earlier this spring. They were courtside at a Knicks game at Madison Square Garden, spending time together in a quest to jumpstart their connection on and off the field.
Giants embracing expectations after tough 2020 season
Old and new, the Giants embrace the expectations they will undoubtedly bring with them into the summer and beyond.
"I can't wait to see those guys get out there and get to running around," Shepard said. "I got to run around with KG (Golladay) a little bit. The way he plucks the ball is something special. Can't wait to get out there on Sundays with him, get going."
Jones' second season did not go as smoothly as hoped, although there was some anticipation of struggles given circumstances surrounding installation of a new offense and the unconventional offseason because of COVID-19 restrictions and protocols.
New head coach. New offensive coordinator. New position coach. New faces in the quarterbacks' room, absent of Manning.
The production was lacking across the board, especially without Barkley.
The turnovers did not entirely disappear from his game.
Just when Jones was starting to play his best ball, he hurt his right hamstring, setting a chain of events in motion that cost Jones two starts and led to another in which he played hobbled and sustained another injury, a sprained left ankle. Criticism from those who doubt Jones can be a winning franchise quarterback resurfaced, albeit from outside the organization.
Jones is the face of the franchise
Inside 1925 Giants Drive, Jones still represents the promise of better days ahead.
Now comes the opportunity to make good and reward that faith.
"Daniel Jones is our quarterback," Judge said Thursday, repeating what has been a consistent defense of the player after yet again being questioned as to whether the Giants would pursue an upgrade at the position. Presumably, the upgrade was a roundabout way of bringing up Aaron Rodgers, although not by name.
The Giants see a quarterback in Jones who is ready to take his game – and the team – to the next level. And that challenge has only just begun.
"As a quarterback, my role is a lot of times to be that communicator," Jones said. "To bring guys together, to get guys moving toward where we need to go, thinking about our goals and what we want to accomplish come this fall."
