One of many greatest takeaways from the New York Giants’ look on HBO’s Laborious Knocks was the style by which the workforce let or not it’s identified their emotions about beginning quarterback Daniel Jones.
In practically each episode of the five-part collection, the Giants’ entrance workplace intimated they had been concerned with discovering a doable Jones successor, despite the fact that he is just one season in on the $160 million extension they inked him to final March.
The motivation was pushed out of concern for Jones’ long-term well being.
Jones, 27, who’s coming off a season that noticed him endure each neck and knee accidents, may solely watch and rehab this offseason because the Giants failed of their machinations to land a rookie quarterback.
Basic supervisor Joe Schoen tried to maneuver up within the draft from No. 6 general to No. 3 to pick a quarterback, most notably UNC’s Drake Maye. Nevertheless, he deemed the worth too excessive, which justifiably calls into query how motivated they really had been.
When the holders of that choose, the New England Patriots, wouldn’t budge, Schoen settled on getting Jones a weapon — LSU vast receiver Malik Nabers.
Nabers has proved up to now in coaching camp that he could also be higher than any participant on this 12 months’s draft class. The Giants’ Plan B simply is likely to be the most effective consequence they may have hoped for. They are saying the most effective trades (or strikes) typically are those you don’t make.
Jones can be underneath heart this season barring something unexpected. He has stayed comparatively quiet (as normal) however made it identified that he didn’t respect the workforce’s stance on him, however he’s staying elegant and is utilizing it to his benefit.
“I’m very motivated by this and by being nearly as good a participant as I will be. Undoubtedly didn’t get pleasure from watching that and it was a tricky state of affairs in numerous methods, however that’s the fact of the NFL,” Jones mentioned in an interview with Tyler Dunne of GoLongTD.com. “My job is to be on the sector and play good soccer. In order that’s one thing I’ve obtained to grasp and it’s what it’s at this level. It’s about taking part in the sport and taking part in nicely now.”
Co-owner John Mara advised reporters this week that he has no regrets with the workforce having to go along with Jones once more this 12 months.
“I’m nonetheless completely happy we gave him that contract as a result of I believed he performed very well for us in 2022,” Mara mentioned. “Final 12 months, he obtained harm and let’s be trustworthy, when he was taking part in, we weren’t blocking anyone. So, let’s give him an opportunity with a greater offensive line with some weapons round him to see what he can do.”
Jones can be afforded a greater offensive line this season, which isn’t saying a lot since final 12 months’s line, ravaged by accidents, allowed a league-high 85 sacks.
The addition of Nabers to the vast receiver group and the various working again unit that the Giants have changed Saquon Barkley with may make for a extra dynamic offense. Jones is worked up.
“I’m excited with the place we’re as a bunch,” he advised Dunne. “I feel bringing in a pair guys offensively goes to assist us after which we obtained some younger guys who’re getting older — older guys who’ve been good gamers for us. So when you concentrate on that blend, proper now, that’s what it’s about. Discovering how all of us gel collectively. The chemistry. Enjoying nicely collectively and selecting one another up and elevating our degree of play.”
The Giants, Schoen, and head coach Brian Daboll gave the impression to be disenchanted within the HBO collection after whiffing on a draft day transfer for a quarterback however have since recommitted to Jones.
“I feel we communicated with Daniel all through the method, and also you undergo the method, and we went via that course of not figuring out Daniel was going to be right here as we speak and full go 100%,” Schoen mentioned on the outset of coaching camp.
“You are attempting to make selections and also you don’t have all of the solutions. We didn’t know that he was going to be wholesome as we speak, and we don’t know what it’s going to appear like tomorrow. He’s eight months off an ACL. So that you undergo the method, and we had an intensive course of, which I feel they did a very good job of exhibiting. When you’re snug making a transfer and it made sense on the time, then that’s what we’d do. No matter’s greatest for the group, which we talked about a number of occasions in there.”
Mara has mentioned time and time once more the workforce has failed Jones since drafting him sixth general in 2019. He desires Jones to pan out, identical to one other quarterback (Phil Simms) did years in the past after a tough first 5 seasons.
“I verify in with him sometimes,” Mara mentioned of Jones. “He’s an actual skilled, he understands this enterprise and if something, I’m positive it in all probability motivates him, and he doesn’t should be motivated. There’s no more durable employee in that constructing. I feel he dealt with it just like the skilled that he’s, and I anticipate him to have an amazing season.”
So, Jones will get yet another likelihood. Presumably his final one.
