Transcript: Quarterback Daniel Jones

Quarterback Daniel Jones

Q: What's it going to be like seeing number (Eagles running back Saquon Barkley) 26 on the other side this week?

DANIEL JONES: Yeah, definitely a little different seeing him in another uniform. But we're competing this week, it's time to go. So yeah, it'll be different at first, but just another big divisional game.

Q: Have you talked to him at all?

DANIEL JONES: I haven't talked to him this week, no. We've kept in touch and talked through the season but no, I haven't talked to him this week.

Q: So, it's like standard ground rules for the game week?

DANIEL JONES: Yeah, I don't know. It's a competition this week. It's about what happens on the field and putting the team in a position to win the game.

Q: How do you think he's going to be welcomed back by the fans?

DANIEL JONES: If I had to guess, probably not warmly. It's a competitive game. It's Eagles vs. Giants. So, big divisional game, there's a lot going on outside of Saquon Barkley being back.

Q: What did he mean to you? Could you put that into words, what Saquon meant to you?

DANIEL JONES: Yeah, a lot. He's a great teammate, a great friend, and obviously a really good player. Spent a lot of time together on and off the field, and someone who helped me out a ton as I was getting into the league and through my first few years. So, I have a ton of respect and appreciation for who he is as a person.

Q: How do you think he should be received? You said, how you think he'll be received. How do you think he should be received?

DANIEL JONES: I mean he did a lot for this franchise, worked really hard, and was a great leader and teammate in this locker room. So, I think that's important to keep in mind. On Sunday, it's about that game, it's about that day and playing well, and winning the game.

Q: How do you guys move forward without your left tackle (Andrew Thomas)?

DANIEL JONES: I think it's next guy up and that group's played well this year. I think obviously it's a tough blow to lose Andrew. He's a tremendous player, a tremendous leader for us. But I'm confident guys will step up and I think more than anything, it's about that group playing well together as a unit, communicating, getting on the same page, and helping each other. And so far, they've done a really good job with that.

Q: But you have to trust your left tackle, right? No matter who's in there, that's your blind side.

DANIEL JONES: Yeah, you have to trust it and I do trust that group. Like I said, they've played well, so I'm confident in the guy stepping up there.

Q: (offensive lineman) Josh (Ezeudu) had a shot at that last year when Andrew got hurt and maybe could have played better. What do you sense for him this year if he has to go in?

DANIEL JONES: Yeah, I think he's had a really good season so far in practice and training camp and he'll be ready to go. Confident in him and the work and preparation he's put in.

Q: How hungry are you guys to get that first win in front of the home fans?

DANIEL JONES: We're really hungry. We're always hungry to get any win, especially a divisional game at home. We're fired up and excited to get out there.

Q: Talk about the communication and I guess the familiarity of the line. Just having to deal with this again, of having another line in front of you.

DANIEL JONES: Yeah, it's not ideal, obviously, but injuries are part of the game, and you have to learn how to deal with them and overcome them. So, we're confident in the guys stepping up and I think it's about the group working together well, picking each other up, communicating, getting on the same page. And that's how we're all going to be successful. So, it's tough, obviously not ideal to lose anybody, especially a guy like Andrew, but it's on all of us to kind of pick it up.

Q: You guys were in this position last year, losing Andrew after the first game of the season. How is it different this go around, with different offensive line coach, and different veterans, but how does it feel different for you as a quarterback?

DANIEL JONES: Well, I think we lost him and a couple of others maybe quickly after that if I remember correctly, as well as several other players. But yeah, I think it's about the group picking each other up. I think we've got some veteran guys in key spots and guys who've played more and are more experienced. I think that helps when you're putting a new guy in, confident in that, confident in (Offensive Line Coach Carmen Bricillo) Carm, he's done a really good job leading that group, getting them ready, getting them prepared. So, I feel like we'll be ready to go.

Q: I think it's one touchdown, 12 quarters at home. How frustrating is it for you and the offense not to give the fans a little bit more offensively?

DANIEL JONES: We're always trying to score touchdowns, whether we're home or away. And we'd love to do it at home and give the fans something to cheer about. But we're always trying to score touchdowns regardless of where we are.