Friday Media Transcript: QB Daniel Jones

QB Daniel Jones -- May 3, 2019

Re: Thoughts on being drafted by the Giants…
A: I was thrilled. This is a huge opportunity for someone like me. This was the place I wanted to be. To get the call, it was thrilling and I am happy to be here.

Q: Early impression of being here?
A: It has been good. I got in last night. First full day here has been great. Just trying to get a feel for everyone. Building some chemistry with the guys. Just being around the building is great.

Q: What do you want to accomplish this weekend?
A: I think it is just getting comfortable in the building around everyone, new teammates and guys that have come in this year. Just getting comfortable, building chemistry and getting a sense of the offense. Showing them that I can handle information and execute it on the field. All of those things.

Q: First impressions when you looked at the playbook?
A: I think there is certainly a lot to it. That is an adjustment from the college level. An NFL playbook is generally a little thicker. It is a lot of good stuff. Coach Shurmur has been a whole lot of places and the way he has explained it to me is that he has taken pieces from everywhere he has been and has put together his own stuff. To me, that is the best of all the worlds.

Q: Did anything jump out similar to what you did at Duke?
A: There are some similarities here and there. Some concepts that are similar. As far as the verbiage, the play calls, they are different. They will be different anywhere you go. I am looking forward to it. I think we had a good start this morning so far. I am looking forward to the rest of the day.

Q: What has the day been like so far?
A: We had meetings this morning. Our first install. We just had a walkthrough on the field. We will meet and then practice again later today.

Q: Since being drafted, what have your interactions with Eli been like?
A: I spoke to him on the phone on Friday. That was it. He congratulated me and told me he was excited to be teammates. I certainly share that same feeling. I am looking forward to spending time with him and learning from him. It is a huge opportunity to be around a guy like that.

Q: What do you think the biggest thing is as a QB that you can learn from Eli Manning?
A: I think a lot of it is in his routine. Anyone that has played that long and had that much success, he certainly has a routine and there is a reason he has had that success. To me, I think it is just watching him everyday and learning what he does everyday. How he carries himself and how he prepares every week. Being able to watch that and learn from that is an awesome opportunity.

Q: How do you make sure that that relationship does not sour?
A: I think we both want the same thing. We want the Giants to win football games. That is the goal here. I am certainly going to let that be known. However that happens and whatever the plan is, I am here to do that. I understand my role is to learn from him. I am going to make sure I am improving myself everyday. At the end of the day, we want to win games. That is the goal and I think it will be good.

Q: Are you aware of the debate about the Giants taking you at six?
A: It would be hard to be completely unaware of a lot of that stuff and the way it works. I don’t focus on it. There is a lot to focus on and a lot to learn right now. Being here, learning the offense and trying to pick up a bunch of stuff. I am not sure I can really afford to focus on a lot of that stuff.

Q: Are you a patient guy by nature? You have been owning the huddle for a long time and now you may have to wait. Is that going to be hard for you?
A: I don’t think so. There is patience to it, but I am also learning. There is a lot to do. It is not like I am just sitting and watching. There is a lot to do. It is an active process in learning the playbook and understanding what it is to be a New York Giant. I think I am patient and I am looking forward to it, but there is certainly a lot of work to do.

Q: Do you try and win the job or do you accept that you will have to sit?
A: I think the first thing that I have thought is to understand how awesome it is to have a guy like Eli. Keeping that in mind and making sure that every day I am learning from him. Also, focusing on improving myself, which is a big part of that process as well. It is a huge opportunity to learn and I am certainly mindful of that. I am looking forward to learning.

Q: Would you have wanted to play right away and do you think you can?
A: I wanted to be in New York. I think through the process this is the place I wanted to be. I think I connected with the staff and really enjoyed my time with them. I haven’t thought about that a whole lot. I wanted to be here, so I was thrilled.

Q: A big part of the job will be like this, standing in front of the media. What makes you ready for that?
A: I think it is largely a personality thing. If you can be calm and steady in your demeanor, I think you can handle this. This is certainly part of the job and I am excited for this.

Q: Is this the first time in your life you think you have been like a lightning rod in terms of attention?
A: Yes, I think anyone that comes into New York, you can see that there is more attention than they have had previously. It is all part of it. It is my job to make people believe in me and I understand that. There is a lot of work to do and I am excited to do that.

Q: Did Peyton give you any advice when you were drafted here?
A: I have not spoken to him recently. I remember back when I was making my decision to stay in school or move on, his advice was that whatever decision you make or whatever you chose to do, people will criticize it. It is your job to prove them right or prove them wrong. I think that is still relevant advice.

Q: Last night was not your first time walking into this building, but did it feel any differently walking into the building last night now that you have been drafted?
A: It did. It felt good. I was excited to be here. Being at home, at Duke for the past week, I am really just excited to get up here and get started. Coming in last night was awesome.

Q: When you walk through this building, you see a lot of trophies and photos of your mentor, Eli. Do you imagine what it is going to be like 10 years from now?
A: I think the goal is to win Super Bowls. That is the goal, no doubt about it. To win multiple Super Bowls like Eli has. Mr. Gettleman, Mr. Shurmur, Mr. Mara and Mr. Tisch certainly all expect that. There is no question, the goal is to win Super Bowls. I am looking forward to it.

Q: Is your locker next to Eli’s?
A: It is not.

Q: I assume Kyle Lauletta is one of the guys you knew coming in here. Have you thought about competing against him?
A: Not a whole lot yet. I am just excited to be here and I am looking forward to getting on the field, finishing up this rookie minicamp and really getting out there.

Q: What will you do next week?
A: Go home, train. Hopefully I’ll have some things to work on.

Q: How did you come to jersey number 8?
A: There were several options. I think eight is a good number. Old Kobe, I guess.

Q: How do you balance blocking out noise and being the best QB you can be?
A: It is just focusing on what we are doing. I am going to be busy learning the playbook and learning what it is like to be here. I don’t think I will have a lot of time to think and reflect on that. There will be plenty of things to keep me busy.

Q: Are you friends with Zion at all? Have you talked to him since being drafted and him maybe joining you in New York?
A: I have gotten to know him a little bit. We talked a little bit about that actually this week. That would be a cool deal. We will see what happens. He is a special guy.