QB Daniel Jones -- August 14, 2019
Q: What is your mindset going into the second preseason game?
A: I think for everyone, it’s just to build off what we’ve done, what we did in that first game, and what we've done since then, and kind of taking the next step as a team. I think with each group, it’s just building off what we’ve done.
Q: Daniel, your owner (John Mara) said yesterday that an ideal scenario this season would be that you never play because that means Eli (Manning) and the team are doing well. Would you be prepared to sit an entire season?
A: Yeah, I think my job right now is to prepare, to improve as much as I can, and control what I can control. How that plays out, I certainly hope we’re winning a whole lot of games, too.
Q: Were you surprised to hear that at all?
A: Not really. Like I said, I think my job is to do what I can to improve, to make sure I’m taking the right steps to make sure the offense is moving forward to the extent I can help it.
Q: Do you take a step back and say, “Last week was so easy,” you don’t get overconfident?
A: I think it’s the same process in preparing for this week as it was last week. I don’t think letting that affect your preparation is—I think that’s part of being consistent, is having the same urgency to prepare every week, and I’ve certainly tried to do that so far.
Q: You checked some boxes last week--you played in a preseason game, you drove them down the field. Is there anything that you’re specifically looking to do when you get back out there for the second preseason game?
A: I don’t know about specifically. I know there will just be more to it now with the second game. We’ve had a little bit more time to prepare, and I’m sure they have, so it’ll be just a little bit more, I think. But, I think the same idea is to execute, to move the ball, and score points. So, If I’m doing that, if we’re doing that, I think it’ll be successful.
Q: What do you feel you’ve been doing well so far?
A: I think, for the most part, trying not to make mistakes over and over again. I think that’s how you learn, is not repeating mistakes. I think that’s a big thing, and trying to focus on that. When you’re told something once, to correct it and move on so you can take the next steps. I think I’ve done a decent job with that.
Q: Daniel, they say when you succeed at something, it builds confidence. Off of that drive the other night against the Jets, is there an instance this week where you can actually say you felt more confident because of that drive?
A: I think so. I think just being in a game situation and playing a live game, moving the ball, I think that built some confidence. But like I said, in the preparation, you want to go back to square one, you want to go back to where you were this time last week in preparing, and not letting that change the process for you. But yeah, I think it helped build some confidence.
Q: There were a lot of injuries to wide receivers in the early part of camp. Has TJ Jones surprised you, because he’s looking really good?
A: Yeah, he’s done a really good job for us. He’s a guy who’s been in the league for a long time, played a lot of games. So, he’s able to come in right away, pick up the playbook, he’s talented, runs good routes, and it’s been a lot of fun working with him, for sure. He’s done a really good job.
Q: What can you tell us about C.J. Conrad?
A: C.J., I think he’s done a great job also. He was my roommate for rookie mini-camp, so I got to know him pretty early. He’s done a great job, a really hard-working guy, going to be in the right spot and know what he’s doing. Yeah, I’ve really enjoyed working with him, too.
Q: How does he compare as a roommate to Dexter (Lawrence II)?
A: (Laughter) That was a little different, a little shorter time period, but they’re both good guys.
Q: Is it challenging in your situation going into the season not knowing how or when exactly you’re going to be played?
A: I don’t think so. I think, like I said, it’s just about improving. I think being able to control what I can control and accepting that is my job, and I’m certainly good with it.
Q: How do you balance making mistakes with trying to stay aggressive, and realizing it’s going to happen?
A: I think just learning from each one of them. I think when you understand why it happened or what really happened, you can be more confident in making sure it doesn’t happen the next time, and that kind of frees you up to stay aggressive. So, like I said, not making the same mistake twice and correcting it, but understanding what exactly it was that you did wrong and keep from doing that and staying aggressive.
