Wednesday Media Transcript: QB Daniel Jones

QB Daniel Jones -- October 16, 2019

Q: Coming off the game in New England last Thursday, what do you take from it? What do you continue to learn in a game like that against that kind of opponent?
A: I think a number of things. I think taking care of the ball is the first thing you think about, and just taking advantage of the opportunities. We missed a few there. Just taking care of the ball and trying to make sure we convert on opportunities to make plays.

Q: While not officially official at this moment, it looks like you’re getting Saquon (Barkley) back. What do you think when you hear that?
A: Yeah, I think we’re going to take it day by day and see how he feels. I know he’s been working hard, so we’ll see. Hopefully we’ll have him out there.

Q: What kind of benefit will that be to have him back in the backfield? You had him for what, less than two quarters?
A: Yeah, I mean he’s a big part of what we do. He’s a special player. It would be big to have him back.

Q: How much do you think it would take pressure off you a little bit to have to make some plays in the passing game?
A: I think we have done a good job running the ball these past couple of weeks. Obviously, he’s a playmaker, he makes a lot of plays. We all have to do our job, we all have to make plays when we get the opportunity.

Q: As he starts getting those reps this week in practice, what changes about the offense just knowing that Saquon is there?
A: Well, like I said, we are going to take it day by day and see how he feels. I think like anything, he’s working back, and we’re working back with him. We’ll see how he feels.

Q: Did you get a chance to meet or spend time with (Arizona Cardinals Quarterback) Kyler Murray during the whole draft process?
A: Yeah, I think I met him. I didn’t spend a whole lot of time with him, but I’ve enjoyed watching him so far and obviously enjoyed watching him in college, also.

Q: Against this Arizona defense, what are some ways you want to utilize the tight end more and exploit some of the struggles that they’ve had?
A: Well I think our tight ends are always a big part of what we do. Those guys have made plays this year for us, so they’ll continue to be a part of what we do. I look forward to seeing them make some plays.

Q: What kind of challenges do you have to deal with (Arizona Cardinals Linebacker Terrell) Suggs and (Arizona Cardinals Linebacker Chandler) Jones as you look at their pass rushers? This is a pretty potent duo we are talking about.
A: Yeah, they are good players. I think from my standpoint, I need to be good at stepping up in the pocket and holding onto the ball. I think those things are always important. They’ve got two good ones, but I’m confident we’ll do a good job. We’ve done a good job this season and I’m confident with our guys to protect. I have to make sure I’m doing my job stepping up and getting time.

Q: Pat Shurmur mentioned to us that he had a conversation with you, I guess along the lines of it’s been an interesting month for you. Do you have any takeaways as essentially your first month as a starter, or a reaction to that conversation with your head coach?
A: Yeah, I think it’s been, looking back on the month, kind of up and down. I’ve been inconsistent overall. I’ve been good and been bad. I think there are certainly a lot of things to learn. When you look at the scheme or some of the decisions, some of my habits or bad habits, I think there are a lot of things to learn. So, I’ll kind of separate those problems, (and) those individual issues and try to improve. But also, just getting more comfortable and getting more accustomed to what we are doing. I think I’ll continue to learn and grow, but I’ve certainly had the opportunity to learn a lot this month.

Q: Is there a sense of “we have to start getting this right now”?
A: Yeah, I think there is always going to be that sense. I think we’re always going to feel the urgency to fix things we haven’t done as well. To improve, I think that should always be there. Starting today at practice, really starting Monday at practice, I think there’s an urgency and a sense of making sure we prepare as well as we possibly can, so we can play as well as we possibly can.

Q: With Kyler (Murray), how much does it factor into your thinking at all like, ‘he was the number one pick, and I want to show that I’m the best quarterback in this draft’?
A: Not much. My focus is on trying to help the team win the game. I think that’s the biggest part. It’s about being prepared as a team, it’s about making sure I’m doing my part in that preparation and I’m ready to play as well as I can. I think that’s the emphasis, is to go out there and help our team get a win.

Q: Can Antoine Bethea be of any assistance to you with the Cardinals’ defense?
A: Yeah, I think so. It’s a little bit of a new system there this year, but personnel wise, they have some of his old teammates. I’ll continue to talk to him and understand what I can from his experience.

Q: When you say about taking care of the ball, what specifically goes into that other than don’t put the ball where it’s not supposed to be? What have you looked at in the last couple of days of wanting to improve in that area?
A: I think in the pocket, making sure I’m keeping two hands on the ball. When I’m running, securing the ball. I think that’s part of it. Just making good decisions. I think being aggressive when the opportunity is there, and not when it’s smart not to be aggressive. Just kind of managing that, understanding those situations, and learning from them.

Q: Is it really not a tangible thing that you can say, ‘this is what I’m going to focus on?’ Is it just a matter of week to week improving those areas from experience?
A: Yeah, through experience. Recognizing certain things as opportunities to be aggressive or not. I think it’s a lot of that, just seeing more and understanding that.