QB Daniel Jones
September 9, 2020
Q: Two-parter. One, how many points do you think Duke is going to lose to Notre Dame by on Saturday? Two, what was the first game week Joe Judge practice like?
A: You know what happened last time Duke went to Notre Dame, so I think our chances are pretty good. Practice was good today. We got a lot of good work in. I thought guys were locked in and ready to go. I thought we did a good job out there on the field today. There certainly are some things to tighten up and keep focusing on, but we’ll continue to work on it. I think we had a good start to the week.
Q: How collaborative has the game planning process been so far? I know we’re still early in the week, but Joe made it seem like he was taking a lot of input from the coaches and the players like yourself.
A: We’re all involved in that process. We have a good plan. Yesterday was a big day to study the opponent and getting an idea of what’s coming this week and what to expect. We’re all involved. Obviously, the coaches are doing a majority of that. I think we have a good plan going in.
Q: How much say do you think you have in terms of what goes on in the offensive game plan particularly?
A: My role is to try to understand what we’re trying to execute, certainly to talk through things and to get an idea of what I like and what I think works in the plan. We have great coaches. We have guys who are experienced with game plans. Like I said, I think we have a good plan going in.
Q: Going into a game like this when you know you’re going to face a player like T.J. Watt, who’s shown a penchant for strip sacks, stripping the football, what kinds of things do you look for on film? Are there certain techniques he might use that you would hone in on? What kinds of things would you add to your preparation to make sure you’re prepared for a player like that in Week 1?
A: You look at their defense, it starts up front with those guys. You look at, like you said, Watt and all those guys up front can make plays. As an offense, as a quarterback, we have to make sure we’re executing, that I’m understanding where to go with the ball, getting the ball out on time, and making sure we’re sharp from that perspective. Like you said, they’re good players. They cause you to study what you’re doing, make sure you’re prepared going in and I think we will be.
Q: Are there certain ways that you can kind of look at the techniques that he uses, whether it’s certain types of punches or rakes his hand to get the ball out, that might help you as you go into a game to be mindful of what his specific technique is?
A: Yeah, I think you can see he certainly is attacking the ball when he gets back there. He’s working hard to get that ball out. A lot of the fundamental things as a quarterback, like keeping two hands on the ball, and like I said, making quick decisions and getting the ball out. Those are things that we’re certainly focused on.
Q: You got zero snaps last year with Darius (Slayton), Golden (Tate), Evan (Engram), Saquon (Barkley) and Sterling (Shepard) all together at once. It looks like Monday night might be a possibility. What are the possibilities and the potential of this offense with everybody together?
A: We have a lot of guys who can make plays, like you said. All those guys bring something different to the table and allow us to attack defenses in a lot of ways. We’ll look to utilize guys’ strengths. It’ll be exciting to get back out there on the field.
Q: How much is it an opportunity basically to show ‘hey, this is what this offense can be,’ and do it against a defense that quite frankly a lot of people say will be one of the best defenses in the league?
A: Yeah, this is the first opportunity we have to show what we’ve been working on, to show what we can be, like you said, as an offense this season, and we’re excited to do that. They’re a good defense. They have a lot of good players, a lot of good players coming back who played together. I know we’ll be prepared for it and we’re excited.
Q: Joe Judge was saying that he was initially surprised when you guys started forming your relationship that you were not this quiet guy. That you have a very strong personality, you just don’t go off spouting a lot of things. Can you talk to that a little bit, and is there anything in your growing relationship with Joe Judge that you look at and say ‘you know what? I’m surprised by that. I didn’t see that coming’?
A: I certainly feel like I have a good relationship with Coach. I’ve enjoyed working with him and learning from him through camp and into this season. Like we’ve talked about a lot, he’s a very detailed coach. He’s clear. The way he communicates, the way he says what he wants is very clear and purposeful, and you can feel that. Guys respond to that. As far as him and I’s personal relationship, we have a good one. Like I said, I’ve enjoyed working with him.
Q: When you guys named the captains and you found out that you were voted a captain, what was your reaction and what does that mean to you, going into your second year, for the locker room to kind of recognize you with that status?
A: Being voted by your teammates is a tremendous honor. It’s something I don’t take lightly at all and I appreciate the responsibility that the position comes with and what it means. I’m certainly grateful to be in this position to be elected. Like I said, it’s a serious job. It’s something that I don’t think you can take lightly. You have a responsibility to your teammates and to your team to represent them and do what you can to be their voice and lead.
Q: To piggyback a previous question a little bit when Judge said he was a little surprised when he found out you’re talkative and all that, will you get up in a guy’s face? Will you get on a receiver if he runs a wrong route or an offensive lineman if he misses a block? Are you fiery like that? Will you get up in a guy’s grill a little bit?
A: Everyone responds to communication in different ways. I think it depends on the guy and the situation. There are times where maybe that’s appropriate, but I feel like most of the time, I find it most effective to communicate clearly and make sure that we’re on the same page. I’m comfortable doing that if I need to, but I think each of those situations need to be handled differently. I try to do that the best I can.
Q: A year ago, you went into the season opener as Eli’s (Manning) backup. Are there any more butterflies going into a season knowing you’re the guy?
A: I don’t think so. I feel prepared, our team feels prepared. I’m certainly excited and looking forward to it. There’s a level of anticipation waiting for that game to come, but I feel prepared. I think we’re in a good spot as a team and as an offense. I feel comfortable going into Week 1. We’re all excited to get back out there.
