NYG Postgame (vs. Steelers) Transcripts: QB Daniel Jones
September 14, 2020
Q: What happened on that interception on the goal line, could you take us through what went down there?
A: Yeah, you know, obviously a play I’d like to have back, I’d like to have a chance to look at it with the coaches tomorrow and we’ll look into it. That’s a costly mistake there after a long drive, so… you know, something I got to work on and improve on.
Q: Hey Daniel, there was a lot of optimism heading into the season. Does this take a little of the air out of that optimism?
A: No, I don’t think so. You know, as a team, there’s certainly things we need to clean up and tighten up, learn from this first game. But I think, as a team, we showed what we can be and you know, like I said, opportunities to improve, opportunities to learn and we’ll look to do that, but attack those opportunities with the same enthusiasm and the same energy that we had going into this game. I don’t think anyone is discouraged, I think guys are, if anything, motivated and looking forward to next week and the next challenge.
Q: Daniel, that drive, that 19-play drive. You made so many good, gritty plays on that drive. I think you were 4 of 5 on third downs… when you’re going like that, does that cause you sometimes maybe to get overconfident, is it tougher to throw the ball away or to abandon the play after making so many plays to get yourself there?
A: No, I mean, I think you play every play independent of the other, focusing on executing that particular play. Like I said, I want to have a chance to go back and look at it and learn from it, but we can’t afford those mistakes in those situations.
Q: The turnovers aside, how would you rate out your performance tonight and how much more frustrating is it to be out there against a front that had 22 pressures and 11 hits?
A: I think as an offense, I thought we did some good things and some not so good things, and I certainly feel like I played good at times and bad at times. I think we got to do a better job of being consistent, avoiding the bad plays, avoiding the big mistakes, and I’ll certainly work to correct those things. We got to be more consistent and execute at a higher level.
Q: What went into the decision on how you guys handled the pregame with the anthems, please?
A: Yeah, so we had a team meeting and discussed that and came to the decision to let everyone do what they felt in their heart was the right thing to do and respecting each other's decisions. I think that was the way we approached it, we have had a number of discussions as a team, leading up to this week, dating back to the spring. As a team, we respect each other, we support each other, and I think that was the way we felt was most appropriate to go about that based on a lot of discussions we’ve had, dating back to the spring.
Q: Two questions about the opening drive: on the delay of game, were you guys trying to run the play or was that you guys just trying to draw them off?
A: Yeah, I mean that was a 4th and 1 situation right there, and we wanted to get out of the huddle a little quicker than that so... yes, situation, trying to use a hard count.
Q: After you get the muffed punt, on the third down with Evan (Engram), why do you think you guys weren’t able to connect on that when you think back on it?
A: Just got to do a better job trying to extend the play and let him find a little space in there so… just go back and look at it.
Q: Daniel, two-parter: this looked like last year with you and (Darius) Slayton, why do you think you guys have such good chemistry? It seems like there’s games where you look for him first? And then, do you ever wonder, with Golden Tate hurt now, if you’re ever going to play a game with all your weapons, because it’s 17 in a row where it’s been that way?
A: I thought Darius did a good job tonight, and he’s had a good camp and came in ready to go. I certainly have a lot of faith in him, I got a lot of faith in all those guys. We got out there, and I thought guys stepped up and made plays across the board. I know Golden is working to get back and I think he’ll be back when he’s healthy, so I’m looking forward to it. We got a lot of guys that can make plays, so my job is to get them the ball.
I would still call it a mistake to hold the ball that long when the play wasn't there to be made, but some of the commentary I'm reading suggests it's being taken as a given that Jones was trying to complete a pass there.
Love that. Slayton in the 6th round was a money pick. Have to give Gettleman props for that ... May have been one the best picks of his career. The guy has the speed we’ve desperately needed at WR to stretch the field and take the top of the defense, but the thing is he can actually PLAY WR. He can actually run good routes, exhibit great body control, and catch the damn ball (unlike so many speedsters we’ve employed over the years).
I would still call it a mistake to hold the ball that long when the play wasn't there to be made, but some of the commentary I'm reading suggests it's being taken as a given that Jones was trying to complete a pass there.
I really want to like Jones... really want to. He is a concern of sorts, is he going to be Eli lite, Dave Brown II, or his own star ...
Thats how I saw as well ... just eat the play throw it away ... but that is something he needs to improve on .... diagnosing and reading the field/play faster.
Yeah that was killer. Would've loved to see our D respond if they were pinned back inside the 5.