QB Daniel Jones
November 11, 2020
Q: Earlier in the year, the coaches spoke about because there was no real offseason, training camp was kind of weird. It was a getting-to-know-you type of process for everybody involved. Do you feel that at this point that getting to know you process is complete? Have you seen the offense take on the identity that it wants to have? If so, what’s that identity?
A: We’ve certainly spent enough time with each other at this point. We feel comfortable with what we’re doing and who we’re doing it with. The focus is still to continue to improve week to week. I don’t think that changes. I think there is a lot of opportunities for us to take big steps week to week, to learn and grow as an offense, as a team. That stays the same regardless of what point in the season, or how much time we had in the offseason. I think the identity for us is to be a physical football team that fights for 60 minutes. That’s a challenge to us. It’s very clear from Coach Judge and from all the coaches that that’s the expectation. That’s what we try to do week in and week out.
Q: Joe Judge said earlier today that he still looks at you as a developing player. Your resume says it’s your second year, so I guess that’s true. How do you juggle the patience of knowing you’re a developing player and also your desire to have results now?
A: My focus is to improve every week. I’m not sure how I label myself or how productive that is for me to do. My focus is to improve and continue to grow. I certainly understand there’s lots of areas in my game that I need to improve on. That’s where I’m focused week to week.
Q: If you are developing, the other team doesn’t care about that. They want to knock your block off and win the game. Can you be patient with the fact that you are still a young quarterback and your head coach thinks you’re developing, but there is a need to win right now and play better right now.
A: The goal every time we go out on the field is to win the football game. There’s no confusion about that. I certainly don’t have any other goals or expectations when I walk out on the field. I know our team feels that, I feel that. We’re doing everything we can to win and we’re confident every time we go out on the field.
Q: Do you look at the standings? Do you realize what a win can do this weekend? Are you energized by that? Are you going to give me the day by day, game by game coach speak?
A: We’re certainly aware of the situation in the division and where the division stands. I think there’s opportunities for us. You can say it’s coach speak, you can say whatever you want to say it is, but the truth is we have to take it game by game. That’s the reality of how you have to approach these situations if you want to play your best week to week. That’s where our focus is, and I think that’s real and that’s where we are.
Q: Are you excited this week by the opportunity that’s in front of you?
A: Absolutely, we’re all excited. All these division games are huge games. They mean a lot. Teams we know well, teams we’ve played. That’s an exciting opportunity for us.
Q: Coach said today how much he sees improvement in you week to week reading defenses and all that. You practice against two savvy veterans in (James) Bradberry and Logan Ryan every day. How much do they help you? Do you communicate with them away from the field and do they help assist in how to read defenses?
A: I’ve learned a ton from both those guys. I’m always interested in hearing what they see in me, what they see in quarterbacks they are getting ready to play. The kind of things they are looking for, the opportunities they see to make plays. I think all that stuff is interesting and they are all opportunities for me to learn. With veteran players, especially guys in the secondary who have had the amount of success that those two guys have had, I think there’s opportunity there. I’ve enjoyed learning from them.
Q: I’m wondering what you have seen from Jason Garrett? I’m thinking of along the lines of in regards to what you guys are calling and doing offensively. How much has it expanded from the first four games into the season until now?
A: I think we have certainly added some things here and there. We’ve taken some things out here and there. We’ve kind of found what works, found what doesn’t work and I think that’s the way it probably works with any team through the first half of the season. I think he’s done an incredible job calling these games and putting us in position to move the ball effectively and score points. I’ve enjoyed it. I think it has probably changed from the beginning of the season like I expect most teams probably have at this point.
Q: What kind of effect does it have on you if you are going to be rotating six, seven, or eight offensive linemen throughout a game?
A: All those guys who have come in are guys who have proven they can play, who have earned the right to be out on the field for they’ve done in practice. They’ve all played well and bring something a little bit different to the table. I’ve enjoyed playing with them, playing behind them. They’ve all done a great job. I have a lot of trust and confidence in all those guys we’ve been putting in there.
Q: The phrase “game manager” sometimes gets tossed around with quarterbacks, and it has kind of a negative connotation. But when you think about it, isn’t that really what a quarterback’s job is, to manage the game, decide when to take risks, when to be safe, get his team in the right place and in position to win? Isn’t game management really what the job is?
A: Yeah, I’d agree with that. I think a big part of it is understanding when the opportunity is there, the ability to recognize that quickly, anticipate it and take it. A lot of times, that’s down the field or sometimes that’s just a quick decision where you’re letting the guy catch and run and giving him space with an accurate ball. Yeah, I think understanding when those opportunities are there, when it’s not there, when we call a play and we don’t get the look, and the ability to make a decision quickly and avoid a negative play, a sack or holding the ball, I think all of those situations maybe go into the game management category but are important skills as a quarterback. I think those are important to understand at the position, and I’m certainly working to improve week in and week out.
Q: When the end of this season comes and the Giants are assessing whether you’re their franchise quarterback, if that’s a decision they’re making, what do you think you need to show them by that point to prove that they have no decision to make once next year’s draft rolls around?
A: For me right now, I’m focused on improving and taking the steps I need to take as a player week to week, and make sure I’m learning from coaching and doing everything I can to put the team in a position to win football games here down the stretch. That’s where my focus is. I’m not sure I can afford to focus on that as much as just prepare as well as I can to win a football game.
Q: Is winning games the answer? Is not turning the ball over the answer? Is taking over games? Is there anything particular you think would elevate you from back and forth play to being the clear-cut guy in everyone’s mind?
A: Yeah, I think it’s just improving week to week and putting the team in position to win games. That’s where my focus is. I’m doing the best I can to improve and put myself in a position to play well and put the team in a position to win games.