Quarterback Daniel Jones
September 8, 2021
Q: When you were out there after practice with (Offensive Coordinator) Jason (Garrett) and there’s no receiver and you’re just throwing the ball at the goal post, is that just a B.S. session to discuss what’s coming up this week?
A: No, I mean it’s kind of a game we play, an ongoing competition. There’s score kept and we’re competing. It’s not a B.S. situation (laughs).
Q: He throws the ball pretty well. He’s still got it a little bit it seems like.
A: He does, yeah. He throws it pretty well and he’ll let you hear about it, too.
Q: Is it the garbage can thing? How many you can get in the garbage can?
A: There’s several different games we play and the last one is a target game where we pick a target and go for it.
Q: Where are you now or how would describe where you are and ready for this opening day compared to where you were last year?
A: I don’t know, I think I definitely felt prepared going in last year. I remember feeling confident and ready to go. I certainly feel that way this year too. I would probably say I’m more comfortable having played a year and going through a full preseason and a full camp. We’re excited to get going.
Q: How different is it having different receivers and different personnel?
A: There’s differences building that chemistry with guys, and I think we’ve done a good job with it –getting guys in, the people that have been here helping everyone learn. Then the guys who are just getting here have done a great job picking it up and learning fast. I think everyone’s comfortable, everyone’s ready to go.
Q: Everyone has had an eye on (Running back) Saquon (Barkley) since the beginning of camp and I’m wondering now he’s doing full practice – what are you seeing in him now that he has been taking some hits? What is your view?
A: Yeah, I mean I think he looks great. I think he’s done a great job following what the trainers and the doctors have told him to do. He looks good practicing. He’s practicing hard and he looks really good.
Q: When you see him, do you see the things you saw before he got hurt?
A: Yeah, certainly. I think he’s an unbelievable athlete. You can tell with the ball in his hands, the way he runs routes, he’s an explosive guy and he certainly looks really good.
Q: Even if he comes back, he might be limited or not play the normal snaps he did before. If he gets cleared, what can he bring this offense for the first few weeks of season in your mind?
A: I think he’s got a diverse skill set. He can do a lot of different things. He runs the ball hard, obviously, and can do a lot in the pass game as well. When he’s ready to go, he’ll be big for us to have back.
Q: Psychologically, if he is cleared and plays on Sunday, what would that mean? Is there some sort of intangible lift that maybe you guys get when he’s in the backfield?
A: Yeah, I mean he’s certainly a leader on this team and someone everyone looks to and listens to. He’ll definitely help us out. We’ll see what happens.
Q: When (Former Giants Head Coach and Broncos Offensive Coordinator) Pat Shurmur put you in early as a rookie, what did that do for you in a positive way developmentally, and what was challenging about it?
A: I think the best way to learn is playing the game and I got that experience early. I think going through the ups and downs of playing quarterback, of learning how to play this position in the NFL and learning on the fly. I think that was a big advantage of me to get out there and get those reps. That was big for me.
Q: What advantage did he give you, even just from the draft to that point developmentally getting yourself to being game ready?
A: I think he did a great job simplifying things at times for me and teaching things in a way that were easy to understand for me and simplifying some of the reads. Teaching it clearly that way and allowing me to play with what I saw and make decisions quickly.
Q: They are very good at red zone defense, that’s something you guys are hoping to improve on. What do you see from them in that area and how much better are you prepared for that on offense?
A: Yeah, they’re a good defense across the board and like you said, their red zone defense has been a strength of theirs for the past two years. I think it comes down to the ability to affect the passer with the pass rush and playing good defense behind it. I think their safeties are two good players and they certainly make a lot of plays down there in the red zone as well. Just being aware of where they are. I think we’ve had a good camp as far as red zone and we’ll look to translate some of those things.
Q: Is a lot of that from your personnel that you guys have added in the red zone like (Tight End) Kyle (Rudolph) and (Wide Receiver) Kenny (Golladay) and other pieces?
A: Yeah, I think those guys have done a good job, but I think it’s just about getting reps. I feel like that’s an area we’ve gotten a lot of reps at this camp. We’ll keep working on it going into the game.
Q: There’s been a lot of talk about it being a make-or-break season for you. What do you feel you want to prove this year?
A: I’m not really seeing it that way, I guess. I think my mindset is just to go out and help this team win games. I think we’re in a position, we’ve had a good camp and we’re prepared, and my job is to put the team in a position to win games, to protect the football and distribute the ball to guys who can make plays for us. That’s kind of how I’m looking at it.
Q: You have to rely and trust your offensive line. How are you preparing for guys like (Broncos Outside Linebacker) Von Miller and (Outside Linebacker) Bradley Chubb?
A: Yeah, those are two good players who can certainly affect the game. We play a lot of good defensive lines in this league and that’s how teams are built. We’ll do a good job protecting and it’s certainly my job to make decisions, go through my reads and get the ball out of my hand.
Q: Captains were named this week, and your center was on that list. What do you see from (Center) Nick Gates that deserves that leadership title?
A: I think first and foremost, his work ethic. I think he’s a guy who comes to work everyday and takes care of his job. Guys see that, guys notice that, especially playing on the offensive line. Everyone in that room is looking to the center to make calls, get everyone on the same page. He’s always prepared and knows what to do. He’s a great leader.
