Transcript: Quarterback Daniel Jones

Quarterback Daniel Jones

Q: Your thoughts on getting ready for Week 1? I know it's not game week yet.

DANIEL JONES: Yeah, I think this week is important. Focus on us and make sure we're locked in and ready to go. Obviously, you understand who we're playing the first game. But I think (Head Coach Brian Daboll) Dabs has made a point of it being about us this week, focusing on ourselves and it's another week of training camp and making sure we're ready to go.

Q: The conditions out there, it was pretty hot. How's that going to help you down the road with a day like today?

DANIEL JONES: Yeah, it was hot. I think that helps early part of the season playing at one o'clock, it's going to be hot. Good to get outside and practice in those conditions.

Q: Is there anything different now that there maybe is a little tension cleared with the 53 men and knowing who is going to be a part of this team and who is not right now?

DANIEL JONES: I don't know that much changes from a practice standpoint. I think every year that's a tough day. You get to know a big group of guys and go through the off season, go through training camp with them. Then decisions have to be made. So, that's definitely always a tough day, but I'm excited, I'm excited about where we are. I thought we've had two good days this week, we need another one tomorrow.

Q: I know you and (wide receiver) Isaiah (Hodgins) had a big connection, obviously, especially in that playoff game last year. He's still here on part of part of the practice squad. Did you exchange any words with him after the roster was announced?

DANIEL JONES: Yeah, we talked. I have a great deal of respect for him as a player, obviously he's played at a high level for us these past couple of years. Then off the field, he's an awesome dude and a great friend. We talked and I'm excited he's here – I love being teammates with him.

Q: Do you think this team right now is better than the team that left the field last year? Obviously, you weren't on the field, but do you think it's a better team right now?

DANIEL JONES: Yeah, I do think it's a better team. I think we've improved in a number of areas. Across the board, yeah, we're better. We've had a good training camp and we're ready to go. It's always important to stay healthy and make sure we're taking care of our bodies and doing everything we can to stay healthy. I feel good about where we are.

Q: How about having your whole offensive line intact at practice now?

DANIEL JONES: Yeah, it's good to have all those guys out there together. Them playing together as much as possible is important, building chemistry and communication. All the things that go into playing well as a group and they've done a good job throughout training camp as guys have been out, still spending time together in meetings, getting reps in the walkthrough and communicating. I feel good about where we are, but definitely nice to have them all out there.

Q: How about the wide receiver core? Do you feel like it's the best group you've been around?

DANIEL JONES: Yeah, I think we've got a lot of talented guys for sure. A lot of guys who can step up and make plays for us and guys who bring different skillsets to the table. I'm excited about the group of guys. I think we've got a lot of speed on the field and guys who can make plays. My job is to get it to them and let them do their thing.

Q: What does that speed mean for you? Do you have to be quicker or faster or more decisive when you're throwing to guys who can almost outrun the ball?

DANIEL JONES: Yeah, I think you're always trying to get the ball out of your hands quicker regardless of who your receivers are. I think in the NFL, a big challenge playing quarterback is getting the ball out of your hands quickly, consistently, distributing the ball and spreading the field out. But when you have speed and guys who can get behind the defense, it's important to get it out there and let them go. Then horizontally too, getting the ball in front of them, letting them catch and run.

Q: I know it's only been two days with this complete line, but how does it feel different? What's different to you with this new group of guys?

DANIEL JONES: We've got some veterans in there and some older guys who've played a lot of football in this league at a high level and that helps the communication with everybody. I think every guy has done a good job stepping in and playing their role. Just practicing the communication at the line of scrimmage, seeing different looks together, communicating clearly, concisely, and then getting on the same page, I think that's important. I'm a piece of that too. I've got to be good with my communication and making sure we're all seeing it the same.

Q: In 2022, your best season, the ratio of touchdowns to interceptions was really good. How do you return to that?

DANIEL JONES: I think protecting the ball is important. That's always been something I've focused on and something I've done well over the years. Always trying to protect the ball and try to create plays, explosive plays, and that doesn't mean we're going to be cautious. We're going to take chances, but I've always placed a high importance on protecting the ball.

Q: In that year, you had 15 touchdown passes. That was not your career high, but is there any reason if you stay healthy that you will not have more than 15 touchdown passes? Do you think?

DANIEL JONES: I've never been a big stats guy or numbers guy…

Q: You know what it means, touchdowns are good.

DANIEL JONES: (Laughs) I know what it means. We're trying to score a lot of touchdowns. We're trying to throw them. We're trying to run them. We're trying to score a lot of points.

Q: With the offensive line, a lot of the guys are new, but have you noticed their experiences in general?

DANIEL JONES: Yeah, I think that's a big deal. Guys who've played a lot, have seen a lot of different things and played well, I think that's important. That helps all of us. I've enjoyed learning from them and hearing about their experiences and how they've done things at different places. I think it helps everybody.