Quarterback Daniel Jones
September 3, 2024
Q: How are you feeling?
DANIEL JONES: I’m feeling good. Yeah, feeling good. I’m ready to go. Excited to get out there.
Q: How much does it help you, in the sense that (former Giants Defensive Coordinator) Wink (Martindale) was a big blitz coach and I’m assuming the Minnesota Vikings will be the same way?
DANIEL JONES: I think going up against Wink (Martindale) and all of the different pressures he brought, you’ve got to have answers and things to get to offensively. This system, this defense, puts a lot of pressure on the offense, on the quarterback, and you’ve got to see it, understand what's happening and be prepared.
Q: How in-sync does this offense feel right now after you came together? You've got a rookie in (wide receiver) Malik (Nabers), you've got the offensive line…
DANIEL JONES: Yeah, I feel like we're in a good spot. I think we're confident. We've had a good camp, we're prepared and we've got to go out and execute on Sunday. I think it's about taking the work that you've put in over these last, really since this spring, and translating that to the field. Understanding this game plan, getting on the same page and then executing on Sunday. I feel good, I think we're confident and ready to go.
Q: What are your expectations of the offense as a whole this year and how does it differ, maybe, from years past?
DANIEL JONES: We've got high expectations. High expectations of what we can be as a group on offense. I think based on the work we've put in and progress we've made, we expect to be a good unit, score a lot of points and attack a defense a lot of different ways.
Q: (inaudible)
DANIEL JONES: We've had a lot of communication over the past few years in meeting rooms and as we game plan throughout the week. I feel like I have a good feel for how he sees the game and how he calls the game. Obviously, we've spent a lot of time since the spring together. I've got a lot of confidence and feel good about us being on the same page. I'm excited to be out there.
Q: What's the biggest difference with him as a play-caller, for you?
DANIEL JONES: I think everyone calls it a little bit differently. Different answers to different things. Overall, a lot of similarities and a lot of things we've done over the years and had success with. I think it's just getting used to hearing another voice in the helmet and understanding how he sees the game.
Q: What is his style? That's something that he's kind of hung his hat on over the years as he's built up his coaching career. What's his style like working with the offense?
DANIEL JONES: Over the years, just hearing from his experience and where he's been and how he's called games, I think it's changed in different spots. He's been able to adapt to what the team's best at, what the defense is doing and how best to attack it. We have a lot of playmakers, a lot of different ways we can go about our offense and execute and attack a defense. So, that's what we're going to do.
Q: With the offensive line, what kind of confidence do you have in those guys?
DANIEL JONES: I've got a lot of confidence in that group. I think they've played really well throughout training camp. We've got some veterans who (we) brought in, some older guys who I think have done a good job and gotten on the same page. I think (Offensive Line Coach) Carm (Carmen Bricillo) has done a really good job working with that group. I feel like we have a good plan this week. I'm excited. I think that group's played well.
Q: Have you had enough time specifically with (center) John Michael (Schmitz Jr.)?
DANIEL JONES: Yeah, we've had a lot of time. Certainly a lot of time last year. In camp, we missed a little bit of time, but plenty of time together. I feel really good about where we are.
Q: How different does it feel after the grind of the offseason to know that you're preparing for a real game this week?
DANIEL JONES: It's exciting. Camp is hard work. You put in a lot of time and effort into it. The opportunity to go against another team and play and be out there on the field is exciting. Something you look forward to a lot. I think we're all fired up.
Q: After the knee injuries, are you more excited?
DANIEL JONES: Yeah, I think so. I spent some time on the sideline watching the game and wishing you were out there. I'm excited to be back. Certainly, grateful and very appreciative of all the help I've had throughout this whole journey and people who have done a lot to help me get back. I'm excited to be out there.
Q: Is there anything in your mind with the knee coming back? You need to pass, you need to feel this or see this or test this? Or do you feel like you’ve hit all these…
DANIEL JONES: I feel like I've hit all those spots. I feel like I've tested it. I feel good about my rehab, my process, and playing football. I feel like I can do everything I need to do. I think I've checked all those boxes. I feel good.
Q: Are you keeping the beard for Sunday?
DANIEL JONES: (Laughs) We'll see. I haven't decided yet.
Q: Game time decision?
DANIEL JONES: Game time decision.
Q: What do you think of the new uniforms?
DANIEL JONES: I like the new uniform. Looking good.
Q: On the history of the franchise, the uniforms and 100th season…
DANIEL JONES: We’re certainly aware of it and we’ve talked about it. I think the important thing is you understand how rich the tradition is in this organization and the history behind playing for the New York Giants and what that means and what this franchise means to the NFL. All of that is special to be a part of, and we have, as players, a lot of respect for that.
Q: You didn't put in for (former Giants quarterback) Y.A. Tittle’s number or anything like that?
DANIEL JONES: No, I didn't.
Q: Can this season be a success for you guys as a team in your mind? If it doesn't include the playoffs?
DANIEL JONES: I think right now, our focus is on Minnesota and making sure we're ready to go and take care of this first game, get off to a good start. We have high expectations of this team, and we certainly plan to play in the playoffs, plan to play in the postseason. We’re going to get there by focusing on what we're doing right now.
Q: Minnesota's defense, obviously it's a completely different unit, different coordinator and everything else. Is there anything you can glean from the last time you saw them?
DANIEL JONES: I mean, some of the personnel is left over from a couple years ago, but a lot of new guys, and like you said, a new system. I think you want to study what they were last year, what they did last year and had success with. But I think it's important to understand, in the first week, that you're not going to have a great idea of what they're going to do. It's a new year, and it's about focusing on yourself and making sure we're prepared and we know our plan.
Q: A guy like you, you've always talked about how you kind of dig in and start watching opponents. That Week 1, is there an advantage to that, knowing that they have to defend you out of the unknown? Or is it harder for you to have to attack the unknown…
DANIEL JONES: We always want to focus on ourselves first and what we're doing, how we're preparing. Whether it's Week 1 or later in the season, but especially Week 1. When you don't know what they're doing and they don't know what you're doing, it's about executing your stuff, focusing on your guys, on our scheme, our system and executing that.
