What Daniel Jones is Looking to Build on After First Month as an NFL Starter

Daniel Jones is off to a decent enough beginning to his NFL career, but as his own harshest critic, he said there is a lot of things he can do better.

Giants rookie quarterback Daniel Jones really is his own harshest critic.

“I’ve been inconsistent overall,” Jones said when he met the media for his weekly press briefing Wednesday.

The numbers would seem to back up Jones’ assessment. Since being named the starter four weeks ago, Jones has 85 completions out of 140 attempts for 921 yards with five touchdowns.

But his two wins as a starter this season look very different than his two losses.

Against Tampa Bay and Washington, Jones completed 46 of 67 passes for 561 yards. He recorded three touchdowns and two interceptions.

But against Minnesota and New England, two better defenses, Jones threw 36 completions out of 69 attempts for 343 yards with two touchdown passes and four interceptions.

“I’ve been good and been bad,” Jones said. “When you look at the scheme, the decisions, or my habits, I think there are a lot of things to learn.

“So I’ll kind of separate those problems, those individuals issues and try to improve. But also just getting more comfortable and getting more accustomed to what we are doing. I think I’ll continue to learn and grow, but I’ve certainly had the opportunity to learn a lot this month.”

Head coach Pat Shurmur described Jones’ first month as the starter as “interesting.”

“He went through a lot in the first month, learned a lot and did a lot of really good things,” Shurmur said.

Shurmur highlighted the importance of making developments at both the physical and mental levels.

Jones, in particular, is learning how to be a better decision-maker during different game-time scenarios.

“Young players that are hyper-competitive like he is, they try to make a play throughout,” Shurmur said.

“But as you go through this as a quarterback, there are times when it’s important you use your legs and unfortunately throw the ball away. They get used to that as they go. We’re looking forward to him continuing to improve in all facets of playing quarterback.”

Jones said that he feels the same desire to get better, but he also understands the importance of taking things one day at a time.

“Starting today at practice--really starting Monday at practice, I think there’s an urgency of making sure we prepare as well as we possibly can, so we can play as well as we possibly can.”

After throwing three interceptions last week, Jones’ focus is on taking care of the ball and finding balance as he prepares for the Arizona Cardinals (2-3-1) this weekend.

“I think in the pocket, making sure I’m keeping two hands on the ball,” Jones said when asked what he’s been focusing on cleaning up.

“When I’m running, securing the ball, making good decisions. I think being aggressive when the opportunity is there, and not when it’s not smart to be aggressive. Just managing that, understanding those situations, and learning from them.”

This weekend Jones could also be getting a significant boost if running back Saquon Barkley, who practiced in full Wednesday, is cleared to return after missing three games with a high ankle sprain.

“If a quarterback is going to pick two friends, one is an offensive line, and then the other is a running back,” Shurmur said.

“The ability to be protected so they can make throws, and then a runner that you can hand the ball to and gain yards. Obviously, Saquon being back--if he is--would be a big boost.”

So too would a pristine performance from his offensive line, which has allowed ten sacks against Jones since he took over as the starter. This week, the Giants will have to figure out how to stop Cardinals edge rushers Chandler Jones and Terrell Suggs from adding to that total.

“Yeah, they are good players,” the quarterback said. “I think from my standpoint, I need to be good at stepping up in the pocket and holding onto the ball. I think those things are always important.

“They’ve got two good ones, but I’m confident we’ll do a good job. We’ve done a good job this season, and I’m confident with our guys to protect. I have to make sure I’m doing my job stepping up and getting time.”

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