Daniel Jones Struggles, but Gains More Lessons to Build On

On paper, it was a forgettable showing for rookie quarterback Daniel Jones. But here's why his experience against the Patriots, one of the league's best defenses, will serve as a key building block in his development.

If there's one thing that Giants rookie quarterback Daniel Jones has shown himself to be, that's resilient in the face of adversity.

So even though Jones, who was trying to lead an undermanned Giants offense, ended up recording the worst numbers of his young NFL career-- 15 of 31 for 161 yards, 1 touchdown and 3 interceptions--the rookie still managed to scratch and claw and ultimately get the offense on the board with a beautiful 64-yard dime thrown to receiver Golden Tate which made it a 14-7 game in the second quarter.

Unfortunately for Jones, the low-lights far exceeded the highlights, including the three interceptions, one of which came int he second quarter and was converted into a Patriots touchdown drive.

"I think each of them is different issues, but the first one was late and forced it, the second one just held onto the ball too long and should have tried to throw it away earlier, and the third one was just a bad decision," Jones said of his miscues. 

Head coach Pat Shurmur, who has been leading Jones' acclimation to the NFL, described the rookie's showing as "'gritty," adding, "There’s a couple plays there that – I mean, there were a handful of bad plays in there. But that happens, and I’m sure we will clean those up as we go along."

While Shurmur wasn't happy with the turnovers, he said he did like how the rookie was aggressive with the ball. But Shurmur certainly couldn't have been too happy with the offense's inability to move the ball, as on seven of the team's 13 drives, New York had three or fewer plays.

"To say that I’m happy turning it over,  isn’t accurate at all," Jones said. 

"I mean, I think we’re pushing to play better, and by no means are we panicked or are we at all looking or questioning ourselves. But, I think we know we’ve got to play better and I certainly know I’ve got to play better. So, we’re trying to do that."

Jones denied that the test against the Patriots, who coming into the game had the league's best pass defense, was overwhelming. But he also admitted that New England forced him to throw into a lot of tight windows.

"Yeah. I mean, they deserve credit," he said. "They’re a good defense and did a good job tonight."

Jones also refused to place any blame on the fact that he was missing his top skill position players, running back Saquon Barkley, receiver Sterling Shepard and tight end Evan Engram.

 But like every other start before this and every next start, Jones will look to take lessons that he can build on to get better.

"To simplify it, I think it’s just to take care of the ball," he said of what he learned this week. 

"I mean, I think that’s been the lesson a couple of times. Like I said, I think each one of those plays is a little bit different and I think I’ve got to learn things from each one of them. But overall I just need to take care of the ball better."

Another lesson hell look to build on is speeding up his reads and releases against the faster defenses int he league. 

"Yeah. I mean, I think you’ve got to be able to feel that and you’ve got to be able to have a sense for when it is time to get rid of the ball," he said. "Everyone’s faster, everyone’s bigger in this league, so yeah, I’ve got to make those decisions and kind of do that better."