Patricia Traina, The Maven NY Giants
Despite his success, Daniel Jones remains grounded
The only one who seems to be missing the hype around Daniel Jones is Jones himself.
The rookie quarterback put up career numbers in his NFL debut against Tampa Bay Sunday, completing 23 of 36 passes for 336 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
He also ran for two seven-yard touchdown runs, including the game-winner as he led the team back from an 18-point deficit, showing a fiery side that caught his teammates off-guard and helped him with NFC Offensive Player of the Week.
Since then, Jones has been the toast of the town, the man everyone wants to talk about and talk to.
But as far as Jones is concerned, it was all just a day at the office and he's been focused more on making sure his second NFL start--and first in front of the MetLife Stadium home crowd--is just as successful this weekend.
“I go home and then I come into work every day,” Jones said. “I don’t feel like it’s changed a whole lot.”
That's not just Jones putting on an act, either, and head coach Pat Shurmur was actually surprised to be asked if he's noticed a change in the rookie's demeanor.
“You’re asking if he has a big head?” Shurmur asked. “I see the same player I saw last week preparing to play his first game.”
Jones said family and friends have let him know to an extent about all of the attention he has been receiving since leading the Giants to their first win of the season. But his focus remains on preparing for the week ahead as he will start his first game at MetLife Stadium.
“I’m excited to run out there in front of Giants fans and play my first game here,” Jones said. “We had some good support down there in Tampa Bay, and I am certainly very appreciative of that, but it’ll be fun to run out here.”
Though Sunday’s win gave Jones some added confidence, he stressed that he still has room for improvement, including ball security.
“I can’t afford to turn the ball over twice like that in critical points in the game,” he said.
Jones knows that the offense will look different against Washington without Saquon Barkley, but he said he has confidence that other players will step up.
With Barkley leaving the game against Tampa Bay in the first half, Jones went on to finish the game as the Giants rushing leader with 28 yards on four attempts.
His mobility will have to be taken into consideration by Washington head coach Jay Gruden and staff, but the 24-year-old said that he is not worried about losing the element of surprise.
“I think you make those decisions on the specific play and how it unfolds, and what you see and feel,” he said. “If their plan changes, maybe ours will a little bit.”
Shurmur also said that he does not think the game plan changes for Jones just because teams now have a regular-season game to study.
“I think the big thing for him is to just stay in the moment,” Shurmur said. “Keep planning and preparing to play the next opponent like he does.”
As for Jones, he knows he can't control the chatter and buzz surrounding his name, but what he can control is going about his business.
“Each week, the goal is to be a better team and to play better,” Jones said. “Hopefully that’s what fans see when they see us play as a team – constantly improving and constantly competing.”
