Over the past 16 years, every evaluation or analysis of the Giants quarterback position began and almost ended with Eli Manning. With Eli and uniform No. 10 outside the building, the spotlight immediately illuminates Daniel Jones, out of the beginner’s year filled with promises and many defeats.
Consider all the ridicule and anxiety caused by general manager Dave Gettleman who has the courage to take Jones by choosing No. 6 in the 2019 draft, Jones freed himself pretty well – pushed into a difficult and sticky place. He should have been patiently waiting for his turn behind Manning – learning from the franchise icon, understanding his role as a temporary young supporter, confusing, not fully accepting that role, especially when involved in blunt summer ex-head coach Pat Shurmur (deliberately?) With things like “I know we are dancing around the words here, but right now Eli is getting ready to have a great year and Daniel is getting ready to play.”
There are examples of Jones who seem more comfortable on the pitch than he avoids political balls when he obediently (and truly) submits to Manning in the locker room, always careful with his words and even his body language, waiting for his turn, until Manning no longer in his locker, to talk to the media.
In many ways – of course physical form, appearance and, sometimes, speech patterns – Jones is an imitation of Eli. Jones, however, quickly developed ties with young players on offense and, behind the scenes, emitted more vibrations of arrogance than Manning had done as a beginner. The recipient really trusts him.
Nobody (other than Shurmur) thinks Jones will start on Week 3, but that’s what happened, triggering a beginner’s ride. Jones won his first two starts then suffered eight consecutive defeats and ended his first year with an initial record of 3-9. He showed an arm that was bigger and more accurate than his design – and Duke – a detractor projected for him. His 279-meter rushing – an average of 6.2 per effort – exhibited excellent and athletic speed. Consider: Manning has never run more than 80 yards in 16 seasons.
Daniel JonesThe AP
Jones’s touchdown-to-interception rate (24-12) is more than acceptable (Manning as a rookie is 6-9) and the percentage of completion is 61.9 not bad at all, given the Giants rarely have a clue and Jones is forced to throw to catch up.
Manning acknowledged his presence last season was “probably awkward” for Jones and anticipated, in Manning’s free zone, Jones could have more strongly risked his claim as a worthy successor. Jones admitted it was awkward at times.
Colt McCoy, 33, has just started 28 in his nine-year career – only three started in the last five seasons – and must be in line with the veteran’s prototype reserve. This likely marks the end of Alex Tanney’s two-year stay, when the Giants signed Cooper Rush, who has experience in the system from the time with new offensive coordinator Jason Garrett with the Cowboys.
