New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) had a very difficult time against the Dallas Cowboys. The Giants lost, 40-0, on Sunday, September 10, 2023.
Syndication: The Record
(East Rutherford, NJ) – It gives me no joy to type these words: I’m ready to waive the white flag.
I’ve been in the proverbial sports-debate foxhole ever since Daniel Jones was taken 6th overall what seems like many years ago. In support of Jones, I’ve fended off critics who decry his turnovers, his injury-prone style of play, his lack of pocket awareness, missing touch on passes – all of it. In truth, following a lifetime spent watching Phil Simms, giving way to Kerry Collins, Kurt Warner, and Eli Manning, my desire to see the New York Giants employ a mobile QB may have blinded me to some of Jones’ warts.
My position has been fairly consistent on the Giants’ signal caller for some time. I figured he was a middle-of-the pack type QB, a guy who could keep the chains moving with his legs, and hit enough downfield throws to form a competent offense. But that’s proving to not be the case. With just 62 TD passes in 58 games played, it’s just not good enough. And after the pick-six Jones threw during Monday Night Football against the Seattle Seahawks, I’ve seen enough. It’d be fair to say that I’ve flipped on players and coaches in the past based on a single play. Even Eli Manning was “canceled” in my mind following a regular season end zone interception that I can barely recall but may have been against the Patriots. I knew the “Ewing” Knicks were done after he missed the game 7 finger roll in 1995. Buck Showalter lost me this year when he neglected to intentionally walk Vlad Guerrero Jr. with first base open and the go-ahead run at second base. Jones’ pick-six is in that category. It was inexplicable on multiple levels. You can’t target Paris Campbell in that situation. You need to protect the ball. Scoring a TD is and was the only option there.
That said, I’m still in defense of the contract Jones was given by GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll. His contract rank’s 12th in the league – around middle-of-the pack. There was no other option for the Giants (realistically) at QB this year. After the 2025 season the Giants have a potential out that would make it a two-year $82.5 million deal with around $22.2 million in “dead cap” money. At this rate, the Giants will have no option but to hit a total reset on offense, draft a new QB, and hope he can grow next year while holding a clip board or potentially replacing Jones as starter.
So, no, it gives me no joy to write this. I’m eating crow. There’s no question I defended Jones from the first day he was drafted, given the intense hate he faced from fans around the league. For whatever reason, Jones has been a lightning rod for criticism and attention. The Giants, in many ways a marquee franchise for the NFL, have fallen on dark times. Given how the entire season has shaped up, fans would be forgiven for wondering if even Daboll and Schoen are the right people for the job. Many will be happy to hear this admission of defeat. On social media, detractors and even no-name defensive linemen are dog piling on Jones. In the Giants’ fan group chat I’m on, one member proudly proclaimed he’s been “vindicated” regarding the beleaguered QB.
And that’s all good.
I won’t accept the current reality that only caters to fantasy football and gambling. The idea that fanhood is passe doesn’t cut ice with me. In Jones I saw a tough, accountable, physically promising player who had the ability to answer the bell at QB. He was never going to be Patrick Mahomes, or even Derek Carr. WABC sports producer Mike Daddino argued to me, “shouldn’t you want more as a fan?” To which I suppose the answer is: yes. But I won’t apologize for being a fan of Jones, albeit his level of play hasn’t supported it, or backed up the idea he can be a competent week-after-week starter. Backup QB duties with a team other than the Giants may be in his future.
Where will Big “bruised” Blue go from here? It likely depends on how far they fall this season. A dream would be finishing with the first overall pick and selecting Caleb Williams to lead New York from purgatory. That may or may not be in the cards. Oh well. Anyone got any salt or pepper? Maybe a glass of ice water? This crow is pretty tough to choke down.
