New York Giants: Daniel Jones is his own worst enemy

Too much, too soon

When Jones was drafted sixth overall, I blasted the New York Giants and Gettleman for selecting him so high. There were things about his game that made me uncomfortable. Next, when Jones took over the starting role from Manning in Week 4, I thought it was way too soon based on the way the rookie played in the preseason as well as his mop-up role Week 1 in Dallas.

He didn’t look ready to me because the plays he ran to that point were basic and he hadn’t faced anyone’s first-unit defense. It’s completely different facing a starting defense with all their blitzing schemes and coverage packages than what he saw when the outcome didn’t matter as much as it did when he became the starter.

Game 7 against Arizona at home on October 20 seemed like a more realistic place and time to make a switch and that’s what I wrote. Of course, Jones made me look bad after winning his first two starts. Then it all came crashing down for Big Blue as they have since lost eight straight.

This isn’t an “I told you so.” I’m not happy about the way this season has played out. What loyal Giants fan would be? So I did what good coaches and players do and went back to the tape. The things I saw reinforced some of my original thoughts. Additionally, other items I saw individually aren’t so bad, but when added together with what I now know sheds light on a few other items.

Every Big Blue fan is frustrated with the number of turnovers Jones has made this season. Early in the fourth quarter Sunday, against Green Bay, he overthrew wide-open Sterling Shepard on a mid-range pass which led to an interception by Darnell Savage. That was one of his three picks on the day. The turnover was followed by a Packers TD drive that put the game out of reach for the G-Men.

Two big problems Jones has are setting his lead shoulder toward (not at) the intended receiver as well as an inconsistent arm angle when releasing the ball. That leads to passes sailing on him at times. Which is exactly what happened on that play.