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Let’s have realistic expectations for Daniel Jones

By Connor McJunkin

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - AUGUST 08: Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants calls the play as Mike Remmers #74 and Kevin Zeitler #70 wait for the snap in the first quarter against the New York Jets during a preseason matchup at MetLife Stadium on August 08, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - AUGUST 08: Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants calls the play as Mike Remmers #74 and Kevin Zeitler #70 wait for the snap in the first quarter against the New York Jets during a preseason matchup at MetLife Stadium on August 08, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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The Daniel Jones era has officially started, but let’s make sure we keep a realistic set of expectations for the rookie as he takes over as the franchise signal caller.

What a chaotic time to be a New York Giants fan. After an off-season centered around OBJ, Landon Collins, and Daniel Jones controversy, the headaches didn’t stop once the season arrived. Through two games, the G-Men are 0-2 and have been outscored 63-31.

The defense looks abysmal and is still suffering from a lack of pass rush and competent secondary play that has plagued them in previous years. On the other side of the ball, though the offensive line is vastly improved, the offense can’t see to find a rhythm and stay on the field for longer than three plays. So far, it’s been a new year with the exact same New York Giants.

In the midst of the 0-2 start, Head Coach Pat Shumur finally pulled the plug on the Eli Manning era and made the switch to rookie Daniel Jones. It was a move that everyone expected and saw coming, but maybe not this early in the season.

Eli Manning has been the epitome of a New York Giants football player for 16 years now and for much of the fan base, has been the only quarterback they’ve ever watched trot out on the field for the G-Men every Sunday. It’s bittersweet, but it’s also time.

Some could make the argument it’s unfair to Eli to make the switch this early in the season, especially considering the depleted WR corps and awful defense surrounding him. But, on the other hand, the offense looks dead and uninspired, and Eli might not have been losing games, but he wasn’t winning them either.

This change had to be made sooner rather than later. It would make more sense for Jones to inherit an 0-2 team with a lot of football left to be played rather than a 1-6 or 1-7 mess with the season already down the drain.

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Now, whether you were a fan of the Daniel Jones pick or not, he is now the Commander in Chief of the franchise. He’s been trusted with the keys to the car. It’s his time to prove to the front office, the fan base, and the rest of the NFL that he is next franchise quarterback for the New York Giants – eventually.

I say eventually because we (as a fan base, the media, etc) have to have realistic expectations when it comes to Daniel Jones. Just because we’ve switched quarterbacks doesn’t mean the receiving corps is suddenly back to full strength, although it should be with the return of Shepard and Tate in the next few weeks. Secondly, and most importantly, Jones isn’t playing defensive end, middle linebacker, and safety either. The defense is still bad, and a quarterback change isn’t fixing that.

Next, Daniel Jones is still a rookie and that has to come with certain expectations. Despite how much he lit it up in the preseason, which was very promising, the regular season is a different animal. He’s not throwing on 3rd string defenses and guys who aren’t on active rosters anymore, Now, he’s avoiding sacks from Fletcher Cox and throwing on guys like Harrison Smith and Darius Slay. 

As with most rookies, there will be a learning curve to the talent and speed of the NFL that Jones will no-doubt go through and we need to be aware of that.

Of course, there are still expectations of Jones to play like the No. 6 overall pick. There will be hiccups and maybe a bad mistake here or there, but he is still the starting quarterback and should give this team the best chance to win.

As I said earlier, his preseason performance was a nice indicator that he at least has the tools and decision-making ability to compete in this league. All things considered as well, he is coming into an above-average situation, especially compared to the rookie seasons of guys like Josh Allen and Josh Rosen.

In two weeks he will have both Sterling Shepard and Golden Tate back to go along with weapons Evan Engram and Saquon Barkley, who have both looked great thus far despite the offensive struggles. The offensive line is also much improved from a season ago, and Jones’ ability to use his legs will provide a key component the offense was missing before.

Add in the benefits of Pat Shumur being an offensive-minded coach, Jones getting live game reps, building chemistry with his teammates, and learning from none other than Eli Manning when he gets to the sideline and you have a solid system for any rookie quarterback to develop and thrive in.

At the end of the day just realize there will be growing pains with Daniel Jones, just like there was when Eli took over for Kurt Warner in 2004. Will he come in Sunday and throw for 350 yards and 3 touchdowns vs the Buccaneers? Probably not, and that’s fine.

Daniel Jones, like the rest of us, needs to just take it game-by-game. He will steadily improve and will eventually grow into the franchise quarterback we drafted him to be – eventually.

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