NY Giants easy QB transition sets team up for success

For years the NY Giants didn’t have to worry about the quarterback position because they knew they had Eli Manning, and now they don’t have to worry post-Manning because of Daniel Jones.

So many teams find themselves in a world of trouble replacing franchise quarterbacks and many people worried that was going to happen with the NY Giants, who many believed avoided drafting a quarterback for too long. In last year’s draft, Big Blue drafted the guy they loved in Daniel Jones and despite being criticized they seem to have found their guy.

For 16 years it was Eli Manning’s show for the NY Giants, and in that time he had over 200 wins, 2 Super Bowl MVPs and over 300 passing touchdowns. The Giants are hoping Jones can have a similar 16 year run to Eli Manning. In week three, Big Blue handed the reigns over to Daniel Jones – officially beginning the transition – and he was extremely impressive.

Manning was a great influence on Jones on and off the field and both credit each other for making the 2019 season work from a comradery standpoint. In 12 starts ‘Danny Dimes’ had 3,027 yards, 24 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and added in 279 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. The biggest issue for Jones was his fumbles,as he lost 11. This is a correctable issue for Jones, as the Giants’ offensive line fell apart as the season went on.

The Giants have made major changes to the coaching staff as Pat Shurmur has been fired and Joe Judge takes over as the Giants head coach. The new coach was a former special teams and wide receiver coach with the Patriots. The Giants also hired former Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett as the offensive coordinator.

They brought in Burton Burns from the Ravens as the running back coach and continue pursuing Bill Callahan for the offensive line duties. Under Jason Garrett, Dak Prescott won offensive rookie of the year for the Cowboys and has continued to get better. In 2019 Prescott had his best statistical season passing for 4902 yards and 30 touchdown passes. Garret should be a good influence on Jones.

It’s not easy to replace franchise legends and the Giants – who many thought would struggle to do this – find themselves in a better spot for the future at the position than most teams. The Saints and the Patriots have decisions to make on Drew Brees and Tom Brady. Both men are past 40 and while they are still productive they are also both free agents and it’s possible both teams are looking to make long term changes very soon.

Philip Rivers might have played his last game for the Chargers. Ben Roethlisberger misses all of this season with an arm injury and is expected back in 2020 but the Steelers have to be thinking long term especially after the failure of their young quarterbacks this season.

Daniel Jones still has to prove himself as he goes from rookie to sophomore under a new system, but the Giants and fans should be very happy with him so far.

Jones has the tools both on and off the field to succeed in New York long term just like Eli Manning did, and Big Blue seems to be ahead of the pack in terms of making an effective transition from their early 2000’s legend.