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Why Daniel Jones is NY Giants’ defense’s secret weapon vs. Broncos

By Matt Lombardo

Aug 29, 2021; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws the ball during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 29, 2021; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws the ball during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Daniel Jones played in Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur’s system during his rookie season, and is helping the NY Giants’ defense prepare for Week 1

There will be a familiar face across the sideline from Daniel Jones as the NY Giants’ quarterback begins his third NFL season on Sunday.

Pat Shurmur, the former Giants head coach who was among Jones‘ biggest advocates ahead of New York choosing him No. 6 overall out of Duke, will be calling plays for the Denver Broncos in his second season as offensive coordinator.

Few coaches understand Jones tendencies, strengths, and weaknesses as well as Shurmur, who not only studied Jones’ film extensively at Duke but coached him through his rookie season in 2018.

Chances are, Broncos defensive coordinator Ed Donatell will be downloading Shurmur’s intel on Jones throughout this week ahead of Sunday’s Week 1 game at MetLife Stadium.

But, that knowledge goes both ways, and Jones has the chance to be a secret weapon for the NY Giants’ defense in the opener.

"“You know I played against Shurmur’s offense in Tennessee,” NY Giants safety Logan Ryan told reporters Monday. “But< as I dive into it and I’ll ask Daniel things that I feel – I’m not going to bombard him. But I’ll ask him what things I feel that might help us of anything he might know – signals, calls, anything like that, go-to plays or whatever.”"

Jones is entering his second season in coordinator Jason Garrett’s system, and there’s a chance that Shurmur has changed terminology since his departure in December 2018, after just two seasons as head coach.

But, any bit of background on your opponent could prove critical, and Ryan says Jones is a great resource this week as the NY Giants prepare for Teddy Bridgewater, Jerry Jeudy, K.J. Hamler, and the explosive Broncos’ offense.

“You need anything you can get,” Logan said. “I’ll read some stuff on Wikipedia sometimes. So, I’ll look into it, check the sources.”

This week, Jones is a great primary source for Ryan and the defense.

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Matt Lombardo is FanSided’s National NFL Insider and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday. Email Matt: Matt.Lombardo@FanSided.com.

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