Giants QB Jones nonetheless 'assured' after dangerous opener

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Daniel Jones is used to this type of stress and doubt already. He is been coping with it ever for the reason that day he was chosen by the New York Giants with the No. 6 general decide within the 2019 NFL draft.

The Giants’ beginning quarterback is not notably apprehensive about his confidence and psychological toughness now after a poor efficiency in a 28-6 season-opening loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

“I really feel like I have been doubted a lot for a very long time and handled that point and time once more. And accomplished a superb job with it,” Jones mentioned forward of a weekend matchup with the Washington Commanders. “I believe my psychological toughness is in a great place. I am not involved about that.”

Coach Brian Daboll was requested if he noticed a quarterback who’s taking part in with confidence.

“Yeah, we have performed one sport,” Daboll mentioned. “So, nobody did adequate that first sport. So once more, crew sport and we’ll work on fixing it.”

This line of questioning comes after Jones did not look all that sharp whereas finishing 22 of 42 passes for 186 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. The second interception was a display go returned for a landing by Andrew Van Ginkel.

It has left doubt about how for much longer Daboll can proceed to trip with Jones if his play does not enhance. Jones is not interested by whether or not he is taking part in for his job on Sunday, however sooner or later he might want to carry out higher shortly to ensure that Daboll to have the ability to justify his standing because the starter to the locker room.

“I am taking part in to win video games,” Jones mentioned. “I am taking part in to steer the crew to attain factors and win video games. That has at all times been my focus. I do know I can do this. Bought to do it. Bought to do it effectively.”

The Giants (0-1) are 1-6 in Jones’ seven begins since signing a four-year, $160 million contract. He is thrown three pick-sixes throughout that point in comparison with simply two touchdowns.

This previous Sunday regarded like a continuation of final season, when the Giants offense struggled and the fifth-year professional threw two landing passes and 6 interceptions in six video games.

Jones, who’s coming off a torn ACL in his proper knee suffered final November, got here away from Sunday considering he wanted to be faster together with his choices, cleaner together with his toes. He did not suppose confidence is or was the difficulty.

“I am assured in my skill, assured in my skill to exit and execute and sit up for doing that on Sunday,” he mentioned.

Jones advised ESPN in 2023 that he talks weekly with a sports activities psychologist. He is additionally recognized to be particularly shut together with his household and makes use of them frequently as a sounding board.

There definitely has been a variety of noise on the skin. A number of former teammates (ex-Large large receiver Golden Tate and cornerback Janoris Jenkins) have publicly expressed their opinions on his struggles and skill. Outdoors linebacker Jonathan Greenard even mentioned the Vikings “form of began to really feel just a little bit dangerous” for Jones throughout Sunday’s contest.

Jones and the Giants offense was booed after the second play of the season. He was booed and heckled by followers as he exited the stadium.

“Followers are upset, annoyed. We’re annoyed too. So I perceive that,” Jones mentioned. “I am not simply offended. I perceive the way it works. I perceive that. I am not simply offended. I perceive the way it works. I’ve to play higher. All of us should play higher.”

To ensure that that to occur, it is on Daboll to get his quarterback proper. The Giants are connected to Jones for no less than this season.

Jones took all of the first-team reps at coaching camp this summer time. Backup Drew Lock and third-stringer Tommy DeVito won’t see a rise in snaps at apply this week.

The Giants are banking on getting Jones proper.

“He is somebody that I discuss to each day,” Daboll mentioned of Jones. “We discuss in regards to the self-discipline to do issues proper on and off the sector like he at all times does, having a optimistic angle no matter scenario. It is by no means straightforward whenever you lose a sport, or you do not play effectively, or you do not coach effectively. … So, conserving a optimistic angle, doing the issues that you’ll want to do each week to arrange for a sport, which he’ll do. After which dealing with issues with the precise mindset. Be capable of persevere by issues, let your ardour present, have aggressive stamina. Psychological toughness is an actual factor.”

The Giants are about to search out out simply how mentally powerful their quarterback is, starting Sunday in opposition to the Commanders.