Let’s not sugarcoat it.
Sure, I’m not the only one who thought the New York Giants made the biggest reach of the 2019 NFL draft when they selected quarterback Daniel Jones with the No. 6 overall pick.
But after watching him run and throw his way to a comeback win on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his first NFL start, I’m getting in line early for my serving of humble pie.
After two weeks, Bucs defensive coordinator Todd Bowles had his unit ranked as a top-10 group in the league, and coming off a huge road win over the Carolina Panthers, surely that group had to be salivating over the chance to initiate Jones into the world of pro football.
Jones responded by throwing for 336 yards and a pair of touchdowns, adding two more scores on the ground, including what would end up being the game-winner on fourth-and-goal in the final minutes.
The former Duke star unseated two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning two weeks into his rookie season, and got his first win as an NFL starter in epic fashion, erasing a three-score lead on the road.
Oh, and did I mention he did it (for the most part) without Saquon Barkley, who managed just 10 yards rushing on eight carries before missing the entire second half with an ankle injury?
Jones just spent four quarters showing everyone why he was the pick, why he probably should have been the Week 1 starter, and why the Giants have a bright future with him behind center. He made poised throws on key third downs, bounced back from some painful pressure (and a four-sack outing from Bucs pass rusher Shaq Barrett), and marched his team down the field to win the game in the final minutes.
What else can you ask from any quarterback, let alone a guy making his first start in place of a team legend and future Hall of Famer?
It’s still early, sure. Jones is likely to take his rookie lumps the rest of the way this season, especially if Barkley is out for any extended period of time. But right now, the few who believed in this pick as much as Giants general manager Dave Gettleman did should milk their bragging rights to the full.
I certainly don’t get to be among them.
.png?w=600)
