New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones had an up and down rookie season in 2019. He threw four or more touchdowns in a game three times and became the only rookie in NFL history to pass for 350 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions in a single game in the Giants’ Week 16 victory over the Washington Redskins.
But there was an ugly side to Jones’ rookie year. Sure, he tossed for 3,027 yards with 27 touchdowns in 12 starts, but he also threw 12 interceptions and lost a league-leading 11 of 18 fumbles.
When asked on a conference call with reporters on Wednesday what he was prioritizing this offseason, the answer was an obvious one.
“I think the biggest thing is ball security, and particularly in the pocket, protecting the ball,” said Jones. “That’s a fundamental skill that for the quarterback position, that’s something that’s crucial but also to me a fairly simple fix in that it’s a mindfulness, being intentional with securing the ball, having two hands on it. When you’re moving, when you’re having to adjust in the pocket, you’re maintaining that security. I’m trying to emphasize that, doing different drills and making sure that I’m always cognizant of that and being very intentional in that.”
And just how will Jones accomplish that, especially since the only team activities at the moment are virtual ones?
“I’ve been working with a quarterback coach here. He’s someone who has helped me with that and we’ve talked about it a lot. He’ll make sure I’m staying on top of that while, like you said, swatting at the ball and trying to simulate things that will happen in the game,” Jones said.
The Giants have a coaching staff that will drill the roster on fundamentals. There will be a culture where turnovers and errors of commission and omission will not be tolerated. Jones will have to learn the passing windows are much tighter in the NFL, when to throw the football away as well as when to give himself up when scrambling. Those three things alone should reduce the miscues by at least half.
