Daniel Jones is as tough and brave as any of them, willing to play hurt, willing to endure the pain and risk injury for his team. It doesn’t make him a hero; this is the unspoken pledge of allegiance that the franchise quarterback is expected to make.
Eli Manning spoiled Giants fans like Cal Ripken Jr. from the NFL, one time through a slightly separated shoulder and one time plantar fasciitis during his Ironman streak of 210 games. Just because the Giants still believe Jones could be their next Eli Manning hardly means anyone is under the illusion that he will come and play every time a game is scheduled.
Jones missed two games as a rookie with a high ankle sprain and he has missed two games this season with hamstring and ankle injuries that, if you take his word for it, will continue to prevent him from being an RPO and zone read threat and limit him to a pocket quarterback.
It has proved difficult enough for Jones when he is healthy to get his team into the end zone and score points.
For a moment, forget that the Cowboys are as defensively challenged as the Giants are offensively challenged.
With the season scheduled for Sunday against the Cowboys, this is no time to expect miracles from Daniel Jones.
It’s a time for all of his Giants teammates – and coaches – to gather around him for their best game of the season.
Help Daniel Jones.
“I read Daniel’s comments yesterday,” Joe Judge said on his New Year’s Eve, referring to Jones admitting he wasn’t mobile, “probably a little more forthcoming than I would have been on the spot with it. I’m always going to consider the health of the player, bearing in mind what we call the game. “
All hands on deck.
Talk to your pillows now or live your peace at home forever.
Jones was fired six times by the Cardinals and six times by the Ravens, and that can’t happen against the Cowboys on a day when the Giants, who have scored 26 points in their last three games and averaged a 31st place 17.1 per game may require 24 points or more. Jason Garrett, calling plays for the first time since 2012, may silence some critics and, for a change, ruin the start of Jerry Jones’ new year with the mother of all game plans.
“We have to do it better, we have to throw it better, we have to score more points and we have to contribute to winning in other ways by being more productive,” said Garrett.
Andy Dalton will never remind anyone of Lamar Jackson, but the Ravens rushed for 249 yards against Big Blue, and Ezekiel Elliott (calf bruise) looked healthier last week than he has in a while.
Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham said twice this Thursday, “We have to play our best game.”
General manager Dave Gettleman has always believed in a solid line of defense, so Leonard Williams, Dalvin Tomlinson and Dexter Lawrence must do their part to ensure that Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore doesn’t feed a hungry Elliott early and often and makes life easier. when tackling machine Blake Martinez, while setting the edge and better tackling are paramount.
Graham better figure out how to better plan a pass rush – in 93 combined pass attempts from Kyler Murray, Baker Mayfield and Jackson, heaven to Lawrence Taylor and Michael Strahan, the Giants have recorded two sacks.
Dalton played in big games in Cincinnati even when his playoff record was 0-4, and he has Three Amigos – Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, and Michael Gallup – that are more explosive than any of Jones’s receivers.
“I think all three of these guys could fit the label of a top team receiver and feature matchup man,” Judge said.
The Giants knew they had to start quickly in Baltimore and they couldn’t. Jones cannot be put in a position where he is asked to play from behind, so it is imperative that Big Blue give him a short field or, even better, scores. After this three-game lost streak, the Giants have one takeaway (fumble). Are you listening to Logan Ryan, Jabrill Peppers and James Bradberry?
“We need to go out and have our best game on Sunday,” said Judge.
It would be immensely helpful if Jones and Darius Slayton can remember the chemistry they enjoyed last season and also in the first Cowboys game, when Slayton (8 catches, 129 yards) enjoyed his best game of the season, and Garrett was comfortable can call shots.
“It will be our best game on Sunday,” said Jones.
Jones trying 41 steps last week was a recipe for disaster. To his credit, he hasn’t made any sales, but any semblance of the Giants’ Super Bowl XXV game plan to keep a dangerous offense like this would be beneficial.
Remember the Giants’ hasty stats over the past three games: 78, 74 and 54 yards.
Consider the time of the Giants’ possession over the past three games: 10:07 PM, 25:57 AM, 24:51 PM.
Also no weaknesses of special teams.
“We have to be our best when we need to,” said Thomas McGaughey, special teams coordinator.
Last but not least, Jones has to be at his best against a defense that has 10 takeaways during the Cowboys’ three-game win streak.
“The energy is going through the roof,” said Evan Engram.
Better so. It has to be like this. From Daniel Jones and from every last New York Football Giant.