While New York Giants rookie passer Daniel Jones has had some success during training camp, the jury is still out on his potential, but there are signs of early returns.
Newly acquired safety Jabrill Peppers has had a first-hand look at the Giants’ new passer and Eli Manning’s eventual replacement.
Peppers stated, according to the NY Post:
“When we drafted him, he was the butt of a lot of jokes, people really didn’t like the pick,†Peppers said. “Even when I was at the [MetLife Stadium] draft party, it was like some boos. I didn’t really know him like that, but I knew of his coach, [David] Cutcliffe. I know the guys he produced and I met Coach Cutcliffe, and he’s a Coach Cutcliffe product. I’m automatically gonna give him the benefit of the doubt. But in practice he showed me some things, some throws he fit in some super-tight windows, and I just had to look at him like, ‘That was a good throw.’ â€
If there’s any trustworthy opinion to adopt as your own, it will come from the players defending him. Peppers has seen what Jones is capable of and the type of throws he can make at the professional level.
While it will undoubtedly take some time to find his rhythm and adapt to the speed and physicality of the NFL, Jones has tangible and intangible skills to succeed at the professional level. However, he will have to overcome Eli Manning, who is having an impressive offseason throwing the ball.
With a refined offensive line and a newfound arm-strength, Manning seems to be the starter for the foreseeable future. It will take a mountain for Jones to earn the role, but that’s not a bad thing. The rookie needs the 2019 season to develop and find his strengths against top-level talent.
New York Giants: Daniel Jones will need to overcome challenges
Playing at Duke didn’t allow him to operate under an NFL offense or play with players of that talent. It will take time for him to learn the offense and understand protection schemes. Manning will be a tool during that process.
“Eli is so smart, he gets on my nerves in practice because he’s seen it all already,†Peppers said. “It’s like I try to disguise something, but he can look somewhere else, and if they’re not on the same accord that I am, he knows … checks the play. People forget he’s a two-time Super Bowl-winning MVP. I don’t know how you could go against that, a guy who’s won at the highest level twice, that’s just not smart to me.
While the veteran passer knows his time on the Giants is quickly dwindling to a finish, he has not wavered in his approach. His assistance in developing Jones has been fantastic, according to the younger of the two.
“I think Eli’s been extremely helpful for me and just being able to watch him prepare, but any questions I’ve had or any question I’ve asked, he’s been more than helpful with me in answering that,†Jones said. “I think whenever anything comes up, it’s easy to ask him and get a full explanation. For me, it’s been a great way to learn so far.â€