The New York Giants should expect a more productive Daniel Jones in 2020:
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is going into the second year of his NFL career, and there are a few witnesses he has been working on this off-season to refine and improve.
During his rookie campaign, Jones posted 24 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and a 61.9% completion rate. However, he was sacked 38 times, and fumbled 18 times, losing 11 of them. This outrageously high number shows us one deficiency, Jones has poor awareness and bar security in the pocket.
Paul Schwartz of the New York Post spoke with QB Country coach Anthony Boone. He has worked this off-season extensively with the young passer, looking to build mass to improve upon the weaknesses mentioned above.
“He’s done a good job of putting together a good physique,’’ Boone said. “At the end of the day he wanted to get stronger and get a little more meat on his bones but still maintain being able to run and move around and being on the field the whole time. Not ‘I’ve put on too much weight and I get short-winded now.’ His thing was make sure he could stay mobile, agile and be out on the field the whole time.’’
The more prominent Jones added about eight pounds of muscle mass, which puts him close to 230 pounds. As Boone mentioned, weight can be good and bad, but the bulk that Jones put on is healthy and should help him protect the ball more efficiently and put more velocity behind his throws. These are two concerns that Jones can fix in one off-season, a remarkable feat.
“When he’s out there and he takes his shirt off or he’s wearing a cut-off or wearing whatever, you can tell physically he’s gotten better,’’ Boone said. “He’s taking care of his body, for sure.
“He really put some work in to make sure he’s a professional athlete and he’s taking care of his body. He’s doing all the right things.’’
Jones showed off his athleticism in year one, running for 279 yards and recording two rushing touchdowns. Former head coach Pat Shurmur began to shy away from utilizing him as a runner, but he showed the ability to do so on read-option plays.
I believe Jason Garrett will get him more involved in unpredictable sets, specifically on bootlegs and moving him around the pocket to open up throws. Then again, the Giants have committed to bolstering the offensive line and giving Daniel all the time he needs in the pocket. His new physique should give him more strength to sit in the pocket and throw with velocity from his legs.
“For one, as a quarterback, being able to take hits a little bit better – you have a little bit more muscle so you’re a little heavier,’’ Boone said. “You put that muscle mass on means you’re looking at a little bit more leg-drive on some throws. More velocity. Or being able to push the ball down the field a little bit further.