Daniel Jones is as strong and courageous as any of them, willing to play hurt, willing to endure pain and risk injuries for his team. This does not make you a hero; this is the tacit promise of loyalty that the franchise quarterback must make.
Eli Manning spoiled Giants fans like Cal Ripken Jr. of the NFL, playing with a slightly separated shoulder once and planting fascination once during his 210-game streak at Ironman. Just because the Giants still believe that Jones could be their next Eli Manning, it hardly means that anyone has the illusion that he will show up to play every time a game is scheduled.
Jones lost two games as a rookie with a high ankle sprain and he lost two games this season with tendon and ankle injuries that, if you believe him, will continue to prevent you from being an RPO and a zone reading threat and confine him to a pocket quarterback.
It has already proved difficult for Jones, when healthy, to put his team in the end zone and score points.
Forget for a moment that the Cowboys are as defensively challenged as the Giants are challenged offensively.
With the season at stake on Sunday against the Cowboys, there is no time to expect miracles from Daniel Jones.
It’s a time for each of your Giants teammates – and coaches – to come together around you with your best game of the season.
Give Daniel Jones help.
“I read Daniel’s comments yesterday,” said Joe Judge on his New Year’s Eve birthday, referring to Jones admitting his lack of mobility, “probably a little more direct than I would have done there. I will always put the player’s health into consideration as we call the game. “
All hands on the deck.
Talk now with your pillows or your peace forever at home.
Jones was fired six times by the Cardinals and six times by the Ravens, and that cannot happen against the Cowboys on a day when the Giants, who have scored 26 points in the last three games and have an average of 17.1 in 31st place per game , you may need 24 points or more. Jason Garrett, calling up moves for the first time since 2012, can silence some critics and ruin Jerry Jones’ start of the New Year with the mother of all game plans for a change.
“We have to run better, we have to play better, we have to score more points and we have to contribute to the victory in other ways by also being more productive,” said Garrett.
Andy Dalton will never remind anyone of Lamar Jackson, but the Ravens ran 249 yards against Big Blue, and Ezekiel Elliott (calf injury) looked healthier last week than he did a while ago.
Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham said this twice on Thursday: “We need to play our best game.”
General manager Dave Gettleman has always believed in a robust defensive line, so Leonard Williams, Dalvin Tomlinson and Dexter Lawrence have to do their part to ensure that Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore does not feed a hungry Elliott early and often and make easier life on the Blake Martinez tackle machine, while defining the edge and a better tackle are key.
Graham had better figure out how to plan a quick pass better – in 93 combined pass attempts by Kyler Murray, Baker Mayfield and Jackson, heavens for Lawrence Taylor and Michael Strahan, the Giants registered two sacks.
Dalton played great games in Cincinnati, even though his playoff record was 0-4, and he has Three Friends – Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup – who are more explosive than any of Jones’ recipients.
“I think all three of these guys could fit on the label of a top receiver for a team and a special fight guy,” said Judge.
The Giants knew they needed to start fast in Baltimore and they couldn’t. Jones cannot be placed in a position where he is asked to play from behind, so it is imperative that Big Blue gives him a short field or, better yet, a score. Throughout this three-game losing streak, the Giants have a chance (recovery from fumble). Are you listening to Logan Ryan, Jabrill Peppers and James Bradberry?
“We have to go out there and have our best game on Sunday,” said Judge.
It would be immensely helpful if Jones and Darius Slayton could remember the chemistry they enjoyed last season and also in the Cowboys’ first game, when Slayton (8 receptions, 129 yards) enjoyed his best game of the season and Garrett feels free to call of deep shots.
“It will be our best game on Sunday,” said Jones.
Jones trying 41 passes last week was a recipe for disaster. To his credit, he didn’t commit a spin, but any resemblance to the Giants’ Super Bowl XXV game plan for maintaining a dangerous attack like this would be beneficial.
Consider the Giants’ race statistics for the last three games: 78, 74 and 54 yards.
Consider the Giants’ possession time in the last three games: 22:07, 25:57, 24:51.
No special team gets in the way either.
“We have to do our best when our best is needed,” said special team coordinator Thomas McGaughey.
Last but not least, Jones has to be in his best form of ball security against a defense that has 10 takeaways during the Cowboys’ three-game winning streak.
“The energy is on the roof,” said Evan Engram.
You better be. It has to be. Daniel Jones and all the football giants in New York.