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New York Giants co-owner John Mara openly committed to fourth-year quarterback Daniel Jones telling reporters earlier this year that the team “did everything possible to screw this kid up.”
Even though the Giants did not pick up Jones’ fifth-year option they are still committed to Jones. New head coach Brian Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka have developed Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes into superstars and hope to perform similar magic with Jones.
Kafka is leaning into the project. The former Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks coach is taking a hands-on approach with Jones.
“Daniel and I meet every morning,” Kafka told The Athletic. “We meet early in the morning and we rank our favorite first and second downs, we’re ranking our favorite third downs, breaking our favorite red-zone plays, so that’s just the daily process. And that’s going to help me and him get comfortable with what we like and it’s kind of this open conversation about stuff that we have going in.”
The Giants have spent a lot of resources upgrading the offense around Jones this offseason and are recalibrating his ability to run a modern-day NFL offense. No longer will be be sent out to be fed to the wolves.
“(Jones) loves having so much flexibility at the line of scrimmage with the protections, with checking stuff at the line of scrimmage, just with the ability to get on the same page with the receivers,” Kafka said. “Receivers have some flexibility with routes … you know be able to work in different voids and spaces.”
One part of Jones’ game that can’t be ignored are the mistakes and turnovers that have wrecked many a Sunday afternoon for Giant fans.
“We watched all the fumbles and all the turnovers from Daniel and had an honest and open conversation about it. He understands what he needs to improve on in those certain situations,” Kafka explained. “Then we go in with a plan as coaches. We have a plan that we go and work in practice. You see Coach (Shea) Tierney drilling that stuff every single day about the ball security, about his position in the pocket and where he fits, and the timing and the rhythm that you got to play with as a quarterback.”
The work continues. Jones, the sixth overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, may finally play up to his pedigree.
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