The New York Giants believe they have their franchise quarterback in Daniel Jones, who they chose sixth overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. Jones flashed some impressive numbers as a rookie last year, but also showed some vulnerabilities (turnovers) that have caused some to doubt his readiness for the NFL stage.
With a new coaching staff in tow, the Giants have been steadily building up and solidifying their roster. Each position room appears to be stronger this season and that includes the quarterback room.
Jones is expected to be the starter, but who will be the primary backup is still very much in question. The Giants brought back Alex Tanney, but he isn’t considered more than just a caddy for Jones. The real competition will be between veteran free agents Colt McCoy and Cooper Rush. The Giants will also be bringing UDFA Case Cookus of Northern Arizona to camp.
Rush, the former Dallas Cowboys backup who played the last three seasons under new Giants offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, has the inside track since he is the most familiar with Garrett’s offense. But Rush played in only five games in his time with Dallas and threw a total of just three passes.
McCoy, 33, is much more accomplished. The former University of Texas star has been a reliable backup and spot starter in the NFL for over a decade. The competition will be an interesting one.
“Playing in the NFC East, you get a pretty good feel for players and coaches,” McCoy said on Sirius XM Big 12 Radio. “I just looked at it as an opportunity to play for a Giants team that has a new coach and a new system and a lot of guys that I’ve played against, but I don’t really know personally.”
McCoy is a rarity for the Giants, who have been hiring coaches and signing players they have personal connections with. They only know McCoy as a rival, and really haven’t seen a whole lot of him even at that. He played in just 11 games for the Redskins, starting seven and losing six of those starts.
If anything, McCoy will be leaned on to be a veteran voice in Jones’ ear. Earlier this spring, he spoke of his limited relationship with Jones.
“I met Daniel just in pregame when we played them a couple times last year,” McCoy told reporters in April. “I know him more as a quarterback because playing in the same division you get to watch their tape week in and week out because we are playing all the same opponents across the league. I thought he played very well as a rookie last year. His future is bright, his ceiling is high and he seems like a really great person. He’s obviously very lucky to have a guy like Eli in the quarterback room. A guy I really look up to and respect as a guy who did it right his whole career. I think Daniel knows the importance of a healthy quarterback room.
“I’ve talked to Daniel since I signed a couple times and just told him how excited I am coming up and learning this new system together. It’s kind of unfortunate the circumstances we are in right now. We have to get creative in ways to learn and grow. He seems like a great person and I’m excited to come in and learn alongside him and Alex (Tanney). Really just come in work hard and compete and bring out the best in our quarterback room, which I think will really benefit our team.”
We will find out how much value McCoy will bring if and when the Giants ever get together in New Jersey this summer.
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