Getty Giants QB Daniel Jones
After a much-maligned start to the 2019 season where the New York Giants started 0-2, they have decided to make a seismic shift at their most important position.
It was just one day ago that head coach Pat Shurmur left the door open on a possible quarterback change, and he has now completely unhinged those doors. On Tuesday, Shurmur name sixth overall pick Daniel Jones the team’s new starting quarterback.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport completely nailed it in his tweet – it is officially the end of an era in New York. Eli Manning, who delivered the city two Super Bowls during his 15-plus year tenure as the team’s starting quarterback, will now find himself on the bench.
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Not a Shock
As we stated above, Shurmur seemed to be leaning this way following yet another disappointing loss that saw Manning toss two interceptions and struggle to move the offense against the Buffalo Bills.
When asked about a possible QB change on Monday, Shurmur stated that simply “Eli has been our starter…to this point.”
‘Eli has been our starter … to this point.”
When Manning caught wind of Shurmur’s comments he responded like a man that may have already learned of his fate.
“We’re 0-2 and we’re looking for answers,” he said. “I get it. When you draft a guy early and you’re not winning games, these are gonna come up. I’ve just gotta keep working and do whatever my job is.” per Vacchiano and SNY.
Jones Has Made Doubters into Believers
New York Giants fans are ecstatic at the moment. Their QB of the future is now their QB of the now. However, Daniel Jones has an uphill battle on his hands as he takes over for a potential future Hall of Famer. Luckily for Jones, he’s battled back from tough situations before.
Jones, who was notably booed, chewed up, and spit out by Giants fans and media alike before ever stepping foot on an NFL field, quickly changed the narrative written for him.
Jones was perceived as a college quarterback who scouts fell in love with for all the wrong reasons. To many, Jones was built like your prototypical NFL signal-caller, however, rarely performed like one during his time with the Duke Blue Devils. It’s understandable, as Jones finished with a .500 record as Duke’s signal-caller and seemed to lack the type of arm talent desired from a franchise QB. However, many believed he continued to climb draft ranks simply due to his relationship with the Mannings and their former coach David Cutcliffe.
Once Jones took the field, he won over Giants fans unconditionally during ahead of the 2019 NFL regular season. Jones finished the preseason with an 85.3 completion percentage and only four incompletions over 34 pass attempts.
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Yet, that was simply the preseason. Jones will get his first taste of real NFL action this coming Sunday as the New York Giants travel to Tampa Bay to take on the Buccanneers in Week 3.
The matchup may seem welcoming on the outside due to Tampa’s struggles defensively over the past few seasons; however, that may not be the case. The Buccanneers defense looks to be significantly improved this season, ranking as a top eight-unit in the NFL over the first two weeks of play.
Jones will also be short-handed in terms of skill players around him. Although with the current construction of the Giants roster, limited skill players are something Jones will need to get used to during his new role as starting QB.
Sterling Shepard missed Week 2 due to a concussion, while fellow wideout Cody Latimer suffered a concussion of his own in the fourth quarter of Week 2’s game. The availability of either receiver at this time is unknown. If neither can go, Bennie Fowler and TJ Jones will be Jones’ top receiving threats out wide for his first-ever NFL start.
Expect the Giants to lean heavily on Saquon Barkley in both the run and passing game. Slowly easing the young QB into not only this game but many games to follow will be crucial for his confidence moving forward. As the Giants currently lack the talent on both sides of the ball to allow Jones to just go out there and rip it. This isn’t a race, but rather a marathon.
Jones has flexed maturity and moxie during his short stint in blue and red, in many ways drawing comparisons to Eli Manning. Here’s to hoping he can also adorn his fingers with jewelry similar to that of the Giants great one day.
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