Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones and Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley have each been enjoying success since leaving the New York Giants in the last couple of years.
Barkley just busted off a 2,005-yard season and won a Super Bowl last season. Meanwhile, Jones – for whom expectations are markedly lower – is off to a 3-0 start with his new team and hasn’t thrown an interception yet.
Heading into Week 3, Barkley said that he’s very happy for Jones, who he spent five seasons with him in the Meadowlands.
“I’m excited. Outside of the Philadelphia Eagles and myself, I want no one else to perform at a high level besides Daniel Jones,” Barkley said. “We both know it’s the beginning of the season and it’s only Week 2, so he’s got to keep it going. But following him throughout camp and his battle with (Anthony Richardson), I was super excited when he won the starting job.
Saquon Barkley says Jones has always carried himself as a professional
For all of the complaints that Giants fans had about Jones over the years – and there were plenty – no one ever questioned his toughness or professionalism.
“And, now he has gone out there and played at a high level and had a chance to show people the player that I know and the person that I know,” Barkley continued. “I’m a big believer that … in the way he carries himself and the way he works and the way that he competes, it’s going to show at some point and I’m happy it’s starting to show right now.”
While they are two different levels of NFL player, they both suffered in New York for similar reasons. The offensive line stunk (still does) and there was never a threat to throw the ball partly because the wide receivers never scared anyone. Jones’ cadence on every play might as well have been, ‘hut, hut…hand off to Saquon…hut, hut.”
The offense was an all-around disaster.
Despite hot start, Jones still thinks the Colts can be better
In a Week 3 win over the Tennessee Titans, the Colts did something they hadn’t done all season: they punted. Through three games, the Colts have punted just once, another major indicator that Jones is getting the job done.
For what it’s worth, Jones just expects that level of play from himself and his teammates.
“I think we certainly expect to play at a high level,” Jones said on Sunday following the win. “I think every time we step out there, every time we get the ball, we expect to execute and get down the field and score. I don’t think the expectation changes at any point regardless of how it’s going.
“There’s still things we’ve got to clean up and work on. I think [there were] some missed opportunities, some things weren’t as sharp as they should’ve been. We’ll get back, look at them and clean it up.”
It’s not difficult to understand why Barkley is pulling for this guy. Not only does Jones seem like a good guy who was placed in an untenable situation, but they probably have plenty of war stories from the Giants they can share. We all can probably think of the co-workers we bonded with over a shared crappy job where we both hated the boss.
Saquon Barkley is Pulling for this Indianapolis Colts Star