Daniel Jones needed something, anything, to save tonight, to take advantage of the start of his closing or closing season.
He had been heavy in his first preseason start, stopped once again by an unresolved offensive line, and a left-footed attack that bears no resemblance to the fourth overall draft of the 2020 NFL Draft, for key weapons All summer he didn’t play to lick, and he just threw right and threw a terrible third-zone interception in third place from New England 1 to corner D’Angelo Ross who served as to the ominous warning he has and that he will have little or no room for error this season.
He had designed four drives, with attacks and starts and a nice 22-yard throw across the field in the third to Sterling Shepard, an almost interception, unable to maintain success, and failed to finish off his team in the final area.
But finally, when he was given time to stay well in his pocket, he began to look like the franchise’s quarterback that the franchise believes so dearly and desperately in: a beautiful 23-yard TD strike at TE Kaden Smith to finish with a play again, 58-yard drive.
Jones (17 for 22, 135 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) was 7 for 8 on his two-minute run for 55 yards against Bill Belichick’s reserves, while also out of bounds for 4 yards in the third and -2 prior to his last TD.
Fortunately, the sky didn’t fall on Daniel Jones when Joe Judge removed the Bubble Wrap and let him play the first half of Patriots 22, Giants 20.
The question now is with the Broncos in touch for the opening of the regular season on September 12:
Can the sky be the limit for him with this offensive line?
Are the Giants doomed to a slow start with so many Jones guns out this summer and an offensive line that shows no indication that it has finally been resolved?
First, it is understood that Saquon Barkley and the new toys the Giants got to play with Jones – Kenny Golladay, No. 1 draft pick Kadarius Toney and TE Kyle Rudolph – barely practiced on the training ground and they didn’t play in the preseason games. “Our job is to be ready,” Jones said. “I’m sure these guys will be ready to get started.”
And second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth of all, Jones ’offensive liners, particularly Thomas, will remain guilty until proven innocent.
Guilty until they prove the offensive line is no longer a giant Achilles heel.
Jones ’first series, one of three and three, was sabotaged when OLB Josh Uche beat Thomas outside by a sack. “There are a lot of things I need to work on,” Thomas said.
Thomas fell victim to the second set when Jones held the ball a little too long and was fired again.
Thomas was booked for a penalty in Jones’ fourth set.
“He’s not always on that player’s shoulders,” the judge said.
At the very least, it’s easier to defend a player who refuses to give the Giants a thumbs down, right?
“I have to step up and do what I have to do,” Thomas said.
The game plans will be different once the bullets start flying, the handcuff judge and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett placed on Jones on Sunday night will be eliminated, so there you have it.
But there’s also this: Engram left with a calf injury and WR Darius Slayton left with ankle and foot injuries.
The nightmare scenario, of course, was always this:
Daniel Jones, lying on the ground after a fifth sack surrendered by his offensive line, Ronnie Barnes and the medical team rushing to the field to treat him.
Jones survived and lived to tell the tale.
“I think I’ve improved and I’ve moved forward,” he said.
He is a tough guy, mentally and physically, a tough kid. A feature that comes in handy when you’re asked to storm back and get off the canvas.