Daniel Jones struggles on Day 1

He can remember back that far, for sure. So Eli Manning knows what Daniel Jones must do, above all else, and the sooner, the better.

Manning had a famous last name, but when he arrived back in 2004, he was a rookie who had to show the older guys he could hang with them.

“My goal was to come in and earn the respect of your teammates,’’ Manning said. “I think that’s very important, that’s my mindset as a high draft pick and quarterback.’’

This is the nascent stages of Jones’ development, and all eyes were on him Thursday as he took the field for the first time in an NFL training camp. The practice started at 2:45 p.m., and it did not take long — 3:18 p.m., to be exact — for Manning to feel the rush of Kareem Martin and throw the ball away, prompting a fan to shout “We want Daniel” on a sun-splashed afternoon.

It was a day of downs and ups for Jones, who took his turn running the offense with the second team, with Manning in his accustomed spot with the starters. The first pass thrown by Jones in the 11-on-11 period sailed to the left and nowhere near tight end Garrett Dickerson, a sure sign of miscommunication. Jones’ second pass went beyond the reach of receiver Bennie Fowler.

The speed of the rush was far different in this first practice after all the work Jones put in during the spring. His third pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage and nearly intercepted by Antonio Hamilton.

Pass No. 4 was a thing of beauty, long and straight and true, perfectly arched to Fowler, running deep down the field, getting more than a step on safety Michael Thomas. The ball floated down, directly into Fowler’s hands … and he dropped it. Jones must have experienced a flashback to his days slinging the ball at Duke.

The drop was the best attempt of the bunch as Jones went 0-for-6. If it is true, it is not how you start but how you finish, Jones put a bow on his camp debut, connecting on six his last eight passes. There were a couple of short completions to Paul Perkins. The highlight was a deep lob that Brittan Golden hauled in on the right sideline.

“I think Daniel did more than fine,’’ Saquon Barkley said. “I think we all did good for the first day. I didn’t know he went a long time without a completion. I think that shows he’s going through adversity, maybe not having the day he wants in the beginning but be able to pick it up and be able to go up strong, that’s what you want in a quarterback and that’s what you want in your teammates.’’

Manning as a rookie was not really ready to compete, which is why the Giants signed veteran Kurt Warner to run the offense. As it turned out Warner was on hand as Jones participated in his first camp practice, on the scene working for NFL Network.

“It’s amazing,’’ Warner said. “Even some of the phrases he uses reminds you of Eli. You talk about what you see on film and some of their mannerisms as players, but it’s crazy, you hear him talk and you’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, these guys are like the same guy.’ It’s just Eli 15 years younger. It is fascinating.’’

Jones thus far has handled all thrown at him with the same casual calm Manning did all those years ago. Both are southerners (Manning is from New Orleans; Jones from Charlotte, N.C.) working in the New York market, with all the scrutiny that comes with being the quarterback of the Giants.

“Yeah, you know I’ve thought about that and it’s part of the position part of the role here, and I certainty accept that and willing to take that on,’’ Jones said.

Jones said, “I’m not sure I have,” when asked if he’s thought about the best-case scenario when he will take over for Manning. He got through his first camp practice with many more to come.

“You know, definitely right now and you know probably for the foreseeable future, that there will be ups and downs, good days, bad days,’’ Jones said. “You’ll make mistakes and you will do things right. I think it’s always helpful to me to just focus a little harder you know put your head back down and go to work.’’

Credit: Source link

The post Daniel Jones struggles on Day 1 appeared first on Fox USA Live.

from WordPress https://ift.tt/30Ur4EH