In so many words, Mike Shula had to say it at least three times in a short span Friday: It’s still early.
But after seeing the way Daniel Jones unleashed a perfect 50-yard pass down the sideline to Paul Perkins on Thursday, the Giants offensive coordinator was just one of many still gushing about the rookie a day later.
“To hit a halfback like that down the field was pretty impressive for any quarterback, rookie or veteran,” Shula said.
“DJ, he’s a player,” Saquon Barkley added. “I know you guys saw that dime over there to Perk, who made an unbelievable catch.”
“It was outstanding,” Pat Shurmur said. “He’s made excellent throws in every practice, and that was evidence to me that he has the arm to play in this league. We sort of knew that before we picked him.”
Even though it is just training camp, Jones has quieted a lot of the doubts that circulated when the Giants drafted him with the No. 6 pick in April. While plenty of draft pundits questioned his arm strength, it has looked just fine throughout practices.
“There are certain ways you throw deep balls to get the ball completed, and he’s got a much better feel for that,” Shula said. “The other thing too is just trusting the guys. Sometimes he wants to be so perfect that he was trying to, for lack of a better phrase, catch it for those guys. Instead of saying, ‘Hey, they’re fast, they can go get it,’ just air it out there and throw it.”
Shurmur previously said he wants Jones to be ready for “Day 1.” As for how he’s coming along on that timeline?
“He’s on track to be ready when it’s his time to play,” Shurmur said.
Shurmur was non-committal about how many quarterbacks he plans to carry on the 53-man roster, but if he keeps three again, the odd man out will be either Kyle Lauletta or Alex Tanney.
Lauletta, the 2018 fourth-round pick who took a few snaps during a blowout in Week 14 last year, could be auditioning for all 32 teams during preseason action.
“I’d love for him to make our team or somebody else’s,” Shurmur said. “For him to make somebody else’s team, when he’s out there, 31 other teams are watching him perform. That gives you the best chance.”
Lauletta was 4-for-4 with four touchdowns in Friday’s red-zone drills.
CB Grant Haley, who left Thursday’s practice early with a shoulder injury after diving for a pass breakup, “is going to be fine,” Shurmur said.
WR Sterling Shepard (broken thumb) appeared to have ditched the yellow jersey during the first set of team drills Friday, but by the second round, he had it back on. He has not been cleared for full-contact.
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