Giants QB Daniel Jones: 2nd-year Heroics?
Many of the Quarterbacks that teams in this league cherish became elite in their second season. Carson Wentz, Jared Goff, and super bowl champion Patrick Mahomes are just a few names. But, can we expect the same out of Daniel Jones in his sophomore campaign? The answer is yes but the giants front office is going to be responsible if fans do not see a big improvement. Here are a few steps that will give number 8 a chance to take the NFC by storm.
Find a future left tackle who he can grow with
Whether the giants use their 4th overall selection in a draft filled with capable 1st round tackles or choose to spend on a Conklin/another free agent with their 60 million in cap space this is their biggest need on the offensive side of the football. This off-season the Giants will have no excuses if their offensive line cannot get better. Keeping Nate solder on the left side will only make this team worse. Jones showed last season that with time in the pocket he was able to make tight-window throws consistently. Not to mention making sure you acquire a tackle will help your best player in Saquon Barkley.
2. Improve time of possession
As Giants fans know from watching a dreadful 2019 season they were killed in time of possession in every game. They finished 30th in the league in time of possession. The Giants best players are on the offensive side of the football and too many young and inexperienced players on defense will take the ball out of Jones and Barkley’s hands. Big Blue needs to find the perfect combination of adding defenders through free agency and the draft. If they can find a way to address the tackle spot without using their first-rounder look for a playmaker like Isaiah Simmons to end up in blue by April.
3. Add another playmaker on the outside
Every Giants fan scratched their head when they gave Golden Tate a 3-year deal and it still doesn’t make sense. Sterling Shepard is a younger, more talented slot receiver in 2020 than Tate is. If the Giants decide to take the dead cap hit and cut Tate it would make a lot of sense to sign or draft another receiver. This will add some more height and playmaking ability on the outside to go with Slayton. Keep an eye on Demarcus Robinson and Robbie Anderson as names the giants could pursue in free agency. Both players have deep playmaking ability that will mesh well with Jones.
4. Jason Garrett getting some respect back
The clapper took all the blame last year in Dallas. But, the bright spot is that he has the opportunity inside the same division to do what he does best with developing Quarterbacks. Garrett needs to get Jones comfortable with his system as quickly as possible. The New York media will jump on him quickly if the G-men can’t move the ball to start the year. If Garrett’s offense can be in the top half of the year this season he is on track to get another shot at a head coaching gig.
-By: Sam Kirk
Writer/Gamer