Daniel Jones says Giants won't let 0-2 start 'affect our preparation'
Daniel Jones of the Giants runs with the ball during the fourth quarter against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on Sunday in Landover, Md. Credit: Getty Images/Tim Nwachukwu
Daniel Jones thought he improved from Week 1 to Week 2, but the result was the same, another loss.
Jones allowed that there is still work to do. But, he said, “I thought there was an improvement.”
Giants coach Brian Daboll agreed.
“Each week's different,” Daboll said. “I told you before I thought he improved. Continue to try to do that. Made good decisions. Threw the ball where he needed to throw the ball. That's what we'll try to get him to do this week.”
That may seem like a low bar for an NFL starting quarterback.
The Giants play the Browns in Cleveland on Sunday. The Browns lost at home to Dallas, 33-17, in the first week of the season, and beat the Jaguars, 18-13, in Jacksonville on Sunday.
With losses to the Vikings and Commanders in their first two games, the Giants are looking for their first win in 2024.
In the NFL there is always urgency. And that includes the initial games of a season.
Jones said his expectation is for the Giants “to respond well, play well, come out ready to go and play a good game. That's what we all expect. I think we've got to have a good week at practice. We had a good start [Wednesday] and we'll build off of it. Yeah, expect to play well.”
Asked if the team’s 0-2 start has been a talking point in the locker room, Jones said, “I think everyone realizes our record. I think everybody understands that, but no one's discouraged or no one's letting that affect our preparation and how hard we work going into the game. There's a great energy and feel in the building still, and I think that that's important and important to our preparation, important to our process and making sure we're practicing well and preparing to play well. We know the record, but it's a long season, and we've got a good football team.”
Jones has completed 38 of 70 passes (53.4%).
Jones’ own assessment from Week 1 to Week 2?
“I thought I improved on some things, overall,” he said. “I think [there are] still some things I need to work on and clean up, but I thought overall there was an improvement.”
Jones’ favorite target so far this season has been Malik Nabers, the rookie out of LSU. Jones has targeted Nabers 25 times in two games.
The Browns may represent a considerable step up in competition. NFL analyst Warren Sharp and his team ranked the Browns as the No. 1 front seven in the league heading into the 2024 season. In the same evaluation, the Cleveland secondary also ranked first.
“Yeah, they've got a good defense, got good players at all three levels really, and a lot of speed,” Jones said. “We'll have a game plan. I think obviously the pass rush is something we've got to take into account and plan for, and we'll do that. But it’s always about us. It's always about focusing on yourself and making sure you’re ready to go.”
Giants sign kicker Joseph
After Graham Gano’s injuries to his hamstring and groin, the Giants have signed Greg Joseph as the team’s new kicker. He had been on the Lions' practice squad. Gano was placed on injured reserve.
The Giants also have 24-year-old international player exemption Jude McAtamney on their practice squad. He is also a kicker.
In 67 regular-season games for three teams, Joseph has made 100 of 121 field-goal attempts (82.6%) with a long of 61 yards. His career numbers also include 244 touchbacks on 338 kickoffs (72.2%).
“I’m excited for it. It’s good to feel wanted and to be with a good team,” Joseph said in the locker room Wednesday. “It’s a good group of guys and I’m happy to be here. Obviously, the last two weeks have been real [closely contested] and my only goal is to help the team win, period.”
Asked about the winds at the Meadowlands, Joseph said, “I’ve done some research, talked to some [players] but I’ll take it as it comes.”
Blue notes
The Giants claimed linebacker Patrick Johnson off waivers from the Eagles on Wednesday.
Kimberly Jones covers the Giants for Newsday, a beat she first worked in the early 2000s before joining the YES Network to cover the Yankees. She worked for the NFL Network for more than a decade and has been heard semi-regularly on WFAN.
