EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel now not handiest resolutely put any Fresh York Giants comeback hopes to residue when he intercepted quarterback Daniel Jones in Sunday’s season opener, he equipped a blunt reminder that the Giants have way more questions than solutions on the quarterback place.
Only one brutal recreation right into a emblem brandnew season that used to be meant to be stuffed with hope, the ones questions really feel painfully common: Can the Giants win, mechanically, with Jones underneath heart? Will he ever rein in his errors with the ball or learn to prohibit destructive performs? Can the Giants paintings round his deficiencies?
In fact, those questions supremacy to the larger one, the only about his status because the crew’s establishing QB. That query used to be requested on Sunday. And in spite of Jones (22-for-42 for 186 yards and two INTs) struggling thru one among his worst video games in contemporary reminiscence — via EPA/Dropback (-0.38), his play games throughout Sunday’s 28-6 loss at MetLife Stadium used to be in reality the fourth-worst efficiency of his profession — Giants educator Brian Daboll mentioned he didn’t believe taking Jones out of the sport.
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“We’re going to watch everything, (but) that’s not in my mind,” Daboll mentioned when requested if he’d believe a quarterback alternate upon reviewing movie from the loss.
Jones, who began his first recreation since tearing his ACL in November, used to be in a similar fashion targeted when requested about his issues about being benched.
“I’ve got to play better. I know that,” the quarterback mentioned. “And I’m focused on doing that.”
The questions on Jones’ task safety had been heard round Fresh York since, smartly, now not that lengthy later the crew drafted him Incorrect. 6 general in 2019. On the other hand, later eminent the Giants to the playoffs in a prove-it 2022 season, Jones scored a abundance payday from a entrance workplace that used to be hoping the ones questions would in any case travel away.
However Jones performed in simply six video games extreme season as he handled a neck shock and after tore his ACL. He seemed shaky, to mention the least, throughout his go back within the preseason, and one of the identical issues — decision-making, ball safety, uneasiness within the patch — that haunted him after reared their heads on Sunday. Jones threw two interceptions in his preseason debut and tossed two extra on Sunday, together with the Van Ginkel pick out six overdue within the 3rd quarter.
Later the Giants protection pressured a three-and-out, Jones and the offense took the ground at their very own 17-yard series having a look to manufacture it a one-possession recreation later having struggled to thread any drives in combination. Jones took the snap, grew to become to the precise and threw a display screen go supposed for receiver Wan’Dale Robinson on the first actual play games of the force. Van Ginkel jumped in entrance of the go ahead of the ball even had a probability to fly remotely near to Robinson.
.@AndrewVanGinkel ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?!?!
: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/XFx58RvTIt
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 8, 2024
That’s when the exodus at MetLife started. Hordes of Giants enthusiasts headed up the steps to the stadium exits later the play games. Those that stayed weren’t shy about letting Jones and the offense have it at the upcoming force. They booed the Giants ahead of sooner or later letting the Vikings enthusiasts in attendance enter the. By way of the beginning of the fourth quarter, you should simply pay attention Vikings “Skol” chants ringing during the stadium. And via the top of the sport, there have been extra red and yellow jerseys left within the stands than the blues, reds and whites of the house crew.
“I think it’s our job to give (the fans) something to cheer about and to play well, to execute,” mentioned Jones, who threw his 2d interception overdue within the 3rd quarter later the Giants had fastened their longest force (40 yards) of the sport. “We take that seriously. They expect us to play well, we expect to play well. We’ve got to do that.”
@NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/8ujKq0pCXc
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 8, 2024
So as to add insult to enthusiasts’ struggling Sunday used to be the spillage of reminders of the way a long way away the wave crew has gotten from the franchise’s prestigious age. The Giants are celebrating their a centesimal season, and halftime integrated a rite honoring the crew’s supremacy 100 gamers, which featured plethora of i appreciate it for the crew’s all-time greats.
However the Giants offense didn’t get just about any place near to that stage of affection from its family as Sunday afternoon wore on. They didn’t deserve it.
Jones seemed flustered and uncomfortable within the patch in spite of the Vikings now not essentially attacking relentlessly with their blitzes. Nonetheless, Jones took 5 sacks and used to be clash 12 instances, fasten for the fourth-most of his profession, consistent with TruMedia. Sunday used to be the 3rd hour in Jones’ profession that he used to be sacked no less than 5 instances and intercepted no less than two times. Either one of the alternative video games got here extreme season ahead of his ACL shock.
“I’ve got to do a good job of staying in there when it (the pocket is) good and moving and finding the soft spot,” Jones mentioned of the drive produced via the Vikings. “That’s something I’m always working on.”
The Giants spent a large amount of capital this offseason revamping the offensive series later a traditionally destitute efficiency from the unit derailed the offense extreme future. Most effective two of extreme future’s starters, LT Andrew Thomas and heart John Michael Schmitz, returned as starters this future, as 3 brandnew faces had been supposed to improve the gang.
In comparison to extreme season, the unit performed OK, however that’s now not pronouncing a lot.
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“I think as an offensive line, we could have gave Daniel more time and more confidence in the pocket,” brandnew proper take on Jermaine Eluemunor mentioned. “This defense is really good at throwing pressure when you least expect it. And so we could have prepared a little bit better and just gave Daniel some more time to, like I said, be confident in the pocket. … We need to be better for him.”
Jones’ pass-catchers additionally didn’t serve as a lot support as you’d hope. There have been no less than 5 drops Sunday, together with one via rookie first-round pick out Malik Nabers. Nabers, who used to be closely centered during the preseason, didn’t see his first goal till the Giants’ 3rd ownership. He completed the year with 5 catches for 66 yards on seven goals.
LEEEEEEEEK
: FOX pic.twitter.com/N1YkHoKLUk
— Fresh York Giants (@Giants) September 8, 2024
“(I just need to) look over the film, see what ways we can give me the ball in space,” Nabers mentioned. “Daniel said he was trying to give me the ball. He saw a lot of people in his face. I mean, I cannot control that. They were trying to give me the ball, but stuff was not working right, so we just have to fix that up.”
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That’s a excellent abstract from the rookie. No longer a dozen of stuff used to be operating proper for Jones and the Giants offense. Can they cure it? It looks like we’ve been asking that query for an extended hour.
(Picture: Mitchell Leff / Getty Photographs)
