Daniel Jones leads Giants to quick touchdown in first preseason action in win over Panthers
If not for Darren Waller, Daniel Jones would have been … perfect.
Jones, coming out Friday night firing in his first, and likely his only preseason action this summer, went 8-for-9 passing for 69 yards on a crisp and productive opening drive in what turned into a 21-19 victory over the Panthers at MetLife Stadium.
The lone incompletion?
A drop by Waller after a big hit from safety Vonn Bell.
“I’ll make it up to him,’’ Waller said afterward, smiling broadly.
Based on the brief cameo, Jones-to-Waller feels like it is going to be a thing this season for the Giants.
Waller, the 6-foot-6 tight end acquired in a trade with the Raiders, caught three passes for 30 yards on the opening drive, which ended with Jones firing to tight end Daniel Bellinger for a 4-yard touchdown connection.
“They work at it,’’ head coach Brian Daboll said of the Jones-Waller chemistry. “They work hard at it. Probably got a ways to go with it.”
This was the first time Jones stepped on the field for a game since signing a four-year deal worth $160 million and he looked ready for the real thing with an effective and efficient 10-play, 75-yard scoring drive.
“I thought we did some good things,’’ Jones said. “Overall I thought we executed pretty well. A couple plays, sharpen up a few things there and we’ll look to do that.’’
Jones turned in a completely-in-command outing in front of a sparse gathering.
He hit another newcomer, Parris Campbell, over the middle for a 13-yard gain and scrambled for 6 yards to create a more manageable third down. Jones’ longest completion was a 20-yard hookup with Isaiah Hodgins.
Facing second down from the Panthers’ 4-yard line, Jones did not throw to Waller, but his presence on the field influenced the Carolina defense.
Waller and Bellinger both ran routes to the left side, and when Waller cut inside, linebacker Frankie Luvu and cornerback CJ Henderson went with him.
That left Bellinger alone on the left side and the second-year tight end hauled in the pass and ran it in for a touchdown.
“I think it helps our confidence,’’ Jones said. “I think overall we’ve been pretty confident in what we can do. It certainly helps that.’’
Daboll, after keeping all his established starters on the sideline in the Giants’ preseason-opening loss in Detroit, opted to begin with his first-teamers in preseason game No. 2.
He did not, however, put Saquon Barkley on the field. It appears Barkley will not get a single snap until the Sept. 10 regular-season opener against the Cowboys.
Jones is in his fifth NFL training camp and his comfort and command of the offense are noticeable.
“Any time you’re in a situation when you’re in year two you’re more comfortable, and he is,’’ quarterbacks coach Shea Tierney said. “Any time you’re learning a new system there’s just so much going on that it takes a little bit to just get comfortable. The next year you’re not trying to figure out how to just call a play in the huddle. You know how to get in the huddle and call the play and then you can get up to the line, see things easier, see things easier.
“Yeah, there’s definitely that tangible growth in terms of just comfortability, familiarity with the offense and that bleeds over into everything else.’’
The Giants’ starting offensive line, from left to right, was Andrew Thomas, Ben Bredeson, John Michael Schmitz, Mark Glowinski and Evan Neal.
Jones got the ball out of his hand quickly on passes, although he was hit by defensive end DeShawn Williams after throwing one pass.
Neal, recently removed from the concussion protocol, played the entire first half, as did Schmitz.
Daboll wanted these young players to get in as much work as possible.
Schmitz, the second round pick out of Minnesota, moved into the starting lineup early in training camp and there is every indication he will remain in a starting role for the regular season.
Tyrod Taylor directed two second quarter touchdown drives.
He hit rookie Jalin Hyatt on a 33-yard scoring connection and his 25-yard pass to Hodgins set up rookie Eric Gray’s 9-yard TD run as the Giants built a 21-3 lead.
Jones was on the sideline by then. He said he felt sharp in his short stay on the field.
“I felt good,’’ he said.
He looked good, too.
