The spotlight was set on Daniel Jones as he stepped on the MetLife Stadium turf for the first time in his Giants uniform. Everyone wanted to see how the No. 6 overall pick, one that was criticized by the lots, would react to the big stage in his inaugural snaps in the NFL.
He was perfect -- literally.
Thanks to a weather delay, Jones only lasted one drive for the Giants, but he didn't disappoint. He was a perfect 5-for-5 for 67 yards, and it was capped off by an absolute strike to Bennie Fowler in the right side of the end zone for his first career touchdown.
All smiles with his offensive linemen hyping him up, Jones kicked off his professional career on the foot everyone wanted to see. And he had to admit it felt good to finally show everyone in the stands and at home what he could do.
But, of course, there is always room for improvement.
"It went well," Jones told NBC's Bruce Beck during the game. "A good start for us -- a couple things I could've gotten cleared up, would've made it a little easier on us, but it went well. I thought we did a good job moving the ball down the field."
Head coach Pat Shurmur seconded the notion that there were a few mistakes to clean up for next time. For one, he mentioned not motioning the tight end on the first play of his drive. But overall, Shurmur liked what he saw.
"Well he got all [his] completions and got us in the end zone so that's a very effective drive," he said after the game. "He had a couple mistakes in there that we'll clean up, but I guess to the naked eye, it was a good job."
Jones has had skeptics come his way since he was drafted back in late April, but that white noise in the background may turn down a bit after this first performance. In fact, it's noise Jones hasn't been listening to at all.
Instead, he's focused on making plays like he did tonight every time he steps out on the field.
"I just don't focus on it a whole lot," Jones said of the naysayers. "I've got plenty on my plate with the playbook, everything I'm trying to learn here in the building and on the field. So, I've got plenty to do other than focus on that stuff."
DANIEL JONES IS HERE FOLKS.
- Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) August 8, 2019
(via @Giants) pic.twitter.com/ck8mEUvxXg
Jones wasn't just embraced by his O-line, but Saquon Barkley -- who was on the sideline in no pads as he got the night off -- was screaming as the rookie quarterback made his way toward the bench. A quick jump in the air in celebration showed how happy Barkley was for the Duke product.
"I think he did an unbelievable job, understanding the offense, reading the defense, putting the ball where it needed to be. He did an amazing job of going down and putting points on the board," Barkley said.
Now this was only the first taste of what Jones will hopefully do in the blue and white. There is much more work to be done to see if Jones truly is up to being Eli Manning's successor down the road.
For now, Barkley just wants Jones to continue doing what he has been since he heard his named called in Nashville: be yourself.
"Just be you. You got here for a reason, you worked your whole life to be in this position," Barkley said. "Unfortunately, the game is in a delay, some of those guys are going to have to wait for their first opportunity to touch an NFL field. You dreamed about this since you were a little kid, you played for this, you worked for this, so take advantage of it. A lot of people don't get to be in your position and have this opportunity, so make the most of it."
Jones certainly did for the short while he was between the hashes tonight. And though Shurmur wants fans asking for Jones in a starting role to "slow your role," it was this first impression that could start to change some of those negative thoughts about the rookie signal caller going forward.