Giants' Daniel Jones knows Kadarius Toney is vital to offense: 'We need him'

The Giants are learning brand new schemes on both sides of the ball, but after one of the worst offensive showings in recent memory for Big Blue, more focus is on Daniel Jones and his unit whether the team wants to say it publicly or not. 

Big Blue knows they need to score a lot more points than they did in 2021, so learning the new scheme as fast as possible, and implementing it in practice, is a main priority. 

However, Jones hasn't had much time to run the new concepts on the turf at Quest Diagnostics Training Center with guys like Kadarius Toney and Kenny Golladay due to undisclosed injuries that have left them in non-contact red jerseys off to the side. 

And for Toney in particular, Jones knows his value to the offense this season.

"I think it’s huge to have him," Jones told reporters after the first mandatory minicamp practice on Tuesday. "I think in the times he was out there last year, you saw what he can do, how special he can be with the ball in his hands. I think that adds a lot to our offense to have him out there. We need him. I think he’s done a great job in meetings. He’s done a great job picking it up, learning this system. He can be a special player and we certainly need him."

Toney had a stat line of 189 yards on just 10 catches in Dallas in Week 5 last season. He even showed that elusive ability he has in Week 4 on that now-infamous long third-down conversion off a screen.

But health was an issue for him and he had to miss four games, while coming on and off the sideline throughout the year, too.

Now with a new offense to work through, it's great to hear that Toney and the others are doing well to pick it up in meetings. However, executing it on the field, getting the reps with Jones throwing the ball to some gloves, is what really matters.

"They’ve built a good foundation of understanding this offense and obviously the reps are extremely valuable and we’ll need to get those," Jones said. "But I think all those guys have done a great job, locking in, learning the offense and building a foundation so that when they can get out there and get the reps, we’re able to go full speed and get what we need to get done.”

Of course, it's still early but Jones wants his receivers he'll be throwing to all season getting some work in now. Rookie Wan'Dale Robinson has been getting reps with Jones, though, as he's been a full-go participant. 

The Giants won't rush the others back from whatever they're dealing with, but sooner rather than later for someone as crucial to offensive success as Toney for instance, is ideal.

And it's an offense that Jones says is being catered to the weapons, which is what you want to hear. 

"I think it’s pretty versatile that way and I think there’s tons of different concepts, lot of moving parts that keeps the defense on their heels," he said. 

Jones will surely feel more confident in it when he gets his starters into the fold to learn it on the field instead of in the classroom.