Giants' Saquon Barkley on Daniel Jones: 'I think he's going to be one of best quarterbacks'

"You can tell that he really cares, he's passionate about the game"

11/27/2019, 8:35 PM
Sep 22, 2019; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) hands the ball off to New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports / Kim Klement
Sep 22, 2019; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) hands the ball off to New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports / Kim Klement

Since those two wins that Daniel Jones put together in his first two career starts, it has been an up-and-down ride to their Week 13 matchup with the Packers this week. 

But that is expected from a rookie quarterback. Jones was never going to come in and take over without facing a few tribulations. The turnovers have certainly been there, and ball security and decision making needs improvement for sure. 

In the Giants locker room, though, Jones is well respected and his running back in Saquon Barkley gave more than just his stamp of approval when speaking to the media on Wednesday. He applauded his work ethic and want to get better in every aspect of the game. 

 

"I don't think he's played more than 10 games or 11 games yet. He's still learning, but I think he's done a really good job so far," Barkley said. "Even though he's a rookie, he's a young quarterback, he puts a lot of hard work in. He's one of the last guys to leave this building, if not the last guy. You can tell that he really cares, he's passionate about the game."

Another knock on Jones is his ability to not quickly dissect the defenses in front of him. Coming out of Duke, Jones' mind for the game was something that was apparent to even scouts that doubted his physical abilities. 

However, Barkley defended his quarterback when one reporter brought up the fact that Eli had that knack of changing plays and calling audibles based on what he saw. 

"No one expects him to be at the level of recognizing defenses how Eli would. Eli has been doing it for 15 years. It's impossible for them to be on the same level," Barkley said. "But he's going to continue to work and he's been doing a great job for us, tremendous job for us, helping us be in positions to win games."

Jones' numbers are pretty solid through his first 10 games (nine starts). He's thrown for 2,134 with a 62.5 completion percentage and 17 touchdowns to eight interceptions. He does have 14 fumbles, which leads the league as well. 

He also has two, four-touchdown games in his pocket already and has made some incredible throws through pressure. So Giants fans have seen the highs and lows of Jones' development already, and there is still games left to play. 

But there is on intangible that hasn't wavered in Barkley's eyes. And it's the reason why he sees greatness for Jones down the road in his career. 

"Just his grit," Barkley said. "He gets drafted here, he gets booed when he gets drafted here. Everyone, all you guys, said we shouldn't have drafted him and none of that - he puts that all aside and the only thing he cares about and is passionate about is this sport and this team and these guys in the locker room. If he continues to have that, I think he's going to be one of best quarterbacks, if not the best quarterback in the league someday and I truly believe that."

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