Compared to this time last year, this is a very different offseason for Giants quarterback Daniel Jones.
For one thing, Jones is now established as the Giants' full-time starter after taking over for the now-retired Eli Manning. Combine that with the fact that the 22-year-old has to learn a completely new offense, while doing so remotely for now amid the coronavirus pandemic, and there's certainly a lot on the Duke product's plate.
But Jones, speaking to reporters via a Zoom call on Wednesday, explained that he's doing all that he can to take things in stride as he learns new offensive coordinator Jason Garrett's system.
"It's definitely different. We're doing the Zoom meetings like we are now, over the computer, so it's definitely different than being in person," Jones said of the Giants' virtual offseason program. "But I think it's going well. We're adjusting to the different circumstances. I think guys are really picking up the system, are able to learn and be like we would in person.
"We're able to get together, ask questions, converse with each other and our coaches. I think it's been going well. The only thing I have to compare to is last year. It's different, but having the advantage of learning a system is helping me trying to find ways that are similar, ways that are different and using that to learn as much as I can."
One thing Jones -- who threw for 3,027 yards in 13 games as a rookie -- has going for him in learning the new scheme is the ability to go back and watch how Garrett's offenses in Dallas operated.
Joe Judge said on Tuesday that the Giants' scheme would be 'based off' what Garrett did in Dallas, and Jones has been brushing up on his Cowboys film.
"I certainly did that, diving into some of the Cowboys' stuff and what they had done in the past," Jones said. "The rules make it tough to communicate a whole lot about that stuff, so there's a little bit of patience involved in that and getting to the point where we could get the playbook and kind of understand some of the concepts and get some of the verbiage. I did my best to be prepared for when I could get my hands on that stuff."
In fact, Jones has even been in contact with Garrett's most prolific passer, Tony Romo, who threw for 31,280 yards with 229 touchdowns in his 10 seasons with Garrett as either his offensive coordinator or head coach.
And while Jones and Romo didn't talk many Xs and Os, he has at least established a connection with someone who knows Garrett's offense inside and out.
"I spoke with Tony briefly, but we didn't get into the system a whole lot," said Jones. "I look forward to talking to some of those guys and hearing their perspective on it."
It's certainly a lot for Jones to take in during just his second NFL offseason, but when it comes to mastering the new offense, he can take some solace in knowing it's been successful before, and that the Giants have the playmakers around him to make it successful again.
"I think the biggest thing is it's been successful. It's scored a lot of points and gained a lot of yards," Jones said. "When you compare it to, I've only played in the NFL for one year, so there's a lot out there I haven't done, there's a lot out there I don't know. Trying to fit a system a certain way because of me, I'm not sure that makes sense. But the system has been successful. When you look at it, guys have been successful in it. I think that's the biggest thing.
"I feel like we have a lot of guys that can make plays. We have guys at every position that can make plays. You'll see that in the system like you have in the past."