"Danny Dimes" might have to search for a new nickname.
Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is going to have to make a change, with the sophomore signal-caller tossing two more backbreaking interceptions in a 25-23 "Monday Night Football" loss to the Buccaneers.
Jones has regressed in his second year with the Giants, with his turnover issues at the forefront of troubles this season. In fact, Jones' custom to throw and cough it up has put him in pretty notorious company, ranking alongside all-time draft bust Ryan Leaf. In a graphic shared by ESPN on Monday night, Jones' turnover issues were put into context for the football world to see.*
Daniel Jones finds a WIDE OPEN Carlton Davispic.twitter.com/GMPJxRo3EU
— PFF (@PFF) November 3, 2020
Never good to be on a list with Ryan Leaf. pic.twitter.com/EK2jihu8kM
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 3, 2020
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*It's important to note a few things with ESPN's graphic, though: Pro Football Reference gamelogs actually clock leaf at 36 turnovers (32 interceptions, four fumbles) through his first 20 career games to Jones' 34. Interestingly enough, Peyton Manning actually drops into second in that discussion, with 35 turnovers (34 INTs, a single fumble) through his first 20 games.
In any case, Jones' 36 giveaways are still, like, a lot for any player, at any stage in their career. Now with a turnover in 20 of his 21 career NFL games, Jones has a propensity to make dazzling throws — just check out his fourth-quarter drive ending in the touchdown to Golden Tate — but also puts the Giants in precarious positions with ill-timed and head-scratching INTs like last night.
There are several reasons for it: He is a second-year player, for one. His offensive line has been questionable all year, with rookie left tackle Andrew Thomas doing his best imitation of a revolving door. But regardless of the reasoning or excuses, Jones' regression is still apparent, and being mentioned in the same breath as Ryan Leaf after analysts, draft experts and fans were scratching their heads at the selection of Jones in 2019 just makes the pick look more egregious.
With a trio of good quarterbacks presumably set to declare for the 2021 NFL Draft, the Giants could have their pick of the litter should the current NFL draft order hold up (the Giants are slated to pick No. 2 overall). And should New York move on from Jones before his third year — a plausible outcome — then it's fair to say that they bigtime blew it.
