During training camp this past summer, New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones struggled.
That was music to the ears of his detractors, but there was more to it than met the eye. At the time, first-year head coach Brian Daboll acknowledged that he wanted Jones and the Giants offense to face adversity.
Many of the offensive drills were designed to give the defense an advantage. There were many third-and-long situations and on occasion, the defensive backs were even allowed to know the ball was coming their way.
All of it was by design.
Daboll not only wanted to see how the unit functioned in tough spots, but he also wanted to see how Jones would react to the struggles.
Adding a little extra fuel to the fire, Daboll also set things up so that Tyrod Taylor, Jones’ backup, would succeed.
Tyler Dunne of Go Long TD tells the story.
As one source close to the coach explained, Daboll purposely structured practice for Jones to fail and Taylor to succeed.
“He wanted Daniel Jones to deal with the adversity,” this source explained. “He wanted to see how he dealt with it on a daily basis. And he passed it with flying colors. So, I know he loves Daniel Jones.
“He loves Daniel Jones. He loves him.”
Practices are always scripted. Daboll would tell defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale which plays he’d be running when Jones was in the game, this source explains, and had Martindale call defensive plays that’d intentionally work. And when Taylor entered? Exact opposite. Plays were scripted on both sides to set him up for success.
Jones did not flinch. Daboll was thrilled.
As adversity struck throughout this season, Daboll’s evil genius ways paid further dividends. Jones didn’t flinch as injuries piled up and losses mounted mid-season. He and the team stuck to script and battled their way out, ultimately punching a ticket to the playoffs this past Sunday.
Fittingly, the Giants have also been a quality third-and-long team. Jones seems to regularly make big plays in those situations.
Practice, as they say, makes perfect.
