Daniel Jones, some Giants offensive players head to Arizona for training

New York Giants signal-caller Daniel Jones and various members of the team’s offense are in Arizona this week to get a bit of training in, says Ian Rapoport.

Giants fans are doubtlessly expecting to see a jump from the young quarterback heading into his third season. And fans have had high hopes ever since Dave Gettleman took Jones with the sixth pick in the 2019 draft.

The eye test told us that we didn’t get to see the progression from Jones’ first year to his second year. But that’s not abnormal among young throwers.

As a rookie in 2019, Jones threw for 3,027 yards, 24 touchdowns and 12 interceptions over 13 games. In 2020 those numbers dipped despite Jones playing in one extra game. He threw for 2,943 yards, 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

However, writes Pro Football Focus:

“Jones played better than his stats showed, as the Giants had the lowest pass-blocking grade in the league and the eighth- worst receiving grade. Jones was excellent throwing the ball 20-plus yards, producing the third-best grade and highest passer rating in the league at 132.5. Passes up to 20 yards were a different story, as Jones ranked in the bottom half of the league in those. Still, the second-year QB’s overall season was much more promising than public perception might indicate.”

There’s hope that Jones can have success with a better supporting cast in 2021, said PFF, most notably cleaner pass protection and playmakers who can create separation at the short and intermediate level of the field.

“Jones still needs to cut down on the turnover worthy plays, and he could do a better job of getting the ball out of his hands quicker, but the 2020 season was a step in the right direction given the poor situation surrounding Jones.”

For the Giants offense, the quick get-together in Arizona is nothing but a positive sign as they look to improve from its 31st overall ranking a year ago.

The free agency additions of bonafide number one receiver Kenny Golladay and tight end Kyle Rudolph should help that. And if we see the right progression from 2020 first-round pick Andrew Thomas, that improvement could be coming.

Zach Rosenblatt of NJ.com has the details on which players will be joining Jones.

Among the #Giants players joining Daniel Jones in Arizona for workouts this week, per sources: RB Saquon Barkley, WR Sterling Shepard, WR Austin Mack. Others expected to be there at Daniel Jones’ #Giants workout in Arizona: G Will Hernandez, C Nick Gates, G Chad Slade. One more: Kenny Golladay is also, in fact, expected to join his new #Giants teammates for workouts in Arizona, per source. Sounds like Darius Slayton will be there as well. I’m told most flew out yesterday, some today.