James Jones press conference: Five things we learned

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- James Jones, newest member of the New York Giants, took a couple minutes out of meetings and prepping for his first practice with the Giants on Saturday, to speak with reporters Saturday at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Here are five takeaways from Jones' remarks.

He wanted to play in a familiar offense

Jones spent seven seasons with the Green Bay Packers, catching 310 passes. He was looking for an opportunity to play in a similar offense, which the Giants provided.

"One of the main reasons was I wanted to get into a similar offense that in played in in Green Bay. Got a real good relationship with Coach [Ben McAdoo and I felt like I could come here and help this team be successful," Jones said.

"It's just a real comfortable offense for receivers. There's really not a lot of thinking, it's just going out there playing. Put a lot of pressure on the quarterback, as they should since they're making the big bucks."

The relationship with McAdoo was important

McAdoo, now the Giants' offensive coordinator, was an offensive assistant all seven seasons Jones was with the Packers. Jones admitted his respect for McAdoo, and conversations they had before the signing, "definitely helped me make my decision."

"I never thought I'd be playing for him again. Me and Ben had a real good relationship in the seven years we spent in Green Bay. He's an unbelievable coach, unbelievable guy and I'm glad to be playing for him."

The Giants made him no promises

When the Giants signed the eight-year veteran, we looked at where he might fit within the Giants' depth chart at wide receiver. Jones said Saturday that he has no guarantees.

"Role-wise they just told me they're going to give me an opportunity to compete. I told ‘em that's all I can ask for, I'm going on nine years. Who knows how much longer I'm going to play. They didn't really say this is gonna be your role, that's gonna be your role. I just asked them to let me compete and we'll take it from there," Jones said.

"I'm just here to compete. If a hundred balls come my way they do, if two come my way they do, but I'm just here to help this team win the best way I can. It's a great room in there, man. Lot of talented guys. This whole situation can go either way. The main thing is just compete, have fun, enjoy the time."

He's not intimidated by talent

Jones walked into a wide receiver room on Saturday that is led by Odell Beckham Jr. and Victor Cruz. He appreciates the talent, but he certainly isn't awed by it.

"I come from Green Bay where we had Donald Driver, we had James Jones, we had Jordy Nelson, we had Randall Cobb, we had Greg Jennings and also we had Jermichael Finley all in the same offense so I come from some talented offense. We all were involved. We all had a chance to make some plays," Jones said.

"When I look in a room like that I get excited. You put a bunch of receivers like we have in that room on the field it's tough to stop. I've been a part of offenses like that where defenses had big problems stopping a lot of weapons."

Comparing Eli Manning to Aaron Rodgers

Of course Jones was asked to do that.

"You can tell that both those guys are hungry to win. Both of ‘em want to be successful. Just meeting with Eli in there he seemed real passionate about the game. He wants everything to be perfect, he's already going through plays with me and stuff. I'm excited to get to work and see what type of quarterback he is. I'm sure he's one of those top-notch guys," Jones said.