Daniel Jones’ intensity as a franchise quarterback in control extended far beyond yelling “Catch the ball!” at wide receiver Marcus Johnson last Sunday in Jacksonville.
Jones’ animated fourth-quarter exchange with QB coach Shea Tierney and head coach Brian Daboll, it turns out, happened because Jones changed offensive coordinator Mike Kafka’s play at the line and called his number for the go-ahead QB sneak touchdown.
Jones told the Daily News he saw a “good look” to plunge in from 1-yard out, rather than handing the ball off. And he was assuring Tierney and Daboll on the sideline afterward that he trusts what he sees.
Jones said the gist of their conversation was that “we all were excited we scored.”
“Daniel did a nice job there,” Kafka said Thursday. “We had a run called, and those guys took it upon themselves to sneak in down there on the inch line. That was a good job by them being football players.”
Tierney said Friday that Jones’ audible was a “good thing” because it “shows how comfortable he is and what he wants. He’s comfortable in saying what he wants, and that’s good. We’re building that trust through the whole offense.”
Obviously, the strangest part of the sideline conversation was how Daboll pushed Tierney out of the way to speak to Jones. It turns out both Tierney and Daboll wanted to compliment Jones on his “good decision,” in Daboll’s words.
Daboll said he wanted to talk to Jones himself before switching his headset over to the defense.
“I don’t think either of us realized until after we said the exact same thing,” Tierney said.
“He had a great drive,” Tierney said of Jones. “I knew he was coming over to tell us what happened. We all already knew he made a great play. So I was trying to head him off from explaining it [like], ‘Hey, I don’t want an explanation. It was a great job.’ Then I felt the nudge, got out of the way, let [Daboll] do what he needed to do, and then we’re on to the next thing.”
Tierney said the Giants encourage Jones to improvise. As for Daboll knocking him back, Tierney said, “He’s the head coach.”
“I told [Daboll], ‘Hey, I already told him good job, so I know you wanted to be first, but I kinda said what needed to be said. So I just got out of the way,” Tierney said with a laugh. “He can do that. He’s the head coach. So as soon as you notice who it is you’re like ‘Oh alright, yeah, I’ll get out of the way.”
Daboll said Monday: “It really was all positive.”
ON TO SEATTLE
Rookie left guard Josh Ezeudu is expected to start on Sunday against the Seahawks in place of the injured Ben Bredeson, which means Ezeudu will be responsible for tapping center Jon Feliciano to execute the Giants’ silent snap count in the notoriously loud stadium. That’s one extra responsibility on the rookie’s plate. But the Giants don’t feel it’s too much for him. It’s basically reading Jones’ signals and reacting to give Feliciano the heads up, and if anything, they think having that additional responsibility can help a young player lock in amid a hostile environment
Tyre Phillips is expected to start in place of the injured Evan Neal
O-lineman Nick Gates “probably” will be active Sunday, Daboll said, but Gates oddly and uncharacteristically did not conduct a group media interview all week after the uplifting announcement that he was being activated off the PUP list to the active roster
Wide receivers coach Mike Groh would not comment on Kadarius Toney’s trade to Kansas City. “We wish Kadarius well with the Chiefs. He doesn’t play anymore for us, so I don’t have anything else to add,” Groh said. “I understand the questions, but that’s all I have to say about him.”
GIANTS’ FINAL INJURY REPORT
OUT: T Evan Neal (knee), G Ben Bredeson (knee), TE Daniel Bellinger (eye), WR Kenny Golladay (knee), LB Oshane Ximines (quad), CB Cor’Dale Flott (calf)
QUESTIONABLE: T Tyre Phillips (toe), S Jason Pinnock (foot), DL Leonard Williams (elbow)
SEAHAWKS’ FINAL INJURY REPORT
OUT: LB Nick Bellore (concussion)
DOUBTFUL: WR Penny Hart (hamstring)
QUESTIONABLE: WR DK Metcalf (knee), WR Tyler Lockett (hamstring), G Gabe Jackson (hip/knee), CB Sidney Jones IV (groin), DE Poona Ford (ankle), G Phil Haynes (concussion), OLB Darrell Taylor (groin)