Jones gets some needed time away
Daniel Jones has already gone back close to where he grew up, but this weekend is the first time since his first NFL season started that he will actually get a few days to sit back and relax at his family home in Charlotte, N.C.
Following the Week 6 Thursday night loss to the Patriots, Jones headed back to the Duke campus for the weekend and saw his former college team beat Georgia Tech. That was back when the Giants owned a two-game losing streak, a skid that has now reached six games. Jones now gets a break, with the Giants finally on their bye week.
“I’ll get a little bit of time to rest a little bit and kind of prepare for this final stretch,’’ Jones said. “I’ll take a little bit of time, but I’ll also try to use it to get ahead and continue to focus on what we’re doing here.’’
Coaches often stress to their players the need to get away from football for a few days. Pat Shurmur is not preaching that to his rookie quarterback.
“I think he’s gonna spend time looking at it,’’ Shurmur said. “I think it’s also important, it’s not time off, it’s just time away. That time is his but they all have their iPads, the fact they’re not on site doesn’t mean they don’t have the tools necessary to work. My anticipation is he’ll be here for part of it and when he’s not here he’ll still work.’’
Does Shurmur want Jones to take some time off ?
“No, I like him to keep learning,’’ Shurmur said. “I think we all try to continue, it’s part of our daily routine, most of us.’’
Shurmur was asked if he has considered giving up the play-calling duties on offense, given the state of the team and its 2-8 record. His response was swift and decisive. “No, I don’t know why I should,’’ he said, “when you’re scoring points, the quarterback’s doing the right thing.’’
Rookie CB DeAn
dre Baker did not give maximum effort in pursuit of Jets receiver De
maryius Thomas on a 47-yard catch-and-run. Baker almost appeared to pull up after a halfhearted pursuit. Asked if he discussed this with Baker, Shurmur said, “I’ve addressed a few things, but I would never share that with you.’’
TE Scott Simonson was re-signed. Simonson played in all 16 games last season and would have made the team again this year if not for an ankle injury in the final preseason game that landed him on injured reserve before he was released in September. Simonson last season caught nine passes for 86 yards and one touchdown. Depth at tight end is needed, with the uncertain availability of Evan En
gram ( foot) and Rhett Ellison (concussion).
Three players were signed to the practice squad: TE Garrett Dickerson (who was with the Giants earlier this season), WR Alex Bachman and long-snapper Colin Holba. … The practice squad contracts of WR Reggie White and DE Freedom Akinmoladun were terminated. “Some of the practice-squad decisions at this point can look toward the future a little bit,’’ Shurmur said, “as long as they are guys that have a chance to make it.’’