Colts name Daniel Jones the QB1

[Colts And Orioles]

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(OCTOBER 8th)



NFL Week 6 Latest Buzz, Questions, News

(By Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano)

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...ns-predictions



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What are people around the league saying about Daniel Jones' hot start ??? Are they believers ???


Dan Graziano: l Most people I talk to believe Jones can continue to succeed in Shane Steichen's system if he stays healthy. He had turnover problems early in his career, but less so in later seasons with the Giants. And with RB Jonathan Taylor running the way he's running, a strong offensive line in front of him and Jones' own ability to create plays with his legs, there seems to be a belief that the infrastructure around Jones is solid enough to sustain -- again, assuming he stays healthy. It does feel a little bit like the 2022 Giants season when they went to the playoffs with Saquon Barkley running wild and Jones gutting out tough, low-scoring wins. Except the Colts aren't a low-scoring team !!!


Jeremy Fowler: l Dan, the people I've talked to about Jones are buying the hype, though with slight apprehension. What's becoming clear with these reclamation QBs is that belief and confidence are powerful. Steichen is a skilled play-caller with a deft quarterback touch who happens to believe wholeheartedly in Jones as a player and person. That carries a lot of weight and has helped Jones rebound.

In New York, Jones was plagued by overthinking. He's playing more freely now. The Colts have helped him improve his footwork. And let's be honest, he's playing behind one of the best offensive line-tailback combinations in the league. That's a huge aid to any quarterback. I know the Vikings were bummed to lose Jones -- who has ideal size and a ton of tools -- in the offseason after his short stint there.


Dan Graziano: l Yes, the way the Vikings' season has begun makes one wonder whether they have some level of regret about losing him. But that's a story for another time. I think the best way to look at the Indianapolis situation is that Steichen seems to have a good sense of what Jones' strengths are and how best to lean into them while minimizing the impact of his weaknesses.

There's an easy comparison to be made to what Kevin O'Connell and the Vikings were able to do with Sam Darnold last season, and I think that's the template. Of course, the hope would be for a stronger finish to the season than the one Darnold had. But if and when that time comes, it should help that Jones has some playoff experience, whereas Darnold did not.


Jeremy Fowler: l There are a few areas of apprehension. Jones' deep ball is still a bit spotty. He is underthrowing some of those attempts, which resulted in a late-game interception in the Week 4 loss to the Rams. Alec Pierce's jump-ball ability helps bail Jones out at times, but he has been out of the lineup because of concussion protocol. And there's plenty of time (12 games) for a Jones gaffe that became a signature in New York to resurface in Indianapolis. Interceptions and fumbles were once part of the Jones experience. Can he prevent the turnover snowball when mistakes happen ??? The Colts believe that he can.

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