The New York Giants sit at 1-3 after a rocky start to the season, highlighted by their recent primetime defeat against the Dallas Cowboys. A key factor in the team’s struggles has been the erratic performance of starting quarterback Daniel Jones.
Now in his sixth year as the Giants’ starting quarterback, many fans are growing frustrated with his inconsistency and underwhelming showings in crucial games. Legendary running back Tiki Barber appears to share in this frustration.
Barber has been vocal in stating that Daniel Jones is “not that guy.” Although Jones put together a solid performance on Thursday, completing 29 of 40 passes for 281 yards, he missed critical opportunities to make explosive plays and deliver in clutch moments, which Barber and fans believe are essential.
Football is a game of inches and often hinges on a few pivotal moments. Daniel Jones has struggled to perform in those critical situations, as Tiki Barber pointed out:
“When all eyes are on you, it’s your chance to shine, but he doesn’t deliver,” Barber said on WFAN Sports Radio (h/t Sports Illustrated). “There are times when you need to step up, when everyone—whether it’s fans, teammates, or coaches—is counting on you to be a star. Those opportunities are rare.”
“If you don’t seize them, they won’t come back, and you won’t be ‘that guy.’ My concern with Daniel Jones is that I don’t believe he is that guy.”
This season, Jones has attempted 15 deep passes of over 20 yards and has completed just three for 92 yards. According to Pro Football Focus, he has managed two big-time throws, but he has also had two turnover-worthy plays, resulting in an adjusted completion rate of only 26.7 percent.
Jones has missed numerous opportunities this season. If he could connect on these explosive plays more consistently, the Giants might have a couple more wins and be on a different path. Yet, as has been the case in previous seasons, his difficulty in capitalizing on crucial moments contributes to the team’s losses.
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