The joint training camp practices between the New York Giants and Detroit Lions have been quite eventful to say the least.
There have been plenty of scuffles and scraps during the course of the joint practices.
It all started yesterday when both teams tried to set the tone physically.
Later, during another 11-on-11 session with the Giants on offense, a scuffle erupted involving Giants guard Greg Van Roten, who got entangled on the ground with a Lions lineman.
Of course, the biggest headline from the day was the fact that Giants quarterback Daniel Jones got involved as he went after a Detroit defender, giving him a good shove in the back which exploded tempers even further.
The skirmish followed a complaint from Giants head coach Brian Daboll about a Lions defender hitting Jones’ arm, despite the quarterback being in a non-contact jersey.
Needless to say, Danny Dimes getting into the mix won him some major brownie points with his teammates.
Jones has been unfairly criticized his entire career. Don’t get me wrong, he needs to take an enormous step forward this season, but the fact of the matter is he’s been dealt a terrible hand in the early part of his career.
He’s had to play behind arguably the worst offensive line in the league on an offense with quite possibly the worst overall collection of skill position players.
He’s become a bit of a punching bag at times, and that’s to be expected. However, when he’s actually had time to throw (or run) and his skill players actually create separation and get open, he’s proven what he can do. (Look no further than the road playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings two years ago.)
But again, there’s no denying he has to take a major step forward to prove to Daboll and Joe Schoen that he is indeed a true franchise quarterback.
Speaking of the offensive line, the unit should be improved this season. While Evan Neal looks to be a bust, the addition of Jon Runyan Jr. and Greg Van Roten should go a long way towards improving the line.
As far as playmakers? … Well, it certainly seems like Danny Dimes may finally have one.
First-round draft pick Malik Nabers has been absolutely spectacular throughout the early portion of training camp and dominated the Lions secondary during the joint practices.
Nabers oozes confidence and swagger and most importantly he has the supreme skills to back it all up.
He looked like anything but a rookie as he mixed it up with Detroit’s feisty defenders today, leading to yet another scuffle.
As far as Jones, the positive vibes proved to be short-lived after it was announced that EA Sports graded him as the 34th-ranked quarterback in the latest installment of Madden.
Amazingly, Jones is rated 71, meaning that 33 quarterbacks are ranked higher than him.
His low ranking puts him on par with backup quarterback Desmond Ridder and rookies Bo Nix and J.J. McCarthy.
While Jones boasts an impressive speed rating of 87 (should be even higher), his overall grade is hampered by lower scores in arm strength and accuracy.
In comparison, other Giants quarterbacks fared even worse, with Drew Lock receiving a rating of 64 and Tommy DeVito scoring 61.
It’s safe to assume that Jones doesn’t give a crap about his Madden ranking. While most players probably do care, Danny Dimes doesn’t seem like someone who would pay any attention to it.
Having said that, being ranked as the 34th-best at your position could certainly be used as extra motivation if you want it to.
2024 is undoubtedly the most important season of Jones’ professional career. Perhaps the Madden disrespect could prove to be extra fuel for the fire after all.
What do you think about his terrible rating???