EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Daniel Jones is having a statistically-impressive rookie season with one notable exception. And he is determined to correct that shortcoming.
The Giants' first-round draft choice has completed 63% of his passes for just under 2,000 yards and he leads all rookie quarterbacks with 15 touchdown passes. Jones is the first rookie quarterback in NFL history with two games with at least 300 passing yards and four touchdown passes. The Giants will resume their season on Sunday in Chicago knowing Jones has been particularly productive in visiting stadiums. In four road starts, he is responsible for 13 touchdowns (11 passing, two rushing) and has a 101.9 passer rating (as opposed to 73.9 at home).
But no discussion of Jones' debut season is complete without mentioning his giveaways. He has thrown eight interceptions in nine games (eight starts), which is not a terribly high number, particularly for a rookie. But he has lost nine of 13 fumbles, both NFL-high figures. In each of the Giants' last three games – defeats to Detroit, Dallas and the Jets that extended their losing streak to six games – one of Jones' fumbles was returned for a touchdown.
Jones is determined to reduce the number of times he loses his grip on the ball in the Giants' final six games.
"There's certainly a number of things that I need to work on, but yeah, that's definitely one of them," he said today. "And it probably is the most critical thing that I need to correct, so I'll work on that."
Although he is well-aware of the statistics, Jones denied he is "thinking maybe a little too much about it," as a reporter suggested.
"I don't think so," Jones said. "I think it's something that I need to be mindful of constantly. It's not like a golf swing or something where you - it's about being mindful of it and being aware in the pocket, protecting it and getting the ball out on time. I think all those things are important for me to stay mindful of."
Coach Pat Shurmur, who constantly preaches ball protection, said there is "not a common theme on his fumbles." Jones is ultimately responsible for all of them, but Shurmur said mitigating circumstances contributed to several of the fumbles.
"There were a couple of times where a guy didn't get blocked properly and he got hit in the pocket where he's getting ready to throw," Shurmur said. "There was another one where he was actually in rhythm to make the throw and he got tomahawked from behind. That goes down as a sack fumble. As I look through them, there are a handful of times in there when there are other things happening around him that need to be better. A couple games ago, he's scrambling, gets the first down and then fumbles at the end of the run. He can't do that.
"To answer your question, there isn't a common denominator. It's not something that can't be corrected. But much like when you get turnovers on defense, the same thing can be said when you give up the ball on offense. It's certainly the ultimate responsibility of whoever's touching the ball to make sure he does the right thing with it. But everyone around him has to do the right things as well."
One of the basic corrections Jones can make is ensuring he keeps two hands on the ball whenever possible.
"I think that's part of it, and just getting the ball out on time and not holding it," Jones said. "I think it is pretty fundamental in that holding the ball with two hands is going to be more secure than not. So, making sure I'm doing that and getting the ball out on time."
Shurmur isn't the only one working with Jones on the fumbling issue. Offensive coordinator Mike Shula counsels him daily. Eli Manning, who holds the Giants' career record with 123 career fumbles, and the team's other veteran quarterback, Alex Tanney, have also helped.
"We've talked about it and those guys say the same thing," Jones said. "I don't think it's necessarily a complex problem to fix. I think it is as simple as keeping two hands on the ball and getting it out on time. So, I've talked to all those guys, Coach Shula, Coach Shurmur. I think I definitely need to work on that."
View rare photos of the all-time series between the New York Giants and Chicago Bears
New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor (56) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears in this undated photo. (Tony Tomsic via AP)
1933 NFL Championship Game on Dec. 17, 1933 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. The NFL's first championship game played. (Pro Football Hall of Fame via AP Images)
Ward Cuff, New York Giants halfback, gets off a 42-yard goal against the Chicago Bears Oct. 31, 1937 at the Polo Grounds in New York City. The Bears and Giants played to a 3-3 tie. (AP Photo)
Chicago Bears back Beattie Feathers (48) is about to be tossed for loss by Giant Dale Burnett in game played on Oct. 31, 1937 at the Polo Grounds. Bears and Giants played to a 3-3 tie. (AP Photo)
Chicago Bears' Bernie Masterson (33) scores against the New York Giants in first period of their 1936 game at the Polo Grounds in New York , Nov. 8, 1936. Bears won, 25-7. (AP Photo)
New York Giants halfback Tuffy Leemans (4) runs into some Chicago Bear tacklers as he returns a punt for 15 yards in a game before 50,000 at the Polo Grounds in New York City, Oct. 31, 1937. The Giants and Bears played to a 3-3 tie. (AP Photo)
Pro Football Hall of Fame Chicago Bears fullback Bronko Nagurski is tackled by fellow hall of famer Mel Hein of the Giants during a 30 to 13 New York Giants victory over the Bears in the NFL Championship game played at the Polo Grounds on Dec. 9, 1934 in New York. (Pro Football Hall of Fame via AP Images)
An unidentified New York Giants player changes from cleats to athletic shoes during a 30 to 13 New York Giants victory over the Bears in the NFL Championship game played at the Polo Grounds on Dec. 9, 1934 in New York.(Pro Football Hall of Fame via AP Images)
Chicago Bears back Carl Brumbaugh pitches the football out to Pro Football Hall of Fame fullback Bronko Nagurski during a 30 to 13 New York Giants victory over the Bears in the NFL Championship game played at the Polo Grounds on Dec. 9, 1934 in New York. (Pro Football Hall of Fame via AP Images)
Giants' Mel Triplett (33) picks up a block and then charges past Chicago Bears players and over umpire Sam Wilson for 17 yards and a touchdown - first of the game - at Yankee Stadium in New York City, Dec. 30, 1956. Giants routed Bears 47-7 to take the NFL championship. Identifiable players are: Jack Stroud (66), Alex Webster (29), Stan Wallace (40), McNeil Moore (29), and J.C. Caroline. (AP Photo/Harry Harris)
Giants' Mel Triplett (33) picks up a block and then charges past Chicago Bears players and over umpire Sam Wilson for 17 yards and a touchdown - first of the game - at Yankee Stadium in New York City, Dec. 30, 1956. Giants routed Bears 4707 to take the NFL championship. Identifiable players are Ed Meadows (86), Roosevelt Brown (79), Jack Stroud (66), Alex Webster (29), Joe Fortunato (31), Wayne Hansen (51), Stan Wallace (40), McNeil Moore (29), Ray Smith (20) and J.C. Caroline. (AP Photo/Harry Harris)
Giants' Mel Triplett (33) picks up a block and then charges past Chicago Bears players and over umpire Sam Wilson for 17 yards and a touchdown - first of the game - at Yankee Stadium in New York City, Dec. 30, 1956. Giants routed Bears 4707 to take the NFL championship. Identifiable players are: Alex Webster (29), Stan Wallace (40). (AP Photo/Harry Harris)
Giants backfield coach Vince Lombardi, left, admiring watch presented to Mel Triplett, right, for his play football title game against the Chicago Bears in New York, Dec. 31, 1956. (AP Photo/Tom Fitzsimmons)
New York Coach Jim Lee Howell, left, and Frank Gifford, pose in a dressing room at Yankee Stadum in New York on Dec. 30, 1956. Gifford, instrumental in the Giants' drive toward the championship, scored one of the six touchdowns in the Giants 47-7 victory over the Bears to capture the 1956 NFL championship. (AP Photo)
Coach Steve Owen, center, of the New York Giants, discusses the championship game with Chicago Bears quarterback Frank Filchock, left, and end Jim Poole during a workout at the Polo Grounds in New York, on December 11, 1946. (AP Photo)
A mixture of rain and snow kept the New York Giants from their final warmup Dec. 29 for the NFL championship game with the Chicago Bears at Yankee Stadium in New York on Dec. 30, 1956. Coach Jim Howell, right, did not let all go for naught and gave the assembled players a short peptalk. (AP Photo/John Lindsay)
Frank Filchock, Giants quarterback and passer, and Coach Steve Owen watch fourth quarter action in the Giants-Chicago Bears Championship playoff game in New York on Dec. 15, 1946. The Bears broke the 14-14 tie in the last period to win 24-14. (AP Photo)
Chicago Bears middle-linebacker Mike Singletary (50) closes in on New York Giants George Adams (33) in an NFC playoff game in Chicago, Ill., on January 7, 1986. (AP Photo /John Swart)
New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms (11) scrambles for yardage against the Chicago Bears during the third quarter in Chicago, Ill., Sept. 22, 1992. (AP Photo/Fred Jewell)
New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms (11) looks for an open receiver during a 21 - 0 loss to the Chicago Bears in the 1985 NFC Divisional Playoff Game on Jan. 5, 1986 at Soldier Field in Chicago. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Marshall (70) pressures Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon (9) during the 1985 NFC Divisional Playoff Game in Chicago, Jan. 5, 1986. The Bears shutout the Giants 21-0. (AP Photo/Vernon Biever)
New York Giants running back Joe Morris (20) carries the football as Bears linebacker Mike Singletary (50) gives chase during the Giants 21 - 0 loss to the Chicago Bears in the 1985 NFC Divisional Playoff Game on January 5, 1986 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms dresses the part of Chicago Bears' Jim McMahon during taping of a promotion for MTV at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Dec. 22, 1986. Simms sports the trademark headband, marked MTV, and sunglasses mimicking Jim McMahon. Simms will be a guest video jockey for MTV on Jan. 13, 1987. (AP Photo/G. Paul Burnett)
New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms (11) sets up to throw a pass during the Giants 21-0 loss to the Chicago Bears in the 1985 NFC Divisional Playoff Game on January 5, 1986 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
New York Giants linebacker Harry Carson (53) during the NFC Divisional Playoffs, a 0-21 loss to the Chicago Bears on January 5, 1986, at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
New York Giants quarterback Jeff Hostetler does a little scrambling to avoid Chicago Bears Steve McMichael (rear) and Trace Armstrong (93) during third quarter action in NFL playoff game, Sunday, Jan. 14, 1991 at Giants Stadium, Rutherford. The giants won 31-3 behind Hostetler. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
New York Giants head coach Bill Parcells receives a cooler full of Gatorade over his head by Giants players Everson Walls (28) and Carl Banks (58) as time runs out in the Giants 31-3 victory over the Chicago Bears at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sunday, Jan. 13, 1991. To right of Parcells are Giants Pepper Johnson (52) and Lawrence Taylor (56). (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
New York Giants running back Joe Morris (20) is stopped by Chicago Bears Richard Dent (95) and William Perry (72), as Chicago's defense held the Giants to 32 yards in the Bears 21-0 win during NFC playoff action, Sunday, Jan. 5, 1986 in Chicago, Ill. (AP Photo/Charlie Bennett)
New York Giants' quarterback Jeff Hostetler celebrates after throwing a first quarter touchdown pass to wide receiver Stephen Baker. Hostetler later ran for a touchdown in the third quarter against the Chicago Bears at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sunday, Jan. 13, 1991. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
New York Giants running back Ottis "O.J." Anderson (24) is stopped by Chicago Bears' William "The Refrigerator" Perry in the third quarter of the NFC playoff game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Jan. 14, 1991. The Giants won 31-3. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan)
New York Giants running back Joe Morris (20) makes short gain during NFC playoff, first half action against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Ill., Sunday, Jan. 5, 1986. Bears defensive end Richard Dent (95) and line backer Otis Wilson (55) attempt to catch him as Giant guard Bill Ard (61) blocks. (AP Photo)
Chicago Bears quarterback Cade McNown is caught by New York Giants linebacker Jessie Armstead and sacked for a nine-yard loss during the third quarter on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2000, at Soldier Field in Chicago. (AP Photo/Fred Jewell)
New York Giants' Eli Manning gives suveniers to fans after a football game against the Chicago Bears Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007 in Chicago. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
Running back Rodney Hampton (27) of the New York Giants is grabbed around the waist by linebacker Dante Jones (53) of the Chicago Bears as Richard Dent (95) left, prepares to finish him off at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill., Sept. 5, 1993. Hampton lost six yards on the play. (AP Photo/John Swart)
New York Giants running back Derrick Ward is forced out of bounds at the 1-yard line by Chicago Bears' Charles Tillman (33), Adewale Ogunleye, and Danieal Manning (38) during the second quarter of n NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jerry Lia)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, right, and head coach Tom Coughlin celebrate as officials confirm teammate Amani Toomer's fourth-quarter touchdown catch during a football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007 in Chicago. The Giants defeated the Bears, 21-16. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
New York Giants' Sam Madison, left, sacks Chicago Bears quarterback Rex Grossman, center, with the help of Osi Umenyiora (72) and Michael Strahan during the second quarter of a football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jerry Lia)
New York Giants, Michael Strahan (92) during a game against the Chicago Bears on September 17, 2000 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Giants beat the Bears 14-7. Michael Strahan played for 15 years all with the Giants. He was a 7-time Pro Bowler and was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014.(AP Photo/David Durochik)
New York Giants' Amani Toomer (81) holds up the football after making a touchdown reception, as Chicago Bears' Brandon McGowan (36) and Brian Urlacher (54) argue that the ball hit the ground during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007, in Chicago. The play was reviewed and the call on the field was upheld for a touchdown. The Giants won 21-16. (AP Photo/Jerry Lai)
New York Giants quarterback celebrates teammate Reuben Droughns' two-yard touchdown run during the fourth quarter of a football game against the Chicago Bears Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007, in Chicago. The Giants defeated the Bears, 21-16. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
New York Giants running back Tiki Barber (21) breaks free of a tackle by Chicago Bears defenders in the first quarter of their football game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday,Nov. 12, 2006.(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants Glenn Parker (62) blocks Chicago Bears defensive end Russell Davis (95) as Giants running back Ron Dayne (27) attempts to go over the top during the second quarter Saturday night, Aug. 5, 2000, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants receiver Ron Dixon (86), celebrates with teammates Amani Toomer (81) and Howard Cross after making a touchdown reception in h irst quarter against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2000, at Soldier Field in Chicago. (AP Photo/Fred Jewell)
New York Giants players Sam Garnes (20), Mike Barrow 4), and Dave Thomas celebrate at the end of their 14-7 over the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2000, at Soldier Field in Chicago. (AP Photo/Fred Jewell)
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Hanie is sacked by New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck (91) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at New Meadowlands Stadium Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won the game 17-3. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Chicago Bears quarterback Chase Daniel, left, tries to tackle New York Giants outside linebacker Alec Ogletree after Ogletree intercepted his pass and returned it for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
A look down the line of scrimmage as the New York Giants take on the Chicago Bears in a week 6 Thursday night football game on October 10, 2013 in Chicago,IL (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants players celebrate an interception returned for a touchdown by outside linebacker Alec Ogletree (52) on pass from Chicago Bears quarterback Chase Daniel, not pictured, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants outside linebacker Kareem Martin (96) and defensive end B.J. Hill (95) celebrate after sacking Chicago Bears quarterback Chase Daniel (4) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs with the ball as Chicago Bears free safety Eddie Jackson (39) moves in to make the tackle during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) leaps over Chicago Bears strong safety Adrian Amos (38) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants running back Rashad Jennings (23) carries the ball against Chicago Bears cornerback Bryce Callahan (37) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) waves to fans as he leaves the field after playing against the Chicago Bears in an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won 22-16. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
In this photo taken Oct. 3, 2010 in East Rutherford, N.J., Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is sacked by New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck, during the second quarter of an NFL football game. Cutler took several hard hits while getting sacked nine times in the game and suffering a concussion. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants defensive tackle Chris Canty (99) celebrates a sack against the Chicago Bears in a week 4 NFL football game at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday October 3, 2010 (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck (91) celebrates after sacking Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Hanie, as Giants linebacker Michael Boley (59) looks on during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at New Meadowlands Stadium, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won the game 17-3. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz (80) is tackled by Chicago Bears safety Chris Conte (47) and linebacker James Anderson (50) in the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2013, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) is tackled by New York Giants' Chris Canty (99) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at New Meadowlands Stadium, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Bears lost the game 17-3. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, right, is sacked by New York Giants cornerback Aaron Ross (31) during the second quarter of an NFL football game at New Meadowlands Stadium Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
*The only Giants players who did not participate in today's practice were the team's top two tight ends. Evan Engram has a foot injury and Rhett Ellison is in the concussion protocol. The healthy tight ends are rookie Kaden Smith and Scott Simonson, who was re-signed just prior to the bye and hasn't played in a game this season. In 2018, Simonson played in all 16 games with four starts and caught nine passes for 86 yards.
"Scott's a very steady performer," Shurmur said. "He did a lot of good things for us a year ago. With our injuries at the tight end position with Rhett and Evan, obviously, he was a guy that was on our short list. He was healthy, he came back in, looked good running around. Most likely, he's going to get an opportunity to play this week."
*Left tackle Nate Solder is in the protocol and did not participate in contact drills. Center Jon Halapio (hamstring) and right tackle Mike Remmers (back), both of whom did not play vs. the Jets on Nov. 10, practiced fully. So did wide receiver Sterling Shepard and cornerback Janoris Jenkins, who are also recovering from concussions. They have not yet been cleared to play in Sunday's game.
"You're in the protocol until you're not," Shurmur said. "A lot of the times, what happens is they get cleared at the end of the week, with the anticipation that they will be cleared. I hope that's clear."
Giants App
Download the Giants' official app for iPhone, iPad and Android devices
