Giants offensive coordinator Jason Garrett played quarterback in the NFL for eight years, and though he was a backup for the majority of his career, he did play the position and thus he understands why Daniel Jones — and other young guys who are learning and struggling — cannot give up on plays very easily.
“I didn’t have those playmaking capabilities that these guys have,’’ Garrett said. “But certainly, it’s the same thing. It’s a mentality that you have to develop over time. We ask our quarterbacks to run our offense, make plays in the passing game, make plays with your feet. You’re always balancing that with putting your team in a position where they can be successful. Taking care of the football is a big part of that. That’s a process that I believe all quarterbacks go through. I certainly went through it at different points in my career.’’
Jones is hurting his team most of all with turnovers, stemming from forcing the ball where it should not be going rather than accepting an incomplete pass on a throwaway, or even if sack as a last resort.
“That’s the nature of most quarterbacks,’’ Garrett said. “Quarterbacks who are worth their salt have a playmaking instinct in them. They want the ball in their hands and they want to be the guy who’s guiding the offense, but making an impact on what goes on, on the field. I would say every quarterback I’ve been around who’s been a really good player has that same instinct. Over time, you learn through experience what plays you simply have to fold on, and you have to get the ball out of your hand and live for another day.’’
With RB Devonta Freeman (ankle) missing a second consecutive game, look for Wayne Gallman and Alfred Morris to handle the load in the backfield. Morris, 31, entered the NFL with Washington in 2012 with a sensational 1,613-yard rookie season. He made his Giants debut last week and ran for 28 yards on eight carries in the loss to the Buccaneers.
When it comes to winning, nobody does it less frequently than the NFC East. That division is 8-22-1 this season. Look no further than turnover for the main reason for so much losing. The four teams in the division have a combined turnover differential of minus-24. The worst of the bunch is the Cowboys (minus-11) and the best of the bunch is Washington (minus-one). The Giants are at minus-five and the Eagles are minus-seven.
The Giants’ next two opponents — Washington and the Eagles — will be coming off their byes when they face Big Blue. … Strange but true: The Giants’ most recent two losses to the Buccaneers were by the same 25-23 final score. Those are the only two 25-23 final scores for the Giants in their 1,394-game history, including the postseason. … Washington will have to play without starting left tackle Geron Christian, who is listed as doubtful with a knee injury. Cornelius Lucas would be the replacement and will likely be a spot for the Giants to probe for weakness.
