The way Daniel Jones is going has to stop.

Through three games, he has 25 rushing attempts, an average of 8.3 per game. That is more than any quarterback in the NFL this season other than Jalen Hurts (37 runs), Justin Fields (27), Lamar Jackson (26) and Marcus Mariota (25). Those quarterbacks each have at least one rushing touchdown; Jones has none. Jones is quite capable as a runner, but he will never be seen as having the dynamism of the far more elusive Jackson or the emerging Hurts.

At this pace, if he starts all 17 games, Jones will amass 141 rushing attempts. That is more than Michael Vick (129 in 2006) or Robert Griffin III (120 in 2012) ever attempted in a season. Jackson owns the quarterback record with 176 rushing attempts in 2019. If Jones gets anywhere near that, it portends trouble for himself, the Giants and what has been a shabby and unproductive passing attack.

This is not all by design. Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, in conjunction with head coach (and noted offensive play-caller) Brian Daboll, is not planning nearly 10 rushing attempts for Jones heading into every game. That is overkill, and they know it. That will get Jones battered and beaten and, most likely, forced to the sideline for a snap or two, part of a game or entire games. Jones is big and strong and fast, and he is improving at protecting his body with slides or motoring out of bounds rather than taking on a defender. He is no gazelle, though, as far as possessing the innate physical ability and instinct to avoid contact. If he takes off, chances are he will pay for it on the tackle or with an overzealous opponent giving him a little extra shove near the sideline.