Daniel Jones named PFF's Offensive Player of the Week
The Giants put together a strong performance in their preseason victory over the Carolina Panthers, which has led to a couple of players receiving recognition from the media.
Pro Football Focus released their Team of the Week and player awards for Week 2 of the preseason, where two Giants were featured, including one from each side of the ball.
Let's begin with quarterback Daniel Jones, who not only was named the top quarterback but also took home the award for Offensive Player of the Week.
"Jones was on the field for just one drive in Week 2, but it was more than enough, as the Giants' starting quarterback went 8-of-9 for 69 yards and a touchdown," wrote PFF's Gordon McGuinness. "The most notable aspect of the drive was that Jones targeted tight end Darren Waller four times, with Waller coming away with three receptions for 30 yards. The early signs are there that the former Raiders star will be Jones' favorite target in the regular season."
Jones is coming off his most efficient season in the NFL last year. He registered new career-marks with 3,205 passing yards and a 92.5 passer rating, while also setting new franchise records in several categories, including completion percentage (67.5), interception percentage (1.06; No. 1 in the NFL), rushing yards (708) and rushing touchdowns (seven).
The fifth-year quarterback also found success throwing the ball downfield last season. His 119.3 passer rating on deep passes was the third-highest in the NFL, while his 43.5 deep completion percentage ranked ninth. The 6-foot-5 quarterback also threw a career-low five interceptions.
"I think it helps our confidence," Jones said about the opening drive against Carolina. "I think, overall, we've been pretty confident in what we can do and our level of execution and yeah, it certainly helps that. But like I said, there's things we can sharpen up and clean up and we'll look to do that, for sure."
In addition to Jones, safety Dane Belton also earned a spot on PFF's Team of the Week.
The second-year player out of Iowa picked up two tackles for loss on 24 defensive snaps against the Panthers while lining up at several different positions across the field. This came one week after Belton recorded an interception against the Lions in the preseason opener.
"He's one of those guys that the ball finds him, and he finds the ball," defensive coordinator Wink Martindale said last week. "That's a great trait to have when you're in the secondary in the National Football League. So, I'm really happy for him. He is healthy, and I'm seeing the Dane that I thought that I would see being healthy."
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