Duke HC David Cutcliffe believes Daniel Jones will make big jump in Year 2

David Cutcliffe has long been connected to the Giants. Cutcliffe served as head coach at Ole Miss from 1998-2004, recruiting and then mentoring Eli Manning during his four years there. Prior to joining Ole Miss, Cutcliffe was an assistant coach at Tennessee where he worked closely with Peyton Manning.

Cutcliffe has served as the head coach at Duke since 2008. He tutored Daniel Jones during his three years as the school's starting quarterback, and was in strong support of the Giants drafting him with the No. 6 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.

After watching Jones during his rookie year in the NFL, Cutcliffe is confident the young QB will make a big leap in Year 2.

"I think we will see a much better Daniel Jones," Cutcliffe told The Post. "I think he's gonna be a much better product than what he was a year ago."

For the second year in a row, Jones will have to learn a new offense. Jason Garrett is now calling the plays for Jones and the Giants' offense, which Cutcliffe believes will be beneficial for all parties.

"I know Jason a little bit. I think the world of him," Cutcliffe said. "He'll do a great job with Daniel. I think Jason and Daniel are kinda similar people, really smart, analytical people. I think they're gonna be a good pair. I sat with Jason and [Tony] Romo before, and talked football, and I saw his approach to coaching Tony Romo and the relationship they had. That's why I'm making the assumption that I'll see a similar relationship between Jason and Daniel."

While the plans for this year's offseason program were changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Duke head coach knows just how hard the young quarterback is working still. In fact, Cutcliffe went so far as to compare Jones' work ethic to that of the Manning brothers.

"Trust me, he's working 10 hours a day on his own mastering this," Cutcliffe said about the Giants quarterback. "I don't know if I've ever seen anybody more eager. … He's every bit the worker that Peyton and Eli were their entire careers.

"I think he's really starting to understand what they're expecting or what they want to do offensively, and that'll help him be successful in this transition."

NFL owners approve three playing rule changes

Owners voted Thursday to approve three playing rules changes and one bylaw for the 2020 season. Seven rules proposals and three bylaws were up for ratification, which requires yeas from 24 owners (75 percent).

Approved 2020 Playing Rules Summary

Proposed by Philadelphia; to amend Rule 15, Section 2, to make permanent the expansion of automatic replay reviews to include scoring plays and turnovers negated by a foul, and any successful or unsuccessful Try attempt.​​

By Competition Committee; expands defenseless player protection to a kickoff or punt returner who is in possession of the ball but who has not had time to avoid or ward off the impending contact of an opponent.

By Competition Committee; prevents teams from manipulating the game clock by com​​mitting multiple dead-ball fouls while the clock is running.​

Approved 2020 Bylaws Summary

By League Office; increases the number of players that may be designated for return off injured reserve from two to three. Incorporates interpretations applicable to bye weeks during the regular season and postseason.​​​

Among the tabled proposals was the alternative to the onside kick that would have allowed a team an opportunity to maintain possession of the ball after scoring.

Saquon takes leg day to another level

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced teams across the NFL to alter their offseason programs. Instead of being at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center for OTAs, installing the new offensive and defensive systems and working out together in-person, the Giants' offseason program has been all virtual. 

Players have been forced to train on their own, which has not seemed to slow down Saquon Barkley and his workouts.

"I am very fortunate enough to have my own little facility, gym setup I guess you could say," Barkley told the media on a conference call earlier this month. "I kind of always wanted to get my own little gym and then this kind of happened so it kind of I guess you could say planned out perfectly for me. So, I'm really not missing a beat. I've kind of got everything that I kind of need. Obviously, it's just different not being there with your teammates. That's just the stuff you miss the most and not being with your coaches. But just trying to attack it as best as I can and try to keep my body in tip top shape for when the opportunity does come I am more than ready."

Based on the video below, Barkley has not missed a beat with his offseason training.