There are no two words, when thrown together, that can inject a virus into the veins of a team with more lethal impact than “quarterback controversy.’’ The Giants are not there after Tyrod Taylor has gone 1-1 in his two starts subbing for Daniel Jones.
When Jones is cleared for contact after the symptoms in his neck are gone, he should be returned to the starting lineup. There are no indications coach Brian Daboll is thinking otherwise.
This is not about the Giants turning their back on a meritocracy. This is not about the front office ignoring Jones’ struggles this season and making sure to justify the new four-year, $160 million contract, an investment that was panned in many NFL corners. Jones, 26, is the present and near-future. Taylor, 34, is exactly what the Giants envisioned him to be when they signed him last season to a two-year, $11 million deal. It is not difficult to make a case that he is among a handful of the best backup quarterbacks in the league.
Yes, indeed, the operation looked crisper the past two weeks, but looks are not all there is at work here. The points (23) in the two games were dismal — not all Taylor’s fault, of course — and it is crystal clear that the offense with Saquon Barkley can function and the offense without him cannot. Jones without Barkley for three games had no rushing attack — the running backs averaged 2.3 yards per attempt sans Saquon — and Taylor in his two starts was able to hand it off to Barkley 45 times. It was not always highly productive, but defenses have to honor Barkley’s talent and that simply is not the case with the other backs.
Also, about Taylor’s willingness to take shots: Has anyone noticed Jalin Hyatt’s usage the past two games? He was on the field for more snaps for Taylor than at any point this season for Jones. Taylor benefitted from Hyatt’s increased workload. And there is this: Has anyone ever questioned Jones’ ability to throw it deep?
And this: Jones had one quarter in the opener with Andrew Thomas as a healthy left tackle. Taylor had Justin Pugh, straight off the couch, upgrading that spot the past two games.
Taylor gets the ball out of his hands more quickly. He is slipperier in the pocket and thus able to avoid taking sacks with more aplomb than Jones. Taylor is more willing to take a deep shot down the field. He is not nearly as dynamic a runner and his throws to the boundaries take … a … long … time to get there, lacking the zip that Jones has on these particular passes.
It would be the best-case scenario for Jones to return, this week to face the Jets, having taken to heart Yogi Berra’s sage words: “You can observe a lot by just watching.’’ Perhaps a two-game hiatus — a 14-9 loss to the Bills and a 14-7 victory over the Commanders — allowed Jones to see what Taylor did and, most importantly, what he did not do, which is turn the ball over. Taylor was sacked seven times in the two games and ran with the ball 13 times. No interceptions, no fumbles. Decisive comes to mind when Taylor is on the field.
“Daniel and Tyrod have their — I’d call it slightly unique characteristics that are different from one another,’’ center Ben Bredeson said Monday, “but for the main point, they’re both great veteran leaders, great quarterbacks, taking control of the huddle and making sure that everyone’s on the same page. It’s a pleasure to block for either one of them.’’
Slightly unique characteristics?
“I guess it could just be their own personalities, things like that,’’ Bredeson said. “I think they’re both wired like true professionals.’’
Barkley describes Taylor as “smooth,’’ and that he is. Taylor moves around the locker room with an air of confidence and style. He can dress with the best of them. He is the oldest player on the roster, other than kicker Graham Gano, and offers a serenity that rubs off on his teammates.
“He’s a guy that brings a calm presence into the huddle and guys feed off that,’’ tight end Darren Waller said.
Was there ever a more perfect response from a player in his position than the way Taylor handled the requisite: “Do you think you deserve to keep starting’’ question?
“Obviously, if DJ is healthy, he’s a captain on our team, captain of our team, a leader on the offense,’’ Taylor said, “and I am here to support in any way that I can.’’
All this makes Taylor the ideal backup. He is capable. Jones has more upside and he is in the first year of a big contract. He needs to play.
Now then, if Jones is not yet ready to return and Taylor takes the Giants on a run, ripping off three or four consecutive victories, of course he should not be moved out when Jones is healthy. That is common sense. No need to mess with a good thing.
The Giants are far from a good thing, though, and it must remain Jones’ offense, at least for the time being.
