36 • September 9, 2021 - September 15, 2021
THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS
Sports 2021 is a season of show and prove for Daniel Jones and the Giants By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor
(Bill Moore photo)
the playoffs just once since winning the Super Bowl in 2011 and finishing 31st The time is now for Daniel Jones in scoring (17.5 points per and the Giants. The 2021 regugame) out of 32 teams in lar season, which for the Giants the NFL last season. begins this Sunday at MetLife StaAnother critical factor dium hosting the Denver Broncos in how the Giants upcom(4:25 p.m. kickoff ), is one that will ing season will unfold is determine the course of the franthe health and durability chise’s immediate future and that of running back Saquon of Jones, as the two are inextricaBarkley. As in the case of bly intertwined. Jones, the organization The Giants’ primary decision used a hefty asset in the makers, co-owners John Mara and form of the No. 2 overall Steve Tisch, and general manager pick in 2018 to draft the Dave Gettleman, invested the No. 6 Bronx native. Barkley was overall pick in 2019 in Jones, trustsensational to start his ing he would be the long-term succareer, becoming only the cessor to two-time Super Bowl MVP third NFL player to exceed The return of Giants running back Saquon Barkley from a Eli Manning at quarterback. Since 2,000 total yards (2,028) torn ACL should be a major boost to an offense that ranked 31st in scoring out of 32 teams in the NFL last season replacing Manning in the starting in his first year, breaking lineup in Week 3 of the 2019 season, the league rookie record the objective assessment of his play is that dent concern is that Jones will be operating for receptions for a running back (91), it has been maddeningly inconsistent in behind an unproven offensive line, whose setting the Giants’ single-season rookie the view of fans, his coaches and afore- starting unit was mauled by the New Eng- mark for touchdowns (15) and estabmentioned executives. land Patriots in the Giants’ third and final lishing himself as the only rookie in Yet, Jones is not solely responsible for the preseason game two Sunday’s ago. franchise history to rush for more than Giants’ potential fortunes or failures. SecIt was their only collective appearance 1,000 yards (1,307). ond-year head coach Joe Judge has the during the preseason and an alarming He had a strong sophomore season, topchallenging charge of developing a roster revelation for a team that has made a con- ping 1,000 yards again (1,003) in 2019 and that will execute and produce in all facets of centrated attempt to build a consistently catching 52 passes despite missing three the game to a degree that will elevate them sturdy offensive front for the better part of games due to a high ankle sprain. But last to contenders for the NFC East division title the last 10 seasons. Consequently, there Sept. 20, in Week 2 versus the Chicago after going 6-10 last season. The most evi- is a correlation to the Giants having made Bears, Barkley tore his right ACL and has
not played since. The 6-0, 230 pound force will be a visceral and tangible boost for the Giants, although when the 24-year-old Penn State product will be back had not been announced by the team as of mid-week. With an additional game added to the NFL regular season schedule this season, bringing the number to 17 teams to play, ensuring Barkley is ready for full contact and maintaining his health is paramount for the Giants after a long and grueling year of recovery. “This whole process I’ve been a team player listening to the doctors, listening to the coaches, listening to the trainers knowing that they have my best interest at heart,” said Barkley last Thursday after a Giants practice. “Whatever they feel that is best for me and best for the team, I’m willing to do.” On Monday, Judge stressed a decision on Barkley will be made with caution and prudence. “I know the next question coming is, ‘Where are you on Saquon?’” he said to reporters. “Look, that won’t be decided until later in the week. I want to see how he responds to a couple things physically within his body and make the best assessment going forward for him this weekend and going forward past that.” Prominent oddsmakers are giving the Giants little chance to make the playoffs. However, there are many variables that could alter their prediction as the season progresses. It’s all on the Giants to defy the odds.
The Jets hope Wilson ends their long pursuit of a franchise quarterback By VINCENT DAVIS Special to the AmNews
(Bill Moore photo)
second worst record in the league last season at 2-14. The Jets haven’t been to the playSunday will be the official start of the offs since back-to-back losses in 2021 NFL season for the New York Jets the AFC Championship Game in and a new beginning for the franchise the 2009 and 2010 seasons led by with first-year, first-time head Robert then head coach Rex Ryan with a AM NEWS AM NEWS Saleh and rookie quarterback Zach young Mark Sanchez at QB. San-01274 AM NEWS 08/26/21 Wilson. It’s another reboot for the 07/01/21 Jets chez was a rookie during the Jets’ 07/01/21 0 7 in their effort to ascend to the top of the 2009 run. They 74470 haven’t22784 played in a AFC East division. Super Bowl since 1969. All hopes, Ironically, their opening game is for now, lie on the presumptive talagainst the Carolina Panthers on the ents of Wilson to get them there. road. The Panthers also have a new startThe 22-year-old from BYU is not ing QB, Sam Darnold, who the Jets draft- the franchise savior, but someone ed No. 3 overall in 2018 to lead them back who has the physical tools to be a AM NEWS AM NEWS 01284 to prominence. It didn’t work out and Super Bowl caliber QB. At 6-3 and AM NEWS 09/02/21 Darnold was traded to the Panthers 07/08/21 this 210 pounds, 07/08/21 0 Wilson has a gifted 7 74470 22784 past April for three draft picks—a sixth arm and displayed the pinpoint rounder in April’s draft, and second and accuracy while passing for 7,652 fourth round picks in next year’s draft. yards in three years at BYU that The Jets then selected Wilson No. 2. He separates the top quarterbacks was one of five quarterbacks taken in the from the rest of the pack. first round. While the team isn’t expectFor Wilson, and any QB, prepaed to be a threat to the Buffalo Bills, New ration is key. He’ll have to master01294 AM NEWS AM NEWS Zach Wilson era will begin on NEWS England Patriots or Miami Dolphins07/15/21 to the team’s playbook, smartly read The AM 09/09/21 Sunday when the rookie QB makes his 07/15/21 0 command the line 7 win the AFC East, and are a longshot to defenses, and 74470 22784 first regular season start against the be a playoff contender, major steps for- of scrimmage. Jets general manCarolina Panthers on the road ward are reasonable after having the ager Joe Douglas is confident
Wilson will grow into an elite NFL quarterback. He was highly impressed with the Draper, Utah native during the draft evaluation process. “Zach really stood out,” said Douglas after selecting him. “His recall, his focus, his intensity, his passion, it all stood 01354 out.” In training camp and two preseason AM NE games Wilson hasn’t disappointed. 08/26/ 0 7 74470 22784 “He’s been everything we’d hoped for, scouting him at BYU,” said Douglas last week, emphasizing Wilson’s passion for the game and intelligence. “It’s been good seeing him download this information, not making the same mistake twice. Obviously, his physical 01364 skills jump out, the way he throwsAM the NE ball.0 It’s just an effortless 09/02/ 7 motion.” Only 74470 22784 time will tell if the Jets made the right decision. But right now, optimism is the mood of the team.
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