Giants’ rookie quarterback Daniel Jones had the stage all to himself and put on quite a show in his first NFL appearance, passing for 336 yards, two for touchdowns, and running in two of his own

By Arnie Leshin 

It was the 1990 Super Bowl XXV. It was New York versus New York, the Buffalo Bills versus the Giants, who actually played in New Jersey.

 

The entire press box area was jammed, and so those without their publication name on a space, were out of luck, either stand or accept sideline media passes.

 

I took to the field, even though I had to stand there, too. But it was Tampa, Fla., Tampa Stadium, and the January 27tah weather mixed sun and comfortable temperatures in the mid 60s.

 

The Giants won 20-19, but I got a reminder of this game-ending missed field goal by turning to the exciting finish of Sunday afternoon’s Giants playing again in Tampa, this time against the home town Buccaneers.

 

Then, it was Buffalo’s premier kicker Scott Norwood’s 41-yard field goal try with eight seconds left and his team trailing 20-19. It sailed wide right, less than a yard outside the goalpost upright. The Giants jumped foe joy and then ran out the clock.

 

This time, 29 years later, the Giants pulled out a 32-31 victory. Now after almost 16 seasons of running the offense and winning a pair of Super Bowls over the New England Patriots, the Giants were replacing Eli Manning for the first time and winning for the first time this season.

 

No doubt a future Hall of Famer, Manning wasn’t injured, he didn’t even have a headache or a toothache, but the Giants had lost their first two starts and Manning wasn’t getting the offense in gear. Nothing new, but when he had a quality line blocking for him, he was a super passer. No mobility, but he sure could find targets.

 

But those days do not give any indication of his present status. He was sacked several times against the Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills. He botched up two handoffs, threw some passes that that were either high, low or wide.

 

So the Giants made their decision. Their first round pick in the college draft was a surprising one, it was former Duke quarterback Daniel Jones. He didn’t get fabulous press notices, he wasn’t known as a touchdown hero, but the Giants had him scouted numerous times and saw maturity, toughness, size, mobility with quickness that had the defense playing a guessing game.

 

In pre-season training, the Giants liked what they saw. Jones stood 6-foot-4, smiled. chattered with his teammates and coaches, but once it was his turn to relieve Manning, he really stood tall. He easily got the attention of his offense, showed authority and experience in the huddles, brushed off pressure, avoided sacks, and put the ball into the hands of a receiver. He completed 85 percent of his passes

 

It was what the Giants watched, sometimes shaking their collective heads, seeing the one who could step in, walk in the big shoes of Manning, and replace the popular quarterback.

 

So the nationwide television audience was tuned in to see just what Manning’s replacement could do, would do, succeed, fail, improve the team’s boring offense, give it a new look.

 

That he did, he began with two complete passes, and took the team to midfield before having to punt on fourth down. He stood off the aggressive defense and the pressure, even though he couldn’t avoid two sacks. He ran wide for a 7-yardtouchdown in the second quarter.  

 

He made it through a half before 82,653 Tampa fans, and the die-hard Giant fans, some as spectators and other tuned in, and among the most loyal in the land, wanted to see what two more quarters would bring after the Bucs led by 18 points after one quarter, and by 13 after three quarters.

 

Now the 22-year-old Jones was going to show what he had. He accounted for four touchdowns, two through the air and two with his legs, as he gained 28 yards in four carries. He finished with 23-of-36 attempts for 337 yards, showing the poise and playmaking ability that made the Giants fall for his versatility and make him the No. 6 overall pick in this year’s draft.

 

He sent a short wide-out toss to Evan Engram, who raced 75 yards down the sidelines to score. He found Sterling Shepherd with a perfect touchdown pass into the corner of the end zone.

 

When the Giants cut into the deficit that got them to within 31-25 and had the home fans concerned, he showed his ability to rally the troops. He moved the team 75 yards in eight plays and capped it with a fourth and four burst up the middle, untouched into the end zone with 1:38 left in the tilt.

 

But the Buccaneers, despite no more time outs, connected on three pass plays, kept it in the air, and decked the ball on fourth and two at the New

York 12. They called on rookie Matt Garr, and he kicked the 29-yard field goal just outside the right goalpost. It first looked in, but then landed out.

 

Now 29 years after the Scott Norwood’s miss, the clock showed no time left, game over, and these Daniel Jones Giants were jumping all over, hugging, high-fives, slapping hands, and then celebrating with the players on the sidelines who joined in, and the coaches.

 

Sure, it was only his first time in an actual NFL game, but he sure looked good, damn good. Wonder what Baker Mayfield has to say about this?

 

Wonder what Manning is thinking, as in joining his other brother Payton by retiring. It is not what the faithful Giant fanatics would like to see or hear, but 16 super years should have Eli making a decision.

 

Sunday, division rival Washington Redskins will visit the Giants’ stadium in East Rutherford. The Skins are 0-3, the Giants 1-2, and there’s no secret over who is will be taking the snaps for the red and blue.

 

That’s all folks, Jonsie put on quite a show, a winning one, and that’s that for now.