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In the premiere episode of HBO's "Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants," general manager Joe Schoen made it clear that even Patrick Mahomes wouldn't have been able to save the struggling 2023 Giants. Schoen ionately defended embattled quarterback Daniel Jones, emphasizing the need to protect the team given Jones' three serious injuries in two years.
He stated: "The reality is, facts - three serious injuries in two years, we need to protect ourselves. He didn't have much of a chance this year, that's legit."
Schoen highlighted the challenges faced by the Giants, particularly the lack of continuity in the lineup due to injuries. He pointed out, "All season, the four guys, your core guys that are going to play together, played less than 60 snaps together. Miami, we got f-king three practice squad guys playing for us. Nobody can f-king - you could have Pat Mahomes, he can't f-king win behind that."
Despite the struggles, Schoen made it clear that he is not giving up on Jones, who is under contract for three more years. He emphasized the importance of protecting the team and highlighted the need for backup plans based on past experiences, stating, "Just protecting ourselves because the best predictor of the future is the past."
Schoen refuses to give up on Daniel Jones
The assessment of Jones' performance in the 2023 season was also addressed. Schoen acknowledged that the Giants' porous offensive line significantly impacted Jones' play and prevented a fair evaluation of his abilities.
He pointed out that Jones, despite being rewarded with a lucrative contract and coming off a playoff win, did not perform well and struggled to stay upright in the face of intense pressure. Jones threw two touchdowns versus six interceptions in just six games, tallying only 909 ing yards and suffering a neck injury as well as a torn ACL.
The overall message conveyed by Schoen's comments is that the Giants' challenges extended beyond just the quarterback position. The team's offensive line issues and lack of continuity due to injuries significantly impacted their performance. Schoen's defense of Jones, while acknowledging the need for protection and backup plans, reflects a balanced approach to evaluating the team's struggles.