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Fights are common in NFL training camps and the New York Giants and Detroit Lions provided one of many examples of that this summer with a joint-practice brawl. Surprisingly, though, Giants quarterback Daniel Jones got in on the action as well.
New York defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux explained how much that meant to him, via the Pivot Podcast.
“Why are we fighting? What does fighting do for y'all? What is the fight? You fight for team chemistry. You're fighting for respect. Now the stupid stuff is whatever, you know we’re not ripping helmets off. Ain't nobody really trying to hurt nobody, but you're fighting to show your teammates that you’re gonna fight for them,” Thibodeaux explained. “So when you see Daniel Jones get in, it does give a little more respect. When you see you know your lineman, and that's another part it's funny when I was too tired I'm like s—t y'all, I can't fight, I can't do it. And you realize like no, your teammates are going to look at that, you better get in that fight.”
Quarterbacks are often seen as overprotected “golden boy” types who don't like getting their hands dirty. However, Jones showed his teammates that he's not above them, which goes a long way in the locker room.
Priceless team-bonding activities are well worth $200,000 fines, which both the Giants and Lions paid after the skirmish.
Will Jones' chemistry with his teammates translate into a good season?
Daniel Jones is unlikely to ever be a standout player for the Giants
While Jones may be popular amongst his teammates, that won't help him be a more accurate passer. The 27-year-old had the NFL's worst accuracy last season, via PFF's John Kosko. “Accuracy proved an issue, as he had a 29.3% catchable inaccurate rate, a 52.4% accurate rate, and an 8.8% pinpoint accuracy rate. All were the worst marks in the NFL.”
Jones, who's now entering his sixth season, hasn't been anything to write home about over his New York tenure. Although “Danny Dimes” tossed 436 yards and two scores in a playoff win against the Minnesota Vikings in 2022, he hasn't thrown over 15 touchdowns in a season since his rookie year.
With star running back Saquon Barkley now on the Philadelphia Eagles, the only exciting skill player to support Jones on the Giants is rookie wideout Malik Nabers, who has impressed in camp thus far. However, will that be enough to help lift the team out of the cellar?
