If the Jacksonville Jaguars are a huge NFL surprise at 4-2, then what does that make the Indianapolis Colts, who are 5-1 and the No. 1 seed in the AFC right now (like that matters)? The Colts were a team that had to answer questions all offseason about whether they’d start former fourth-overall pick Anthony Richardson at quarterback, or go with journeyman Daniel Jones.
Jones eventually won the job and the Colts clearly made the right call. While Richardson is still struggling in his battle with workout bands, Jones is currently on pace for an MVP-caliber season.
Jones was asked about what it meant to him to be talked about as an NFL MVP candidate.
“Not much after six weeks,” he replied.
He’s correct, but it’s still a big deal since the former first-round pick from Duke was essentially left for dead with the New York Giants after six seasons.
“We’ve got a long way to go. I’ve really enjoyed playing with these guys, I think we’ve got a lot of talented players across the board, and just trying to do my part in that,” Jones continued.
“Still a long way to go. I think we all know that,” Jones said.
On the season, Jones is completing 71.7% of his passes for 1,502 yards, a modest eight touchdowns and a tidy three interceptions. His passing yards are good for 7th in the NFL.
The devil is in Daniel Jones’ preparation details
Jones is a great preparer if nothing else. Now, granted that doesn’t equate to success on the football field, but it’s a great start.
“I’ve always spent a lot of time with it,” Jones said. “I don’t really do too much besides this stuff.”
Head coach Shane Steichen loves the fact that Jones is a film rat and studies every chance he gets. And why shouldn’t he be enamored? Let’s be honest, if not for Jones, we could be putting Steichen in the Mike McDaniel and Brian Callahan conversations by now.
“He’s just all over it,” Steichen said, via Colts.com. “That’s the preparation, and that’s what you want at that position.”
Wide receiver Alec Pierce was asked about Jones’ Saturday night, pre-game film sessions that Jones loves so much.
“He’ll go through a ton of stuff,” Pierce said. “He kind of gives us every look — hey, we got this play up here. It’ll be like say it’s me and (Josh Downs), he’s like ‘Hey, J.D., I’m looking for you here on this and then if they go this coverage here, AP, be ready.’ So it’s pretty cool how he really breaks it down.’”
Riley Leonard will back up Daniel Jones on Sunday
Because of the eye injury suffered by Richardson in last week’s pre-game warmups, rookie Riley Leonard will get the call this week to back up Jones against the Los Angeles Chargers.
“Not really how you want to get the job, right,” Leonard said. “You want to really earn it, but that’s just the nature of this league, next man up. Praying for AR, obviously, I think he’s in really good spirits and hopefully recovering well.
“It won’t really change much. Still a backup, just one play away now instead of two. But nothing really changes for me, I kind of operate the same. Live a pretty boring life outside of football, so I don’t do much but kind of just prepare.”
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