Drew Lock exhibited all of the signs of just ending an intense workout Friday when he got here into the Giants locker room, removed his sweaty jersey and took an enormous drink to catch his breath.
Lock had just taken zero reps with the starting offense during practice.
Same as all week — and same because the norm under head coach Brian Daboll, who believes a starter should take the total workload — despite quarterback Daniel Jones’ job security being questioned in all corners of the NFL.
So, what gives?
Lock’s approach to backup quarterback preparation that he has carried over from the Broncos to the Seahawks to the Giants is less about mental reps and more about taking the script that Jones just followed and duplicating the reps after practice with some teammates.
“To give you the chance to make the throws, get the calls, send the shifts and the motions,” Lock said. “If you end up standing back there not saying things, probably not doing things, you possibly can catch yourself saying, ‘What? Oh, I actually have to do a silent [snap count]. We want to go on the double here.’ I believe it makes an enormous difference. Not to say footwork, and also you’ve got to search out a solution to get in all throws that D.J. has in the sport plan.”
Lock played lower than expected within the preseason because he suffered an abdominal injury within the Aug. 12 game against the Lions.
He finally got here off the injury report this week — though he was energetic because the backup Week 1 — and is able to jump right into a game on a moment’s notice if needed.
“Mentally, I’m very prepared,” Lock said. “I actually have my system down throughout the week that I feel good going into game day. If my number is named or something happens, I’ll be able to go. I’ve done it loads of times to this point. Having your plan and knowing easy methods to be ready without doing [much] throughout the week is hard, but once you will have it found out, it’s easy to get done.”
Lock operates the scout-team offense to arrange the Giants defense, while third-string quarterback Tommy DeVito works through the complete play sheet on a separate field.
During walk-through periods, Lock gets his turn with the offensive play sheet, nevertheless it’s a time crunch.
In Seattle, Lock’s preparation routine evolved to incorporate mirroring starter Geno Smith’s throws in walk-throughs to receivers on the alternative side of the sphere.
He hopes DeVito copies the post-practice script idea moving forward.
“I actually have plenty of confidence in Drew — that’s why we brought him in,” quarterbacks coach Shea Tierney said. “All through OTAs and training camp, I saw a very good quarterback and a man who’s been within the league for plenty of years.”
Jones began his make-or-break season with the third-lowest single-game quarterback rating (44.3) of his profession in a loss to the Vikings.
He missed open throws and stumbled his solution to 22 of 42 passing, with two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) and five sacks.
But Daboll never considered making a change at quarterback for Sunday’s game against the Commanders. How long of a leash Jones has if the struggles proceed is unknown — not to say that Jones has left two of his last three starts with injuries.
“You might have to rise up to the pace of the sport, know where you’re at in the sport,” Lock said. “You might have to be ready for anything and every thing. You possibly can be thrown right into a situation that’s dicey.”
Lock has worn Jones’ shoes, too. He was Denver’s starter from late in 2019 through 2020 before losing the preseason competition against Teddy Bridgewater, starting his backup odyssey in 2021.
“There’s mutual respect between me and Daniel,” Lock said.
After all, Lock desires to play. But he knows a part of his job after a loss is to assist Jones figure things out.
“The mental side of wins and losses, I’ve been within the shi–er,” Lock said. “It’s helpful to have someone there who knows the way it feels, knows when to say things, knows when to not say things, knows once I would say, ‘Get out of my face.’ It’s a part of my job to be a sounding board or a psychiatrist or whatever I must be.”
Jones and Tierney spent beyond regular time this week on Jones’ footwork, on the lookout for any correction that may explain his drastic drop-off since playing at a winning level in 2022.
Lock went home and told his wife about Jones’ commitment.
“He does every thing a starting quarterback should do every week,” Lock said. “Last week, you’d consider it a down, and I haven’t seen him blink this week. It’s impressive considering [criticism] is heightened here in Latest York.”
If it reaches latest heights, Lock’s turn may very well be approaching.
Drew Lock exhibited all of the signs of just ending an intense workout Friday when he got here into the Giants locker room, removed his sweaty jersey and took an enormous drink to catch his breath.
Lock had just taken zero reps with the starting offense during practice.
Same as all week — and same because the norm under head coach Brian Daboll, who believes a starter should take the total workload — despite quarterback Daniel Jones’ job security being questioned in all corners of the NFL.
So, what gives?
Lock’s approach to backup quarterback preparation that he has carried over from the Broncos to the Seahawks to the Giants is less about mental reps and more about taking the script that Jones just followed and duplicating the reps after practice with some teammates.
“To give you the chance to make the throws, get the calls, send the shifts and the motions,” Lock said. “If you end up standing back there not saying things, probably not doing things, you possibly can catch yourself saying, ‘What? Oh, I actually have to do a silent [snap count]. We want to go on the double here.’ I believe it makes an enormous difference. Not to say footwork, and also you’ve got to search out a solution to get in all throws that D.J. has in the sport plan.”
Lock played lower than expected within the preseason because he suffered an abdominal injury within the Aug. 12 game against the Lions.
He finally got here off the injury report this week — though he was energetic because the backup Week 1 — and is able to jump right into a game on a moment’s notice if needed.
“Mentally, I’m very prepared,” Lock said. “I actually have my system down throughout the week that I feel good going into game day. If my number is named or something happens, I’ll be able to go. I’ve done it loads of times to this point. Having your plan and knowing easy methods to be ready without doing [much] throughout the week is hard, but once you will have it found out, it’s easy to get done.”
Lock operates the scout-team offense to arrange the Giants defense, while third-string quarterback Tommy DeVito works through the complete play sheet on a separate field.
During walk-through periods, Lock gets his turn with the offensive play sheet, nevertheless it’s a time crunch.
In Seattle, Lock’s preparation routine evolved to incorporate mirroring starter Geno Smith’s throws in walk-throughs to receivers on the alternative side of the sphere.
He hopes DeVito copies the post-practice script idea moving forward.
“I actually have plenty of confidence in Drew — that’s why we brought him in,” quarterbacks coach Shea Tierney said. “All through OTAs and training camp, I saw a very good quarterback and a man who’s been within the league for plenty of years.”
Jones began his make-or-break season with the third-lowest single-game quarterback rating (44.3) of his profession in a loss to the Vikings.
He missed open throws and stumbled his solution to 22 of 42 passing, with two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) and five sacks.
But Daboll never considered making a change at quarterback for Sunday’s game against the Commanders. How long of a leash Jones has if the struggles proceed is unknown — not to say that Jones has left two of his last three starts with injuries.
“You might have to rise up to the pace of the sport, know where you’re at in the sport,” Lock said. “You might have to be ready for anything and every thing. You possibly can be thrown right into a situation that’s dicey.”
Lock has worn Jones’ shoes, too. He was Denver’s starter from late in 2019 through 2020 before losing the preseason competition against Teddy Bridgewater, starting his backup odyssey in 2021.
“There’s mutual respect between me and Daniel,” Lock said.
After all, Lock desires to play. But he knows a part of his job after a loss is to assist Jones figure things out.
“The mental side of wins and losses, I’ve been within the shi–er,” Lock said. “It’s helpful to have someone there who knows the way it feels, knows when to say things, knows when to not say things, knows once I would say, ‘Get out of my face.’ It’s a part of my job to be a sounding board or a psychiatrist or whatever I must be.”
Jones and Tierney spent beyond regular time this week on Jones’ footwork, on the lookout for any correction that may explain his drastic drop-off since playing at a winning level in 2022.
Lock went home and told his wife about Jones’ commitment.
“He does every thing a starting quarterback should do every week,” Lock said. “Last week, you’d consider it a down, and I haven’t seen him blink this week. It’s impressive considering [criticism] is heightened here in Latest York.”
If it reaches latest heights, Lock’s turn may very well be approaching.
