Giants HC Brian Daboll wants QB Daniel Jones to 'turn it loose' despite turnovers

Critics of New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones don't have to search far for numbers or facts to back their takes. Specifically, Jones tossed 29 interceptions and lost 20 fumbles over his first three NFL seasons, and the Giants declined the fifth-year option attached to his rookie contract last month. 

While speaking with reporters on Thursday, Jones insisted he is "certainly confident in myself" and "confident in the team we have and the coaches and the system." New head coach Brian Daboll, who's never before worked with Jones during a season, added he wants the 2019 first-round draft pick to be even more aggressive on football fields this year. 

"Yeah, look, we want to make sure we protect the ball," Daboll explained, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN. "But again, you can't go out there and play afraid. Be smart, not reckless, if you will. If he's got a shot on the right read, let it go.

"There's going to be things that happen in every game. The defense is going to make a good play, there might be a tipped ball. We're going to have to do a good job of taking care of the football, but I want him to turn it loose."

For the first time since college, Jones will find himself playing for a contract or for a significant pay raise he'd earn via the franchise tag. He talked about reading situations to know when to take a risk and when to simply live to fight another down. 

"The facts were we were turning the ball over a lot. I was turning the ball over a lot," Jones remarked. "But I don't know. I think as a quarterback you have to be able to do both — you have to be aggressive, take shots, but also protect the ball. It's finding the balance there and the best guys can do that. So I'm always working to improve that piece of the decision-making process and being smart."

Daboll previously served as Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator and helped Josh Allen evolve into a legitimate Most Valuable Player candidate. If Daboll can't get the best out of Jones, the signal-caller may prove to be a project worth discarding next year.