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Eli: Jones has 'right mindset' to be successful QB despite early struggles

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The 2020 NFL campaign hasn't been kind to Daniel Jones thus far, but he still has a believer in the legendary quarterback he succeeded.

Despite Jones' early struggles for the 0-2 New York Giants, Eli Manning said the second-year passer's tough mentality will get him back on track.

"(Jones) has the right mindset at the start to be successful at that position," Manning told The Athletic's Dan Duggan. "I think he's cool under pressure, he doesn't get rattled. He gets upset and he gets frustrated like us all, but he doesn't show much. I think it's a great demeanor to last in the NFL and in New York.

"I know he's going to bust his tail to do everything possible to get back on track and to learn and make progress and I think he will. I've got a lot of confidence and faith that Daniel will have a long career and have a lot of success in the NFL."

Jones has completed 63% of his passes for 520 yards, two touchdowns, and four turnovers (three interceptions, one fumble) through two contests this season.

Manning noted the shortened offseason due to the COVID-19 pandemic has likely played a significant role in the 23-year-old's early-season woes.

"It's tough for guys in Daniel's position not having that spring, with a brand-new offense," he said. "He's trying to learn all this - not on the fly, they had meetings and whatnot - but some of this stuff, he just hasn't run these plays a ton. But I've thought he's played well in the first two games. He's thrown the ball accurately, he's thrown some tight throws.

"I think those teams that have new coaches and new coordinators and some young players at spots, it's just going to take a little bit longer for them to jell and come together. They're just at a little bit of a disadvantage over the organizations and teams that have quarterbacks that have been in the system for a number of years and coaches that have been there."

The Giants will hope to get back on track in Week 3 when they host the injury-riddled San Francisco 49ers.

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