Bucs QB Jalon Daniels.
The one thing that Joe has noticed in Jalon Daniels’ two starts this season is that he uses his head.
Daniels doesn’t try to take off running needlessly. He seems to know when to throw the ball away to live for another down.
Former NFL offensive lineman Brian Baldinger seems to see the same thing. In one of his “Baldy’s breakdowns” highlighting topics from last weekend’s games, Baldinger used a video to highlight Daniels.
In the tweet, Baldinger typed about Daniels, “Sure didn’t look like a UDFA making his second start.”
Joe thinks Baldinger is onto something there. Among Sunday’s games, Joe was watching the Bears-Packers. Chicago started the immortal Tyson Bagent with star signal-caller Caleb Williams inactive with an injury.
Bagent signed with the Bears as a UDFA, just like Daniels did with the Bucs. He’s been in the league since 2023 and has three times as many starts as Daniels.
Bagent looked lost against the Packers. He was benched in the second half.
Daniels looks worlds better than Bagent.
The main thing right now in Joe’s mind about Daniels is that he keeps using his noggin. Playing smart, taking care of the ball is objective No. 1. Then, he’s got enough skills he can make a few plays, both with his arm and his legs.
Joe thinks if Daniels plays Sunday like he did in Dallas, the Bucs have a puncher’s chance against the mighty Steelers.
“He played error-free football,” Baldinger said of Daniels facing the Cowboys.
Oh, Joe’s sure Daniels made a mistake or two. But not big enough to hurt the Bucs too badly.
.@Buccaneers @dallascowboys @JalonDaniels6 played smart; error free football on a short week on the road in a game they HAD to WIN. Can't ask for anything more. Sure didn't look like an UDFA making his 2nd start. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/UogxhyyLqN