On Jan. 29, 2022, the NY Giants officially hired Brian Daboll as the 20th head coach in franchise history, and the fourth head coach in the last seven years. Daboll, hired because of his teaching acumen and work with Josh Allen, was brought on to transform the Giants offense from stone age to high powered.
Since Daboll’s hiring, the Giants have gone through a litany of personnel changes, improving important positions on the offensive side, including offensive tackle and wide receiver. Throughout this process, Daboll has provided insight to fans by offering quick quotes which offer a glimpse of what the franchise’s future may hold. Here are the five most important Daboll quotes since taking the reins of the team.
5. NY Giants fans must trust the process
"“We have to crawl before you can walk,” Daboll said. “And it’s the same thing for (offensive coordinator Mike) Kafka. He was with Patrick (Mahomes) for so long and Andy (Reid). This is our first year.”"
This quote may provide a glimpse into what 2022 might look like for the Giants. “We have to crawl before you can walk” may indicate that early on in the season there could be some growing pains on the field as the Giants try to put in a new offensive system for the third time in Daniel Jones’ four seasons as quarterback.
Many times this offseason Daboll has pumped the breaks on setting any expectations for 2022, and this quote reflects that attitude. After all, it is hard to perform well in the first year, especially when you have to rip down and create a new culture.
4. No extra pressure for Daniel Jones
"“Look, we’re not going to make any predictions and I wouldn’t do that to Daniel or really any player,” Daboll said this spring. “I don’t think that’s fair to compare him to another guy that I was working with. He’s himself.”"
When Daboll was hired, the first question fans asked was can Jones be the next Allen? After having a brutal rookie season in 2018 where he threw for 10 touchdowns and 12 picks, Allen has transformed himself into one of the five best quarterbacks in a league and a perennial MVP candidate, throwing for over 4,000 yards and 35 touchdowns the last two seasons.
The first three years of Jones’ career have been up and down, and, generally, if a quarterback has not bloomed in the first three years, there is a good chance they never will. It is very wise of Daboll to stop Allen/Jones comparisons before expectations get out of hand.
3. Brian Daboll believes in Daniel Jones
"“Yeah, look, we want to make sure we protect the ball,” Daboll said of Jones. “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.”"
This is the quote all Giants fans wanted to see. After being the worst and most conservative offense in football over the last two seasons, the Giants will be taking a page out of the league’s best and most aggressive offense. There’s no coincidence that the Bills are the league’s best offense and take the most downfield shots.
Jones proved in his rookie season that, when given the opportunity, he is more than capable of connecting on downfield shots. Last season, in Week 4 in New Orleans, Jones connected on a beautiful deep ball touchdown to John Ross. In Week 2, Darius Slayton dropped a beautiful deep ball that would have clinched a Week 2 victory at Washington. The more deep balls you connect on, the higher than chance of winning. It will be nice to see Jones actually take those shots again this season.
2. Daboll has high hopes for his playmakers
"“I think any time you have a good player, you find a way to get the best players the football,” Daboll said. “Targets, sometimes as a decoy, touches in the run game. Guys that can produce and make yards with the ball in their hand, as a play-caller, you like those guys.”"
The Giants are littered with guys who can be explosive with the ball in their hands, playing right into Daboll’s quote. Kadarius Toney may be the most explosive player in the NFL with the ball in his hands, and, 2022 second-round pick Wan’Dale Robinson is cut from the same cloth. Daboll is also talking about utilizing Saquon Barkley more as a receiver as well.
In his rookie season in 2018, we all saw just how explosive Barkley was with the ball in hands, and with question marks still remaining despite an improved offensive line, finding ways to get Barkley the ball in space without handing it straight too him is a terrific idea. Expect to see tons of trick plays, end arounds, jet sweeps and screens to get their explosive players the ball in open space this season.
1. Expectations are high for Kadarius Toney
"“Fun guy to watch,” Daboll said of Toney. “Quickness, speed, playmaking ability – he was a guy we looked at when I was at Buffalo coming out of Florida, he made some really wild plays. He sends me a couple of his songs every now and then so I can give him an evaluation of those too.”"
It was evident last season that Joe Judge’s dictatorship discipline style of coaching did not mesh very well with Toney’s massive personality. Daboll is clearly cut from a looser cloth. He is much more laid back and much less of a disciplinarian.
There is no denying when Toney is on the field, he has all the traits and talent to be an all-world receiver. Keeping your stars healthy and happy is a skill all coaches need, and sometimes treating them differently than the rest of the team is not a problem. Daboll might be just the perfect personality to unlock Toney physically and mentally.