After firing their now-former head coach, Brian Daboll, the New York Giants don't have another scapegoat. There's nowhere to run for this group, which appears to be the message star outside linebacker Brian Burns is conveying to his comrades.
Burns is urging his Giants teammates to dial up the intensity and buy-in amid the organizational uncertainty that comes with leadership change. Many view Daboll's dismissal as a sign of surrender, though he has a different perspective: this isn't the time to go quietly into the night.
Addressing the media ahead of New York's first contest of the post-Daboll era, Burns urged the Giants not to take their foot off the gas. Conversely, the two-time Pro Bowler emphasized a greater sense of urgency and that this is the moment to slam the gas pedal like never before.
Brian Burns urges Giants not to let go of the rope after Brian Daboll firing
"I just told them, with situations like this, everybody's under evaluation," Burns said regarding his message to the Giants' locker room as a captain. "Nobody's going to turn on the film and be like 'Oh, this was after [Brian] Daboll got fired. That's why he's playing this way.' Nobody cares. ... if there was ever a time to play your best ball, it's now. If there's ever a time to bond together, stick together, it's now."
Admittedly speaking from experience, this isn't Burns' first rodeo. It's not exactly something to brag about, but few are more well-versed in midseason coaching changes than him. Daboll's unceremonious exit from New York marks the fourth time in seven seasons he's seen a transfer of power while games are still being played.
The current turmoil in New York isn't "brand new" to Burns, as he highlighted. His past history has enabled him to develop an understanding of "how the business goes [and] how things operate." With that in mind, the star pass rusher's words on the circumstances carry extra weight.
A matchup with the Green Bay Packers is a far from ideal way to kick off life without Daboll, but alas, that's how the cookie crumbles. Burns and Co. must find a way to overcome the unfavorable circumstances and move forward.
If his comments are any indication, Burns isn't only not running from the adversity the G-Men are facing, he's taking it head-on. The rest of the squad would be wise to embrace the mentality and follow in his footsteps; they can no longer hide behind Daboll's shortcomings.