MUTUAL RESPECT BETWEEN DABOLL AND CAMPBELL
The relationship between Brian Daboll and Dan Campbell is well-documented. The two played one season with the Miami Dolphins in 2011, when Daboll served as offensive coordinator and Campbell as tight ends coach. Although they only shared the sidelines together for one season, that was more than enough time for Campbell to see just how high Daboll’s football IQ is.
“I appreciate our time together,” Campbell told the media earlier this week. “He’s one of the smartest football minds I know. That’s some quick thinking. He’s tested us as a team. I’ve learned a lot about football through him. I would say he’s evolved like any great coach. He’s evolved. What he did in Buffalo wasn’t what we did. There were similar concepts, but he evolved with what the roster and the quarterback expected of him, what would make them the best. That’s what he’s done here and he’s going to do here. He’s a damn good coach. That’s who he is. You don’t do what you did a year ago without being able to coach. So I have a lot of respect for Dabs.”
When you hear Daboll talk about Campbell, it becomes very clear how much mutual respect there is between the two head coaches.
“I have a lot of respect for Dan,” Daboll said. “Dan was my tight ends coach when I was a coordinator. He has a lot of energy. He is who he is. He’s smart. He motivates guys well. I’m talking about when I was a coordinator with him and didn’t know him in his role. But he has a lot of great intangibles. I have a lot of respect for him.”
FIRST UNOFFICIAL DEPTH CHART
The New York Giants have released their first unofficial roster ahead of their season opener against the Lions. As always, it is subject to change. It is intended as a guide only, more for the media than for the coaches.
From left to right, the starting offensive line in the first roster is as follows: Andrew Thomas at left tackle, Jon Runyan Jr. at left guard, John Michael Schmitz at center, Aaron Stinnie at right guard and Jermaine Eluemunor at right tackle.
Two rookies currently occupy the top spots on their rankings at their respective positions – first-round wide receiver Malik Nabers and third-round nickelback Dru Phillips.
Dane Belton and Jason Pinnock are currently listed as the two starting safeties, while Cor’Dale Flott is listed as the starting outside cornerback opposite Deonte Banks. On defense, experienced Rakeem Nunez-Roches is the starting defensive tackle alongside Dexter Lawrence.
JONES AND NABERS CONTINUE TO BUILD CHEMISTRY
The connection between quarterback Daniel Jones and rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers was evident during the first two weeks of training camp. The No. 6 pick was one of Jones’ most targeted receivers as the 21-year-old made one big play after another on an almost daily basis. The two will continue to work on improving their chemistry as the start of the regular season approaches.
“I think it’s getting better every day,” Daboll said of the connection between the two players. “Malik is a rookie. Daniel is coming back from his surgery. The guys are working hard on their individual routes. And obviously, in the team phases, it’s getting better every day. There’s a lot of nuance to the passing game. We’re asking a lot of him. Maybe it’s a couple different routes every day to make sure we get the timing and rhythm right, and if we need to get it back, we’ll go back to another practice or the practice after that to make sure we continue to build that chemistry.”
Nabers caught every pass thrown his way during team practice on Monday, including an impressive reception deep down the field. Jones has targeted the rookie all over the field during training camp, from short slant routes to shots downfield. Even though training camp is less than two weeks old, it’s clear that Nabers has already made a very strong impression on his quarterback.
“I think he can do it all,” the quarterback said of Nabers. “His competitive spirit, his drive. I think when the ball is in the air, he expects it to be his and he’s going to get it. He’s got all the physical ability in the world, size, strength, quickness, reaction time, great hands, and he has the mindset that he’s going to get the ball and it’s going to be his. We’ve got to keep working and keep improving our chemistry, but I think he had a good training camp.”
“Solidarity” between Kayvon and Burns
The Giants made a big move this offseason when they signed outside linebacker Brian Burns and then signed his contract to a long-term extension. The front office had a vision to pair Burns with third-year outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux to create a formidable combination on the perimeter, which we saw over the last two days of practice together.
Burns and Thibodeaux have both been responsible for sacks in the backfield over the past two days, an impressive performance against Detroit’s talented offensive line.
“It’s the cohesion,” Thibodeaux said. “When you have two runners that can attack on base, you just have to control their sides and create a gap that’s hard for the quarterback to throw out of. That helps the back end, and the back end helps the front end. One of the coaches likes to talk about ‘symbiosis,’ there’s multiple parts working together for the common good but helping each other. And I said, whether it’s communication, whether it’s movements, since we’ve been playing together, I’ve contributed something to his game. He’s contributed something to my game. It’s been a real, kind of growth mindset.”
The Lions had one of the best offenses in the NFL last season, ranking fifth in points and third in yards. It was a balanced unit, as both their passing and running attacks ranked in the top five in yards gained. The Giants’ defense performed well during joint practices despite facing a strong first-round opponent. Perhaps more importantly, the players clearly showed they support each other, which Thibodeaux said will benefit the unit in the long run.
“We’re going to stick together,” the third-year OLB said. “I think when I was a rookie, that helped us, and at the beginning and end of the season, we won four, I don’t know how many games in a row, but it’s about sticking together because I think the season is a rollercoaster, and being as consistent and sticking together as possible is going to help you in the long run. So when you’re in different situations with different people, it’s always good to see a team stick together.”
