Tag: brian daboll

‘I wouldn’t read into’ Rob Gronkowski’s comments

NFL legend and four-time Super Bowl champion, Rob Gronkowski, is currently retired and it’s unlikely that changes any time soon. But earlier this month, he did suggest that if he were to unretire, it would only be for New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll.

“Brian Daboll wants me on his roster, I know it,” Gronk joked on Up & Adams. “Brian Daboll. He can’t get me out of retirement but he would have the best chance to get me out of retirement.”

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Although Gronk was pretty clear that the chances of him returning are slim to none, he did like the idea of playing alongside Darren Waller.

“That would be pretty wild. I always believe that having two tight ends — it makes the defense have the most difficult times,” said Gronkowski. “If you have two tight ends, I think that could make the offense unstoppable. And it’s rare if you go back to my days when I had another tight end with me, it just makes the offense prolific, unstoppable, it gives you so many more options in the run game and the pass game and play action.”

On Monday morning, as the Giants returned to team facilities for the final week of training camp practice, Daboll was asked about Gronk and his recent comments.

Although Daboll is close with Gronk, he said the unretirement talk should be taken with a grain of salt.

“I’m close with Rob,” Daboll said. “I have a lot of respect and admiration. I coached him for four years. He’s a good friend. We’ve talked — I’m not saying we’ve talked about that but he’s a close friend.

“I coached him up for four years. He’s a very productive player for you and really a good person. We’re from the same town (but) I wouldn’t read too much into (his comments).”

Gronk is obviously not returning to play for Daboll but leave it up to the charismatic 34-year-old to stir things up and create a buzz with a few simple half-joking comments.

Then again, in the words of Jerry Reese, never say never.



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New York Giants’ Eric Gray plans to gift first TD ball to his mother

Eric Gray, the New York Giants’ fifth-round selection in this year’s NFL draft, could be the future of the team’s rushing attack but for now, he’s strictly going be a returner and a depth player.

Gray was a star at Oklahoma and tumbled down the draft order to Day 3, where Giants’ general manager Joe Schoen adroitly snatched him up with the 172nd overall pick.

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In Friday night’s preseason game against the Carolina Panthers, Gray displayed his tough inside running style by battering his way up the middle for a nine-year touchdown in the second quarter.

“I thought he ran with a good pad level,” head coach Brian Daboll told reporters on Saturday. “I thought it was well blocked upfront with the line and Belly (tight end Daniel Bellinger), there was some good finish in there and he had some good leg drive and finished it off there. That’s important, you have to get the ball downhill, mainly down there in the red zone and run with good pad level and leg drive, got to block it up well.

“The space is condensed, course patterns are a lot different. There is more guys in the box, there is usually an extra guy you are going to have to either run through or run around. It was good to see him be able to finish the play in the end zone.”

Gray was asked about the play and put it in simplistic terms.

“I saw the hole and said, ‘I gotta get in, I gotta get in’ and I hope they don’t yell at me for reaching the ball over the goal line but I gotta do it for the team,” he said with a laugh.

The play was reviewed and the touchdown was upheld. Gray wanted the actual football after the play to send to his mother, who wasn’t in attendance. That might be more challenging than the touchdown itself.

“They told me it was one of the 12 footballs in the bag,” Gray said.

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New York Giants rookie Jalin Hyatt embraces ‘next play mentality’

New York Giants rookie wide receiver Jalin Hyatt has made explosive play after explosive play during training camp but was silent in his preseason debut against the Detroit Lions.

Hyatt hauled in just one reception for negative-four yards and didn’t see another target thrown in his direction.

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Then, on Friday night against the Carolina Panthers, Hyatt dropped a pass that hit him right in the hands. But rather than sulk about it, the rookie popped back up and went right back to work.

Shortly thereafter, Hyatt did what he does best — used his blazing speed to coast past a Panthers defender en route to a 33-yard touchdown, the first of his career.

“It’s always good to get the first one,” Hyatt told Giants.com after the game. “Those are the ones that are the hardest ones. When you’re open and it’s just you and the ball, sometimes you (lose) focus. It’s always good to look it in, focusing, and making a play when you need to make a play.”

Hyatt was frustrated with his drop but didn’t allow it to impact how he played for the remainder of the game. It’s a lesson instilled upon him by head coach Brian Daboll and wide receivers coach Mike Groh.

“As a receiver, when the ball touches our hands, we want to catch everything. I believe I can catch any ball that comes to me,” Hyatt said. “When you have a play like that — and I didn’t come up with it — it’s always next play mentality.

“That’s what (Brian Daboll) and (Mike) Groh have been teaching me. . . I am just glad that Coach Dabes trusted me and called that next play. Lot of respect for him.”

And how did Hyatt get so open? Speed, of course. But a few other things as well.

“It’s speed, it’s acceleration, it’s getting open, it’s knowing what you have to do and being comfortable with the quarterback,” Hyatt said.

The good news for the Giants is that Hyatt is becoming more comfortable every day and clearly doesn’t allow the negatives, which he will experience as a rookie, to get him down.

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New York Giants’ Brian Daboll jokes about new MetLife Stadium turf

The New York Giants played a game for the first time since MetLife Stadium replaced their controversial playing surface earlier this year.

Head coach Brian Daboll was asked after the game if he received any feedback from the players on the turf.

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“I didn’t,” he replied. “No, I didn’t.”

But Daboll had his own review to add.

“It’s fine. I’m just standing on it. I’m not running around and cutting and doing all those things. It’s a little softer on my lower back, which is always good,” he joked.

The previous surface was consistently panned by both the Giants and their co-tenants, the Jets, as well as many visiting teams. The amount of ‘soft tissue’ and joint injuries over the years made MetLife a house of horrors for players and coaches.

Over the past decade, the Giants were one of the most-injured teams in the NFL.

There were no reported injuries during the Giants’ 21-19 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Friday night.

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Rob Gronkowski teases NFL return with Brian Daboll

The New York Giants had a surprisingly successful year in 2022 under rookie head coach Brian Daboll.

Big Blue followed that up by making a big splash during the peak of free agency when they traded for tight end Darren Waller.

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Former tight end Rob Gronkowski was a guest on Up & Adams hosted by Kay Adams and talked about the possibility of coming out of retirement. He was specifically asked what head coach has the best chance to lure Gronk out of retirement:

“Brian Daboll wants me on his roster, I know it,” Gronk joked. “Brian Daboll. He can’t get me out of retirement but he would have the best chance to get me out of retirement.”

Adams then asked about the possibility of Gronk and Waller together:

“That would be pretty wild. I always believe that having two tight ends; it makes the defense have the most difficult times,” said Gronkowski. “If you have two tight ends, I think that could make the offense unstoppable. And it’s rare if you go back to my days when I had another tight end with me, it just makes the offense prolific, unstoppable, it gives you so many more options in the run game and the pass game and play action.”

Gronkowski, of course, was on the New England Patriots when Aaron Hernandez was also in his prime.

Although it isn’t likely that he would return to the field, it is something that he gave Daboll the best chance to get him back. For what it’s worth, Gronkowski firmly believes his playing days are behind him:

“I love to pretend that I can still play. It makes me feel good. But no, I can’t – I’m washed up. But I just like to pretend.” Gronkowski told Adams.

As washed up as Gronkowski may be, it would be some story to see him in line up with Waller.

Many people believe the Giants already have an elite duo with Daniel Bellinger following an impressive rookie season. Bellinger showed up earlier this offseason looking like he put on some muscle for his sophomore season.

Adding Gronkowski would be exciting, but there is plenty to be excited about between Waller and Bellinger.



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D.J. Davidson activated from PUP

Prior to practice on Monday, New York Giants defensive lineman D.J. Davidson passed his physical and was activated from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.

Davidson joins a suddenly deep group of interior defensive linemen, including rookie Jordon Riley, who played well in his NFL preseason debut.

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Wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (knee) and cornerback Aaron Robinson (knee) remain on PUP with no timetable for return, although general manager Joe Schoen previously implied that Robinson could be activated this week.

The news on wide receiver Collin Johnson, who suffered a knee injury against the Detroit Lions, was also somewhat positive. His issue does not appear to be long-term.

“I don’t think it’s long-term, but I’m not a doctor, either,” head coach Brian Daboll told reporters.

Johnson will not practice on Monday but right tackle Evan Neal (concussion) will take a step forward. He will participate in the non-contact portion of practice as he works his way back. However, Neal remains in concussion protocol.

Meanwhile, offensive linemen Devery Hamilton (leg) and Tyre Phillips (unknown), running back Gary Brightwell (ankle), linebacker Cam Crown (unknown), defensive lineman Ryder Anderson (triceps), and defensive back Nick McCloud (stomach) will not practice.

Finally, cornerback Cor’Dale Flott (abdominal) will practice after leaving Friday night’s preseason game against the Lions early. Nose tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches (groin) will also practice.

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New York Giants have a problem at wide receiver and it’s a good thing

The New York Giants have a number of options at slot receiver this season, a situation made even more competitive after two veterans logged in solid showings Friday night in Detroit.

Cole Beasley caught all four of his targets for a total of 33 yards and Jamison Crowder reeled in both of his for 32 yards.

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The Giants signed each veteran this offseason as insurance after the receiver cupboard ran bare last season due to injuries, forcing the team to sign players off the street.

One of the players they brought in last fall was Isaiah Hodgins, who provided the Giants with a huge boost down the stretch as they drove toward the playoffs.

On Friday night, Hodgins — a prospective starter on the outside — caught one pass for 13 yards to remind everyone that he’s still very much in the plans.

Head coach Brian Daboll put Hodgins in for 18 snaps in the game, some early on and then again later in the game.

“I thought it was good for him,” Daboll said. “He was a practice squad player for a while there and came on with us late, so I thought it was good to get him some reps early on with Tyrod (Taylor).”

The Giants’ wide receiver room is a very crowded one this summer and when the music stops on August 29 for final cuts there won’t be enough chairs. Several will be going home, or at the least, to the practice squad.

Sterling Shepard is back, along with Darius Slayton and Hodgins. They, along with third-rounder Jalin Hyatt and free agent Parris Campbell, are all shoe-ins to make the roster.

That leaves perhaps three open spots on the 53-man roster. With Beasley and Crowder stepping up, that number could be reduced to just one. Several players will have two games to make their cases.

Heralded rookie Bryce Ford-Wheaton did not have an impressive debut, failing to reel in any of his three targets and dropping a sure reception that hit him squarely in the chest.

The ever-reliable David Sills V made the most of his time, catching two passes for 36 yards, including one for a 22-yard gain. Sills is a long shot to make the team. The 27-year-old has been with the Giants since 2019, either on the active roster or the practice squad.

Kalil Pimpleton continues to play well, catching both of his chances for a total of 15 yards. He can also contribute on special teams as a returner.

Jaydon Mickens had a six-yard reception in the game, but he appears to be headed to the practice squad (at best).

Collin Johnson, who missed all of 2022 with an Achilles injury, left the game with a knee issue. The 6-foot-6 former Texas standout had been having a solid camp.

As of Saturday, Daboll did not have an updated status on Johnson’s injury.

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Brian Daboll ‘would anticipate’ Daniel Jones playing during preseason

The New York Giants sat the majority of their starters and key players in Friday night’s preseason loss to the Detroit Lions but don’t expect that trend to continue.

At some point, some starters will likely hit the field in one of the final two preseason games.

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“It’s just a different year,” head coach Brian Daboll said on Saturday after being reminded that the starters played a quarter in last year’s preseason opener.

“We sit down, we discuss it with the appropriate people that I talk to you guys about and make the decision that we thought was best. I’d say there is some good competitive situations right now going on, on our team and some young guys that we want to take a look at. Now what we do next week, that will be determined throughout the week. We will see where we are at with all those numbers and sit down at the end of the week and make a decision that we feel is best.”

As for starting quarterback Daniel Jones, Daboll was fairly sure we’d be seeing him on the field soon.

“We’ll talk about that at the end of the week. Again, these decisions really are made towards the end of the week like I’ve told you guys. There’s a lot of research and communication that goes into it, but I’d anticipate him playing,” Daboll said.

Some teams hold back their starters for the entire preseason these days now that the preseason has been cut from four games to three. The Giants appear to be cautious but a the same time don’t want to head into the regular season without their first string having any reps together in game situations.

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Giants’ Brian Daboll gives Thomas McGaughey death stare

Early in the second half of their preseason game on Friday night against the Detroit Lions, the New York Giants allowed a punt to be returned 95 yards for a touchdown by Maurice Alexander.

The Lions then converted a two-point conversion, which narrowed the score to 13-11 and changed the complexion of the game.

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It was not a good start for the Giants’ special teams, a unit that they take great pride in. Head coach Brian Daboll explained what happened after the game.

“First thing is we had 10 guys on the field, so we had to burn a timeout, so that’s not good,” Daboll said. “That falls on me, and then I just saw him break off to the sideline and it was 95 yards, right? Give them credit, it was a heck of a play. We’ll take a look at it on tape, but usually, when you give up those long punt returns, it’s a momentum changer.”

Daboll may say that it falls to him, but that didn’t keep him from giving special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey a death stare on the sidelines after the play.

The Giants did not allow a punt or a kickoff to be returned for a touchdown in 2022 and their 6.2 yards per punt return allowed was fourth-best in the NFL last season.



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New York Giants drop preseason opener to Detroit Lions: 7 takeaways

Junfu Han/Detroit Free Press / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Giants suffered a few injuries in the game. Cornerback Cor’Dale Flott left the game early in the threw quarter with an abdominal issue and wide receiver Collin Johnson left with a knee injury.

“I don’t (know),” head coach Brian Daboll said when asked about the status of both injuries.

“I haven’t even talked to the trainers yet. Other than just on the field they told me they were out. Collin, I think was his knee, and I got to see what it was for Flott. (Giants CB) Nick (McCloud)’s stomach I think, something he got hit in the stomach, but I don’t know any — to the extent of it.”

Punter Jamie Gillan turned his ankle but returned to the game.

Offensive lineman Tyre Phillips missed the game with a leg injury.

“Yeah, he got dinged up,” said Daboll. “That was the leg I was telling you about in practice. I think I told you guys that one practice, him and someone had an ankle.”

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