The New York Giants have much to be proud of, regardless of a disappointing 6-11 2023 season that followed a strong 9-7-1 record in 2022, and culminated in their first playoff win since their Lombardi Trophy hoisting 2011 season.
Despite losing both starter, Daniel Jones, and backup, Tyrod Taylor, to injuries by Week 7, the Giants managed to stay competitive under the helm of cult hero, Tommy DeVito, winning 3 straight in November – December against the Washington Commanders, New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers.
The New York Giants Had Arguably The League’s Worst Offense In 2023
Yet, one cannot deny the holes that formed in New York’s offense over the subsequent 12 months following their playoff win in Minnesota. The Giants ranked dead last (32nd) in Adjusted Sack Rate DVOA, per FTN Fantasy, and sported, outside of All-Pro, Andrew Thomas, an uninspiring line filled with borderline-starters, back-ups, and the much maligned former top 10 pick, Evan Neal.
The receiving corps was little better, giving Jones, head coach, Brian Daboll and offensive coordinator, Mike Kafka, crumbs to work with.
Isaiah Hodgins’ sudden late-season rise in 2022 gave way to big expectations for the following season, but when midnight came around in September 2023, he sadly turned right back into a pumpkin. Jalin Hyatt and WanDale Robinson demonstrated promise in their first and second seasons respectively, but neither were able to fill the load carrier role. And Darius Slayton remained what he has always been, a speedy, 4.4 #2-#3 700 yard + receiver that works well as an exterior or slot piece alongisde a true #1.
New York Giants Entering 2024 With A New Sense Of Hope
This season, however, there may be renewed reason for optimism. Center John Michael Schmitz is another year into his professional career, Evan Neal will have one last chance to show he can be the right tackle of the future, and New York even signed starting guards Jermaine Eleumunor and John Runyan II in free agency.
But the most important addition, by far, was the drafting of LSU wideout, Malik Nabers with the 6th overall pick in this year’s NFL draft, who, if his college tape has anything to say about him, has all the ability to go on and become the figurehead of the Giants’ passing attack for years to come.
These moves may have assuaged some of the fears of the NYG faithful, but this still does not excuse an offense that finished 29th in the NFL in yards, in front of only the rudderless New England Patriots, disaster-class Carolina Panthers and Aaron Rodgers-less New York Jets, especially for a team that still went 1-5 with their starting QB, Jones, at the helm.
As a result, head coach Daboll is expected to make one final change to the offense; one that could end up being the most critical one yet, per ESPN’s Jordan Raanan.
A lot is on the line for Brian Daboll this season. https://t.co/QZinB226VO
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) June 27, 2024
I agree. But with Daboll now calling plays and in Year 3, if they don’t show progress all the focus is on him. The excuses are all gone. https://t.co/Q3UQViBrLB
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) June 27, 2024
Brian Daboll Set To Take Over Play-Calling Duties In New York
In Raanan’s piece, he set’s out that over the last two sets of team practices, minicamp and OTAs, it has been Daboll, not Kafka; the New York Giants’ offensive play-caller for the past 2 seasons; who has more recently been seen handling these duties.
“Assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, meanwhile, has his microphone tucked up near his ear. He is listening, but not talking. It’s Daboll, not Kafka, calling the plays, an extension of what took place at organized team activities and throughout the spring.
If Daboll keeps playcalling responsibilities this season as expected, it would be a change from their last two seasons together with the Giants, when it was Kafka’s job.”
This is not exactly a surprising move, although it may have less to do with poor offensive output in 2023 as it does with general dynamic of the coaching staff.
Daboll is inherently an offensive minded coach and a stellar play-caller & OC. He is credited with the unique rise and almost unprecedented improvement of the Buffalo Bills’ franchise quarterback, Josh Allen, and as Raanan notes, much of the reason for his hiring in New York was due to his play-calling ability.
However, in 2022, when hiring Mike Kafka, it was rumored that a stipulation to drawing away a rising star of the Andy Reid coaching tree was to let Kafka himself call offensive plays, something he had never done prior.
And it is quite possible that, in order to not overwhelm himself and to get to grips with the difficult juggling act that is NFL head coaching, Daboll initially agreed. Now though, having experienced 2 seasons at the pinnacle of the National Football League coaching tree, it is likely that the former Bills offensive coordinator is ready to take back the duties he held so successfully at his former team.
All things considered, the combination of Brian Daboll’s greater play-calling experience and the New York Giants’ improved offensive personnel could well manifest itself into turning Big Blue into what could even resemble a competent offense this forthcoming season.
But, as we all know, this all ultimately rests on the man who the Giants, not so long ago, gave $160 million/year to.
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