Tag: Brian DaBoll

Shedeur Sanders expresses admiration for Giants coach Brian Daboll

Shedeur Sanders is a big fan of New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll and feels they would have a very positive relationship.

The New York Giants will field a new starting quarterback in 2025 and it very well could be a rookie. With the third overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft, general manager Joe Schoen may be blessed with a choice.

Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders are widely considered the top two quarterbacks of the class, and both could theoretically fall to the Giants, who spent significant resources scouting them this past season.

Of the two, Sanders appeared to have been given more face time with the staff, including head coach Brian Daboll.

During an appearance on the DNVR Buffs podcast on Radio Row ahead of Super Bowl LIX, Sanders expressed admiration for Daboll — both as a man and as a head coach.

“We ain’t practice it,” Sanders said of their handshake. “He got a different kind swagger about him too though — he was cool though, he was down to earth. He understand kind of how I am and who I am. And I understood him, also. As long as everybody go into a situation where I’m not going to believe anything I see online mutually then it will be a good relationship. You know?”

Sanders believes that positive relationship could yield quality results on the field. And although he’s only spent a limited amount of time around Daboll, he feels they gel.

“But if you go into a relationship with all these preconceived thoughts, it’s never going to work,” he said. “So you have to go into everything genuine and let people show you who they are and, to me, he’s a great guy, great coach and he’s definitely a man of his family, so I like coach for sure.”

If Sanders falls to No. 3 (or the Giants trade up), he firmly believes East Rutherford is his next destination. He’s hinted at it several times already this offseason and that does appear to be the trend.

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Eagles QB Jalen Hurts laughs when asked about potentially getting another new OC

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts can only laugh when asked about potentially playing for another offensive coordinator if Kellen Moore gets the Saints job

Since his time at Channelview High School in East Houston, Jalen Hurts has only had the same offensive coordinator once in consecutive years.

On Tuesday, one day after Super Bowl opening night, Hurts laughed when asked about Kellen Moore potentially leaving to take the Saints’ job. Thus, the Eagles quarterback would once again have a new offensive coordinator o

Hurts, who spent three years at the University of Alabama before transferring to Oklahoma, never had consecutive seasons with the same play-caller at the collegiate level.  With the Crimson Tide, Lane Kiffin got the head coaching job at Florida Atlantic; Steve Sarkisian got the offensive coordinator job with the Atlanta Falcons; Brian Daboll got the offensive coordinator job with the Buffalo Bills.

During his NFL tenure with the Eagles, Shane Steichen was the only offensive coordinator with whom Hurts had multiple years.  That resulted in an MVP runner-up and his first Super Bowl appearance before Steichen landed with the Indianapolis Colts.

When Steichen was hired in Indianapolis, Brian Johnson was promoted from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator. Philadelphia finished seventh in points per game (25.5) last season, but the offense struggled down the stretch as the Eagles lost six of seven following a 10-1 start. Johnson was fired and replaced by Moore, the former Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator, in February.

This season, with Moore at the helm, the Eagles’ offense was eighth in total yards (367.2), 29th in passing offense (187.9), and, most importantly, seventh in points (27.2).

Under Moore, Philadelphia rushed for a single-season club-record 3,048 yards (6th most in NFL history) and finished 2nd in the NFL in rushing yards per game (179.3), trailing only Baltimore (187.6). The Eagles are the second team in NFL history to rush for 3,000+ yards and 25+ TDs (29).

Philadelphia set a club record in passer rating (103.4) in 2024.

With Moore likely to land the New Orleans Saints job, Hurts will smile as he learns another offensive system.

See it: Giants’ Mike Kafka shows different side at Senior Bowl

Mike Kafka, who plays a subdued role as OC with the New York Giants, was clearly in charge as a head coach at this year’s Senior Bowl.

New York Giants assistant coach and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka served as the head coach of the National Team at this year’s Reese’s Senior Bowl.

Kafka, who has taken a backseat to head coach Brian Dabol with the Giants, showed a different side of his style as a head coach down in Mobile this week.

Kakfa is one of the most celebrated, yet underused, coordinators in the NFL. Last year, he had the offensive play-calling responsibilities stripped away by Daboll, which did not yield any better results.

Daboll still holds Kafka in high regard as does general manager Joe Schoen, who told reporters he was “hoping” that Kafka wasn’t hired away as their head coach this offseason.

“There’s a reason these teams continue to interview him for head coaching jobs,” Schoen said during his media session at the Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama on Tuesday. “He’s got a great reputation not only in our building but around the league.”

Kafka is currently in the mix to become the head coach of the New Orleans Saints. They will make their decision after interviewing Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore after the Super Bowl.

It’s nothing new for Kafka, who over the past three winters has interviewed with the Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals, and Tennessee Titans for head coaching positions.

The Giants stand to benefit from Kafka’s experiences, especially with college players. The team feels it could give them a leg up in recruiting.

“Mike deserves the opportunity he has as one of the head coaches in this year’s Senior Bowl. His experience as a player and coach is invaluable to these young men who will soon be professional players. He is an exceptional coach and will serve as a resource for everyone involved throughout the week,” Daboll said in a statement.

In recent days, it has been reported that the Giants could be considering re-assigning the play-calling duties back to Kafka should he return.

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Jameis Winston ‘absolutely’ wants to sign with Giants

Jameis Winston “absolutely” wants to sign with the New York Giants this offseason and even accidentally referred to them as “we.”

The New York Giants are searching for a quarterback this offseason and Jameis Winston is searching for a new home. Are the two a match?

Former Giants running back Saquon Barkley certainly thinks so.

During Super Bowl LIX media day on Monday, Winston approached Barkley’s podium on behalf of FOX Sports and asked a somewhat self-serving question: “I’m a free agent, I don’t really got no job. Who’s gonna sign me in free agency?”

Barkley didn’t hesitate.

“I think New York needs a quarterback right now,” he said.

Asked to specify, Barkley clarified he meant the Giants.

Winston loves the idea, apparently.

“Would I really sign with the Giants? Absolutely,” Winston told NJ Advance Media. “I want to keep playing and do what I do best.”

Ironically, Winston even called the Giants “we” in a Freudian slip when discussing head coach Brian Daboll and his offense. Perhaps he knows something the rest of us do not.

“I have a ton of respect for coach Brian Daboll, the things he does offensively,” Winston said. “I think we have a young — woah! They have a young roster. But they have a young roster that’s ready to win. They’re ready to bounce back. I know they’re hungry over there.”

The Giants need both a veteran bridge quarterback and a young rookie to come in and learn, and perhaps Winston is that guy. He’s the anti-Daniel Jones, never fearing the 50-50 passes down the field. He’s a risk-taker but may not possess the accuracy Daboll requires.

In 105 career games, Winston has completed 61.2 percent of his passes for 24,225 yards, 154 touchdowns, and 111 interceptions. He’s also rushed for 1,297 yards and 12 additional touchdowns.

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Giants’ Brian Daboll details what he wants in next quarterback

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll explains what he wants out of his next quarterback, whether it’s a veteran or a rookie.

The New York Giants are in the market for a quarterback this offseason and based solely on the numbers game, will need to add at least two and likely three.

How they acquire those quarterbacks remains to be seen but all options are open, says general manager Joe Schoen. That includes a potential trade for a veteran or use of the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

However the Giants ultimately decide to approach the position, head coach Brian Daboll has a very specific list of qualities he’d like to see in his next starting quarterback.

“You look for accuracy,” Daboll said, via the Bergen Record. “It’s leadership; it’s accuracy.”

Finding leadership and accuracy requires a significant amount of work. Not only will the Giants meet with most of the rookie quarterback class, but they will also watch a seemingly endless amount of film on both veterans and prospects.

“You watch all the games,” Daboll said. “It’s not a cut-up of games where you’re looking at whether it’s targets or run blocks, you’re watching everything and seeing how they respond. How do they respond in two-minute situations? How they respond after an interception? What’s the playbook like after a few bad plays or a few incompletions?

“Again, there’s no exact science in it. It’s obvious that there isn’t. You do the best job you can.”

For Daboll, it’s a process he enjoys.

“I love doing it. I love evaluating quarterbacks; I love meeting with the quarterbacks,” he said. “It’s an awesome position to work with and it’s a really fun position to evaluate.”

Over his first three seasons with the Giants, Daboll’s evaluations have arguably come up short. The team went all-in on Daniel Jones, misread the room with Tyrod Taylor, and later settled on Drew Lock. There was a moment of success with Tommy DeVito, but that was short-lived.

Both Schoen and Daboll have run out of chances. They’re on the last of their nine lives and if they get the quarterback wrong here in 2025, they will be out of jobs in 2026.

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‘Strong sentiment’ that Giants will return play-calling duties to Mike Kafka

If he doesn’t land the Saints job, there is a “strong sentiment” that the New York Giants will return play-calling duties to Mike Kafka.

New York Giants assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka is a finalist for the New Orleans Saints job but if he doesn’t get it, he can expect additional responsibility in East Rutherford next season.

Should Kafka return to the Giants in 2025, there is a “strong sentiment” in the building that head coach Brian Daboll will return play-calling duties to him, reports Paul Schwartz of the New York Post.

There is strong sentiment inside the Giants building for head coach Brian Daboll to give up the play-calling duties, and that sentiment has nothing to do with co-owner John Mara recently mentioning Daboll should at least consider doing that for the 2025 season.

There is a feeling that by handing that responsibility back to offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, Daboll would be in a better position to manage the entire team — sitting in on defensive meetings and expanding his focus to make sure small details do not fall through the cracks.

Daboll had stripped Kafka of play-calling duties multiple times throughout the 2023 season and then outright in 2024. The former Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator assumed that role but the Giants’ offense regressed.

With Kafka as the full-time play-caller in 2022, the Giants’ offense ranked 15th in points and 18th in yards. In 2023, those rankings dipped to 30th in points and 29th in yards.

Under Daboll as the full-time play-caller in 2024, the Giants offense ranked 31st in points and 30th in yards.

If Kafka does get hired in New Orleans, the Giants will have to pivot but general manager Joe Schoen admits he “selfishly hopes” that does not happen.

“Very detailed, organized, smart coach, good leadership abilities,” Schoen said on Tuesday. “So, selfishly, I hope he doesn’t get the New Orleans job, but if he does, he’s well-deserving. (He’s) a good coach, has a lot of ideas, smart, good leadership. We’re fortunate to have him on our staff.”

The Saints could make their decision as early as Wednesday.

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Giants’ Joe Schoen ‘selfishly hopes’ to retain Mike Kafka

New York Giants GM Joe Schoen says he “selfishly hopes” Mike Kafka doesn’t get a head coaching job and remains in East Rutherford.

On Tuesday, New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen said he hopes that assisted head coach and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka doesn’t get hired away by another NFL team this offseason.

Kafka is one of six candidates being considered for the New Orleans Saints head coaching vacancy.

It has become a yearly ritual for Kafka, who has interviewed with the Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals, and Tennessee Titans in the past two offseasons but with no luck.

“There’s a reason these teams continue to interview him for head coaching jobs,” Schoen said during his media session at the Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama on Tuesday. “He’s got a great reputation not only in our building but around the league.

“A former player who played quarterback, came up under Andy Reid, called plays in a playoff season in his first year as an offensive coordinator, very detailed, organized, smart coach, good leadership abilities. So, selfishly, I hope he doesn’t get the New Orleans job, but if he does, he’s well-deserving. (He’s) a good coach, has a lot of ideas, smart, good leadership. We’re fortunate to have him on our staff.”

Kafka was elevated to assistant head coach by Brian Daboll last season but was stripped of the offensive play-calling duties. The Giants’ offense was a disaster and co-owner John Mara has mildly suggested that perhaps Daboll should relinquish the responsibility this season.

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Shedeur Sanders on Giants: ‘We have a great relationship’

The New York Giants made a positive impression on Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders at the East-West Shrine Bowl practices this week.

It’s that time of year in the NFL when clubs begin their recon and courting of this year’s draft-eligible players.

The New York Giants, who hold the third overall selection this April and are in the market for a quarterback, are out in full force and hitting all of the college all-star games.

This week, they were down in Arlington, Texas — the site of this year’s East-West Shrine Bowl — and met with one of the top quarterback prospects in Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders.

Sanders, who also met with the Tennessee Titans, holders of the top overall pick this year, had good things to say about his dealings with the Giants.

From Garrett Podell of CBS Sports:

He was unable to contain his excitement when detailing his relationship with the Giants. New York head coach Brian Daboll went over to chat with Sanders during the Shrine Bowl’s first practice on Saturday. Daboll, general manager Joe Schoen, assistant general manager Brandon Brown and assistant director of player personnel Dennis Hickey also made sure to catch up with Sanders in the lobby of the player hotel after practice Saturday afternoon as well.

“It was very exciting, and we have a great relationship,” Sanders said of seeing and meeting with the Giants this week. “They definitely showed up plenty of times even to practice. Just seeing the logos and seeing the scouts, it’s very exciting.”

Sanders, who will not participate in the game or the practices leading up to it, was in town simply to meet with NFL teams who might be interested in him. And there are plenty of those.

Much like his famous father and coach, Deion, Shedeur is not short on confidence.

“I just know I’m going to change a franchise and be happy to be the leader of a team,” he said.

The Giants aren’t just searching for a quarterback this spring. They are searching for a leader and a new face of the franchise. So far, he seems willing to take that on.

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This Saints coach candidate has big name in mind for his defensive coordinator

This New Orleans Saints coach candidate has a big name in mind for his defensive coordinator. Mike Kafka reportedly wants to bring Wink Martindale with him:

Now this is interesting. New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka is a candidate for the New Orleans Saints head coaching job, and he’s begun putting feelers out for his potential staff. ESPN’s Giants beat writer Jordan Raanan shares that former Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale is widely expected to join Kafka in New Orleans with the same role in mind, should he get the job.

Martindale spent the last year on the Michigan Wolverines coaching up top-10 draft prospects like defensive tackle Mason Graham and cornerback Will Johnson. He’s got a lot of experience calling plays for the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens prior to his turn with the Giants, where a public fallout with head coach Brian Daboll led to his departure.

At a time when the Saints may be seen as a sinking ship, it’s refreshing that Kafka at least appears to genuinely want the job. He’s expressed that eagerness to Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy (he’ll be coaching the National Team this week).

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Saints complete in-person interview with another head coach candidate

The New Orleans Saints completed an in-person interview with another head coach candidate. Mike Kafka is in the mix for the job:

The New Orleans Saints have completed an in-person interview with Mike Kafka for their open head coach position, the team announced Saturday afternoon. Kafka, 37, has worked on the Kansas City Chiefs under Andy Reid and spent the last few years on the New York Giants staff as offensive coordinator, though head coach Brian Daboll has called plays in each of the last two seasons (neither of which ended with a playoff berth).

He’s an intriguing candidate for the job. Both Reid and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes have spoken glowingly about Kafka’s value as a leader and communicator, and he has a lot of fans around the league. Getting stuck in a bad situation with the Giants may not be held against him. Sean Payton (another Reid disciple) came to the Saints after experiencing a similar dead-end run with the Giants way back in the day, too.

Something else to keep in mind? Kafka’s in-person interview, taken with the Saints’ sit-down meeting with Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, satisfies the NFL’s Rooney Rule. Teams are required to interview two minority head coach candidates in person before filling a vacancy and Kafka qualifies for it. He and his family are Puerto Rican and he’s participated in the annual NFL accelerator program designed at cultivating candidates like him and Weaver for head coach opportunities.

Could Kafka get the job? Maybe so. He’s highly regarded around the NFL and the Saints have expressed genuine interest in him so far. It’s just kind of a tough sell when the offensive coordinator leaves a team with a bad offense, even if it wasn’t his playbook or his voice on the headset on Sundays.

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