New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll took to the podium today to address the media following the team’s much-needed 27-20 win over the Seattle Seahawks, reflecting on the performance of several key players, and addressing concerns from earlier games this season.
One player who stood out was running back Tyrone Tracy, who has been thrust into a more prominent role due to injuries in the Giants’ backfield. When asked about Tracy’s transition from a wide receiver to running back and how his work ethic has paid off, Daboll had nothing but praise.
“He’s a smart player,” Daboll said. “I think (Running Backs Coach) Joel Thomas has done a really good job with him. As much time on task as you can get for any player, particularly a young player, I think you improve at it. He’s improved since he’s been here.”
Tracy’s performance included a pivotal third-and-short conversion, where he broke loose for a big gain, highlighting his decisive running style and ability to find holes in the defense. Daboll, however, emphasized that success on the ground is a team effort, praising the offensive line for creating opportunities.
“It takes all 11 people to be successful offensively,” Daboll noted, pointing to the collective improvement the team made following a rough outing against Dallas earlier in the season.
Offensive Line Response
One of the critical narratives this season has been the inconsistent performance of the Giants’ offensive line. Against the Seahawks, the unit showed significant improvement, giving both the run and pass games a solid foundation. When asked if the line was challenged after its struggles against Dallas, Daboll emphasized the importance of team-wide execution.
“They don’t need all that. They need the truth in terms of ‘here are the plays that we ran, here were the breakdowns. This is what we need to improve on,’” Daboll explained. He added that the veteran group of linemen have been diligent in correcting mistakes and improving communication, which has been key to their recent success.
Impact of Screen Game
Another area of improvement in Sunday’s game was the use of the screen game, something Daboll believes is a crucial aspect of any successful offense. Two screens early in the game helped the Giants recover from a slow start, setting the tone for the rest of the afternoon.
“It’s just another element. As many elements as you can have offensively, I think it puts stress on a defense,” Daboll said, describing the screens as part of a broader strategy to keep defenses guessing and force them to defend the entire field.
Looking Ahead
With the Giants now sitting at 2-3, Daboll was asked if he believes his team has a shot this season, especially after coming close in tough matchups against both Washington and Dallas.
“Our focus is on what we need to do each week. So, put everything you got into it,” Daboll said, emphasizing the team’s week-by-week approach rather than looking too far ahead.
The win against Seattle marked the team’s third strong road performance of the year, sparking questions about whether the Giants have developed a “road warrior” mentality. Daboll attributed the success to focus and discipline, particularly noting the lack of false start penalties despite playing in a hostile environment.
Defensive Coaching and Young Players
Defensively, the Giants made some big plays, particularly from cornerback Deonte Banks, who was challenged by Defensive Passing Game Coordinator Jerome Henderson in the lead-up to the game. When asked if Henderson’s public challenge had an effect on Banks’ strong performance, Daboll credited both the coaching and the player’s ability to rise to the occasion.
“Jerome is a good football coach. He’s been doing this for a long time. I thought Tae (Deonte Banks) did some good things yesterday,” Daboll said, highlighting the rookie cornerback’s growth as he faced off against Seattle’s star receiver DK Metcalf.
As the Giants look to build on their momentum, Daboll reiterated the importance of staying the course, addressing issues as they arise, and continuing to develop the team’s young talent.
“We’re going to need to keep improving all of our young players that have played,” he concluded.
With another tough matchup ahead, the Giants will need to keep tightening up their execution, but Daboll’s belief in his players’ ability to adapt and improve bodes well for the remainder of the season.
This press conference revealed a lot about Daboll’s coaching philosophy — a methodical, team-first approach focused on continuous improvement. For a Giants team trying to regain its footing, the signs of progress are there, and if they continue to grow, the road ahead could still hold promise.
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