As the New York Giants approach the final stretch of preseason, Head Coach Brian Daboll took the podium today to provide insights into the team’s latest roster decisions, injury updates, and the overall strategy heading into the 2024 NFL season.
Roster Cuts Begin: Key Decisions Ahead
Daboll opened the call by addressing the recent roster cuts, a necessary yet difficult part of the preseason process. The Giants released 10 players, including defensive tackle Kyler Baugh and wide receivers John Jiles and Ayir Asante. These decisions were made after extensive discussions among the coaching staff and front office, with Daboll emphasizing the importance of fielding the best possible team come Week 1.
“We’re still discussing a lot of things,” Daboll noted. “There’s a lot of decisions that need to be made, but we felt it was necessary to move on from these players. We thank them for their contributions and wish them well.”
Injury Concerns: Achilles Tear for Timmy Horne
Injury management is a significant concern for the Giants as they near the regular season. Defensive lineman Timmy Horne tore his Achilles, a severe blow to the defensive line depth. Daboll confirmed the injury while providing some optimism regarding other key players like Jon Runyan Jr. and Cor’Dale Flott, who are expected to return to practice soon.
“We’ll get more information from the MRIs, but as of now, Timmy Horne’s situation is the most concerning,” Daboll shared. “For others, we’re hopeful they’ll be back on the field soon.”
Increased Reps and Strategic Adjustments
Daboll also delved into the strategic adjustments made during training camp, particularly the decision to increase the number of team reps in practice. This change, driven by discussions with the sports science staff, was implemented to better prepare the team for game situations and address areas of improvement, especially for quarterback Daniel Jones.
“We focused on giving DJ more team reps and less 7-on-7 to help him handle pressures and rush lanes,” Daboll explained. “It was a point of emphasis that we thought was needed.”
When asked if these adjustments were made to ensure a better start to the season, Daboll acknowledged the importance of a strong opening but stressed that the main goal is consistent, well-coached football.
Quarterback Depth and Final Roster Considerations
The conversation shifted to the Giants’ quarterback depth, particularly the status of Drew Lock, who has been dealing with an injury. Daboll expressed confidence in Lock’s recovery, but the team is closely monitoring his progress.
“I think Drew is moving in the right direction,” Daboll said. “We’ll see where he’s at this week, but we’re hopeful.”
As for the possibility of keeping three quarterbacks on the roster, Daboll remained non-committal, stating that the team is still weighing its options.
“We have confidence in Tommy DeVito, and we’re having discussions about what’s best for the team. By Tuesday, we’ll have our decision,” Daboll stated.
Balancing Preparation and Over-Planning
Daboll concluded by discussing the delicate balance of preparing for the season without over-planning. The Giants are focusing on their own fundamentals and avoiding the pitfalls of starting preparations for Week 1 too early.
“Right now, our focus is on us and what we need to improve,” Daboll emphasized. “We’ll get into Minnesota soon enough, but for now, it’s about fine-tuning our own game.”
With the regular season fast approaching, Daboll’s comments underscore the critical decisions and adjustments being made within the Giants organization. As they prepare to face the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1, the next few days will be pivotal in shaping the final roster and setting the tone for the 2024 season.
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