Dabs’ Digest: Week 18 conversation with Coach Brian Daboll

Q: Troy Aikman said on the broadcast Monday night, “You don’t know how difficult it is to put together a game plan when you don’t know who your offensive line starters are going to be.”

Daboll: “We’re used to that.”

Q: I know you’re used to it, but is it?

Daboll: “We’re used to that. How many times has that been? (The Giants have used nine starting offensive line combinations this season, one behind league-leading New England; the Giants had 10 last season.) That’s why everybody is on the team and whoever’s ready to go, the next man up, that’s who you’ve got to get ready to go.”

Q: (Guard) Jake Kubas came in as a rookie free agent, practiced for five months, didn’t play in the first 12 games and has started the last two games. Did you see him improve in practice throughout the season?

Daboll: “He’s done everything the right way since he’s been here. He has all the intangibles that I’d say we covet. He is tough. He is smart. He comes to work every day with his lunch pail and learns from the coaching staff, learns from the older players. He has a great demeanor about him. Excellent teammate. Just another rookie in this rookie class that has really done a nice job. I think he’s going to be a good player.”

Q: Speaking of rookies…You have started eight this year, which is tied for second most in the league. And started six draft choices, which is also tied for second. They have gotten much valuable experience in one year. What does that mean for the roster?

Daboll: “That’s what you want. You’re always going to go through growing pains with young players, rookies, first-year players. The more they play, the more experience they get, that only helps. As long as they have the right attitude, which our guys do, and the right makeup, that’s definitely a good group to build with.”

Q: After the game last week, you said about (quarterback Drew) Lock, ‘I was on him pretty good and I get on the quarterbacks pretty good,’ in response to the week before in Atlanta. Is that true again this week? Because you want him to play like that again this week.

Daboll: “Well, the Atlanta week, not to relive it, but you can’t put the ball in jeopardy like that (two interceptions returned for touchdowns) and give the opposing defense points. I thought he did a good job of preparation. We’ll prepare him the best we can this week, and he’ll play as good as he can play.”

Q: He said he likes to be coached like that. He likes to be coached hard…

Daboll: “Look, you don’t want to be turning the ball over and giving the other team gifts. So, he did a really good job last week of playing at a high level at that position and that’s what we expect of him.”

Q: Where are you hardest on him? On the practice field, in the film room?

Daboll: “I think that’s overrated, what I said. You just coach them. Make good decisions. That’s the number one job of a quarterback is to make good decisions. You praise them, too. You’ve got to praise them when they do well. He certainly did a good job last week.”

Q: Last week, we talked about how many receivers with 90 catches had caught passes from four quarterbacks. This week, Malik Nabers is up to 104 and is one of three players with 100+ to catch passes from four quarterbacks (joining DeAndre Hopkins in 2015 and Davante Adams in 2023).

Daboll: “His job is to get open and catch the ball. So, whoever’s throwing the ball, that’s what his job is. He’s done a good job of it. He’s pretty good at it, yeah.”

Q: He’s four away from the Giants’ season record.

Daboll: “Is that right? Who has that?”

Q: Steve Smith, 107 in 2009.

Daboll: “I feel good about Malik’s chances.”

Q: Wan’Dale (Robinson) has 83 catches, which in most seasons would lead the team. It’s easily the highest total of any number two we’ve had. He leads the NFL with 32 third-down catches. Do his contributions get overlooked sometimes because of how good Malik has been?

Daboll: “No. He’s a valuable piece to our team. Another guy, like I talked about with Kubas, who has the right makeup, who’s tough and very smart. He’s done a nice job for us. I didn’t know he leads the league in third-down catches.”

Q: Dexter (Lawrence) has been voted a Pro Bowl starter, even though he missed the last four games. What does that say in terms of the respect you think he has from the other players and in general?

Daboll: “I’ve talked about him a bunch before. He’s a good football player.”

Q: But, he hasn’t been seen in more than a month and he’s still going to be a Pro Bowl starter.

Daboll: “The players that vote for him know what type of player he is. We certainly do. So, congratulations to him and he’s earned it. He’s a good player.”

Q: Entering the season finale, (Brian) Burns and GVR (Greg Van Roten) are the only players to start every game. GVR hasn’t missed a snap all year. Do you see similarities in those two players in how they go about their business?

Daboll: “They’re professionals. GVR has been in the league a long time and knows what it takes to take care of his body, be a professional and be available. He’s smart and has really provided good leadership for the offensive line room and, I’d say, for the team. Burns has been a productive player. I don’t know how many other guys have had eight or more sacks every year he’s played. He does things the right way. Good leader. So, both good additions to our football team.”

Q: (Linebacker) Ty Summers last week played in his 82nd career game and started for the second time.

Daboll: “We have a lot guys doing that.”

Q: Had 11 tackles. He leads the team in special teams tackles. He hasn’t gotten a lot of attention and came in last week and basically played the entire game.

Daboll: “That’s why you’ve got to keep developing the players that are behind the starters. When they get an opportunity, they get to go out there and show what they can do. Which we have a lot of them doing that right now. He did a nice job.”

Q: (Ihmir) Smith-Marsette has been a very good special teams player and we saw Sunday what he can do with his 100-yard kickoff return. He’s played seven offensive snaps. When you see his burst and speed, is he someone you’d like to try and develop as a receiver?

Daboll: “He always works at receiver. He takes reps during periods, and we’ll continue to develop him.”

Q: Obviously, this will not be a season you look back on fondly, but if you finish with two wins, can you take something positive from the end of the year?

Daboll: “I think every year is a new year. We’ll just focus on this week to do the best job we can.”