Notebook: Brian Daboll to call offensive plays this season

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Brian Daboll confirmed what had long been evident, that he will call the offensive plays this season, beginning Sunday when the Giants host the Minnesota Vikings.

“Yeah, I’m doing it,” he said.

Daboll had called the plays throughout the spring, training camp, and the Giants’ three preseason games, but until today he had not specifically said he would continue to do so in the regular season. Offensive coordinator/assistant head coach Mike Kafka held the play-calling duties for most of the previous two seasons.

Daboll declined to say why he made the change. He called plays for nine years as a coordinator in the NFL and at the University of Alabama.

“We work well together offensively,” Daboll said. “Getting ready to play week one. We’ve talked enough about that. Doing everything we can do to get ready.

“I’m the head coach, so I’m responsible for everything, whether it’s the defense, the special teams, the offense. … Almost everybody in the league does it that’s an offensive head coach.”

Quarterback Daniel Jones said it has been a smooth transition to have Daboll call the plays.

“We’ve had a lot of communication over the past few years in meeting rooms and as we game plan throughout the week,” Jones said. “I feel like I have a good feel for how he sees the game and how he calls the game. Obviously, we’ve spent a lot of time since the spring together. I’ve got a lot of confidence and feel good about us being on the same page. I’m excited to be out there.”

Jones conceded adjustments were necessary, no matter how subtle they were.

“I think everyone calls it a little bit differently,” Jones said. “Different answers to different things. Overall, (there are) a lot of similarities and a lot of things we’ve done over the years and had success with. I think it’s just getting used to hearing another voice in the helmet and understanding how he sees the game.

“Over the years, just hearing from his experience and where he’s been and how he’s called games, I think it’s changed in different spots. He’s been able to adapt to what the team’s best at, what the defense is doing and how best to attack it. We have a lot of playmakers, a lot of different ways we can go about our offense and execute and attack a defense. So, that’s what we’re going to do.”

No matter who gives him the plays, this would be a significant Sunday for Jones. It will be 10 months and three days since he tore his right ACL in Las Vegas, ending his 2023 season after appearing in only six games.

Jones underwent surgery and then worked diligently throughout the offseason with the long-term goal always remaining participating in the Giants’ opener. He didn’t miss a training camp practice and played in one preseason game (Daboll kept him on the sideline for the other two).

“It’s exciting,” Jones said. “Camp is hard work. You put in a lot of time and effort into it. The opportunity to go against another team and play and be out there on the field is exciting. Something you look forward to a lot. I think we’re all fired up.”

Jones said “I think so” when asked if he’s more excited after enduring his injuries. He also missed three games last year with a neck issue.

“I spent some time on the sideline watching the game and wishing you were out there,” he said. “I’m excited to be back. Certainly grateful and very appreciative of all the help I’ve had throughout this whole journey and people who have done a lot to help me get back. I’m excited to be out there.”

He will not be thinking about his knee when he takes the field.

“I feel like I’ve hit all those spots,” he said. “I feel like I’ve tested it. I feel good about my rehab, my process, and playing football. I feel like I can do everything I need to do. I think I’ve checked all those boxes. I feel good.”

Jones is more concerned with dissecting the Vikings’ defense. Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores harasses quarterbacks with persistent pressure. He can unleash Jonathan Greenard, a free agent acquisition who led the AFC South champion Houston Texans with 12.5 sacks last season, and Dallas Turner, the 17^th overall selection in this year’s NFL Draft who had 11.0 sacks at the University of Alabama. The Vikings also acquired linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, who sacked Jones on the play in Miami last season on which he hurt his neck. The Vikings also recently signed five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Stephon Gilmore.

“This system, this defense, puts a lot of pressure on the offense, on the quarterback,” Jones said. “You’ve got to see it, understand what’s happening and be prepared.”

The Giants last faced the Vikings in 2022 when the teams played twice in a four-game span in Minnesota. The Vikings won the first game on a last-second field goal, but the Giants earned a 31-24 victory in the NFC Wild Card Game. Jones threw two touchdown passes and led the Giants with 78 rushing yards in that game.

“It’s a completely different defensive scheme and structure than we saw two years ago,” Daboll said. “Couldn’t be any more different. And then you add the pieces that they’ve added, they’re a good defense.”

“Some of the personnel is left over from a couple years ago, but a lot of new guys, and a new (defensive) system (Flores joined the Vikings last year),” he said. “I think you want to study what they were last year, what they did last year and had success with. But I think it’s important to understand in the first week that you’re not going to have a great idea of what they’re going to do. It’s a new year, and it’s about focusing on yourself and making sure we’re prepared and we know our plan.”