‘I’m focused on Washington’ – Mainline Media News

EAST RUTHERFORD — Brian Daboll scoffed at the question, but it’s the nature of the business when your team is 2-8 and playing noncompetitive football.

Has the Giants’ head coach received assurances from ownership that he’ll remain with the organization next season?

“I’m focused on Washington, guys,” Daboll said Wednesday prior to the start of practice.

That would happen to be the Giants’ next opponent. They beat the Commanders (4-6) in the Meadowlands four weeks ago, yet they are currently 10-point road underdogs. That is how bad state of affairs are now on 1925 Giants Drive.

What separates Daboll from the previous three Giants coaches who were fired after two seasons is that Daboll won a playoff game and Coach of the Year in his first season.

But the franchise is certainly trending in the wrong direction. The Giants went 2-5-1 in their final eight games last season, and they have lost by at least 15 points in eight of their last 17 games overall. Their -148 point differential this season is the worst in the NFL by 51 points.

There remains a strong belief that Daboll, as of now, will be back for a third season given how much the team overachieved last season with limited parts and became ravaged by injuries this season, especially being down to their third-string quarterback.

There are still a whopping seven games left in this nightmare season, though. Owners John Mara and Steve Tisch must decide not only whether they truly believe this campaign is an aberration, but ultimately how much embarrassment they are willing to stomach.

“I have conversations with ownership, I have conversations with (general manager) Joe (Schoen), I have conversations with the players,” Daboll said. “I’d say there’s good communication in the building.”

Daboll said “nobody’s happy” about the Giants’ most recent blowout losses to the Raiders (30-6) and the Cowboys (49-17) including the owners. He felt that the Giants competed until the end of Sunday’s game in Dallas, but all that mattered was they were down 28-0 at halftime with only one first down in the first half.

“There’s a lot of stuff we’ve got to do better,” Daboll said. “We’re working at it. We’re trying to do everything we can do to improve.”

Daboll has declined to make sweeping changes to this point with the coaching staff or play-calling — changes that are typically better suited for the offseason. The Giants simply must coach and execute on the field better, with perhaps some creative wrinkles in their schemes to gain a tactical advantage as they did last year.

That is the argument against Daboll right now. The Giants don’t have any coaching advantages this season, and plenty of NFL teams face injuries but still find ways to be competitive rather than make excuses.

Asked if the team is motivated for next season because the Giants are all but out of the playoff race and jobs could be on the line, Daboll again insisted that the present is all that matters.

“I’m focused on playing this week well and improving,” Daboll said. “You live in the moment.”

Daboll says that isn’t a difficult mindset to adopt “if you have competitive stamina.” He dismissed any talks of the team “tanking” for a top draft pick, and that is logical because players and coaches are indeed competing for their jobs — not simply the pride of winning meaningless games.

And that is ultimately why, regardless of who is in the lineup, Daboll’s coaching ability is still under evaluation.

Another Start for DeVito

Daboll said rookie Tommy DeVito is OK after banging up his shoulder against the Cowboys and will start at quarterback in Washington.

Despite being overwhelmed in his first career start in which he completed 14-of-27 passes for 86 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, the Don Bosco product gives the Giants the best chance to win right now, according to Daboll, with Daniel Jones out for the season and Tyrod Taylor on injured reserve for at least two more games.

Daboll did not have an update on when Jones will undergo surgery on the torn ACL that he suffered 10 days ago in Las Vegas.

DeVito said his one interception Sunday “stands out to me the most” because he was trying to be a little too aggressive and should have thrown the ball to a different receiver.

“I felt better as the game went on to the second half, I think the offense did a better job executing, but it was too late at that point,” DeVito said. “But I think we ended off on a good note and we’re carrying some of that energy going into practice this week.”

Daboll was noncommittal on Taylor being back on the field before the season ends. The Giants have a bye week after their next two games, so Week 14 against the Packers on Monday Night Football will be his first chance to return from his rib cage injury.

“I’ve got to wait until what the doctors and trainers tell me, but he’s making progress.

Injuries Abound

Wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux and cornerback Adoree’ Jackson are in the concussion protocol and are uncertain to play in Washington. They jogged on the side during Wednesday’s practice.

The Giants are particularly banged up at cornerback with Deonte Banks (ankle) and Cor’Dale Flott (shoulder) limited in Wednesday’s practice. Left tackle Andrew Thomas was also limited after dodging a major injury to his left knee in Dallas. The other limited participants were DeVito (shoulder), safety Xavier McKinney (rib), safety Jason Pinnock (thumb/ankle) and wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (knee).

Right tackle Evan Neal (ankle), middle linebacker Bobby Okereke (hip) and defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence (rest) did not practice.