EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The overwhelming consensus in the Giants' locker room is the franchise made the correct move in retaining Brian Daboll as head coach.

"It means everything," tackle Andrew Thomas said. "Continuity is a big thing in this league. He's a great coach, so I'm excited he's back. I've been part of different regimes, and I know what it's like starting over here. It's not always easy."

"It means a lot to me, his stability," linebacker Brian Burns said. "I feel with another year under them and under the same coaching staff, we'll show a lot of improvements next year."

Team president John Mara announced this morning that general manager Joe Schoen and Daboll will retain their positions in the coming year. He revealed his decision one day after a loss in Philadelphia concluded a 3-14 season in which the Giants set a franchise record for losses. But Mara and chairman Steve Tisch trust Schoen and Daboll can lead the Giants back to the NFL's upper echelons.

They are supported by numerous players.

"I'm excited," linebacker Micah McFadden said. "There's a clear expectation for what this team's vision is moving forward and what we want to do on the field. I'm excited for what's to come and excited to be a part of it.

"Despite what the record was this year, the continuity is good. Everybody's familiar with Dabs. He's got a process and a program in place. I think their vision is clear. Obviously, this season wasn't to our standard and I think everybody knew that. But we've got the right type of guys in the locker room. It starts with having good people in the building, and I think we have that."

Daboll said at a news conference that Mara told him this morning he would return as coach. Mara, Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen held a lengthy meeting on Friday.

"I'm happy that they're back," said Malik Nabers, who caught a team-record 109 passes in his rookie season. "(Daboll) is always my guy to go talk to. He's been helping me a lot through this process."

"I think it says all the way up top to the ownership that they believe in (Schoen and Daboll)," guard Jon Runyan said. "They're aligned in their values and the vision that they have for this franchise, from up top in Joe's office to down to Dabs and the coaches and the way that he handles the players. That kind of gives you good feeling. Stuff is gonna change, but as far as the people and the players and the vision in this building is not gonna change. We're not comfortable with three wins and we gotta do better next season. That's the bottom line."

The players like Daboll because he is direct and honest with them and understands that life sometimes interferes with football.

"You can tell that he really cares about the players," Thomas said. "He's always putting guys first. Anytime someone's going through something personal, he gives them an opportunity to take care of that. As a coach, I think he listens to the opinions of the players, and I think that makes a big difference."

Runyan offered another reason why Schoen's and Daboll's return is the correct move.

"I think they deserve a chance to get their quarterback in here," Runyan. "Whatever capacity that is, whether that be free agency or the draft, and see how that goes and try to build a team around that guy."

That will all happen in the months ahead. Today, the Giants packed up and scattered. The offseason conditioning program will begin on April 21.

Burns just finished his sixth NFL season and first with the Giants. He was asked what advice he has for his teammates.

"Enjoy your time off," he said. "This year was a hard season, a lot of adversity. My message is to get away from it for a while. When you get back to training, hit the ground running. because next year we got some plans."

And what are Burns' plans?

"Be a hell of a lot better next year."