Bills QB Josh Allen raves about Brian Daboll
Since being hired as head coach of the Giants, Brian Daboll has received no shortage of praise from some of his former players.
Perhaps the most prominent player to voice his approval of Daboll's hire is Bills franchise quarterback Josh Allen
"One, he's real as they come," Allen told The Post. "He's been around the league. He's been around some of the best minds in [Nick] Saban and [Bill] Belichick. … He has this extreme competitive nature that relates with his team and his guys. And it makes guys want to play for him, it really does. And how he carries himself in the building not keeping things too serious, try to make things competition-based, I think guys really appreciate that."
During his final two seasons as Buffalo's offensive coordinator, Daboll led the unit to consecutive top-5 finishes in both points and yards while also helping develop Allen into one of the league's top young quarterbacks.
Allen has no doubt that Daboll will be able to get the Giants' offense back on track.
"He's gonna be able to get the most out of them," Allen said. "Like I said, guys want to play for this man. He's never not on — he talks ball and he thinks ball 24-7. He loves it, he absolutely loves it. He loves having a good time, he loves being around the guys in the team room and on the field making jokes. It's something like I've never seen before."
Many of Allen's teammates have also praised Daboll since he took over for the Giants. Stefon Diggs had the best two seasons of his career playing under Daboll in Buffalo, while Dawson Knox made a big jump in his third year last season. Both have been vocal with their reverence of their former offensive coordinator.
"He knows when to get on guys," Allen said. "He knows when to love up on guys. That's part of what makes him so great. He's able to read how certain guys need to be treated, and what makes them go and how to get the best out of 'em, and I think he learned that very quick. He's a very good judge of character."
Saquon Barkley wants to show 'the guy they drafted is still here'
Since Saquon Barkley's record-breaking rookie season, his health, production and supporting cast have all changed dramatically.
His core values have not. As he prepares for his fifth season in a Giants uniform, his objectives are the same as they were when he arrived as the second overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft.
"I just want to be a versatile player and do whatever I can to help the team win," Barkley said yesterday after the team's second training camp practice. "Whatever coach asks me to do, I'm going to go out there and try my best at it. Whatever I need to work on, continue to work on, and just evolve my game. That's something I want to do, become an overall better player, and I think this offense is giving me the opportunity to do that, so I'm thankful and blessed to have that. So, for me, I've just got to take advantage of it by getting in the facility taking extra meeting time and learning the playbook."
They seem like such modest goals for someone who has accomplished so much.
Notebook: Kafka calls plays at camp; Daboll pleased with tempo
Brian Daboll has chosen the Giants' offensive play-caller – for training camp.
A decision regarding who will handle those duties when the regular season begins either has not been finalized or is something the Giants' first-year coach is not ready to reveal. Daboll called the plays in Buffalo the previous four years as the Bills' offensive coordinator and inquiring minds have repeatedly asked him if he will continue that practice with the Giants.
That responsibility now falls to offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, who called the plays yesterday in the team's second training camp practice, as he did throughout the spring drills.
"Mike has done a really good job in the spring, which he handled the scripts," Daboll said at his daily news conference. "And again, we talk on a day-to-day basis on plays and things to install. But he's been on the headset with (quarterback) Daniel (Jones). And he'll be doing that through camp. And as we get closer to it, we'll sit down and discuss it (who will call plays when the season begins)."
Kafka joined the Giants after spending five seasons as an assistant coach on Andy Reid's staff with the Kansas City Chiefs, the last two as the team's quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator. With the Chiefs, he worked closely with Super Bowl LIV winner and 2018 NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes.
"I've been really happy with Mike," Daboll said. "Not just his communication with the quarterback, but how he's handled the offensive staff, how he's handled the players. He has a really good demeanor about himself. Once we cross that bridge, which we've still got a little bit here to go, you guys will know."
Giants Fan Fest returns to Metlife Stadium
Free and open to the public, the Giants Fan Fest will feature a Blue & White intrasquad scrimmage, autographs by Giants Legends, and a fireworks show.
