Big Blue Huddle

Q. I think when people say, okay, what is Shane Bowen's defense, a lot of people are like, well, that's Vrabel's defense because I'm sure as a head coach he probably had some input. How different do you envision your defense being? You know, without Vrabel here, without his input, obviously I'm sure you'll bring a lot of the same things, but will it look different and how much?

SHANE BOWEN: Yeah, I think we're kind of working through that right now as a staff. Just what we want it to look like. We have an idea. There's going to be some things that we did in Tennessee over the years that I feel strongly in schematically-wise, and then just really getting a feel for these players as we go with what my comfort level, with what they are able to handle, how much we are putting on them. The last thing I want to do is have so much scheme we can't focus on our style of play, the technique, the fundamentals and paralyzing ourselves before the snap.

I want to make sure that when that center has his hand on the ball, we are lined up. We've got our cleats in the ground and we are ready to roll and attack and play ball and we are not overthinking out there.

Q. How can you describe the scheme or style? How much different do you expect it to be? How big is the learning curve going to be for you guys that have been here?

BOBBY OKEREKE: Shouldn't be too much. I mean, the emphasis is really going to be on our style. Just physicality, full tilt, speed to the ball effort. We'll get into the scheme stuff later. Just feels like everything is going to be simplified.

Q. If I could follow up on a different angle. Isaiah Simmons is a guy that you guys brought back. Didn't have to, right. So obviously you have some kind of a vision for him. What is that vision? Where do you see him fitting in in your scheme?

SHANE BOWEN: Yeah, I'm excited he decided to come back. I'm excited we were able to get him back here. He's a unique skillset and I think it's a fine line for coaches. You see all the different, I guess, things he's able to do but you can't overload him.

We are going to have to work through the spring. Right now, I couldn't give you a definite answer. I really couldn't. I think some of that is going to depend on some of these other positions and how things play out. He's played outside. He's played deep. He's played inside. I think the versatility to play man coverage is a big asset. The versatility to blitz. We are going to work through that this spring and hopefully get him in a spot he feels most comfortable where he can be most productive for us

Q. I'm curious, what do you look for? What's important for you when you do go through that quarterback process? I know a lot of people need to see them throw the -- some coaches say I need to hear them throw. When you go through that what's important to you?

MIKE KAFKA: There is a lot of things that are important to me in a quarterback. You know, leadership, just that ability to kind of control a room, control a huddle. That kind of "it" factor. You look for that. The more you talk to them the more you get comfortable with them.

A lot of times it's -- the first time you meet somebody it's like maybe one of the other parties may not be as comfortable, so you try to have these exposures with guys so you can really understand how they tick.

You want to understand what fires them up and what things maybe give them issues so you have a plan as a coach to build a guy up and how you can kind of prevent maybe some weak spots. If they have a weakness and I have a strength, I can cover up his weakness with my strength and vice versa.

You try to find that "it" factor with a guy you want to be around that you know is going to make the other guys better around him. Whether it's the quarterback room or another position, some guys just have that. I know we have that already in our quarterback room with Daniel, with Drew, with Tommy. Those are guys that command and do a hell of a job in the huddle and command the leadership of the team.

Those are guys you want to be around.

https://x.com/adamschefter/status/1779985872936407543?s=46&t=1vcQIN8GqF5J2oLdxEVEJQ

https://x.com/giants/status/1779998661532897380?s=46&t=1vcQIN8GqF5J2oLdxEVEJQ

Quote from: DaveBrown74 on April 15, 2024, 05:38:35 PMWhat team's name is currently on his paycheck? Do you actually believe there is even a very small chance he'd say otherwise?

He wasn't asked about his current QBs.   That was an unsolicited comment. 

Quote from: Jclayton92 on April 15, 2024, 03:02:04 PMCan you honestly say that any Qb on our roster currently has the "IT" factor, if so where has it been?

Kafka says his current QBs have the it factor.  I have no reason to doubt him.

Quote from: bamagiantfan on April 15, 2024, 02:04:57 PMI think his ability to line up anywhere is one of his strengths. Wan'Dale took a lot of snaps out wide at Kentucky. With Nabers, they can move everyone around and keep Defenses guessing. And if Waller decides to play in 2024 and can maintain his heath through the season......what's up with that anyway? Is Waller retiring or not?

Waller is still an unknown (at least publicly, the Giants may be keeping it quiet for the draft)

As for slot WR, the slot is an easier position to play.   You are lined up off the line of scrimmage (which makes it easier to get off the LOS jams), and unlike the outside, where the boundary helps the CB, slot receivers have a two-way go.  Plus, slot CBs tend not to be as good as the ones playing outside.

be it big-ticket contracts (and in the case of Daniel Jones, a willingness to move off the money spent)

or the little things needed to win

https://x.com/art_stapleton/status/1779882294842359915


https://x.com/MadelynBurke/status/1779881814108070213

Quote from: T200 on April 15, 2024, 01:40:17 PMOh OK. I read it differently than you did. At any rate, sounds like Kafka is all-aboard on the Daboll train.

It does sound that way, but honestly, did we expect anything different?   I can't imagine Kafka is happy with the possibility of losing play-calling.  Although the new title (and likely raise) no doubt took some of the sting out of that.

https://x.com/SNYGiants/status/1779885192112488840


https://x.com/rydunleavy/status/1779883228783874342

Quote from: T200 on April 15, 2024, 01:35:54 PMRich,

You and I had conversations in the past about the "it" factor. If I remember correctly, your position was that it was difficult to identify it or quantify it.

What's your thoughts on our OC saying that he wants that in his QB.

Tim,

I have zero problems since he defined what he meant by the "It" factor

https://x.com/giantswfan/status/1779901697797579177

https://x.com/Dan_Salomone/status/1779901643095478550

https://x.com/giantswfan/status/1779905629567565987

https://x.com/giantswfan/status/1779905342916145244

https://x.com/giantswfan/status/1779905150598947027