Big Blue Huddle

Dan Schneier
@DanSchneierNFL

If you want the TLDR, #Giants Brian Daboll is the obvious Coach Of The Year b/c he made the playoffs w/ THIS roster.
But having analyzed the tape of every game (check out the YT show linked at end of thread!), there's a non-TLDR case to be made.
So here's my thread on that(1/?)

Most of the Daboll COTY talk focuses on his roster maximization. Gettleman left him with more than 25% of his cap allocated to players off the roster or not playing. AND he burned multiple 1st-round picks (Baker, Toney). But I want to focus on his actual coaching so.. (cont)

The key to Daboll's success has been his (w/ help of Kafka/Tierney) development of DJ. We'll get to that. But his decision in Week 1 to go for the win (2-pt conversion call) was momentous. The #Giants hadn't had a winning record at any point since 2016 before that W (cont)

Daboll's development w/ DJ stands tallest. It starts w/ Daboll's recognition of DJ's biggest weakness on tape and his solution for it. What did he recognize? In the past systems, DJ had a tendency to sit in the pocket and lock into reads, often waiting for a WR to get open (cont)

This tendency led to sacks, forced fumbles, late throws that got tipped and at times intercepted and not a lot of successful plays. So the first thing Daboll did was hammer home: if you don't like what you see, check the B gap and if it's open take it (as a runner) (cont)

As @BenjaminSolak did a great job pointing out earlier, EPA on "scrambles (non-designed runs)" is higher than just about anything else. So Daboll took away the long waiting periods in the pocket that led to sacks&turnovers and morphed them into scramble runs. That's not all(cont)

There was a focus in camp on drills that required DJ to move his feet, leave the pocket & keep his eyes down the field. The latter is key here. It's impossible to watch DJ film this year and not notice a massive jump in his ability to create plays off platform with his ARM (cont)

The biggest difference is that DJ is now keeping his eyes down field the entire time on the move + not moving at 100%. He patiently moves out of the pocket (mostly right, he's righty), keeps his eyes downfield and allows things to develop (cont)

And it's no coincidence that #Giants WRs have developed a plan now for when DJ is on the move. Darius Slayton talked about this w Art Stapleton. Each WR has his own plan for scramble plays and DJ and his WRs are perfectly in sync (cont)

W/ this plan. That hasn't been the case at any point from 2019-2021 under two diff coaches. It showed up almost immediately under Daboll. Those are the main areas Daboll has developed DJ but not the only ones so here are a few more (cont)

#Giants
Improvements:
- Less burping the baby (specifically as of late)
- Better footwork (he used to have a drifting issue in the pocket under pressure, now he steps through and either runs or flows right)
- Faster eyes post snap (DJ confirming the safety&second level defenders)
(cont)

Overall, the job Daboll and staff have done revamping a QB's game in Year 4 is in a lot of ways unprecedented. The improvement he helped DJ make w/ pocket manipulation and off script play success are enough alone for me, but taking this #Giants roster to the playoffs is it (cont)

If you enjoyed this thread, please consider checking out the Big Blue Banter #Giants podcast and YouTube show. You'll find Xs and Os film based analysis from myself and @nickfalato
#TogetherBlue
Links:

open.spotify.com/show/38eY2hw59...



https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1611424471788691457.html

Seth Galina of PFF has perhaps the most negative evaluation of Jones I have seen in some time:

DANIEL JONES
2022 PFF Grade: 76.7
Strength: Athletic ability
Weakness: Timing
Best Fit: The NFL offenses that make their quarterbacks look better than they are

With the Giants returning to the playoffs, there is enough goodwill for the franchise to endure another season from Daniel Jones, but he and the team are likely regression candidates. Head coach Brian Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka have done a commendable job creating an offense that hid most of Jones' faults. Jones is at best a slightly above-average quarterback and could look effective in a good scheme (he has that this year) and with a good supporting group of pass catchers (he does not have that this year), but he will probably never be a player who can elevate his teammates.

The Giants' coaching staff protected Jones with a league-leading number of bootlegs, the fourth-most quarterback runs and a seventh-ranked running game in expected points added per play this season. This was the perfect storm for Daniel Jones to look like a good quarterback without necessarily being one.

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-preview-2023-free-agent-quarterback-class-lamar-jackson-geno-smith-tom-brady

https://youtube.com/shorts/RwW9fyLT5no?feature=share

https://youtu.be/quZP4xLWa3U

Quote from: MightyGiants on January 06, 2023, 03:29:38 PMSeth Galina of PFF has perhaps the most negative evaluation of Jones I have seen in some time:

DANIEL JONES
2022 PFF Grade: 76.7
Strength: Athletic ability
Weakness: Timing
Best Fit: The NFL offenses that make their quarterbacks look better than they are

With the Giants returning to the playoffs, there is enough goodwill for the franchise to endure another season from Daniel Jones, but he and the team are likely regression candidates. Head coach Brian Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka have done a commendable job creating an offense that hid most of Jones' faults. Jones is at best a slightly above-average quarterback and could look effective in a good scheme (he has that this year) and with a good supporting group of pass catchers (he does not have that this year), but he will probably never be a player who can elevate his teammates.

The Giants' coaching staff protected Jones with a league-leading number of bootlegs, the fourth-most quarterback runs and a seventh-ranked running game in expected points added per play this season. This was the perfect storm for Daniel Jones to look like a good quarterback without necessarily being one.

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-preview-2023-free-agent-quarterback-class-lamar-jackson-geno-smith-tom-brady

Jury's still out on DJ. The next two games will go a long way but eventually his contract will tell all.

Quote from: MightyGiants on January 06, 2023, 03:29:38 PMSeth Galina of PFF has perhaps the most negative evaluation of Jones I have seen in some time:

DANIEL JONES
2022 PFF Grade: 76.7
Strength: Athletic ability
Weakness: Timing
Best Fit: The NFL offenses that make their quarterbacks look better than they are

With the Giants returning to the playoffs, there is enough goodwill for the franchise to endure another season from Daniel Jones, but he and the team are likely regression candidates. Head coach Brian Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka have done a commendable job creating an offense that hid most of Jones' faults. Jones is at best a slightly above-average quarterback and could look effective in a good scheme (he has that this year) and with a good supporting group of pass catchers (he does not have that this year), but he will probably never be a player who can elevate his teammates.

The Giants' coaching staff protected Jones with a league-leading number of bootlegs, the fourth-most quarterback runs and a seventh-ranked running game in expected points added per play this season. This was the perfect storm for Daniel Jones to look like a good quarterback without necessarily being one.

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-preview-2023-free-agent-quarterback-class-lamar-jackson-geno-smith-tom-brady

I think between this one and the PFF you shared both have truths. I think when Teams gameplans prioritize Jones over Barkley then he can look like what the PFF article stated. Specifically the Seattle and Lions game. Those two games highlight his tendency to dance or stay in the pocket entirely too long but for the most part this season he's looked like the first article from Dan. Maybe Seth only watched the first couple of conference games plus seattle and Detriot. Who knows but it's definitely not as bad as Dan makes it especially if we see Jones vs the Jags, Vikes, Colts consistently moving forward.

I still don't think he's the long term answer because of my views on team building (we have a lot of team left to build) but he's earned the right to compete next year and build off the end if this season.

I also think the fan base as a whole and media outlets might have a different perception of Jones had we opened the playbook a little earlier than the last 3 weeks.

Quote from: MightyGiants on January 06, 2023, 03:29:38 PMSeth Galina of PFF has perhaps the most negative evaluation of Jones I have seen in some time:

DANIEL JONES
2022 PFF Grade: 76.7
Strength: Athletic ability
Weakness: Timing
Best Fit: The NFL offenses that make their quarterbacks look better than they are

With the Giants returning to the playoffs, there is enough goodwill for the franchise to endure another season from Daniel Jones, but he and the team are likely regression candidates. Head coach Brian Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka have done a commendable job creating an offense that hid most of Jones' faults. Jones is at best a slightly above-average quarterback and could look effective in a good scheme (he has that this year) and with a good supporting group of pass catchers (he does not have that this year), but he will probably never be a player who can elevate his teammates.

The Giants' coaching staff protected Jones with a league-leading number of bootlegs, the fourth-most quarterback runs and a seventh-ranked running game in expected points added per play this season. This was the perfect storm for Daniel Jones to look like a good quarterback without necessarily being one.

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-preview-2023-free-agent-quarterback-class-lamar-jackson-geno-smith-tom-brady

I don't see it as negative. Personally, I see his ceiling as slightly above average as well. Given the right components on offense, I think he can be very successful.

Going into the season I wanted him to be healthy, be clutch in close games, and be a large part of the reason we win, not so much when we lose.

He's answered all of my questions very well. If Brad Johnson, Trent Dilfer, and Peyton Manning (Broncos) can win with a strong team, Jones can too.

https://youtu.be/8ijZKae3l4k

I don't know who this guy is or his credentials, but he makes videos about all teams across the league, so is presumably fairly objective.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Iay74Oxq6U

https://heavy.com/sports/new-york-giants/brian-daboll-mike-kafka-daniel-jones/

Giants Have 'Protected' a 'Slightly Above-Average' Starter

 

https://youtu.be/wKB2byi4Edg

Daniel if things continue in the direction they are bulding towards may have a VERY very strong next year.

-60-65M+ cap with Galloday post June 1 cut and possible other cap creating moves.

-Wink and Daboll getting a couple key guys to reshape/fortify the roster on both sides of the ball with players for their preffered vision of offense/defense.

-Year 2 of Daboll/Kafka . Player familiarity with system along with key rookies maturing (Neal, Thibodeaux, WanDale? etc)

Potential BIG news if true. But apparently Boomer Esiason said on his WFAN show this morning DJ and Giants are ALREADY close to an extension for him right now. The main detail they are hashing is whether it will be a 3 or 4 year deal.

Quote from: Blue Fire on January 09, 2023, 01:00:41 PMPotential BIG news if true. But apparently Boomer Esiason said on his WFAN show this morning DJ and Giants are ALREADY close to an extension for him right now. The main detail they are hashing is whether it will be a 3 or 4 year deal.

Boomer hasn't exactly shown the credentials as one of the NFL's insiders, and none of the Giants beat writers or insiders have repeated this story.  As such, I am taking the report with a massive grain of salt (plus, JS said he wouldn't negotiate after the bye)

Quote from: MightyGiants on January 06, 2023, 03:29:38 PMSeth Galina of PFF has perhaps the most negative evaluation of Jones I have seen in some time:

DANIEL JONES
2022 PFF Grade: 76.7
Strength: Athletic ability
Weakness: Timing
Best Fit: The NFL offenses that make their quarterbacks look better than they are

With the Giants returning to the playoffs, there is enough goodwill for the franchise to endure another season from Daniel Jones, but he and the team are likely regression candidates. Head coach Brian Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka have done a commendable job creating an offense that hid most of Jones' faults. Jones is at best a slightly above-average quarterback and could look effective in a good scheme (he has that this year) and with a good supporting group of pass catchers (he does not have that this year), but he will probably never be a player who can elevate his teammates.

The Giants' coaching staff protected Jones with a league-leading number of bootlegs, the fourth-most quarterback runs and a seventh-ranked running game in expected points added per play this season. This was the perfect storm for Daniel Jones to look like a good quarterback without necessarily being one.

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-preview-2023-free-agent-quarterback-class-lamar-jackson-geno-smith-tom-brady

I don't agree that this is negative.  Overall I think this assessment of Jones is accurate.  I think too many times people take it being said that Daniel Jones is a middle of the road average QB as the same as saying that he is a bust when it's simply not the case.  I'd rather be in a position having an average middle of the road QB than no QB at all.  Though I am still hopeful that should the Giants bring Jones back it's not on a deal that comes with a $30+ million cap hit.

Quote from: MightyGiants on January 09, 2023, 01:07:02 PMBoomer hasn't exactly shown the credentials as one of the NFL's insiders, and none of the Giants beat writers or insiders have repeated this story.  As such, I am taking the report with a massive grain of salt (plus, JS said he wouldn't negotiate after the bye)

Don't blame you for that stance at all. It needs to be taken with a grain of salt right now. But I wouldnt call Esasion incarcerated Bob or some off the wall shock jock either. He has pn occasion broken stuff before and apparently does have some local connections to the team. Just putting what he said out there and lets see if it actually comes to fruition!