Takeaways from the Giants GM Joe Schoen/ HC Brian Daboll Joint Press Conference
New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen stressed that it's much too soon to assess if the roster he, his staff, and the Giants coaching staff assembled on Tuesday is better or worse than last year's overachieving group that finished 9-7-1 and with a postseason berth.
"Yeah, we'll see," the second-year general manager said. "It's too early to tell. We gotta get these guys out there and see how they click together. We brought in some new pieces-- (tight end) Darren Waller, (linebacker) Bobby Okereke, and the two young corners (Deonte Banks and Tre Hawkins). So we will see how this group comes together. "
Fair enough, but there's probably little doubt that, on paper, the Giants have a much better roster, which should allow the coaches to play matchup football.
Schoen also punted on a question about what litmus test he would be looking at to assess the progress of the roster. To the outside observer, a good one would be being more competitive in the division, where last year, the Giants finished 1-4-1 and where they haven't had a winning record since 2020 when they went 4-2.
Schoen, however, doesn't see it that way. " I mean, we were 1-4-1 in the division last year, and we made the playoffs," he quipped when asked if winning the division games carried a little more weight. "I mean, they're all important."
Not exactly, though, as when it comes to determining playoff seeds, the better a team's record in the division, the better the chances of a higher seed. But Schoen's point is still well-taken.
Daboll, meanwhile, sounded pleased with how the team came through training camp but agreed with Schoen about there still being a few more weeks before they find out about the kind of team they have.
"I think we got better from where we started," he said. "But again, until you start playing and in regular season games and adversity strikes and how you respond to things, there's a lot of things, you can't take it from one year to the next.
"It's a different team--30 percent of the guys are different, and different things will happen. You're playing different opponents. You really gotta learn your team as you go in the regular season; you just don't pick up where you left off last year or in the preseason. We're just grinding along here. We have worked hard, and we'll get a couple of days here off, and then we'll get going here on Dallas."
Here are a few other takeaways from the joint presser with the Giants general manager and head coach.
Giants Sticking with Roster Building Plan
In his first season at the helm, Schoen was significantly hamstrung by a poor salary cap situation, which limited him in what he could do. Yet, thanks to some shrewd selections and the coaching, the Giants still managed to put together a winning football club that many people believe will be even better this year.
Given the Giants' success last year, Schoen was asked if that changed his initial Year 2 plan for continuing to build the Giants roster into an annual playoff contender.
"I mean, we had more flexibility--we had more resources available if that makes sense," he said, referencing a healthier salary cap situation ($44.28 million to start the off-season) and 11 draft picks.
The Giants acquired tight end Darren Waller via trade for a third-round draft pick they got from the Chiefs in the Kadarius Toney trade. They also signed free agents Bobby Okereke and Rakeem Nunez Roches to beef up the defense; extended Dexter Lawrence, Daniel Jones, and Andrew Thomas; and added and/or re-signed several others to shorter-term, cap-friendly contracts.
"Financially, we were in a better shape where we could either extend our own or sign others outside the building. So, I wouldn't say the plan changed. We just had more resources to add talent."
Schoen Not Worried About the Jets
Schoen was asked about sharing a city with another team, that being the New York Jets, who added fuel to the upcoming regular-season matchup thanks to a cheapshot by receiver Randall Cobb that left Giants defensive back Bobby McCain concussed and outside linebacker Jihad Ward ticked off enough to get into a jawing match with Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Schoen, however, wasn't taking the bait. "They were here last year," he said, adding that he respects the Jets.
When the reporter who asked the question tried to clarify, Schoen said, "We're just focused on us--that's all we can do, that we can control. It's us coming in every day to work and trying to improve as a team. And if we control and take care of our business, hopefully, we'll see positive results."
Practice Notes
The Giants have switched from their training camp access to their in-season access, which means the media can no longer view the entire practice, including today's light session.
However, the following players did not partake in Thursday's practice: receiver Parris Campbell (vet day), tight end Lawrence Cager (ankle), linebacker Cam Brown (ankle), cornerback Cor’Dale Flott (hamstring), and safety Gervarrius Owens (hamstring), Practice squadder Cole Beasley (quad) was also on the side. Running back Gary Brightwell (knee) was back.
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