Brian Daboll Needs to Continue Growing in This Key Area

Giants head coach Brian Daboll knows the Xs and Os of the game. But there is still one key area in which he's still developing.

After finishing 6-11, the New York Giants coaching staff enter a pivotal season. Especially Coach Brian Daboll. While there have been many issues plaguing the Giants, Daboll's demeanor has come into question following the explosive resignation of former defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, who broke open countless reports of Daboll's fiery demeanor often being taken a little too far at times.

Much ado about nothing? Probably, as Daboll isn't the first NFL coach to brim with intensity on gameday.

But Bob Glauber, a retired columnist from Newsday and current Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, thinks the is a part of Daboll's intensity that is still under development, considering he's still a relatively new head coach.

"Intensity in football is usually an advantage and a good thing. But sometimes, you go too far," Glauber told the Locked On Giants podcast.

"You've got to be able to manage people. Brian Daboll, until two years ago, was not in a position to manage people fully. And there's a lot to it."

Glauber, who covered the NFL for decades, says Daboll's intensity isn't a big deal so long as it's properly channeled. He also believes the trait of a successful coach in the NFL is the ability to adapt their styles to the coaches and players they are dealing with, and he believes Daboll will grow from the experience of having to manage another alpha personality like Martindale represented.

"I think it was a learning experience for Daboll," Glauber said. "If you're a good coach in this league, you learn to adapt. And you learn when it's a little bit too much and when, you know, certain people need positive reinforcement.

"Other people can live with being criticized and kind of flourish that way. But it's not the same for everybody. Bill Parcells--one thing Parcells did over his career was he adjusted. He realized, for example, that (running back) Joe Morris was a bit more sensitive than (linebacker) Lawrence Taylor. And he had to kind of change his demeanor as a result." 

Besides better learning to adapt in his management of people, Daboll is certain to be on the hot seat to produce after the team took a step backward last year. 

"There's so much attention placed on this sport and this team and this environment that it's tough," Glauber said. "So this has got to be at least nipping at the heels of a playoff spot. Unless you've got a young quarterback who you realize is not in a position to be able to do that just yet. But there has to be meaningful progress at many levels this year for that partnership to continue."

If Daboll's team doesn't produce in 2024, how likely would team co-owner John Mara be to pull the plug?  

"I think you let things play out a good amount, at least, you know, say three-quarters of the season, before you start making that kind of evaluation," Glauber said. "But, you know, we talk about John Mara, but I've known him my whole journalistic career covering football.

"I've seen him. There is no more intense owner and owner who wants to win than John Mara. He's patient, but only if he sees that there is going to be a payoff at the end. But if he sees you're spinning your wheels, he'll blow it up again. He doesn't want to have to do that, but I think he would."

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