The New York Giants have tried to turn the page on last season’s dysfunction that resulted in significant offseason turnover, but the entire story has yet to be told.
The poor optics from the Brian Daboll-Wink Martindale fallout linger, compounded by assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka likely to have his play-calling stripped despite being given a “promotion.”
The entire situation is something the league took note of, especially after reports surfaced that Kafka was willing to move laterally to escape East Rutherford.
“It doesn’t set a great precedent,” an NFL executive told ESPN’s Jordan Raanan. “It’s almost like a make-up present.”
Raanan also detailed previously unknown incidents where Daboll melted down, screaming at Martindale over random media reports.
“So, you think I’m a clown?” Daboll yelled, according to multiple sources who saw or heard about the altercation.
The Giants head coach was referencing a report from former NFL scout and host of the “3 and Out” podcast John Middlekauff that suggested the coaching staff “can’t stand” him.
Many have assumed that the crux of the coaching conflict was specific to Daboll and Martindale, as well as his trusted assistants, Drew and Kevin Wilkins, but Raanan reports that the rot spread much further than that.
Sources close to the situation said that Martindale, along with several other coaches on both sides of the ball, had grown tired of Daboll’s frequent outbursts. Daboll’s staff felt he’d stopped listening and there was constant “finger-pointing,” multiple team sources told ESPN.
“It was like, ‘Are we on the same team?’ It sure doesn’t feel like it,” one coach said.
As tensions grew, general manager Joe Schoen eventually hopped on the headset to listen to in-game communications last season. He dismissed it as something he “always wanted to do” and nothing more. However, several assistants noticed a significant change in Daboll when he knew Schoen was listening.
“You could tell when (Schoen was on the headset) because Dabes’ demeanor was totally different,” one non-defensive coach told Raanan.
Another coach said that when Schoen wasn’t on the headset, Daboll was so ravenous it was “hard to think.” Ultimately, many wanted out.
“We were all trying to get out of there,” a non-defensive coach said.
Special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey and offensive line coach Bobby Johnson were fired on Black Monday. Running backs coach Jeff Nixon, tight ends coach Andy Bischoff, assistant offensive line coach Chris Smith, and director of strength and performance Craig Fitzgerald also all willing departed.
Daboll’s explosiveness was addressed by co-owner John Mara this offseason, who admitted he’d like to see the head coach tone it down a bit.
Thus far, Daboll has done exactly that. Players have noted he was much calmer this spring and his eruptions have come fewer and further between.
