The New York Giants, under former head coach Joe Judge and former offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, misused wide receivers Kenny Golladay and Kadarius Toney. There’s no two-ways about that.
Golladay was signed to a massive four-year, $72 million deal because he’s a downfield threat capable of beating defenders on contested balls. But when the Giants employed him on offense a season ago, that’s not at all how he was used.
Rarely was Golladay targeted on third-down or in the red zone, and even less frequently was he given the opportunity to win 50-50 balls. That frustration boiled over at times with him screaming at Garrett on national TV at one point.
Similarly, Toney was frustrated due to his misuse. He was a human highlight reel at Florida and should have been used more creatively. Instead, he was often kept inside and targeted on receiver screens.
Both players also battled through injuries, limiting their time on the field. But even if they had stayed healthy, precious few had any confidence that the Giants would have used them correctly.
Newly hired head coach Brian Daboll is here to change all of that and has a very simple plan to get it done.
“You try to do as much work as you can on these guys before they get here to see what have they been successful at and figure out how to use them in the things that they’ve excelled at,” Daboll told reporters on Tuesday. “But you’ve got to see them do the things you’re going to ask them to do in the offense and there’s plays we’re going through right now that, heck, if these guys want to turn inside on this route let’s figure it out when they get here and ask them.”
Talk to the players? Seek their input? Find out what they’re comfortable with and then use them to their strengths? What a novel idea.
“Look, with good players that’s what you need to be successful,” Daboll added. “Those guys are out there doing it and they’re out there playing the one on one game when it’s man to man coverage. Zone is a little bit different, we have to be pretty detailed on our zone assignments and understand the spacing on the quarterback and be where they’re supposed to be but absolutely. I think you’d be foolish if you don’t take input from the guys that are out there doing it.”
Daboll’s approach won’t be specific to just Golladay and Toney. He wants input from all of his players before devising schemes and routes that fit them best. The same will apply to the other receivers, tight ends and running back. It will, of course, also apply to quarterback Daniel Jones.
Follow the Giants Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts
