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Giants news, 11/13: Mike Kafka speaks, Jameis Winston, Brian Burns, more headlines

Good morning, New York Giants fans!

From Big Blue View

Other Giant observations

Tiki sees a bigger meaning to the naming of Jameis Winston as starter

This is Mike Kafka’s chance to prove he can be a head coach in the NFL.

He stepped onto the practice field Wednesday for the first time as the interim head coach of the New York Giants, replacing his former boss, Brian Daboll, who was fired 10 games into his fourth season with his team sporting a 2-8 record for the third straight year.

Fowler: The job needs stout leadership in the worst way. Schoen has played a role in some of those roster highlights you mentioned above. And ownership has let so many people go over the past decade that it probably couldn’t stomach one more (the buyout money on New York’s books is incredible). That’s why the Giants should explore all options for the head coach, looking for the best fit above the shiniest new toy. The coordinator pool is weaker than it has been, which I believe could bring collegiate candidates or retread NFL head coaches more into play.

With that established, I know a lot of folks are out for blood on the general manager. So, I’ll point out a couple things regarding Schoen. First, over the past four years, he has helped completely modernize the team’s football operation, building an entirely new scouting system, and draft room, and incorporating analytics and data, not just to support scouting, but also the coaching staff on game day. As a result, for the first time, the Giants’ entire football operation was working under one system, and ownership saw that as a promising step forward.

Second, Schoen’s experience in a similar situation before helps. He was in Miami when the Dolphins fired Joe Philbin four games into the 2015 season, and turned to Dan Campbell, who eventually had Zac Taylor and Lou Anarumo as his play-callers. There was regret in Miami that Campbell wasn’t given a longer look for ’16, given the fight he drew out of that ’15 team. So Schoen will know how to support Mike Kafka and secure the most thorough evaluation of whether the well-regarded interim is viable as a candidate for 2026. Now, does that guarantee anything for Schoen? It does not.

Brian Burns feels responsible for Daboll’s firing

Grading NFL QBs on rookie deals | CBSSports.com

Jaxson Dart: B. Dart isn’t perfect, and his play style has quite obviously not been sustainable, but the Giants offense should not be as effective as it’s been under his tenure. He’s 12th among starters in EPA/play this season and is responsible for 17 scores in only seven starts. That’s without No. 1 receiver Malik Nabers for all but one of those starts as well. His ability to create something out of nothing is already among the best in the entire NFL. It’s quite clear the Giants have something in their 2025 first-rounder. What remains to be seen, however, is if it’s sustainable. Dart has taken 77 hits in his seven starts and has already been evaluated for concussions on four occasions. He won’t make it through his rookie contract at that rate. Can whoever is the next Giants head coach reign in Dart’s recklessness while still getting the out-of-structure magic? That’s the big question that still needs answered.

What gives the Giants a leg up in their coaching search | New York Post

Who is the owner? Do they have a quarterback?

The answers to those two questions are paramount, as far as what a prospective head coach wants to get straight in his head.

Owner pitches Green Bay’s defensive coordinator as Giants choice to ESPN insider

Brandon Jacobs wants ex-teammate Antonio Pierce would be an ideal fit to coach the team, even offering to pitch in himself.

“I think the Giants have to bring people in that was a part of that dominating era for the Giants. I really believe that,” Jacobs said. “I think Antonio Pierce will be a great fit for the Giants. They know him well … He knows the city well. He can be (somebody) for the young players to learn what not to do, what to do, and how to be a professional in New York. You know, just going forward with a bunch of different things. I know I’d be interested in helping.”

NY Giants head coaching candidates: 20 intriguing names to replace Brian Daboll | The Athletic

It’s impossible to narrow down a list of candidates this early in the process, but here’s a wide net of potential targets: Mike Kafka, Bill Belichick, Steve Spagnuolo, Lou Anarumo, Antonio Pierce, Mike McCarthy, Vance Joseph, Jon Gruden, Brian Flores, Kliff Kingsbury, Klint Kubiak, Jeff Hafley, Jesse Minter, Lane Kiffin, Marcus Freeman, Nick Saban, Mike Tomlin, John Harbaugh, Kevin Stefanski, and Matt LaFleur.

McCarthy is the early betting favorite to become the next head coach of the Giants, at 7-1. Interim Giants coach Mike Kafka is just behind McCarthy at 8-1, along with Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. If the Giants hire a defensive coach, Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is the favorite from that side of the ball, at 9-1.

This week’s opponent

One issue with the Packers after Monday night’s struggles is the offensive line. The Eagles and others have noticed a lack of physicality with that group of late, causing Jordan Love to rush. The Eagles felt as if they could impose their will and were spotting tendencies with playcalls late, jumping on plays early. On this particular play, Philly knew the Packers were likely running one of two inside zone calls, sniffing out the play to the left.

The Packers have plenty of time to rebound, which a very good defense can help them do — but they have to get back to moving people up front. Elgton Jenkins’ stint on IR with a leg fracture could be a lengthy one, though. I’m told there’s a possibility he misses the rest of the season (while hoping to be back for the playoffs). He’s scheduled to undergo surgery soon.

The Packers will stick with Brandon McManus | Acme Packing Company

Green Bay Packers kicker Brandon McManus is struggling. Outside of the red zone this year, he’s just three of nine on field goals. His overall field goal percentage of just 64.7 percent is the worst in the NFL among qualifiers. When head coach Matt LaFleur talked to the press on Wednesday, the first time that he’s spoken to the media since the post-game presser on Monday, he was asked about a potential benching of McManus for Lucas Havrisik, who remains on the 53-man roster. His response? “No, we’re confident with Brandon.”