sideline in front of the offense during drills at New York Giants minicamp earlier this month, Brian Daboll peeks sporadically at the playsheet before calling a slip screen from quarterback Drew Lock to rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers.
After a tumultuous season in which the Giants finished 6-11, the microphone on the head coach’s headset is more active than ever.
Assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, meanwhile, has his microphone tucked up near his ear. He is listening, but not talking.
It’s Daboll, not Kafka, calling the plays, an extension of what took place at organized team activities and throughout the spring.
“I’m just complementary to Dabes, helping out with offensive drills,” Kafka said of his altered responsibilities.
“You’ll see me walking around and being an asset to the coaches and the players wherever I can.
Whether it’s fundamentals, technique, whether it’s thoughts and ideas on routes or protections, stuff like that.
“So doing whatever I can to complement those guys.”
If Daboll keeps playcalling responsibilities this season as expected, it would be a change from their last two seasons together with the Giants, when it was Kafka’s job.
Kafka, the only coordinator returning from last season, was promoted to assistant head coach after interviewing for two head-coaching vacancies early in the year.
“It doesn’t set a great precedent,” an NFL executive said of Kafka’s reduced role amid his promotion.
“It’s almost like a make-up present.”
