Presser Points

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Presser Points: What Brian Daboll, Isaiah Simmons said after the game

Aug 26, 2023 at 09:45 PM

Dan Salomone

Senior Managing Editor, Giants.com

The next time the Giants take the field at MetLife Stadium will be the Sept. 10 opener against the Dallas Cowboys.

With training camp already in the rearview mirror, the team wrapped up its three-game preseason slate on Saturday night with a 32-24 loss to the Jets. Coach Brian Daboll took the podium after the game, and new hybrid defender Isaiah Simmons spoke from the locker room.

Here's everything you need to know:

COACH BRIAN DABOLL

🔹 The work now begins for Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen before Tuesday's deadline to reduce the roster from 90 to 53 players. "Joe and I, the coaches and scouts, we'll meet and then we'll talk about the things we need to talk about, and we'll have a week, but we're really just going to focus on tomorrow, just watch the tape and then we'll have our discussions."

🔹 Two days after they traded for him and one day after he arrived in the area, versatile defender Isaiah Simmons started a game for the Giants. "I think, one, it's good to just give some information to a player that comes in that quick and see how they handle it. So, he came, he was in, he was in early, he was meeting with Eggs (inside linebackers coach John Egorugwu). We only gave him a limited role but wanted to get him out there just to get his feet wet in the defense. Again, it was only, not very many defenses but he studied hard, and he was ready to go."

🔹 On getting veteran wide receiver Sterling Shepard some reps as a punt returner: "Look, you never know if Shep is going to do it, either. It's something we started working on last week. So, I wanted him to get out there and fair catch one. He wasn't going to return it, but just kind of get under the lights, do it in a game setting. You never know when you might do it."

🔹 The Giants had "a lot of guys go down tonight" due to injuries, and Daboll thought the coaches "did a good job of just trying to scramble and put some stuff together where we were. I mean, we were out there with four linebackers and three DBs. We only had three DBs at one point there. So, we were teaching the linebacker to play a safety spot, but I thought those guys that played competed hard. Proud of those guys."

🔹 Undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito once again too the bulk of the snaps at quarterback. "I think Tommy's improved since he's been here. He's improved in the practices and the meeting room since he first got here. I think he's come a long way and certainly learned a lot. You can tell it's important to him. He's gone out there and played well and executed when we played. I'm proud of how he's competed and how he's improved."

S/LB ISAIAH SIMMONS

🔹 "When they came to me and said to me, 'How do you feel about playing?' I said, 'Let's go. I'm ready to go.' I just appreciate them for giving me the opportunity."

🔹 The Giants gave one rule to Simmons: run to the ball. "I said, 'Well, that's an easy rule. I have no issue with that.'"

🔹 What can Giants fans expect from Simmons joining the team just before the start of the season? "I would say somebody who is here to make plays for the team and help the defense take whatever the next step it is that we need to take. Honestly, really that's it. Just plays to be made, and they are going to be made. I would say that's what they should expect the most, big plays."

🔹 "Personally, I feel like I should be ready to go by Week 1."

🔹 Simmons flew from Minnesota, where the Cardinals were holding joint practices with the Vikings. "Personally, it's been a bit hectic. I came straight from Minnesota, so it's been a little hectic. I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to wash my clothes tomorrow (laughs). It's been good though; it's been hectic in a good way. I'm glad that these are things that I'm dealing with right now. Everything has been hectic, but good."

🔹 "Extremely excited; how could I not be? This is a great organization, great coaching staff, and just from being around the guys for a little bit of time, everybody here is great."

🔹 Was Simmons surprised by the trade? "I was a little surprised. I definitely was surprised."

🔹 Simmons wants to help the team by playing any position. "I don't have a problem with linebacker; that's what I played in college. That's what I played my first two years in the league, so I have no issues with it. Like I said, I'm ready to dive into that and get into all of the details so I can perform to my best ability."

🔹 Simmons has full trust in defensive coordinator Wink Martindale. "He is a great coordinator, and he knows how to utilize his players to their best ability. I have no worries of what his plan is for me."

🔹 Simmons already had familiarity with some of his new teammates, including running back Saquon Barkley. The two worked out together in Arizona over the offseason. "He talks a lot of (trash) if nobody knows. He's probably the most competitive person I've ever met in my whole life – with everything. He's been telling me Week 2, Week 2, Week 2, like ah, but now we're going to be together Week 2 and actually, every single game we're going to be together. He got a little lucky (laughs)."

🔹 Simmons also played with Pro Bowl defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence at Clemson. Did he have any advice? "Really, not so much advice just a lot of love. Saying that I'm going to love it. I'm going to love the defense here, love the staff, love all the guys. Once again, that's another person I really trust. One of my good friends from way back when. I'm just really looking forward to just really getting going."

🔹 Simmons doesn't have "too many discomforts on the field" in terms of where he lines up.

🔹 "Everybody's welcomed me in with open arms just like I've been here from the jump. I appreciate all of them for that. That says a lot about the culture here and just what type of team this is. I appreciate all the guys just bringing me in, welcoming me in."

🔹 Simmons thinks the Giants "got a good deal. We'll see if it was worth the seventh pick or not."

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New York Giants running back Eric Gray (20) runs the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Jets, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (5) runs a play during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Jets, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor (2) passes during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Jets, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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New York Giants wide receiver David Sills V (13) runs a play during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Jets, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (5) passes the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Jets, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor (2) calls out a play during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Jets, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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New York Giants running back Jashaun Corbin (25) runs in a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Jets, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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New York Giants wide receiver Jamison Crowder (80) runs the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Jets, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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New York Giants running back Jashaun Corbin (25) celebrates his touchdown run during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Jets, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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New York Giants running back Jashaun Corbin (25) runs the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Jets, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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New York Giants place kicker Graham Gano (9) reacts after kicking a field goal during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Jets, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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New York Giants place-kicker Graham Gano (9) celebrates after kicking a field goal during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Jets, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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New York Giants cornerback Darren Evans (35) sets up for a play during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Jets, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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New York Giants place kicker Graham Gano (9) kicks a field goal during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Jets, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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New York Giants center Sean Harlow (65) prepares to snap the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Jets, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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New York Giants running back James Robinson (24) runs the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Jets, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (5) runs the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Jets, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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New York Giants tight end Ryan Jones (49) dives for extra yards during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Jets, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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New York Giants wide receiver David Sills V (13) is tackled by New York Jets cornerback Bryce Hall (37) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (5) looks to pass during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Jets, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (5) dives for extra yards during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Jets, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)