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Presser Points

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Presser Points: Mike Kafka calls plays from sideline; player of the game?

BRIAN-DABOLL-PRIMEPOINT

The Giants are off and running.

Less than 24 hours after their victory over the Bills in the preseason opener, coach Brian Daboll was back at the microphone Sunday afternoon for his usual press conference the day after a game.

Upon reviewing the film, the head coach talked about the encouraging play of all four quarterbacks, the offensive line performance, Mike Kafka calling plays from the sideline, and the offensive player of the game.

Here's what the coach said about all that and more:

📰 The quarterbacks did their jobs and did them at a "fairly high level." That starts with the offensive line giving them good protection. All four quarterbacks kept their eyes downfield and made plays. The Giants threw the ball 51 times and did not give up a sack while each quarterback led its unit to points.

📰 The Giants are looking forward to joint practices against the Jets on Tuesday (Florham Park) and Wednesday (East Rutherford) before their matchup on Saturday night. It's good to go against different schemes and players. Daboll is looking for "good, competitive work." A lot of players on both teams are competing for roster spots, so it serves "multiple roles."

📰 Daboll goes back "a long time" with Jets coach Aaron Glenn, including his playing days. Daboll has a lot of respect for him as a man and coach. "He's easy to work with." They have been in communication about situations and tempo for the week.

📰 Running back Dante Miller was the player of the game on offense. He is "firmly" in the mix for a roster spot, but he's not just competing with running backs. Special teams are important for him. "Turbo" had game-highs in receptions (seven) and receiving yards (80) on Saturday.

📰 Left tackle Andrew Thomas, who has been on the physically unable to perform list (PUP) since the start of camp, is still day-to-day. They will keep on improving him, and once he's ready, he will be out there.

📰 Rookie offensive lineman Marcus Mbow, a fifth-round pick out of Purdue, has had a "good camp." He knew all the assignments and looked athletic while playing both tackle positions in his first game.

📰 Assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Mike Kafka resumed play-calling duties this offseason, and once it came time for the opener, he did it from the sideline as opposed to the booth. "I think it went well," Daboll said. The head coach was pleased with the operation and thought the communication was good.

📰 Daboll, who has also called plays from the booth and sideline in his career, said it's really an "individual preference." There are pros and cons for both. You are "less emotional" upstairs in a calmer environment and maybe can see part of the field more. But downstairs provides better conversations when you're around the quarterbacks and other coaches. They will continue to evaluate it heading into Week 1.

📰 Daboll wasn't just pleased with the operation on offense. He liked the communication in all three phases, especially considering some new faces on the staff. The preseason games are for the coaches, too. They need to get aligned to put the players in the best position.

📰 Cornerback Dru Phillips couldn't finish the game. Nic Jones was the next man up.

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