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Presser Points: Latest on Kayvon Thibodeaux, Azeez Ojulari

Week 1 is officially upon us.

The Giants kick off the 2022 season this Sunday in Nashville against the Tennessee Titans, the culmination of a major offseason that included a regime change. As the Giants ramp up the preparation, coach Brian Daboll met with the media before Tuesday's practice.

Here's what you need to know:

🔹 On practicing outdoors in wet conditions in East Rutherford, Daboll said they're expecting a 60 percent chance of rain in Nashville this Sunday. "We'll work the ball-handling, our footing. And we'll see what we do tomorrow. I thought for at least one day, get out there, let the quarterbacks handle the wet ball, let the receivers and the skill guys, the returners, DBs keep their feet. That's the only reason why."

🔹 While Daboll didn't have an update regarding their availability for the game, the coach said edge rushers Kayvon Thibodeaux (knee) and Azeez Ojulari (leg) would participate in individual drills on Tuesday. "We'll see. We'll just keep rehabbing them."

🔹 After practice, Thibodeaux, the fifth overall pick in the 2022 draft, was asked how he's feeling. "Pretty good, pretty good. I've been rehabbing. It's day to day right now. I've just been working, trying to get better to get back in shape and get it going." He added, "It could really go either way. We're just waiting to see where it is when the time comes."

🔹 Daboll was asked how "unique" is Titans running back Derrick Henry, to which he replied "very." Daboll became Alabama's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2017, the year after the Heisman Trophy winner was drafted out of the school. "It's well-documented what he's done so far," Daboll said. "He's just a really good football player. I know him as a person, too. I met him down a few times in Alabama. Got a ton of respect for him as a man and certainly as a player. He's one heck of a player. You name it, he can do it."

🔹 Speaking of connections, Daboll served on the Patriots' coaching staff when current Titans coach Mike Vrabel played there as a linebacker. "I was on the defensive side. I was a defensive assistant QC (quality control). It's not surprising where he is, how smart he was as a player. He was extremely smart, extremely dependable, extremely tough. He kind of was one step ahead of everybody. He kind of knew what the offense was doing quite a bit; a great leader. He played on offense and caught a bunch of touchdowns at tight end. I'm not surprised what he's done. He's had four winning seasons. He was a great teammate. He was a fun guy to coach. He was a leader. I can't say enough good things about him. He was impressive 25 years ago or whatever it was. It goes by in a split second, and obviously he's done a great job here. Last three years playoffs, AFC number one seed last year. None of it is surprising."

🔹 Daboll is keeping his focus on the task at hand this week and not the achievement of manning the sideline for the first time as a head coach. "I'm just trying to do the best I can to help the players out in terms of their preparation, practice schedule, and really not focus on that. I'd be lying to say that I'm not honored, again, to be standing up here. But my focus is on the game and the players. There will be a time and place for that. I want to do everything I can to get ready for this game."

🔹 Daboll, a distinguished play-caller himself, announced Monday that offensive coordinator Mike Kafka will continue to call plays into the regular season. Asked about how much input he will have, Daboll said, "We try to map it out the best we can prior to the game, and then in between series I'll talk with all three of the coordinators about things that come up. But during the series when you're calling a play, you don't have much time to think. And the more you hear, I'd say as a play-caller, the harder it is. Again, we've practiced it throughout preseason games; I think Mike needs a clear head. (Defensive Coordinator) Wink (Martindale) needs a clear head; (Special Teams Coordinator Thomas McGaughey) TMac in a different regard. So, I try to give my suggestions in between series or when you're planning for a game. And everything changes. I think there's good dialogue. Is it hard not to interrupt at times? Yeah. Certainly, it is."

🔹 The Giants released their first unofficial depth chart of the regular season. On Monday, Daboll did not announce the starter at left guard for Shane Lemieux, who is on injured reserve with a toe injury. The depth chart lists Ben Bredeson, rookie Josh Ezeudu, and Tyre Phillips as the three left guards in that order. As for interior linebacker, there was an opening following the release of Blake Martinez. Tae Crowder and Austin Calitro, who was signed at the start of training camp, are listed as the two starters on the inside. But it's best not to read too much into unofficial depth charts. It simply serves as a guide, more so for the media than the coaches. "I have an idea, but we're going to go out here and practice and let a few guys here compete at it," Daboll said of the starters at the aforementioned positions. "And by game time, we should be ready to go."

View photos of the New York Giants' 2022 roster as it currently stands.

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