Jayden Daniels is “Elite”, Brian Burns' intelligence, more of the New York Giants coordinators

New York Giants coordinators Shane Bowen, Mike Kafka and Michael Ghobrial touched on a variety of topics during their media availability this week. Here are some of the things we learned.

Against an “elite quarterback”

Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen was asked about the evolution of Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels' game from Week 2, when the Giants and Commanders played for the first time, to today.

“I guess I don’t know how much (Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin) used in ’17 for us at the start of this game. Apparently that connection has skyrocketed here in the last few weeks. He's had a hell of a year. “The shots across the field are on target, they are catchable balls,” Bowen said. “I think the running game is always a factor, the scrambles, everything with him. I mean even with that ribs last week; I think he had eight carries for 52 or something like that. So that's always part of it, but you can see the development, especially in the passing game, you can see how he's getting more comfortable back there. He can make every throw. He is also capable of making every throw before the first game. So an elite quarterback as a rookie who can really do a lot of things that can hurt you.”

Brian Burns' football IQ

Bowen said what surprised him about Brian Burns, acquired via trade this offseason, was how football-minded he was.

“I would say the daily approach, the weekly approach, the mental aspect of him. You never really know what you're going to achieve from this point of view. You guys see the whole movie the same way we do and what he can do from a skill standpoint. But the football knowledge, the football IQ, the ability to talk protections show how offensive linemen play it. All of those things depend on your ability to be successful on the field,” Bowen said. “It's these little advantages that he can kind of get from it. So I would say that's probably the only thing I'm not really surprised about, I just didn't really know where it was going to go.”

“Not the expectation”

Special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial explained what happened on the Pittsburgh Steelers' Calvin Austin's 73-yard punt return touchdown against the Giants on Monday.

“Of course that’s not the expectation when we step on the field,” Ghobrial said. “Our job is to make sure we turn the field over, attack the ball well and when we keep the opponent inside the 20 line, then in those situations where we are in plus territory. So that's expected every time we step on the field. When you give up something like that in this particular piece, it's never just one guy. There is a combination of things and in the end I manage to coach all of these fundamentals better and correctly.

“To give you a few points: We need to make sure the slope and distance are aligned to hold everything together. We need to make sure we spread the net and have good spacing and distribution across the entire punt team. Thanks to the (Pittsburgh) Steelers and Calvin. Obviously a proven returner with real pace. That’s something we’ve obviously learned and we need to put it into practice and make sure we implement it the next time we’re out there.”

Practice makes perfect

Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka said rookie running back Tyrone Tracy's practice habits are part of his success so far.

“I think Tracy has been coming to work every day and she's getting better and better. “Things he sees in practice might not be completely clean or perfect, they make the adjustments, they fix it and the next day it looks a lot better,” Kafka said. “Going through that process where a young player might be seeing some things for the first time, what’s happening. But he did a great job of seeing it and being exposed to those things and he kept working on it.”