Giants' Jameis Winston, teammates express appreciation for time with Brian Daboll

Jameis Winston was in Bible study with several Giants teammates Monday when he got the word that coach Brian Daboll had been fired. 

One by one, players took in the news. Some felt responsible for the decision. Winston’s first thought? Appreciation, for Daboll recommendation to sign him last spring.

“I just thought, OK, there’s a seed of good in everything,” Winston said Wednesday. “And I immediately just thought about how grateful I was for Brian Daboll believing in me, to seek me and give my family a chance to be in New Jersey and New York and experience this.”

The feeling of gratitude extended to interim coach Mike Kafka. Kafka noted that Daboll gave him his first chance to be an offensive coordinator and play-caller when he was hired in 2022.

“I certainly didn't anticipate it, but it's one of those things, they happen in this league,” Kafka said. "And, again, I'm appreciative of what Dabs has done for me as a professional, as a coach, as a person, and getting to understand and know his family.”

A few younger players were shocked, experiencing this for the first time. Running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. was caught by surprise when he heard the news while watching film.

He appreciated Daboll giving him a chance to start last season as a rookie, as well as encourage him and express confidence that he could be very good in the NFL.

“It really hurt when it first happened just because the connection between me and Dabs,” Tracy said. “After, obviously, talking to some of the vets in here and hearing their perspectives, it’s really just a business. Whether you like it or not, stuff like that is going to continue to happen.”

The Giants now have to pick up the pieces with Kafka after four straight losses. At 2-8, their next loss guarantees their eighth losing season in nine years.

For receiver Darius Slayton, the firing means the team has to continue playing their best because “with change comes change”. Players don’t know if they’ll be a part of those changes, so they have to give their best effort and try to get wins “to keep yourself in a Giants uniform.”

Linebacker Brian Burns agreed. He went through three in-season coach firings during his time with the Panthers and said that the Giants should be motivated to play because everything is under evaluation.

“Even though this is happening, nobody is going to turn on the film and be like ‘Oh, this was after Daboll got fired, that’s why he is playing this way.’ Nobody cares,” Burns said. “So I told them, if there was ever a time to play your best ball it’s now. And if there was ever a time to bond together and stick together, it’s now.”

Gano goes on IR

The Giants placed kicker Graham Gano on injured reserve Wednesday for the second time this season. Gano didn’t play on Sunday, He said last week that he had a herniated disk in his neck.

By Evan Barnes

evan.barnes@newsday.comevan_b

Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.