Giants offensive line coach Bobby Johnson apologizes for role in fight
Giants offensive line coach Bobby Johnson answers questions from reporters during training camp in East Rutherford, N.J., on Tuesday. Credit: Noah K. Murray
Bobby Johnson said he apologized to linebacker Cam Brown for shoving him and escalating the situation during Monday’s brawl at Giants training camp.
“I take full responsibility,” the offensive line coach said on Tuesday. “I am remorseful. It can’t happen and it won’t happen again. I have apologized to the appropriate people including Cam. I have to do better than that. It’s not what we are looking for. It’s a regrettable incident that can’t and won’t happen again.”
Johnson was not disciplined by coach Brian Daboll for the incident, but Johnson said Daboll made it “crystal clear” that such future behavior will not be tolerated.
Brown has not been made available to the media since the fight.
“Tempers were up,” Daboll said of the fight. “I spoke to the team, I spoke to the coaches. They know the expectations.”
The ruckus began when Saquon Barkley trucked cornerback Aaron Robinson on a play that was at thud tempo. Several physical plays by the defense ensued before a brawl erupted. Players were being separated when Johnson and Brown, who had yanked center Jon Feliciano away from the pile, began their direct altercation.
“It’s something that happens in football and I’ll leave it at that,” Johnson said.
Daboll said he was not surprised that the players became heated with each other.
“I’ve been around long enough to see a few things like that happen after the third or fourth day in pads,” he said.
Having a coach involved so prominently was a bit unique, though.
“We pride ourselves on being smart, tough and dependable,” Daboll said. “For everybody who was involved, that’s not what we are looking to do.”
Notes & quotes: The Giants dialed things back with a lighter practice in shells after two straight days in full pads and began preparations for Thursday’s preseason opener in New England . . . WR Kadarius Toney was being tended to by medical staff on the sideline and did not appear to be a full participant in practice . . . DL Leonard Williams did not practice . . . Backup running back Matt Breida did not practice and is unlikely to play Thursday, which should give Antonio Williams plenty of opportunities.
Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.
