Malik Nabers and Brian Daboll: Analyzing the Sideline Discussion
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers had a conversation with coach Brian Daboll about his sideline behavior after a heated exchange during the 21-6 loss to the Washington Commanders. Both Nabers and Daboll agreed that the incident was the result of two competitors striving to win. Nabers perceived that the energy was not right and that the Giants were lacking momentum. Daboll, for his part, stated that he was trying to involve him more in the game. The heated exchange occurred in the first quarter of the inaugural match. Nabers admitted that this led to a subsequent conversation with the coach and considered that the situation was being “blown out of proportion”. As a standout player in his rookie season, Nabers is the Giants’ primary offensive playmaker and one of their biggest names, which brings a lot of media attention.The sideline conversations on Sunday were the product of a Giants offense that looked a lot like last season’s, where they struggled. They only managed 231 total yards and didn’t score any touchdowns in the first game. Nabers had five receptions for 71 yards on 12 targets. His involvement in the targets was not the problem. “Only 12 targets and five receptions. It’s not how I want to end the day,” Nabers said on Wednesday. “I know everyone was more focused on me being upset about not getting the ball. That wasn’t what I was worried about at all. I had 12 targets. Why would I argue about getting the ball if I had 12 targets?”“The cameras were only on me. I have to be more aware of that, whether it’s stepping out of my comfort zone or talking to [Daboll] aside. Just being mindful of where I am”.
Malik Nabers
So, what was the problem?
“Overall, how I played,” he responded. “I don’t think that’s why I was frustrated. Like I said, I was trying to get the offense going. I was trying to get people going. The lights were on. The game was on. It was time to play. I feel like that got overlooked and everyone was talking about me having an attitude and stuff like that.” “I have a ‘dog’ face. That’s just how it is. That’s my face. I don’t know. When they talk to me, I always look the same. I’m just like that. I guess I have to smile more.” It wasn’t easy for Nabers to review the recording of the opening game. The Giants failed on two attempts in the red zone and failed to move the ball consistently, even with a new quarterback in Russell Wilson. At one point in the second half, it seemed like the offensive game plan had become launching high balls to Nabers. The tape was not something the star receiver wanted to consume afterward. “I watched it for a bit, got frustrated again, turned it off,” he said. “I felt sick to my stomach.” The Giants returned to the field on Wednesday to practice and Nabers was limited due to a back injury. He also missed Friday’s practice due to the problem that dates back to the beginning of the summer and forced him to miss several weeks. Daboll and Nabers didn’t seem to think it was something that would jeopardize their participation for this Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. “He’ll be out there practicing,” Daboll said before Wednesday’s practice. “We’ll dial back a couple of reps here and there, but he’ll be in full uniform and practicing.” Nabers confirmed afterwards that he was fine. “I felt good out there,” he said. “I felt great running, getting back out there, and catching passes. I felt good.” Perhaps a bigger challenge than playing on Sunday will be beating the Cowboys. Nabers and the Giants lost both encounters against Dallas last season. New York has lost eight consecutive games and 15 of 16 against the Cowboys. When asked about the recent history between the teams and the frustration of hearing about those kinds of problems, Nabers walked away from the podium and ended the press conference, which was coming to an end. “I will not answer that question,” he said with a smile.
