Things are looking fresh for the New York Giants. They made a few changes to the team roster, released WR Miles Boykin, and signed DB Adoree’ Jackson. And now, the team has come forth with an obvious announcement. The head coach Brian Daboll this season will call the offensive plays for the team instead of offensive coordinator Mike Kafka.

As this news reached the NFL town, a former MLB star, Nelson Figueroa gave his two cents on the team’s situation as of now on Pix11. He believes that the Giants don’t have any ‘excuses’ this season because of all the changes that have already taken place. Instead, Nelson Figueroa wants Daboll and the team’s quarterback to take full responsibility for what goes down once the 2024 season kicks off.

“I think it’s gonna have to be a career year for Daniel Jones. And now you have the signal caller or the play caller that’s gonna be in there. No more excuses,” said the New Yorker. He was clear with his thoughts, the Giants need to learn from their past and improve this year. After all, not only is this going to be a testing year for Jones who is entering his sixth year but Daboll comes with a fair share of experience in terms of calling plays.

Not only in the NFL but also in college football at the University of Alabama, the coach has called plays. Moreover, the Giants fans witnessed Daboll calling the plays this offseason during training camp and in three preseason games. So, it was a matter of time before the role shifted to the regular season as the coach declared, “Yeah, I’m doing it.”

As the 49-year-old pointed out, “I’m the Head Coach. So, I am responsible for everything, whether it’s the defense, the special teams, the offense. … Almost everybody in the league does it that’s an offensive head coach.” Giants had to make some serious adjustments this year, especially after the disappointing 6-11 tenure last season. However, they will be playing without Saquon Barkley who moved to the Philadelphia Eagles and was one of the promising players in the Giants camp.

Anyway, the coach believes that the team is ready to perform together as they will face the Minnesota Vikings in their first game. “We work well together offensively,” Daboll said. “Getting ready to play week one. We’ve talked enough about that. Doing everything we can do to get ready.” Meanwhile, QB Daniel Jones also expressed how he feels good about the game and showcased his faith in Daboll.

The quarterback said, “Obviously, we’ve spent a lot of time since the spring together. I’ve got a lot of confidence and feel good about us being on the same page. I’m excited to be out there.” The rest of the crew also resonates with a similar sentiment.

The Giants players vouch for Daboll’s new role.

Resonating Daniel Jones’ confidence, the TE Daniel Bellinger called Daboll’s new role “creative,” one that is “willing to mix and match things at a moment’s notice.” But, amidst this positivity, the dark clouds from last year can’t go unnoticed. The team quarterbacks had a record of being sacked 85 times last season (Daniel Jones, Tyrod Taylor, and Tommy DeVito), which echoes loud and clear in the Giants hallways.

While many reasons were provided for the disheartening season, the offense looked like an obvious choice to blame. However, as Figueroa pointed out that cannot be the case anymore, given the responsibility has been handed over to the experienced caller. It is to note, though, that the Vikings also come up with a Brian Flores-led defense, one that “puts a lot of pressure on the offense, on the quarterback.”

But, as right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor pointed out, it is all about being ready to protect. Having faced the defenses led by Flores before, the professional said, “But then we have to be able to protect and have the time you need to throw it downfield. But usually the way to stop the blitz is to be able to throw the ball in the air.”

Looks like the Giants are prepared but only the gridiron test will eventually convert it into a fruitful result. They will meet the Vikings on September 8 in MetLife Stadium as the clash will unfold.