A Whole New Level of Giants Pride (Madden 26)

**hitman87** · 09-29-2025, 09:44 PM

INTERNAL MEMORANDUM

TO: New York Giants Front Office, Scouting, and Football Operations Staff
FROM: Joe Schoen, General Manager
DATE: January 6, 2025
SUBJECT: Conclusion of the 2024 Season and the Immediate Path Forward

Team,

The conclusion of our 2024 season yesterday against the Eagles was a sobering event that ended with a 3–14 record, the most difficult season in the 100-year history of this franchise. Let there be no ambiguity: the results are unacceptable to ownership, to the fans, and to everyone working within these walls. We finished with a record that is a historic low, and being swept by every team in the NFC East for the first time is a failure that demands immediate rectification.

We must own this outcome.

In times like these, it is critical to separate the disappointment of the final result from the positive foundation pieces we have secured. Malik Nabers’ historic rookie season—setting a new franchise record with 109 receptions and establishing a new NFL benchmark for a rookie wide receiver—is a testament to the talent evaluation process and the skill of the player himself. These elite-level building blocks are what we must now multiply.

Our immediate focus must be one of intense, honest, and critical evaluation across every facet of our football operations. We are acutely aware that tough decisions must be made and that accountability starts at the top. Everything from coaching to personnel acquisition will be put under the microscope, and every individual will be asked to justify their value in building a winning product.

The good news, thin as it may seem today, is that we have locked in the third overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. This position provides a tremendous opportunity to bring a cornerstone player into this organization who can impact our trajectory immediately. The work to analyze and prepare for that crucial pick, as well as the rest of the draft, begins now.

I expect absolute professionalism, relentless effort, and unflinching candor from every member of this staff in the days and weeks ahead. The foundation for the 2025 season is being laid right now, and we owe it to the history of the New York Giants to get this right.

Let's get to work.

**hitman87** · 09-29-2025, 09:47 PM

Official Statement from New York Giants Ownership

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: January 6, 2025
CONTACT: [Giants Communications Office]

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – New York Giants Co-Owners John Mara and Steve Tisch today released the following joint statement regarding the conclusion of the 2024 NFL season and the future leadership of the football team:

"We speak for the entire organization when we say that the results of the 2024 season are profoundly disappointing and fall far short of the standard the New York Giants brand represents. Finishing the year with a 3–14 record, marked by historic divisional losses, is unacceptable. We share the deep frustration felt by our loyal fanbase.

After careful, thoughtful review and extensive conversations with General Manager Joe Schoen over the weekend, we have decided to move forward with both Mr. Schoen and Head Coach Brian Daboll in their respective roles for the 2025 season.

We recognize the decision to maintain continuity in the face of such a poor season will not be universally popular. However, we cannot lose sight of the foundational work and the culture change that led to success and a playoff victory just two years ago under this same leadership team. We believe in the vision and plan presented by Joe and Brian, which prioritizes building through the draft—a process that yielded a record-breaking rookie in Malik Nabers and secured the critical No. 3 overall pick in the upcoming draft.

Let this be clear: Our confidence is not limitless. We expect demonstrable and substantial improvement across the entire football operation immediately. The leadership of the team—from General Manager to Head Coach—must address the core issues that plagued us this year, including fundamental execution, accountability for personnel decisions, and the correction of alarming trends, such as our historic struggles within the NFC East.

We look forward to partnering with Joe and Brian this offseason to utilize the third pick and all other resources to put a winning team back on the field for the 2025 campaign. The time for excuses is over; the time for results is now."

— John Mara and Steve Tisch, New York Giants Co-Owners

**hitman87** · 09-29-2025, 09:48 PM

Double Down on Daboll: Mara Announces Return of Giants Regime, Setting Up Fan Showdown
By Scott Portman | January 6, 2025

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — The axe many New York Giants fans expected to fall never materialized.

Amid a swirling vortex of speculation that followed the team's franchise-worst 3–14 season, Co-Owner John Mara today announced that both General Manager Joe Schoen and Head Coach Brian Daboll will return for the 2025 campaign. The decision, delivered via a joint statement with Co-Owner Steve Tisch, prioritizes organizational stability over fan-demanded accountability, setting the stage for a fiery town hall meeting scheduled for later this week.

“We recognize the decision to maintain continuity in the face of such a poor season will not be universally popular,” the ownership statement read, acknowledging the 3–14 record and the "historic divisional losses." While praising the "foundational work" and the acquisition of a "record-breaking rookie in Malik Nabers," the statement ended with a clear ultimatum: “The time for excuses is over; the time for results is now.”

The Parcells Principle
The retention of Daboll, who finished the season with an 18-32-1 record in three years, immediately sparked outrage among a season-ticket-holding base demanding consequences for the historic collapse. The loudest refrain echoed the words of legendary Giants coach Bill Parcells: "You are what your record says you are."

Giants beat writer for the New York Post, Steve Serby, voiced the palpable anger of the fan base in the Post Monday. “You are what your record says you are, and this team is 3–14,” Serby stated emphatically. “Mara talks about continuity, but what about accountability? Season ticket holders want answers for the most miserable season in the 100-year history of this franchise. You don't get to preach continuity when you’ve hit rock bottom.”

During his end-of-season press conference, Daboll himself referenced the famous quote when asked if the team was better than its record suggested. "You are what your record says are, as [former Giants Head] Coach [Bill] Parcells used to say. We just ended this year here. So, disappointing loss today," Daboll said, seemingly accepting the brutal reality of his situation.

Now, Mara is asking fans to ignore that record and trust the process.

"It feels like a slap in the face to every fan who bought a ticket, every fan who watched that miserable product," said season ticket holder Mark Stevens, speaking on a New York sports radio show this afternoon. "Daboll’s record says he’s a 3–14 coach, not a Coach of the Year winner from two years ago. Mara says his confidence isn't 'limitless,' but retaining the coach after a 14-loss season screams the opposite."

The Looming Town Hall
The organization’s decision to retain the entire leadership structure adds a layer of hostility to the upcoming annual season ticket members' Town Hall meeting. The event, historically a meet-and-greet with mild Q&A, has now become a pressure cooker where Mara and the returning Daboll will face the brunt of fan fury.

"This town hall is highly unusual," said ESPN analyst Mike Tannenbaum. "It tells you one thing: John Mara knows he misread the room. He wants to stick by his guys, but if the backlash at that meeting is loud enough, severe enough, and organized enough, Mara may be forced to revisit this decision much sooner than he anticipates. Right now, Daboll is coach, but the town hall may be the true barometer of his immediate job security."
Sources indicate that the town hall will focus heavily on Daboll's future and the selection process for the critical No. 3 overall pick, which is expected to be used on the next franchise quarterback.

"Mara just threw Daboll to the wolves. That town hall is going to be brutal," commented veteran NFL analyst Ian Rappaport. "The fans may not have gotten the firing they wanted, but ownership just handed them the biggest platform imaginable to voice their dissent directly to the people responsible. Daboll and Schoen now have to sell hope with a 3–14 receipt in hand."

For now, the drama in East Rutherford has only escalated. The franchise committed to continuity, but the path forward through the 2025 offseason will be defined by an angry fanbase holding them accountable to that "results are now" mandate.

**hitman87** · 09-29-2025, 10:12 PM

Town Hall Eruption: Mara and Daboll Face the Fury of Season Ticket Holders
By Scott Portman | January 10, 2025

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — What was intended as an exercise in transparency and reassurance quickly devolved into a public trial, as New York Giants co-owner John Mara and Head Coach Brian Daboll faced a barrage of anger and raw emotion from season ticket holders at a town hall meeting on Wednesday night. This wasn't just a meeting; it was a reckoning.

Inside the team's cavernous field house, the air was thick with a century's worth of resentment, freshly uncorked by a historically bad 3-14 season. Hundreds of fans, some clutching faded programs from past Super Bowls and others wearing jerseys of long-retired heroes, came not for carefully crafted apologies, but for action. They had paid for tickets, merchandise, and parking, and their investment had yielded the most losses in franchise history. They got an earful of promises, but it did little to quell the fury.

John Mara, whose family has been the steward of the team since its inception, opened the event by stepping into the lion's den. "I know you're angry. I know you're frustrated. And you have every right to be," Mara began, his voice echoing in the tense silence that had fallen over the crowd. "The product we put on the field this year was not worthy of your support, and it was not worthy of the legacy of this franchise. It was an embarrassment to our 100th season. But I ask you to trust that we have the right people in place to fix this."

The trust, it seemed, had completely evaporated. The moment the floor was opened for questions, the dam of civility broke.

A man in a well-worn Lawrence Taylor jersey, who identified himself as a 30-year season ticket holder from Suffern, was the first to the microphone. His hands visibly shook, not from nerves, but from rage. "Mr. Mara, with all due respect, we've heard this before. We heard it after the Gettleman years. We hear it every time the ship is sinking," he said, his voice trembling with passion. "Bill Parcells, a man who knows a little something about Giants football, said you are what your record says you are. Brian Daboll's record last year was 3-and-14. Why does he deserve another chance when we, the people who pay thousands of dollars, have to watch that pathetic excuse for football?"

The room erupted in a thunderous wave of applause and whistles. The raw emotion was palpable. From the back of the room, a lone voice shouted "Accountability!" and it was immediately picked up by others, growing into a unified chant that washed over the stage. "ACCOUNTABILITY! ACCOUNTABILITY!" Daboll stood motionless, his face a grim mask, while Mara simply absorbed the verbal blows.

When the chanting subsided, it was Daboll's turn to speak. He stepped forward, looking every bit a man under siege. "I hear you. I hear all of you," he said, his voice strained. "The buck stops with me. The play-calling, the lack of discipline, the 12 men on the field penalties, the sideline confusion, the results... it's all on me. I failed you. I haven't lived up to the standard of a New York Giants head coach. My promise to you is that I will spend every single second of this offseason re-evaluating everything we do, from schemes to personnel to my own decisions. I was hired to win, and I haven't done enough of it. I plan to fix that."

His contrition was met with a wave of audible skepticism. "Fix it how, coach?" a fan immediately shot back. "We were the most penalized team in the division and got swept by everybody! We saw no fight in Philadelphia in a meaningless game! Where is the pride in the uniform? It's gone!"

General Manager Joe Schoen, sensing the need to change the narrative, stepped in. He attempted to steer the conversation toward a more hopeful future, highlighting the team's possession of the third overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. "We understand the frustration with the results on the field, we truly do," Schoen explained, trying to project calm. "But we are in a position to add a truly elite, blue-chip player to this roster. We have a building block in Malik Nabers, who just set records. We have young talent. The draft is the lifeblood of this league, and we have a monumental opportunity to get better, fast."

His words were meant to be a balm, but the crowd saw it as a deflection. "You had high picks last year!" someone shouted from the floor.

The pivotal moment of the night came when a woman from Basking Ridge, N.J., who had patiently waited her turn, approached the microphone. She didn't shout; her composure made her words cut deeper than any of the previous outbursts.

"Mr. Mara, you're a good man, and your family has given us four Super Bowls. We respect that," she started, her tone softening the room. "But this isn't about the past. This is about right now. My question is simple: If we are sitting here next January after another losing season, will you finally hold this coaching staff accountable and make a change? We need to know that there's a real consequence for failure."

Every eye in the room fixed on Mara. Schoen and Daboll both glanced at their boss. This was his team, his legacy. After a long, heavy pause, he gave the only answer the crowd would accept.

"The results of next season will have consequences for everyone in this organization, myself included," Mara said firmly, his gaze sweeping across the room. "We expect to be a competitive football team in 2025. Period."

While Daboll and Schoen survived the night, they left with a clear and public mandate from their fanbase: win, or else. The vote of confidence issued in a press release days earlier now feels like a temporary reprieve, a flimsy shield that was shattered by the very people it was meant to pacify. The true verdict will be delivered not in a town hall, but on the frozen turf of MetLife Stadium next fall. The clock is now ticking, and the entire fanbase is watching.

**hitman87** · 09-29-2025, 11:01 PM

Daboll Out: Giants Reverse Course, Fire Head Coach Following Fan Revolt
By Scott Portman | January 13, 2025

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — In a shocking reversal that sent tremors through the NFL and the New York metropolitan area, the New York Giants have fired Head Coach Brian Daboll, sources confirmed on Monday. The move is a seismic capitulation to fan pressure, coming less than a week after co-owner John Mara publicly backed his embattled coach and just five days after a disastrous town hall meeting where the team's leadership was confronted by a furious, unified fanbase.

The decision represents a complete and unprecedented surrender to the overwhelming power of season ticket holders and the public, who flatly refused to accept the status quo after a franchise-worst 3-14 season. What began as a fan revolt, fueled by sports talk radio outrage and social media venom, has ended in a successful coup, setting a potentially dangerous precedent for owner-fan dynamics across the league.

"After many sleepless nights and a series of difficult, candid conversations, we have decided to part ways with Brian Daboll," a team source said, quoting an internal memo that is expected to be released to the public shortly. "This was not an easy decision, and it is not one we took lightly. We recognize and appreciate the success the team had in 2022, but the results and the direction of the team in the 2024 season were unacceptable. Ultimately, we believe a change in leadership is necessary to move this organization forward and restore the standard of Giants football."

The firing is a stunning indictment of the profound disconnect between the front office's initial stance and the raw anger of its customers. After Wednesday's town hall, where chants of "Accountability!" echoed through the team's field house, it became painfully clear that Mara's vote of confidence was not a shield, but a lightning rod for criticism. The organization had fundamentally misread the room, and the consequences were swift.

"The town hall was a turning point; it was a public execution," an anonymous front office source told ESPN. "John [Mara] heard them. He saw the passion and the anger in their eyes. You can't put the fans through a season like that, tell them you're running it back with the same leadership, and expect them to just accept it. The revolt was real, and it forced an outcome that seemed impossible 72 hours ago. The owner looked weak, and he knew he had to act."

The move marks a swift and brutal end to a coaching tenure that was a study in violent extremes. Daboll was celebrated as the AP Coach of the Year in his first season after leading a supposedly rebuilding Giants team to a 9-7-1 record and a thrilling playoff victory in Minnesota. He was the toast of the town, a brilliant offensive mind who had seemingly resurrected the franchise. But the magic evaporated almost overnight. The 2024 season was a historic collapse, defined by offensive ineptitude, sideline disarray, a complete lack of discipline, and a defense that couldn't stop anyone. The team was swept by its entire division and finished with the most losses in its 100-year history, a stain on a centennial season.

The search for Daboll's successor is reportedly already underway, with General Manager Joe Schoen now under immense, perhaps insurmountable, pressure. Schoen, who came with Daboll from Buffalo as a package deal, now stands alone. His fate is now inextricably linked to this next hire.

"The fans got their pound of flesh, and you can't blame them," boomed Mike Francesa on his podcast Monday morning. "Mara had no choice. You can't sit there and get filleted by your own season ticket holders and then do nothing. He had to show he was listening. Now the heat is on Schoen. He's on the clock. He has the third pick in the draft and now he has to find a coach that can win with that pick. There are no more excuses. His guy is gone. The next guy is his last chance."

For the Giants and their long-suffering fans, this is the first, messy, and deeply uncertain step in yet another rebuild. While parting ways with Daboll may have put a stop to the immediate revolt, it has only raised the stakes and created a new set of problems. The move sends a message to potential coaching candidates that the owner's backing is fleeting and that the fanbase holds immense power. For an organization desperate to regain its footing, the decision has restored a semblance of accountability while simultaneously plunging its future into chaos.

**hitman87** · 09-30-2025, 08:39 PM

Giants Make History, Hire CFL Champion Becky Dayne as Head Coach
By Scott Portman | February 12, 2025
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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — In a move that shatters one of the highest and most stubborn glass ceilings in professional sports, the New York Giants have named Rebecca “Becky” Dayne as their 23rd head coach. The 31-year-old Long Island native becomes the first female head coach in the 104-year history of the National Football League, a groundbreaking and audacious decision for a flagship franchise desperate for a cultural and competitive reset.

The hire, confirmed Wednesday at a press conference buzzing with an energy not felt at the facility in years, comes after a whirlwind two-week search following the public-pressure-induced dismissal of Brian Daboll. Dayne, who most recently served as the quarterbacks coach for the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes, comes to the Giants with a Grey Cup championship on her resume and a reputation as a fiery, relentlessly innovative offensive mind.

"We weren't looking to make history, we were looking to find the best football coach to lead the New York Giants," General Manager Joe Schoen said, standing firm at a packed introductory press conference. He emphasized that the search included established NFL coordinators and former head coaches. "After an exhaustive search, it became unequivocally clear that the best candidate was Becky Dayne. Her intelligence, her passion, her preparedness, and her vision for this football team are unparalleled. This is a new day for our franchise."

Dayne, known for her intense sideline demeanor and signature visor—a look that has drawn comparisons to former NFL coach Jon Gruden—was a key architect of the Alouettes' improbable 2023 Grey Cup run. Her former bosses gave emphatic recommendations that reportedly sealed the deal for a wavering Giants ownership.

"Becky is one of the most brilliant and relentless football minds I've ever had the privilege of working with," said Jason Maas, Head Coach of the Alouettes, in a statement. "Her ability to design an offense and, more importantly, teach it to players in a way that gives them unshakable confidence is elite. The Giants are getting a superstar."

Pierre Karl Péladeau, the Alouettes' owner, added his endorsement, "From the moment she joined us, Coach Dayne brought a level of professionalism and dedication that elevated our entire organization. She commands respect not by demanding it, but by earning it every single day. We are sad to see her go, but immensely proud."

That football acumen was cultivated from a young age. Born in East Meadow, Dayne is the daughter of Paul Dayne, a longtime and well-respected college coach at Hofstra University before the program was shut down. She grew up on practice fields, breaking down film with her father and absorbing the nuances of the game. She played quarterback at Hempstead High School and attended Syracuse University, where she earned a degree in psychology—a tool she reportedly uses to understand player motivation and communication. While she didn't play for the Orange, she joined the football program as a graduate assistant under Dino Babers in 2017, quickly rising to Quarterbacks Coach by 2019.

She brings a dynamic and complex offensive philosophy to a Giants team that has been mired in offensive ineptitude for the better part of a decade. Colleagues describe her scheme as a hybrid of the West Coast offense's timing-based passing and the Spread offense's use of space and athleticism. It’s an adaptable system built on exploiting matchups, with an encyclopedic knowledge of everything from the Run and Shoot to the Triple Option.

"To stand here today as the head coach of the team I grew up idolizing is an indescribable honor," Dayne said, her hazel eyes scanning the room, betraying no sign of being intimidated by the moment. "But let's be clear: this isn't about being the first. It's about being the right one for this job, at this time. The history is a byproduct of the opportunity, an opportunity I have earned. We will build a smart, tough, and dependable football team that this city and these fans can be proud of. There will be accountability. There will be discipline. The work starts now."

That work ethic is already the stuff of legend. Dayne is a fitness fanatic, and her slim, chiseled physique is the result of a rigorous workout regimen she has maintained since high school. An anecdote from her time in Montreal, where she once coached a practice in a sports bra and shorts after rushing from the gym, has become part of her lore—a testament to her non-stop dedication and singular focus on the task at hand. She expects to instill that same level of commitment throughout the building.

For a franchise coming off a 3-14 season and a fan revolt that toppled her predecessor, Dayne's hiring is a monumental gamble, but one the organization clearly felt it needed to make. She has been tasked not just with winning games, but with completely shaking up a culture that had grown stale and complacent. The stakes could not be higher, for both the Giants and for the future of coaching in the NFL.

**hitman87** · 09-30-2025, 08:42 PM

The Architect: Get to Know New Giants Head Coach Becky Dayne
By Alexis Rivera | February 13, 2025

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Rebecca “Becky” Dayne is not, by any conventional measure, a typical football coach. She never played at a major college program, let alone in the NFL. And yet, on February 12, 2025, she became the most powerful person in the New York Giants' football operations, tasked with resurrecting one of the league's charter franchises—a franchise not just in need of a new playbook, but a new identity. To understand how she got here, you have to go back to the sidelines of Hofstra University and the gridiron at Hempstead High School, where the foundation for a revolution was laid.

"There's a saying: 'Girls don't play football.' I heard it a few times," Dayne recalls with a wry smile. "I just decided it didn't apply to me. The ball doesn't know who's throwing it."

Born on January 2, 1994, in East Meadow, Dayne’s life was steeped in the game. Her father, Paul Dayne, was a respected cornerbacks coach at Hofstra from 1991 until the university shuttered its football program in 2009. Her childhood was an immersive, year-round masterclass in defensive back play and game planning, spent just minutes from the Hofstra campus in Hempstead.

"From the time she could walk, she was on the field with me," recalls her father. "She wasn't just watching; she was diagramming. She understood Cover-2 and Cover-3 before most kids understood long division. I never saw her as a 'girl' trying to get into football; I saw her as a football mind, period."

While her mother, Ellen, a former dancer, and sister, Marie, now a professional belly dancer, pursued the arts, Becky’s heart was on the field. She devoured Giants history, idolizing Lawrence Taylor and reading up on the legacies of Bill Parcells and Tom Coughlin.

At Hempstead High, she defied convention, playing quarterback with a cerebral style that favored pre-snap reads over raw arm strength. The sudden closure of Hofstra’s program in 2009 was a pivotal blow, closing the door on her dream of coaching alongside her father. Instead of seeing it as a dead end, she chose Syracuse University, deciding to major in psychology—a move she now calls "the most important audible of my career."

"Syracuse... you just feel the history when you walk on that campus," Dayne said in a 2021 interview. "Ernie Davis, Jim Brown, Donovan McNabb. You're walking among legends. It inspires you to hold yourself to a higher standard."

She earned her degree, but the pull of the football program was too strong. In 2017, she joined Coach Dino Babers' staff as a graduate assistant. Her tireless work ethic and sharp mind were immediately apparent. By 2018, she was a full-time Offensive Assistant, and by 2019, she was coaching the quarterbacks, a position she held through 2022.

"She connects with players on a human level," a former Syracuse staffer noted. "Her psych background isn't a footnote on her resume; it's central to how she teaches. She understands the pressures, the anxieties. She breaks down a complex blitz package the same way she helps a QB break down his own mental blocks after an interception."

Seeking new challenges, she moved north of the border in 2023, joining the CFL's Montreal Alouettes as quarterbacks coach under Head Coach Jason Maas and legendary QB-turned-OC Anthony Calvillo. Her impact was immediate. She revitalized veteran quarterback Cody Fajardo, helping him lead the Alouettes on an improbable late-season surge that culminated in a stunning Grey Cup victory. She embraced the unique challenges of the CFL—the wider field, the 12th man, the pre-snap motion—and wove them into her offensive philosophy, learning to create space and mismatches in new ways. They followed that up with a 12-5-1 season in 2024, finishing atop the East Division.

"Becky has a unique ability to see the game from a quarterback's perspective while thinking like a defensive coordinator," Maas said. "She prepares her players for everything. Nothing they see on Sunday surprises them. That's her trademark." Working alongside Calvillo, one of the CFL's all-time greatest quarterbacks, she refined her approach, merging his practical, on-field experience with her own analytical, schematic-driven style.

Her intensity is balanced by a legendary commitment to her own physical fitness. A dedicated gym enthusiast since her high school days, Dayne is known for her slim, chiseled build. It’s a ritual that speaks to her discipline—a trait she expects from her players.

"It's about accountability to yourself," Dayne herself has said about her regimen. "If I'm going to demand that my players give me everything they have, they need to see that I demand the same from myself. Excellence is a habit, not an act. It starts long before you step on the field." An infamous story from her CFL days tells of her rushing from a workout to the practice field, still in a sports bra and shorts, too focused on coaching to worry about changing. It’s a small detail that reveals a larger truth: for Becky Dayne, football always comes first.

Now, she takes the helm of a Giants team in turmoil—a storied franchise plagued by inconsistent quarterback play, a porous offensive line, and a locker room culture that sources described as "fragmented." She inherits the No. 3 pick in the NFL Draft, a potential franchise-altering decision that will define the start of her tenure. The question on everyone's mind is whether this groundbreaking hire can succeed where others have failed.

"I understand the doubts. I understand the pressure," Dayne stated confidently at her introduction. "But I've been preparing for this my entire life. We're going to bring a level of pride and preparation back to this building that will make our fans proud. It's time to get to work." For a fan base starved for competence and a franchise desperate for a new direction, Becky Dayne isn't just a new coach; she's a symbol of a complete paradigm shift.

**hitman87** · 09-30-2025, 09:08 PM

Dayne Sets the Tone: In First Press Conference, New Giants Coach Emphasizes QBs, Development, and a Few Surprises
By Scott Portman | February 17, 2025
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Becky Dayne never fails to impress people. In her first press conference as the new head coach of the Giants, Dayne spoke about development, working with QBs and a few surprises along the way. Dressed in her Giants polo shirt and black slacks and her signature visor with the Giants logo on it, people are beginning to wonder about the new face running the ship.

"It's an honor to be here, but the time for celebrating history is over," Dayne began, setting a business-like tone that immediately commanded the room. "Now, it's about building the future. It's about football."

When the floor opened to questions, the focus quickly shifted to her area of expertise: offense. Asked where she could make the most immediate impact on a unit that finished near the bottom of the league, Dayne zeroed in on the passing game with an offensive coordinator's precision.

"You know, this is a passing league and I'm really hoping to come in and build a receiving corps that gives defenses nightmares," she stated. "You got studs in Malik Nabers and Wan'Dale Robinson as well as Darius Slayton finding his groove. We'll move the chains a lot more with this."

The comment was a clear signal of her intent to build around the team's record-setting rookie, Nabers, and unlock an aerial attack that has been largely dormant for years. It implied a shift towards a more aggressive, space-oriented offense, designed to get playmakers the ball with room to operate—a stark contrast to the predictable schemes of the past.

However, Dayne made it clear that her philosophy goes beyond just schematics. When asked about her primary off-the-field focus, her answer was direct and drilled down to the core of team-building, a thinly veiled critique of the previous regime's shortcomings.

"We have to develop players. Plain and simple," Dayne asserted, her voice firm. "Great teams have great players and it's my job to make sure we develop them. Talent is just the starting point. We have to be a teaching organization, from the rookies to the 10-year veterans. That's how you build a sustainable winner."

The most telling portion of the press conference came when she was pressed on which position would get the most attention. For Dayne, a coach whose reputation was built on molding signal-callers, the answer was obvious and rooted in the unwavering truths of NFL history.

"If you don't have a QB, you won't be successful, so a lot of my attention so far has been on the quarterbacks," she explained, leaning on her extensive experience. "I've coached QB's in college and in the CFL, so I know what I'm talking about. Look at the great teams in NFL history. Packers had Bart Starr and Brett Favre. Steelers had Terry Bradshaw. 49ers had Joe Montana and Steve Young... We had guys like Phil Simms and Eli Manning and they made a dent in our history."

She paused, letting the weight of those names settle before concluding her point. "We don't have to build a QB to be like a Mahomes or Allen or Jackson, just come in and do your best."

With the Giants holding the No. 3 overall pick in a draft widely considered to have several franchise-caliber quarterbacks, her words carried immense weight. It was a declaration that the most important decision of the offseason would have her full and undivided attention, signaling that finding and molding the next great Giants signal-caller is not just a priority, but the priority.

As the press conference concluded, Dayne was asked what would ultimately differentiate her from the 31 other head coaches in the league. She answered with a confident grin, giving a glimpse of the innovator beneath the composed exterior.

"Oh, I've got a few tricks up my sleeve and I think you'll see us run some things on offense and defense," she teased, referencing her unique background blending American and Canadian football concepts. "And a good workout program!"

The final line drew a laugh, but the message was clear. It was a perfect encapsulation of her approach: schematically innovative, physically demanding, and with an unwavering focus on building a winner from the ground up. For a fanbase battered by years of disappointment, Dayne’s first public address wasn't just a collection of soundbites; it was a credible blueprint for a return to relevance. The Becky Dayne era has officially begun.

**hitman87** · 09-30-2025, 09:49 PM

Dayne Assembles a Powerhouse Staff: Pierce, Mayo, and Vince Young Headline a Bold Mix of NFL Legends and CFL Innovators

By Alexis Rivera | February 18, 2025

The message is unmistakable: Dayne is building a diverse team of specialists designed to attack problems from every conceivable angle, prioritizing teaching and specialized expertise over a monolithic coaching philosophy. This assembly is a direct response to years of inconsistent player development and schematic rigidity.

"I wanted to bring together a group of great teachers and diverse minds," Dayne said in a statement released by the team. "We have Super Bowl champions, former head coaches, and innovators from different leagues. The goal is to create an environment of constant learning and competition, for our players and for our coaches. No single person has all the answers, but a room of dedicated experts can solve anything."

On offense, the decision to retain Mike Kafka as Offensive Coordinator and Carmen Bricillo as Offensive Line Coach provides a crucial layer of continuity for a unit that desperately needs stability. While the 2024 season was a disappointment, Dayne's move suggests she sees a foundational playbook and protection scheme that she can adapt and build upon, rather than forcing young players to learn an entirely new system from scratch. This avoids a complete tear-down and allows skill players like Malik Nabers to grow within a familiar framework.
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However, the staff built around them signals a clear and immediate philosophical shift toward specialization and diverse influences. The quarterback room is the most striking example of this new approach. Dayne has created a multi-faceted "brain trust" designed to nurture the team's next franchise signal-caller from every angle. The hiring of former NFL Rookie of the Year Vince Young as Quarterbacks Coach is a masterstroke in mentorship. Young brings the invaluable, lived experience of being a top-three pick who faced immense pressure and media scrutiny. He can connect with the Giants' new quarterback on a personal level, offering guidance on navigating the spotlight that a career coach simply cannot.

Complementing Young’s experiential wisdom is veteran CFL and NFL coach Kerry Joseph, who joins as Assistant Quarterbacks Coach after a stint with the Chicago Bears. Joseph is the technician, a detail-oriented instructor with a deep background in quarterback mechanics, footwork, and film study from multiple offensive systems. This two-pronged approach—pairing a mentor who understands the psychological pressures with a technician who can refine the physical tools—is a direct and powerful fulfillment of Dayne’s promise to make the quarterback position the team's central focus. It’s an unprecedented investment in the most important position on the field.

Further shaping the offense is a significant infusion of talent from every level of football. In the running backs room, Ladell Betts arrives from the University of Iowa, bringing a tough, physical run-game identity. For the receivers, Dayne tapped the CFL ranks for Hall of Fame player Nik Lewis. The tight ends will be guided by veteran coach Ron Middleton, who makes the cross-town move from the Jets. Rounding out the offensive staff are former BC Lions Offensive Line Coach Kelly Bates as Assistant Offensive Line Coach, Patriots legend Troy Brown as an Offensive Assistant and former Montreal Alouettes head coach Khari Jones as a key Offensive Advisor.

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The defensive side of the ball is where Dayne made her biggest splash, assembling a staff that blends legendary Giants history with a New England-style strategic core. In a stunning move, former Raiders head coach and Giants Super Bowl hero Antonio Pierce has been hired as the Defensive Coordinator, bringing a fiery, player-centric leadership style back to the organization. Supporting Pierce is a linebacker brain trust imported directly from New England, featuring former Patriots Head Coach Jerod Mayo (Outside Linebackers) and three-time Super Bowl champion Dont'a Hightower (Inside Linebackers). This trio promises a defense that is not only physically imposing but also mentally sharp and adaptable. Continuity was also key, with Dayne retaining the highly-respected Andre Patterson (Defensive Line), Bryan Cox (Assistant Defensive Line) and Marquand Manuel (Safeties). Fusing this group are former CFL coaches, such as Assistant Linebackers Coach Michael Fletcher (Former Linebackers Coach with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2024), Cornerbacks Coach Alex Suber (Former Ottawa Redblacks Defensive Backs Coach in 2024), and Defensive Assistant Almondo Sewell (Former DL Coach of the Edmonton Elks in 2024).

Often overlooked but crucial to a team's success, the special teams and operations staff also reflect Dayne's theme of blending continuity with fresh perspectives. Michael Ghobrial is retained as the Special Teams Coordinator, ensuring stability in a critical phase of the game. He will be assisted by Calvin McCarty, who, like several other new hires, makes the jump from the CFL, having previously coached running backs for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. This move once again shows Dayne's commitment to finding coaching talent from unconventional pipelines. Operationally, the all-important role of Director of Coaching Operations remains in the trusted hands of Laura Young, who was also retained to ensure the complex logistics of the new, expansive staff run smoothly from day one.

With her leadership team now in place, Coach Dayne’s vision is taking shape. It’s a staff built not on convention, but on a clear philosophy: gather the best football minds, regardless of their background. It's a high-risk, high-reward collection of big personalities and brilliant football intellects, all united under one goal: to build a new culture of excellence in East Rutherford.

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**hitman87** · 09-30-2025, 10:05 PM

An Old Grudge, a Misspelled Name, and the Real Reason Antonio Pierce is the Giants’ DC:
By Alexis Rivera | February 20, 2025

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — In the complex calculus of building an NFL coaching staff, decisions are often made on philosophy, experience, and scheme fit. But sometimes, it comes down to something far more fundamental. The proposed hire, which would have seen Fisher also assume an Assistant Head Coach title, was a logical consideration on paper. But it was ultimately vetoed by Giants management after Dayne herself reconsidered, pulling back from the brink of a hire that could have poisoned her new culture before it ever had a chance to grow. The reason? A years-old, unresolved conflict between Fisher and a newly hired member of her own staff, Quarterbacks Coach Vince Young—a conflict Fisher chose to reignite publicly with remarkable pettiness just weeks before his potential hiring.

The latest chapter unfolded during Fisher’s appearance at a Tennessee sports festival, where he recounted a story to NFL reporter Paul Kuharsky that seemed designed to embarrass his former quarterback. Fisher claimed he had received an apology letter from Young but chose not to respond for a remarkably trivial reason.

"Yes, I got a letter from Vince," Fisher told Kuharsky. "And I didn't respond. My name was spelled wrong on the letter... It came from the athletic department. But my name was spelled incorrectly." The implication was clear: the apology was either insincere or not even from Young himself.

Fisher, whose name is commonly misspelled as "Fischer," couldn't fathom the error coming from Young. "I still have it," he continued, adding a flair of courtroom drama to the anecdote. "But I didn't know if it was from him so I felt no need to respond... I thought if it was from him he would have maybe spelled my name right."

For those unaware, the bad blood between the two runs deep, representing a cautionary tale of a coach-quarterback relationship gone wrong. In a revealing 2017 interview with Sports Illustrated, Young painted a damning portrait of his time under Fisher in Tennessee. He detailed how private conversations were mysteriously leaked to the media, how Fisher would abruptly cancel team meetings to go fishing with backup quarterback Kerry Collins, and recounted a particularly galling incident where Fisher refused to hold the team plane for him, forcing Young, the franchise quarterback, to watch his team fly off without him. These weren't minor disagreements; they were foundational cracks in trust and respect.

When Kuharsky presented Fisher with the opportunity to finally tell his side of the story, to perhaps offer context or clarity after so many years, he flatly declined. Instead, he simply dismissed Young's long-held grievances with a sweeping denial.

"I've been asked many, many times to comment in response to three of his comments, and I had nothing to gain by commenting because all three of his comments were false, they were not true," Fisher said. "I know the truth, so I stayed away from all that."

According to a source close to the Giants' hiring process, Dayne was made aware of Fisher's recent comments and the deep-seated history behind them. It set off alarm bells throughout the organization.

"Becky was saddened by the whole thing," the source said, "It felt so needlessly vindictive. She's trying to build a cohesive 'brain trust' here, a room where ideas can be challenged without fear of personal attacks or old grudges spilling over. The idea of bringing in a coach who is still publicly holding onto a grudge against another coach you just hired... it's a non-starter. That bitterness has no place in the culture she's building. If a man can't find it in himself to move past a perceived slight from years ago, how can he be trusted to lead a new group of men forward?"

The decision became clear. While Fisher offered a wealth of head coaching experience, his unwillingness to forgive Young—or at the very least, handle the matter privately—was a massive red flag. It was a clear indication that he valued an old score over the future health of a locker room. For Dayne, who emphasized player development and relationships in her own introductory press conference, this was antithetical to her entire philosophy. The risk of creating a fractured staff, with the QB coach and Assistant Head Coach unable to coexist, was too great a gamble for a first-time head coach to take.

In the end, the choice pivoted to Antonio Pierce, a man whose introductory press conference was defined by his passion for the Giants' legacy and his commitment to the team-first standard. The contrast could not have been more stark. One candidate was focused on settling the past; the other was focused on building the future. For a franchise desperate for a fresh start and a unified vision, the choice was obvious. The Giants didn't just dodge a bullet; they chose a leader.

**hitman87** · 09-30-2025, 10:22 PM

The United Front: Dayne, Pierce, and Young Speak Out on Culture, Second Chances, and the Jeff Fisher Saga
By Brandon Tierney, WFAN | February 20, 2025

Out of all the people in the Giants organization, I thought Becky Dayne handled the Jeff Fisher situation with class. What could have been an awkward, damage-control press availability became a masterclass in control and messaging. The air in the team auditorium was thick with anticipation, reporters murmuring about how the rookie head coach would handle her first real crisis. But as the trio walked in and took their seats, the dynamic shifted. This wasn't a defense. This was a declaration. This was a chance to clear the air, and they took it with commanding force.

For those who aren't aware, the bad blood between Fisher and new QB Coach Vince Young runs very deep, representing a cautionary tale of a coach-quarterback relationship gone wrong. In a revealing 2017 interview with Sports Illustrated, Young painted a damning portrait of his time under Fisher in Tennessee. He detailed how private conversations were mysteriously leaked to the media, how Fisher would abruptly cancel team meetings to go fishing with backup quarterback Kerry Collins, and recounted a particularly galling incident where Fisher refused to hold the team plane for him, forcing Young, the franchise quarterback, to watch his team fly off without him. These weren't minor disagreements; they were foundational cracks in trust and respect.

To think, I thought that Fisher makes Bill Parcells look like a saint.

The latest chapter unfolded during Fisher’s appearance at a Tennessee sports festival, where he recounted a story to NFL reporter Paul Kuharsky that seemed designed to embarrass his former quarterback. Fisher claimed he had received an apology letter from Young but chose not to respond for a remarkably trivial reason.

"Yes, I got a letter from Vince," Fisher told Kuharsky. "And I didn't respond. My name was spelled wrong on the letter... It came from the athletic department. But my name was spelled incorrectly." The implication was clear: the apology was either insincere or not even from Young himself. Fisher, whose name is commonly misspelled as "Fischer," couldn't fathom the error coming from Young. "I still have it," he continued, adding a flair of courtroom drama to the anecdote. "But I didn't know if it was from him so I felt no need to respond... I thought if it was from him he would have maybe spelled my name right."

I began the interview with Vince, Becky, and Antonio with the question everyone wanted to ask, aimed directly at the head of the table. Coach Dayne was asked to respond to the reports that Jeff Fisher was her initial choice for Defensive Coordinator. She didn't flinch, her posture unchanged, her gaze steady. "We had a comprehensive process," Dayne stated calmly, making direct eye contact with the reporter. "Jeff was one of several highly experienced candidates we spoke with. You do your due diligence in this league; you have to. But building a staff isn't just about collecting résumés; it's about building a team. It's about finding the right people who fit the culture of trust, collaboration, and forward-thinking we are establishing here. It's about finding coaches who want to teach and empower, not dictate. When all was said and done, after every conversation and every evaluation, it was unequivocally clear that Antonio Pierce was the right man to lead our defense."

According to a source close to the Giants' hiring process, Becky was made aware of Fisher's recent comments and the deep-seated history behind them. It set off alarm bells throughout the organization. "Becky was saddened by the whole thing," the source said, "It felt so needlessly vindictive. She's trying to build a cohesive 'brain trust' here, a room where ideas can be challenged without fear of personal attacks or old grudges spilling over. The idea of bringing in a coach who is still publicly holding onto a grudge against another coach you just hired... it's a non-starter. That bitterness has no place in the culture she's building. If a man can't find it in himself to move past a perceived slight from years ago, how can he be trusted to lead a new group of men forward?"

The decision became clear. While Fisher offered a wealth of head coaching experience, his unwillingness to forgive Vince—or at the very least, handle the matter privately—was a massive red flag. It was a clear indication that he valued an old score over the future health of a locker room. For Becky Dayne, who emphasized player development and relationships in her own introductory press conference, someone who made her career out of working with people whether it was Syracuse or Montreal, this was antithetical to her entire philosophy. The risk of creating a fractured staff, with the QB coach and Assistant Head Coach unable to coexist, was too great a gamble for a first-time head coach to take.

When pressed about the specific conflict between Fisher and Vince, and whether that played the deciding role, Becky pivoted seamlessly from the negative past to the positive present, protecting her staff while reinforcing her core message. "I hired Vince Young because I believe in his ability to connect with and develop quarterbacks, and because he deserved a fresh start to write the next chapter of his football story," she said firmly. "I hired Antonio Pierce because he embodies the Giants standard and is a phenomenal leader of men. The most important thing on a coaching staff is trust. My focus is on the men who are in this building now, not on those who aren't. We are a family here, and families move forward together. We don't dwell on yesterday's arguments."

Number one, Vince Young isn't a bad choice. He made some mistakes, and he wasn't as good as he was when he was a star QB at Texas. Number two, Becky Dayne is someone who lives in the now. I can't fault her for trying to bring in Jeff Fisher, but when you have Vince Young on your staff and having Fisher joining this staff to settle old scores with his former QB, it's toxic.

The attention then turned to Vince Young, the man at the center of the old grudge. Looking more confident and at ease than he has in years, Vince chose the high road, expressing gratitude rather than bitterness, effectively diffusing the personal nature of the conflict. "Honestly, I didn't give it much thought," Young said, a relaxed tone in his voice. "My past is the past. I've made my mistakes and I've learned from them. I'm grateful to God for this opportunity and grateful to Coach Dayne for believing in me, for seeing who I am now. My only focus is on the guys in our QB room and helping this offense be the best it can be. What Coach Dayne is building here is about the future. That's where my head is at. I'm a Giant now, and that's all that matters."

Finally, Antonio Pierce, the man who ultimately got the job, was asked how it felt to know he might have been the "second choice." He leaned into the microphone with a slight grin, exuding an unshakeable confidence that instantly filled the room. "I don't care if I was the first call or the fiftieth call. I got the call that mattered," Pierce said, his voice resonating with the same authority he had as the Giants' middle linebacker. "My phone rang, and on the other end was a head coach with a clear vision and an opportunity for me to come home. To come back to the place where we set a standard. I'm here to build a championship defense for the best franchise in football. That's the only thing on my mind, the only thing that will ever be on my mind. We're done talking about anything else. It's time to get to work."

Let me say this about AP, he's given everything to the Giants and for him to come home is a very big deal. The message from the trio was unmistakable, delivered with precision and unity. The Jeff Fisher saga, in their eyes, is officially over. More than just a news story, it became the first real-world test of Becky Dayne's leadership, and her response—backing her guy, choosing cultural cohesion over a big name, and presenting a united front—spoke volumes about her priorities. The interview ended not with a sense of lingering drama, but with the feeling that a line had been drawn in the sand. The new era of Giants football has its leaders, and they are standing together.

**hitman87** · 10-01-2025, 10:06 AM

Building the Foundation: A Look at the Giants' Methodical Offseason Ahead of a Franchise-Altering Draft
By Scott Portman | April 12, 2025

This was an offseason of bold, calculated change, a clear and decisive response to a 3-14 season that left the franchise at a crossroads. The quiet, often conservative approach of previous years was replaced by an assertive strategy that echoed through the league.

The Great Quarterback Reset

Perhaps the most dramatic overhaul occurred at the sport's most important position. The Giants parted ways with all of their 2024 quarterbacks, including Drew Lock and hometown hero Tommy DeVito, officially closing the book on the improbable "Tommy Cutlets" saga. In their place, Schoen brought in a fascinating duo of high-profile veterans: former Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson and former No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston. Head Coach Becky Dayne allowed DeVito to participate in Training Camp.

The strategy is a masterclass in risk mitigation and veteran insurance. Wilson, known for his leadership and clutch play, provides a steady, experienced hand and a high floor for the offense. Winston, conversely, brings a high-variance, gunslinging potential capable of explosive plays, albeit with a history of turnovers. By signing both, the Giants created a competitive environment and, crucially, a veteran "bridge" that gives them immediate, credible options. This completely prevents them from being forced to start a rookie from day one in a high-pressure market. "We wanted to bring in quality players at the position to create competition and raise the floor of that room," Schoen stated in a press conference. "Both Russell and Jameis have been successful starters in this league. They understand what it takes to win, and that experience is invaluable."

Fortifying the Secondary with Blockbuster Deals

The biggest financial commitments of the offseason were directed at a secondary that was a consistent liability in 2024. The Giants made two of the biggest moves in the entire free agent market, signing top-tier safety Jevon Holland away from the Miami Dolphins on a three-year, $45 million contract, and luring top cornerback Paulson Adebo from the New Orleans Saints with a three-year, $54 million deal.

These two acquisitions fundamentally change the ceiling and identity of the Giants' defense under new coordinator Antonio Pierce. Holland is not just a safety; he's a versatile, playmaking defensive weapon in his prime, capable of playing deep, in the box, or covering the slot. Adebo is a physical, ball-hawking corner who provides the legitimate No. 1 presence the team has lacked, allowing Deonte Banks to develop in a more favorable CB2 role. These moves were made in conjunction with the departures of safety Jason Pinnock and cornerback Adoree' Jackson, signaling a complete philosophical and talent upgrade on the back end, from a unit that often bent and broke to one built on aggression and playmaking.

Adding Veteran Muscle to the Trenches and Retaining a Key Weapon

While the secondary got the headlines, the lines were not ignored. The defense added veteran defensive linemen Roy Robertson-Harris (formerly of the Jaguars) and Chauncey Golston (from the rival Cowboys) to bolster the rotation around star Dexter Lawrence. These are gritty, reliable players who provide much-needed depth and will allow the Giants to keep their premiere lineman fresh.

On offense, the team added multiple interior linemen, including the well-traveled Greg Van Roten and Aaron Stinnie, to increase depth and competition on a unit that has been plagued by inconsistency and injuries. The team also made it a priority to retain one of its few consistent offensive playmakers, re-signing wide receiver Darius Slayton to a three-year, $36 million contract. This was a critical move, ensuring their future quarterback will have a familiar, reliable deep threat and a veteran leader in the receivers' room. Slayton's presence provides stability opposite the ascending star Malik Nabers.

All Eyes on the Draft

Every move Schoen made—and didn't make—points directly to the No. 3 pick in the NFL Draft. By signing Wilson and Winston, he eliminated the desperate need to find a Week 1 starter. By signing Holland and Adebo, he filled the biggest holes on defense with elite veterans, preventing the need to reach for a defensive back early.

This multifaceted approach has given the Giants ultimate flexibility. They are now in a position to let the draft board fall to them, whether that means selecting the quarterback of the future to learn behind the veterans or drafting a blue-chip player at another position. The foundation has been laid. Now, the cornerstone will be chosen.

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