Malik Nabers had some harsh criticism for the New York Giants after Sunday’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and head coach Brian Daboll understands why the rookie is so frustrated.
Nabers did not receive a single target in the first half of the Giants’ 30-7 loss to the Bucs at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. He finished with 6 catches for 64 yards after New York went into full catch-up mode in the second half.
After the game, Nabers sounded off about his lack of involvement and seemed to point the finger at Daboll, who calls plays for the Giants.
“Go out there first, second quarter, don’t get the ball, start getting targets at the end. I can’t do nothing,” Nabers told reporters. “I started getting the ball when it’s 30-0. What you want me to do? … I don’t know. Talk to (Daboll) about that.”
"I started getting the ball when it's 30-0. What do you want me to do?"
Malik Nabers follows up when asked why he didn't have a catch until the second half: "Talk to Dabs about that" pic.twitter.com/HNHOPGXysT
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) November 24, 2024
Nabers also said the problem for the Giants has not been quarterback play, as the issues with Tommy DeVito were the same ones that existed when Daniel Jones was the starter. The former LSU star then called his team “soft as f–.”
Daboll was asked on Monday about Nabers’ comments. The coach said he has to do a better job of getting his star wideout involved in the game plan early.
“He’s a very competitive individual. You want to get the ball in his hands, and I gotta do a better job of getting the ball in his hands early,” Daboll said. “He’s a smart young guy that’s very competitive. When you lose like that, it’s a frustrating thing. But we’ve had good communication, as we always have.”
Brian Daboll says he talked with Malik Nabers after his postgame comments yesterday:
"He's a very competitive individual. You want to get the ball in his hands and I've got to do a better job of getting the ball in his hands early. He's a smart young guy who's very competitive." pic.twitter.com/jm00NZo1QS
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) November 25, 2024
Nabers, the No. 6 overall pick in this year’s draft, flashed his explosive playmaking ability early on in the season. He had two games with 100-plus receiving yards and scored 3 touchdowns through his first four contests before suffering a concussion. Nabers missed two games and has not had a 100-yard effort since returning.
The losing is obviously taking a toll on Nabers, who made his expectations very clear after the Giants changed quarterbacks.
