Giants coach Mike Kafka has taken over as interim head coach after Brian Daboll was fired earlier this week. Kafka's background is in quarterbacks coaching and offensive coordination, but he's now tasked with fixing the team's struggling defense.
Kafka's approach to tackling the defensive woes is different from his predecessor. Rather than making drastic changes, he's focused on refining the existing scheme and personnel. "We've got the same scheme, same coordinator," linebacker Bobby Okereke said. Everything is pretty much the same as far as the game plan.
To ensure the defense remains cohesive, Kafka has been spending time with the players, evaluating everything from scheme to personnel and different situations. He's also focused on improving communication among the defensive line, inside linebackers, and secondary.
The new defensive coordinator, Shane Bowen, has taken responsibility for the unit's poor performance. "There's a responsibility that falls on me," Bowen said. We haven't been good enough defensively, particularly closing out games. Evaluating everything — scheme, personnel, different situations. We have to find ways to win these games and not give it up in the fourth."
Bowen's loyalty to Daboll is clear. "We don't know if it's going to be anything drastic," he said. The major emphasis for us is finding ways to be at our best when it matters most.
As Kafka settles into his new role, fans will be watching closely to see how the team performs on the field. With several defensive starters listed on the injury report, Sunday's game against the Packers could prove to be a test of the new coach's mettle.
Despite the challenges ahead, Giants players seem supportive of Kafka's approach. "When you look at what we've done on defense, it's just continuing the mindset throughout the whole game," safety Dane Belton said. There's nothing we have to do that's out of our realm — or something we haven't done yet. Whatever Kafka relays to Shane, we're on board as long as we're able to attack and finish the fourth quarter.
The Giants' next step will be to regroup and refocus after a tumultuous season. With Kafka at the helm, fans are left wondering what's next for Big Blue.
Kafka's approach to tackling the defensive woes is different from his predecessor. Rather than making drastic changes, he's focused on refining the existing scheme and personnel. "We've got the same scheme, same coordinator," linebacker Bobby Okereke said. Everything is pretty much the same as far as the game plan.
To ensure the defense remains cohesive, Kafka has been spending time with the players, evaluating everything from scheme to personnel and different situations. He's also focused on improving communication among the defensive line, inside linebackers, and secondary.
The new defensive coordinator, Shane Bowen, has taken responsibility for the unit's poor performance. "There's a responsibility that falls on me," Bowen said. We haven't been good enough defensively, particularly closing out games. Evaluating everything — scheme, personnel, different situations. We have to find ways to win these games and not give it up in the fourth."
Bowen's loyalty to Daboll is clear. "We don't know if it's going to be anything drastic," he said. The major emphasis for us is finding ways to be at our best when it matters most.
As Kafka settles into his new role, fans will be watching closely to see how the team performs on the field. With several defensive starters listed on the injury report, Sunday's game against the Packers could prove to be a test of the new coach's mettle.
Despite the challenges ahead, Giants players seem supportive of Kafka's approach. "When you look at what we've done on defense, it's just continuing the mindset throughout the whole game," safety Dane Belton said. There's nothing we have to do that's out of our realm — or something we haven't done yet. Whatever Kafka relays to Shane, we're on board as long as we're able to attack and finish the fourth quarter.
The Giants' next step will be to regroup and refocus after a tumultuous season. With Kafka at the helm, fans are left wondering what's next for Big Blue.
I'm intrigued by Mike Kafka taking over as head coach 
... it's definitely an interesting move considering his background in QB coaching and not defensive expertise 
. But hey, he seems to be refining the existing scheme instead of making drastic changes 
. The fact that Shane Bowen is still loyal to Daboll despite being new in charge kinda raises some eyebrows 
... will we see any real changes or just tweaks? 
... how's this gonna affect their chances against the Packers on Sunday? 
. Big Blue's next step will be crucial in determining whether they can turn things around 
... fingers crossed! 
. Mike Kafka's focus on refining the existing scheme and personnel makes sense, but you gotta wonder if that's enough to turn things around 
. The injury report is already looking tough, so Sunday's game against the Packers is gonna be a big test 
. We'll just have to wait and see how this all plays out... 
but i gotta say, i'm kinda feelin' good about kafee takin over as interim head coach 
he seems like the kinda guy who's all about buildin on what u already got, not makin drastic changes 
especially when its da defense that's strugglin 
. i hope he can get dem players focused & communicatin better 
'n see some wins on da board 
can he still make changes or is he stuck in the past? only time will tell i guess 
Fingers crossed that it pays off!
, anyway, gotta give it up for bowen though, taking responsibility for his unit's performance is a big step... and the way kafka is focusing on refining the existing scheme and personnel makes sense to me, not gonna change everything overnight, but gettin' the pieces right first might just do the trick 
.
especially with Bowen stepping up as coordinator 
the injury report is gonna be tough tho Sunday's game against the packers better watch out 
. It's not easy being in that spot, especially when there are people counting on you. But hey, at least he's acknowledging his role and wanting to improve 
. If they can't even finish games in the fourth quarter, that says a lot about their mental toughness 
it's not like they can just change everything overnight 
... or make drastic changes for the sake of change 
... and Bowen's loyalty to daboll is pretty cool 
... especially with the injury report on Sunday's game against the packers 
. This could be an interesting test for both the team and the new coach