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Giants HC Brian Daboll deserves NFL Coach of the Year recognition
New York Giants first-year head coach Brian Daboll received a Gatorade shower following his team's 38-10 win Sunday over the Indianapolis Colts, but he deserves more than a wet jacket. He deserves the NFL Coach of the Year award.
With the win, the Giants clinched their first playoff berth since 2016 and first with Daniel Jones at QB.
The Giants are going back to the playoffs and Brian Daboll got a bath pic.twitter.com/vtsgfQWoSW
— Talkin’ Giants (@TalkinGiants) January 1, 2023
Jones' improved play down the stretch can be credited to Daboll's consistent, careful and tough coaching style.
He has held Jones and others accountable week-in and week-out, promoting the growth of his young quarterback and the team as a whole.
This moment between Brian Daboll and Daniel Jones was important early in the season — Daboll has held DJ accountable every week and taught him through toughness but has hyped him up when he succeeds.
— Alex Wilson (@AlexWilsonESM) December 23, 2022
Signs of a great leader — his players listen and respond well pic.twitter.com/VDDsciqY42
The Giants earned their playoff spot by listening to their leader and overcoming the obstacles that plagued them earlier in the season. Daboll balances criticism and praise perfectly within his locker room.
Brian Daboll is obviously VERY upset about that fumble, gives Slayton some words on the sideline #NYG pic.twitter.com/Ms7RpzcIrl
— Alex Wilson (@AlexWilsonESM) January 1, 2023
I wish my Fiance looked at me the way Brian Daboll looks at Daniel Jones pic.twitter.com/eUon1AqclX
— Alex Wilson (@AlexWilsonESM) January 1, 2023
Supporting good play and punishing bad play is what good coaches do. Daboll just seems to do it better than the rest.
Giants running back Saquon Barkley thinks the choice is clear for Coach of the Year.
Saquon Barkley was asked if he thinks Brian Daboll will be Coach of the Year:
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) January 1, 2023
"I think so" pic.twitter.com/LVscskarsG
Former Coach of the Year frontrunner Nick Sirianni and his Eagles have slipped recently, creating an opening for Daboll. The Week 18 game between the Giants and Eagles could determine Coach of the Year.
In addition to Sirianni, former favorites Robert Saleh of the Jets and Kevin O’Connell of the Vikings have also slipped down the stretch, diminishing their hopes of winning the award.
Jacksonville’s Doug Pederson is also making a case for the award, and may be the last coach standing in Daboll's way.
Doug Pederson should be the NFL Coach Of The Year pic.twitter.com/Wn0G4LKI14
— Jamal St. Cyr (@JStCyrTV) December 23, 2022
A Week 18 win against the Titans would cement the Jaguars atop the AFC South, and give them their first playoff berth since 2017.
The former Super Bowl-winning head coach could snatch the award from Daboll in the season’s final week.
Regardless, Daboll has proven to be one of the best coaches in the NFL this season.
More must-reads:
- Giants clinch playoff berth after clobbering Colts
- Giants break funny 'curse' by officially clinching playoff berth
- The 'New York Giants home stadiums' quiz
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Chicago Bears looking at bringing back familiar face at running back
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Trade proposal: 49ers bolster running back depth amid injuries
The San Francisco 49ers recently attempted to trade for Houston Texans wide receiver John Metchie III but were beaten out by the Philadelphia Eagles, who reportedly made a stronger offer. Wide receiver remains a pressing need for the 49ers, with Deebo Samuel gone and Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, and Jordan Watkins all working their way back from injuries. However, Bleacher Report's Moe Moton argues that another position may need immediate attention—running back. He floated five potential trade packages for Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr., who, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, is being shopped around the league. Robinson has been a reliable starter, appearing in 41 games with 37 starts over three NFL seasons. He's rushed for 2,329 yards (4.1 yards per carry), caught 65 passes for 587 yards, and scored 20 total touchdowns (15 rushing, five receiving), per Pro Football Reference. Interestingly, Moton compared Robinson's value to former 49ers running back Jordan Mason, who was traded to the Minnesota Vikings in March. In his hypothetical scenario, San Francisco would send 2026 fourth- and sixth-round draft picks to Washington in exchange for Robinson, giving the 49ers proven depth behind star running back Christian McCaffrey. "Head coach Kyle Shanahan expects Isaac Guerendo to miss a few weeks with a shoulder injury," Moton noted. "Going back to last year, he's missed time because of minor injuries. Rookie fifth-rounder Jordan James underwent surgery on a broken finger." Additionally, two running backs suffered injuries this past weekend against the Las Vegas Raiders. Patrick Taylor will miss time with a dislocated shoulder, and Corey Kiner is out after sustaining a high-ankle sprain. San Francisco recently signed veteran running back Jeff Wilson Jr., who rejoins the team he started his NFL career with after a three-year stint with the Miami Dolphins. Wilson scored a touchdown against the Raiders in his first game back. "If the 49ers want to lighten Christian McCaffrey's workload, they must add a durable running back to the rotation," Moton added. "Robinson can grind out yards between the tackles, which would allow McCaffrey to stay fresh for the length of the regular season." Ultimately, whether San Francisco makes a move for Robinson—or any other running back—will depend on how quickly Guerendo, James, and the rest of the injured backs can return to action.
Russell Westbrook already made his biggest free-agency mistake
A first-ballot Hall of Famer whenever he decides to hang it up, Russell Westbrook has long been revered as one of the NBA's premier point guards, both with his aggressive play and infectious energy. Despite the former MVP's impressive resume, though, he remains unsigned nearly two months after free agency opened on June 30. It's no secret that Westbrook is no longer an All-Star-caliber player, but it's certainly jarring to see his name alongside the summer's other leftovers. Over the last two seasons, Russ has willingly accepted a bench role and shown his ability to contribute even without being the offense's focal point. He finished top-10 in Sixth Man of the Year voting with both the Los Angeles Clippers in 2023-24 and the Denver Nuggets in 2024-25. The Nuggets may have been Westbrook's most seamless fit since the 36-year-old left the Oklahoma City Thunder, which brings us to the key mistake he made this offseason: He decided to bet on himself when his career was trending south. It's understandable why Westbrook decided to decline his player option with Denver. $3.5 million is pocket change relative to today's NBA salaries, so it's possible the nine-time All-Star expected to land a bigger payday on name brand alone. But that's no longer the case with Westbrook. The Nuggets, like several teams before them, took a chance on Westbrook, whose play has been nothing short of a wild card in recent years. Alongside Nikola Jokic, though, he found success operating off-ball by utilizing his natural explosiveness, a sensible calling card for one of basketball history's most athletic playmakers. It seemed like the perfect spot for Westbrook to finish out his career. Instead, he has continued to seek out a more lucrative deal with a team that is looking to give him more offensive freedom. While the Sacramento Kings and New York Knicks are both reportedly interested in adding his services, neither team can offer both a higher salary and an expanded role. It also seems unlikely that Westbrook will find a more seamless fit for himself than what he had in Denver. Whether it's due to his erratic offensive tendencies or his relentless determination to involve himself in every action, it's easy to see why teams have to talk themselves into Westbrook at this point in his career. It appears that Russ will finally be picked up soon, but the damage has already been done. The two-time scoring champion already gave up his best chance at winning a title once he departed from Denver.
Packers HC bothered by rookie's 'unacceptable' behavior during preseason game
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