Giants' Daboll talks with Nabers after WR's rant

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New York Giants coach Brian Daboll spoke with Malik Nabers Sunday night and again Monday morning after the rookie wide receiver expressed his frustration following Sunday's 30-7 blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Nabers questioned why he didn't get targeted in the first half and until the Giants were down 30-0.

"He's a very competitive individual," Daboll said Monday on a conference call, three days before the Giants play again on Thanksgiving against the Dallas Cowboys. "Again, you want to get the ball in his hands, and I got to do a better job of getting the ball in his hands early. He's a smart young guy that's very competitive. And again, when you lose like that, it's a frustrating thing. But we've had good communication as we always have."

Nabers' frustration boiled over after Sunday's loss. He was hardly alone.

But the rookie's comments directed the attention right back to his coach.

"Go out there first, second quarter, don't get the ball," Nabers said Sunday. "Start getting targets at the end. I mean, can't do that. Start getting the ball when it's 30-0. What do you want me to do?"

Nabers fished with six catches on nine targets for 64 yards -- all in the second half. He was left unsure what happened in that disastrous first half and why he didn't get the ball.

"I don't know," Nabers said. "Talk to Daboll about that."

Daboll said he'll keep the contents of his conversation with Nabers private.

It still raises bigger questions about the Giants. They were blown out off their bye week at home by a team that came in on a four-game skid. Veteran offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor didn't think everyone was giving 100%. Defensive captain Dexter Lawrence II and Nabers called their effort soft.

Daboll disputed those claims.

"The guys played hard. They played with effort," he said. "Just didn't do enough."

"He's a very competitive individual. Again, you want to get the ball in his hands, and I got to do a better job of getting the ball in his hands early. He's a smart young guy that's very competitive. And again, when you lose like that, it's a frustrating thing. But we've had good communication as we always have."

Brian Daboll, on Malik Nabers

This all comes on the heels of the Giants (2-9) benching and eventually releasing quarterback Daniel Jones. He started the first 10 games of their season.

Tommy DeVito started Sunday and took several hard hits. He left the game for a play on the final drive but returned moments later, only to take another hard hit before the final whistle.

DeVito was clearly uncomfortable and in pain after the contest. But Daboll said he is "hopeful" that DeVito will be able to start Thursday against the Cowboys.

"I'm anticipating he'll be ready to go," Daboll said.

Still, the Giants admittedly have bigger problems. It's more than just whether Jones, DeVito or Drew Lock are starting.

The Giants were outgained 450-245 on Sunday as they dropped their sixth straight game.

"Obviously, it ain't the quarterback," Nabers said Sunday. "Same outcome we had with [Jones] at quarterback. Take a look. Take a look. It ain't the quarterback."

So, what is it?

"I don't know. Everyone knows better than me. I don't know. Honestly, I don't know what it is," he said. "I know I'm tired of losing."