Giants' Daboll spoke with Nabers after postgame outburst

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll said he's spoken with Malik Nabers about the rookie receiver calling the team "soft" after Sunday's 30-7 blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

"He's a very competitive individual," Daboll said Monday, according to ESPN's Jordan Raanan. "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."

Daboll said he spoke twice with the Giants' 2024 first-round pick after Nabers criticized his teammates in postgame comments. The Giants coach didn't disclose what he told Nabers during their conversations Sunday and Monday.

"First, second quarter, I don't get the ball," Nabers said Sunday. "I mean, can't do nothing. Start getting the ball when it's 30-0. What do you want me to do?"

The LSU product finished Sunday's matchup with six receptions on nine targets for 64 yards. The standout rookie leads the Giants with 67 catches, 671 yards, and three touchdowns.

"I mean, it's just soft, man. I'm tired of going out there and losing," Nabers added.

Defensive star Dexter Lawrence echoed Nabers' criticism of the Giants, while offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor said he doesn't think everyone on the team is giving 100%.

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

Nabers confirmed Tuesday that he had a conversation with Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen. After watching film, he admitted that the team did try to get him the ball in the first half against the Bucs, but he didn't retract his postgame comments.

"I still stand by what I said. I have no regrets with what I said," Nabers told reporters, including the New York Daily News' Pat Leonard.

New York made a change at quarterback prior to last week's contest, naming Tommy DeVito its starter and releasing 2019 first-round pick Daniel Jones.

The Giants (2-9) will attempt to end their six-game losing skid on Thanksgiving Day against the Dallas Cowboys (4-7).