Michael Ghobrial is entering his first training camp as the New York Giants’ special teams coordinator. He is being tasked with just more than commandeering a new group — he’s also got to nail down the new kickoff rules as well.
Every team will be in the same boat, trying to figure out how to exploit the new formations as well as defend against them. Ghobrial has a plan, though. He’s not leaving any stone unturned in his preparations.
“I think when you have an open mind based off of just understanding that this game is ever evolving and regardless of what the rules are in play, your personnel,” he told reporters on Thursday. “You always have to have an open mind to change your scheme, to change how you teach things, and just be ready to understand that that’s this game. It is changing. And it’s our jobs as coaches to ultimately figure out what we could use, what we could discard, and just go from there.”
Special Teams practices are way different under Michael Ghobrial. https://t.co/jbra5HtTl7
— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) August 1, 2024
What exactly he has in store for his team and the opposition remains to be seen, but Ghobrial is poised to unleash his plans.
“I think everybody has this notion that you can do so much with this kickoff return scheme, and you’re drawing up, I mean, for example, I’ve drawn up 50 returns,” he said.
“Now, does that mean that I’ll be able to have all 50 come into action? I don’t believe so. I think, ultimately, the foundational piece of your kickoff return scheme has to start simple. I think a lot of people will be simple to start in preseason, and that will ultimately tell you how complex you can get with your scheme in a few games.”
Michael Ghobrial highlighted three special teams players in his predraft press conference:
Miles Boykin: (was asked) said he’s a tone setter who sets the example
Matthew Adams: tough interior asset on ST
Chris Manhertz: Owns his role on ST, veteran leadership
— Nick Falato (@nickfalato) August 1, 2024
Ghobrial was asked where the players were in the acclimation process of mastering the new rules.
“I think they’re in a really good spot because one of our meetings is dedicated to explaining what are the rules and what are the certain things that could come from that rule,” he said. “And we focus on one. And then the walkthroughs are really a slower tempo pace of this is what we’re trying to get accomplished on kickoff return and kickoff. Then you get into practice and they can speed it up a little bit more.”
Ghobrial went a bit further when asked to place a number on the preparedness of his units.
“1 to 10…I would say a seven. I think with everything this new rule provides, it is a challenge. It’s a challenge to coaches, it’s a challenge to players. But, these players are resilient. They are. They truly are pressing themselves to give feedback just as much as take coaching points,” he said.
Ghobrial and the Giants will get their first real taste of the new kickoff rules next Thursday night against the Detroit Lions.
