Welcome back to the Buffalo Bread Podcast. I
am your host Dan Roberts. We are continuing our
Bye Week series here as the Bills Maybe gloriously
don't play this Sunday after a rough two game
stretch. We got a chance to check in with our
friend Mike Kajowski, a .k .a. Mr. Brightside.
Give us a positive take on our last episode about
where he feels like the Bills stand. And now
we're going to check in with another one of our
illustrious guest co -host, one Logan DeLutis.
Logan, as you may remember from our preseason
series, an avid Giants fan. We made the promise
to him earlier in that episode that once Jackson
Dart got the start, we would bring him back on
the pod. And it just so happens the bills don't
have football, the Giants do this weekend. So
I thought it'd be a great time to bring Logan
back and talk about how he's feeling about the
G -Men and their new potentially generational
game changer and Jackson Dart. Logan, how you
doing today, sir? I'm doing good. It's a pleasure
to be back. Awesome, man. It's great to have
you back. And listen, as I alluded to, we had
promised to bring you back when the the Dart
era began for the New York Giants. I just don't
think you and I thought it was going to be this
soon. We had actually talked about in that last
episode you were on, you know, when is a good
time to roll with Dart? Because the offensive
line was still looking a little bit shaky outside
of outside of a couple of key pieces on offense.
It didn't really look like the scheme was going
to be well tailored to him. And I mean, you had
a murderers row for a schedule particularly in
the beginning of the year. So we both thought
like week 10, maybe week 11, but here we are
rolling into week seven. Dart has three games
under his belt, two wins as a starter. And it
also looks like he has found his soulmate and
cam scatter boot too, which we will talk about
a little bit as well. So here we are. You've
got a QB that has more wins than losses since
he entered the league in Jackson Dart. Tell me
a little bit. I know it's a small sample size,
Logan, but what has Dart done so far that has
impressed you the most early on? I think he's
just continued what he did in the preseason.
I think we kind of touched on this in the previous
podcast I was a part of. He's just made overall,
for the most part, smart decisions with the football.
I think you see a lot of times with these rookie
QBs, these early in the NFL QBs, they want to
make these big plays, especially the ones that
know they can, like a Jackson Dart. He did it
a lot of his college career. He made these big
flashy plays. I don't think he's trying to force
it too much in the NFL. I think he knows he's
got to take what he can get, capitalize on what
he can capitalize on. And I think he's doing
that. And I think it's helping him a lot more
than hurting him. And that's kind of what I've
seen a lot out of him. That's what I saw a lot
of in the preseason. And that's kind of what
I was hoping to see when he eventually, you know,
came onto the scene in the regular season. Like
he kind of said, I didn't think it'd be this
soon, but he's here. And I think he's just continued
to make smart decisions. I agree with you and
I think that's the thing that's stood out to
me too and it bears in some of the numbers that
he's put up early on here as he has entered the
league kind of taking the the city and the league
in itself by storm. One of the big things that
I think is a is a difference maker for him is
his pressure right now. The offensive line has
improved its play. Andrew Thomas, who we'll get
to in a little bit, his return to the lineup
couldn't have been better timed for Dart to get
his first starting action as well. But right
now, I mean, he is a quarterback that's benefited
from one of the top 10 lowest pressure rates
in the league. He's getting the ball out quick,
but not too quick and to your point. He's not
forcing it making dumb decisions down the field.
He's he is air yards per target is sitting in
the top 10 through three games amongst all qualifying
starting QBs. But to your point, not a lot of
turnover worthy throws making good decisions
with a ball. He seems to have this innate understanding
of knowing when the defense take what the defense
is giving to him. And then also when to push
the ball downfield made all the more impressive
to me and the fact that you guys don't have neighbors
in the lineup. And I think Kafka is doing him
a lot of favors too, taking advantage of this
new found running attack that you guys have with
Kam Scadaboo to really spam play action. I always
love it. When you see a first time rookie QB,
I have an offensive coordinator that just knows
how to hit the easy button within the scheme
and give them some, some easy stuff to hit. And
Kafka's doing that with play action. As of right
now, Jackson Dart is benefiting from a 30 .6
% play action rate on all plays called. That's
good for fourth highest in the league, sucking
in a lot of linebackers, making the middle of
the field open for them. And this is the piece
that I want to talk to you about. It seems like.
The Giants wide receivers are finding space and
Kafka is playing around with a lot of fun configurations
that he wasn't able to do with Russell Wilson.
How surprised are you based on what you saw through
the first few games of the season with Wilson
versus what you're seeing now with Dart? How
surprised are you that the Giants have so quickly
tailored the scheme to what he does best? I think
they had it in their back pocket because I think
they knew this day was coming. Um, they were
kind of, you know, the rumor mill was kind of
spinning with dark first, you know, had his first
start against the chargers that they were prepared
for this all along. They were practicing with
him and running a scheme, running a scheme that
was around him all along. Um, so I think, you
know, to the, to Mike Kafka and Brian Dable's
credit, I think they knew this day would probably
come. And I think they had a scheme pre -built
for Jackson Dart because obviously as everyone
knows, Russell Wilson and Jackson Dart are completely
different quarterbacks. Obviously Jackson Dart
liking to use his legs a lot more. Russell Wilson
can still use his legs, but he doesn't go to
it as often as Jackson obviously does. But again,
to answer your question, I think they had this
built. for Jackson Dart from the beginning. I
think everyone kind of had in their back of the
mind that Jackson Dart was coming eventually.
And again, I give Brian Dable and Mike Kafka
a lot of credit for being ready when he did come.
And it wasn't trying to force him into a scheme
that Russell Wilson was running that ultimately
didn't work for his play style. Cause we've kind
of seen that in the past with with Giants QBs
and I'll bring it up because a lot of people
have asked me Daniel Jones being one of them.
We had a scheme that didn't work for Daniel Jones.
And of course, part of it was, you know, the
offensive line and he was pressured all the time,
but he's an indie now with a scheme that works
for him and he's balling and I'm happy to see
it for him. So yeah, a lot of credit to the coaches
for being ready for when Jackson Dart eventually
came onto the scene. Absolutely. And I think
Russell Wilson, where he's at at the stage of
his career too, there were some natural limiting
factors, I think, that forced Dable and Kafka
really should not be able to open up the full
playbook for him. But when you look at the athletic
tools that Dart brings to the table, some of
this QB read option stuff that they want to do,
although I wish they would put him a little bit
less in harm's, Dart in harm's way sometimes,
but it feels like the playbook is fully open.
It doesn't feel like they're, doesn't feel like
they're hiding any. feels like they've got this
innate amount of trust in him already so early
on to really execute the vision of the offense
as they see fit. So, I mean, for Dayball particularly,
and we'll get to him at the end of this too,
but for a coach on the hot seat, it's got to
feel good to have your signal caller in the huddle
be someone who can execute your vision of the
offense for sure. Speaking of the offense, we
had mentioned Malik neighbors has been out of
action. going to be missing him for the remainder
of the season, which makes so much of the sufficiency
in the passing game to me, Logan, all that much
more impressive. That being said. You are now
on the rookie QB window. And what a lot of teams
tend to do is they tend to build out from that
by signing some veterans to bigger contracts.
You now have opened up a range with salary cap
space, having a rookie QB will give you to sign
some like middle -class veterans that really
elevate the floor of this roster as well. And
you know, it sounds like based on a lot of rumors
on the interwebs that the giants are not willing
to wait till the off season to make a lot of
that happen. Word is that they are big game hunting,
especially this year with Malik neighbors being
down for a wide receiver. Names that have been
bandied about are Jalen Waddle out of Miami,
though I'm not sure Miami with all the dead cap
they would absorb could move him, but I'm a Bills
fan. We moved Stefan Diggs and we ate it, so
who knows? Chris Olave, Rashid Shahid, both in
the New Orleans Saints products, maybe a Jacobi
Myers. Do you think the Giants will trade for
a wide receiver one? And do you think that helps
this team make a playoff push? Or as a fan, now
kind of on the precipice of this new era, would
you prefer that they just keep the draft capital
and keep building the old fashioned way? Yeah,
I think first talking about will they do it.
I think it's a 50 -50 shot that they do trade
for a receiver. You know, we've talked about
this before. I had wished that Wayne got a receiver
in the off season to pair with Malik Neighbors.
Now that Malik Neighbors is unfortunately out
for the year, and you can kind of see I'm paying
homage to him with the jersey I have on. But
I think it's kind of a moot point now to go and
get a receiver when you can't really pair him
with Malik Neighbors. Yes, I of course would
love to see, you know, a Chris Olavi, a Waddle
with the Giants. But then there's a part of me
that would love to see them opposite Malik neighbors
and bringing them to their full potential with
the Giants. I think Dart and the offensive operated
well with the receivers they have. I mean, he
went out and played a phenomenal game against
the Eagles with A couple of guys we brought up
from the practice squad that stepped up big,
um, one being little Jordan Humphrey. He stepped
up huge. Um, I don't really see a need for us
to go make a splash with receiver. Um, I, I think
if, if we were, I would see how the next couple
of weeks go. And if we can win the next couple
of weeks and put ourselves at the top end of
the NFC East and you know, we're really looking
bright enough to where, okay, maybe. The division's
kind of wide open. The Eagles are kind of struggling
a little bit, uh, to really, you know, kind of
blow teams out as they have in the past. Games
are a little competitive with teams against the
Eagles. Um, the Cowboys defense obviously is
giving up a ton of points and if their offense
doesn't produce, it's ultimately a loss for them
kind of. Um, and the commanders as of now are
looking a little shaky. So. I don't want to say
that NFC East is open, but again, if the Giants
can win the next couple games and kind of get
in the mix, then maybe, okay, it's like, oh wow,
we actually have a chance to make the playoffs
this year. Do we maybe go get a receiver to kind
of make that push? Again, I don't think anyone
was expecting us to really push for the playoffs
this year. I think with how Shane has drafted
in the past, I would prefer to keep the draft
capital. I've always been a Shane fan when it
comes to our drafts. I think he's done a good
job so far with our drafts and getting players
we needed to fill out our roster. I think I'd
more so like to keep the draft capital. And if,
you know, we end the season with a not great
record, we get a high draft pick. Maybe it's
bad enough to where we can snag a guy like Jeremiah
Smith or Ryan Williams high in the draft and
now have that guy across from Malik neighbors
on a rookie contract rather than a guy like Waddle
who's got a lot of money associated with him.
Chris Olave, despite his concussion issues, you
know, was still a good receiver in the league
and would demand money. You ultimately have to
sign Malik neighbors. at some point to an extension.
I think it's just a bigger picture of the roster
that they have to consider. And is it really
the time now to go make a splash for a playoff
push? Yeah, and you bring up a really good point.
I think the temptation for a GM... I agree with
you. Before I say anything else, I agree with
you. I think... Given the stage that the Giants
are in this rebuild, the draft capital is super
important. And they have positions of need that
the next couple of drafts in 26 and 27 are really
going to, they're going to have some options
for them that are going to fill those needs.
I think the only thing, and you kind of, you
kind of did such a good job of laying out with
the landscape of the NFC East looks like right
now. The only thing you got to keep in the back
of your mind if you're a Giants fan is that you've
got a GM. and a co head coach that are basically
sort of kind of playing for their jobs this year.
Right. And if they feel like they're a Chris
alive a rental away from getting to the playoffs
and what looks like a severely weakened NFC East.
I do wonder if the temptation of now and getting
that security now bucks what you and I think
both agree would be the more reasonable, rational,
long term view to take, which would be keep the
draft capital and build that way, right? So super
interesting to see how you guys proceed with
all that. One of the areas of need you guys don't
have is tackle, specifically with Andrew Thomas,
his return dude could not have been better timed
for when you guys rolled out Jackson Dart. And
Thomas is absolutely owning Everyone that goes
up against him off the edge. He is currently
recording then a 95 % pass block win rate according
to ESPN Which is good for sixth in the league
amongst qualifying tackles How do you think Thomas's
performance has helped darts early success? I
think it's been a tremendous help to his success
Andrew Thomas has played and provided what every
fan coach quarterback wants for being a tackle
that protects your blind side. And that's obviously
to win against guys off the edge and keep you
from being on the turf. Andrew Thomas has of
course done a great job in doing so, as you mentioned.
And I think Andrew Thomas is kind of the glue
to this offensive line. I think Andrew Thomas
is not only... shown that he's playing at an
elevated level, but I think he's also bringing
the rest of the line up with him in his return.
We kind of saw the line looking a little lost
at the beginning when Russ was under center and,
you know, there were a lot of questions as if
the line with all the improvements that Shane
has made is that the offensive line is old of
old where. They can't really keep the quarterback
protected. Russ looked like he had no time to
sit in the pocket at times. You know, was it
going to be another year where our quarterback
just gets killed all the time and we can't get
the ball out? But it seems like with Andrew Thomas
returning that he's kind of brought that line
back together. And I mean, not only Andrew Thomas,
but I think the rest of the offensive line has
played an extremely elevated level. that you
kind of mentioned earlier, they're top in the
league right now as far as allowing pressure.
And that's something we've struggled with for
years. And it's an important thing to limit when
you have a rookie quarterback that's trying to
get his feet under him and just perform at a
somewhat high level and keep the team competitive.
Because I think... At the end of the day, that's
what people wanted with Jackson Dart when he
finally came in is no one was expecting him to
come in and start blowing teams out and throw
for a 100 plus passer rating a game and three
touchdowns a game. He just wanted to keep the
Giants competitive because we knew we had the
defense to keep teams out of the end zone and
out of scoring. And people just wanted him, myself
being one of those people, wanted him to just
keep us in games and make smart decisions. I
think a lot of credit to the, to the success
of this line is to Andrew Thomas. Cause I think
without him, they kind of seem a little lost
and he's kind of that glue that brings them together.
And along with that, again, keeping Jackson Dar
on his feet and able to push the ball downfield
and make these throws and even have the ability
to move out of the pocket and, and extend plays.
Cause that's important as well. And you see a
lot. the elite quarterbacks and you know, I'll
speak on your your own quarterback Josh Allen
having a line that allows him to Extend plays
when needed instead of you know, nothing's there
and now they're panicking and now they're they're
sacked So it's been a great thing to see this
line come together It's been great to have Andrew
Thomas back and you know, I kind of hope it it
stays that way Yeah, man. I hope for the Sagir
squad. It does too. JJ talks about this all the
time. The importance of not just talent on the
offensive line, but continuity, communication,
chemistry. He calls it this preternatural sense
to know that the man next to you is going to
have his assignment so that you can go a hundred
percent on your assignment. And it does feel
like That Thomas has been that force multiplier
for your guys offensive line and given you something
you really haven't had in the day ball era Which
is functional offensive line play at the point
of attack I mean you guys are competitive in
the trenches in both the run game and in the
pass program game in a way that you just haven't
it feels like yeah And it feels like and I don't
want to I don't want to get too money or you
hope so But like you know the Giants still got
a ways to go, but it feels like a lot of stuff
around the scheme the personnel the continuity,
the chemistry at various levels is all coming
together at just the right time. And sir, it
may be at just the right time to save the aforementioned
Joe Shane and Brian Dayball from hitting the
unemployment line this summer. I know there's
a lot of football left, but give me your take.
What do you, do you think Shane, even if the
season finishes like six and 10, seven and nine,
like whatever it's gonna, or seven and 10, eight
and nine, nine and eight, whatever it's gonna
be. Do you feel like Shane has done enough to
keep his job past this year? I think he has.
I've always been a fan of Shane. I've never thought
for the most part that the Giants' walls have
been on Shane. I think, again, as I mentioned
earlier, I think he drafts to fill out this roster.
I don't think he makes... You know, a lot of
questionable draft picks. Of course, the one
thing that will always loom over his head is
the decision about Saquon Barkley. But now the
big thing is, is, you know, we have Kam Skadabu
is playing at such a high level now. Does that,
does that dark cloud over his head kind of dissipate
because we have a guy now that's playing at such
a high level. And right now. Statistically is
playing at a higher level in some stats than
Saquon Barkley. In many, in many metrics he is,
yeah. Yeah, and watching a lot of the Eagles
games, Saquon struggled to get a lot of space
in the run game and run the ball effectively
where Escadu hasn't. So, you know, maybe that
dark cloud for fans kind of, and even, you know,
Mara kind of disappears and, you know, they kind
of... Put that to the side and they focus on,
okay, he's done well at building out our roster,
making the right decisions. I think there's a
couple other big decisions he can make that can
help this team. So I think despite our record
this year, if the Giants can remain competitive,
not lose games they shouldn't lose. Unfortunately,
the Santa was a game I thought we shouldn't have
lost and we did, but stay competitive. I think
Shane will be fine. Dable on the other hand.
Yeah, it's okay. This is a safe space. I don't
know with him. I think Mara got into the point
where he's a little fed up with him. I know this
is the big topic with Dayball now is his outburst
with the medical staff and what that's portrayed
to the league and the NFLPA and what's going
on with that and early rumors where he might
even see a suspension for it because the league
of course is so big around player safety and
the perception was now he's putting Jackson Dard
in a risk of getting hurt. I don't know, because
obviously it's been rough sledding with, with
Dable at the helm. Um, I think he made the right
decision this year. And I think we, we touched
on it in, in our first podcast together is him
giving the, the offense back, um, to CAFKA, which
obviously again has proved to be a benefit. Um,
but I think Mara just kind of has gotten to.
a limit with him. Um, I, I'm not sure no matter
how good the Giants do, if, if Dable can, can
remain the head coach. Um, I just don't know
if, if he is the guy. Yeah, I love his energy.
Yeah, I love the fire he brings to the team,
but you know, there's been times this year already
where I questioned a lot of decisions he's made,
you know, early games in the year. where we're
fourth down and deep in the red zone and we're
going for it and it's just an atrocious play.
We turn the ball over and now we go later in
the game and those three points are the difference
and another drive that could potentially win
us the game. You know, I think a lot of that
happened a lot in our game against the Chiefs.
Dallas was another one where we kick a field
goal on one drive. We're not even worried about
overtime and it's decisions like that where,
you know, part of you is like, you love the confidence
and then you get to the end of the game and you're
like, all right, what the hell? Like, what were
we thinking? Go get the points, especially in
the first quarter. Like there's no reason in
the first quarter not take points, especially
against a division rival, especially against
a team that's so strong like the Chiefs. So I
think the things have just piled up with Dable
where I think Mara is kind of over it and he's
ready to move on. But again, I think Shane may
be safe no matter what. But it'll definitely
be interesting to see because it's been a topic
of conversation after every year with Dable,
whether he's safe or not. I'm interested to see
as anyone what we're going to do. Yeah, same.
And listen, as Bill's fan, we owe a lot to Dayball
and everything he did for Allen's development,
the development of that offense, helping to turn
that team into what it is today. That dude's
never going to have to pay for a beer. anywhere
in Buffalo or the Orchard Park area. But that
being said, I wouldn't want him as the head coach
of my team. He just brings too much baggage to
the table, I think, at this stage in the game.
I think, too, there's a lot of guys you see in
the NFL who are just better off as coordinators.
One example I'd always think of is Cliff Kingsbury
with the commanders. He tried to coach the Cardinals.
It wasn't pretty. He's back with the commanders
now as their OC and he's absolutely thriving
and he calls one of the better offensive schemes
in the league with Jaden Daniels. And maybe that's
the calling for Dable. Maybe he goes and finds
another home as an OC. And I don't wish any ill
will on Dable as a coach. I wish him all the
success he brought us to the playoffs one year.
Obviously I'm hoping he can do it again this
year. But I think there there could be some obviously
possible good coaching candidates coming out
of this year There's always a decent pool of
candidates coming out. So You know again, it'll
definitely be interesting to see what what Mara
decides to do. Yeah 100 % All right. We are close
coming close to the end of our time here Logan
I do want to get your prediction sure to go wrong
for your guys Turns out to be big game against
the Broncos this weekend. But before we do that,
you're an avid fantasy football guy you're involved
in one of the most competitive leagues I think
I have ever encountered. Tell me a little bit
about how fantasy is going for you this year
in your league and are there any tips, tricks
or advice that you want to give our listeners
as we embark here on the second third of the
season? As much as I hate to say it, fantasy
so far this year has been rough for me. I came
out of the draft projected by Yahoo to go 13
and one and win the league I Can most definitely
say I will not be going 13 and one winning the
leagues obvious question But it's it's been rough
for me. I was very confident with my roster to
start the year You know, it's the ebbs and flows
of fantasy football Can guess and predict how
a guy's going to do and how a team's going to
play, um, all you want pre -season and things
just will not go that way. And I've had a lot
of that. Um, the Von Aishan, the Dolphins offense
looks putrid. Terrible. Early on, they failed
to give him the ball a lot. Ali Gordon was getting
a lot of work. So that, that hasn't helped the
Raiders offense. I have Jacoby Myers, another
one. offense looks horrible. The Ravens, another
one, the whole team looks lost. So it's been
rough. My team actually put up its year high
in points and just shy of 150 last week. So that
was a great feeling. So I'm hoping to keep that
momentum going into this week. But yeah, it's
been rough. I'm trying to stay away from the
one chip challenge. I'm ninth in the league right
now, I think out of 12. So, um, tips and tricks.
Oh, I don't know if I'm the, the one to say this.
Go back, go back in auto -draft. Obviously as
a lot of fantasy football players, no waiver
wires. He, um, I was fortunate enough to pick
up, come out even doll last week. And although
I didn't start him, he was a, he obviously played
very well. And obviously I actually traded them
this week for a couple of smaller pieces that
I think can help my team with that. So, waiver
wire is key to winning championships always.
live by that because there's always gems on the
waiver wire every year. Very nice, man. I that
I mean, that's sage advice. I'm still playing
my degenerate gambler daily fantasy stuff, right?
So I mean, your tips and tricks and will be lost
on me because I'm just basically refreshing my
team every week. Much to little effect, right?
I would actually kill to be nine out of 12 given
where I'm at this year with that. But yeah. All
right, man. Well, listen, best of luck. Hopefully
it turns around for you before we let you go.
Y 'all got a big one, right? And I think this
is a game that's going to determine a lot of
what you guys do at the trade deadline. If you
guys take down the Broncos, I think you do maybe
make a play for a wide receiver and just hell
with it. Go all in and try to make a playoff
push and a surprising vulnerable division. But
the Broncos, that's a tall task while Bo Nix
is maybe not what a lot of people thought he
was at the beginning of the season. That defense
certainly is that Broncos defense is legit. And
it's going to be the biggest test I think this
this revitalized offensive line of yours, and
this new rookie sensation QB are going to have
faced. So give it to us quick here, sir. What's
your score prediction? How do you think this
is going to unfold for your G men? Both score
prediction. I'm going to go 21 -17 Giants. Damn.
All right. Now you got to give us details. Close
game. Obviously, I think there's going to be
points. But I think defenses are obviously going
to reign in this game. I think 21 is the high
end of the points scored. I think it's two great
defenses with two great pass rushes going at
each other. I think it's just going to be a matter
of which defense breaks first. and who can find
a weak point in each other's defense. Broncos
are obviously the cream of the crop when it comes
to defenses this year. So like you said, interesting
to see how this line will hold up. They're great
at getting to the QB. I believe they're first
in sacks in the league right now, in part to
a huge game they had last week. So obviously
they're secondary with Pats or Tan as Phenomenal
so like you said it'll be a big test on the offensive
side and the defensive side. I like you said
well next hasn't lived up to what a lot of people
thought he was going to be at the beginning of
the year but their offense is still dangerous
they still have dangerous pieces so. I'm excited
and I like you said it'll be a huge game to kind
of decide what the rest of our year looks like.
Yeah, man for sure for sure Listen Logan as always.
Thank you for the time I will be rooting for
your G men this week because every time an AFC
AFC playoff contender loses a game Bills mafia
Super Bowl hopes gets its wings So I'll definitely
be rooting for you Giants this weekend But thank
you again sir for your time much appreciated
and as always for all of you listening at home
Like, share and subscribe wherever you get your
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And as always, go Bills.