It’s official, the New York Giants have hired a new special teams coordinator. NYG’s social media team shared an update on X, naming former New York Jets assistant Michael Ghobrial as the pick.According to Giants.com, Ghobrial just completed his third season as a special teams contributor after originally joining the New York Jets as part of Robert Saleh’s first roster (2021).Prior to that, he spent five seasons as an ST coordinator at the college level. Ghobrial worked with former NFL linebacker Leon Washington on the Jets, learning from longtime NYJ coordinator Brant Boyer, who is respected around the league.Ghobrial was also “recently selected to coach the Eastern team’s ST unit in the upcoming East-West Shrine Bowl,” according to Associated Press writer Dennis Waszak Jr..
Giants Hire of Michael Ghobrial Called ‘Good Addition’ by Jets Reporter, Comes With Strong Resume
Following the news, SNY insider Connor Hughes — a former Jets media man who now covers both New York football teams — shared his thoughts on the hiring.”Brant Boyer is one of the best special teams coordinators in the NFL,” he noted. “Glad to see his tree take shape.”Adding: “#Jets roster always riddled with injuries, meaning Boyer continues to miss key special teams plays on offense/defense. Group [is] always good. Good addition here from the #Giants.”Pro Football Focus would agree with Hughes, ranking the Jets ST unit sixth in 2023.Boyer’s team received a slightly lower PFF grade in 2022 (14th overall), but Ghobrial finished second in his first year on the job. This season (2021), the Jets scored 91.1 as a unit. The only franchise above them was the New Orleans Saints, who had an overall rating of 91.5.Combined with PFF, FootballOutsiders.com ranked the Jets second in NFL special teams DVOA (defensive value above average) in 2021, and they were the only team in the league to finish in the top five in both punt return and kick return. back season average Returner Braxton Berrios was awarded an All-Pro nod, but the entire unit recognized those accomplishments.Other special teams players were also successful under Boyer and Ghobrial.”With Ghobrial’s help, 2022 special teams captain Justin Hardee, one of the NFL’s top special teams kickers since entering the league (in 2017), was selected to his first Pro Bowl after posting one of his season- top 14 tackles,” Giants com worried..
As Giants head coach Brian Daboll adds to his new staff, one common theme has been the casualness of personnel — and that’s not meant in a negative way. 4,444 4,444 No Big Blue employee had any prior exposure to Daboll, which is rare in the NFL. You’ll usually see trainers bring old friends and trusted allies. But as New York Post reporter Ryan Dunleavy noted, “[Ghobrial is] the second person Daboll has hired who he’s never worked with before.”Dunleavy added that Daboll “remains to talk about the interview process again.”Now is that a good thing or a bad thing? Honestly, it could go either way.In a way, you can thank Daboll for his openness during this process. The best candidate – in the Giants’ opinion – got the job and was not recommended by the NYG head coach.In another sense, organizational leaks usually occur when there is a lack of loyalty among employees. It is too early to say whether any of these fresh faces will eventually join Daboll, but there is a risk that an outsider will be brought in..
