Malik Nabers says he has a “natural bitch face.” He is trying, whenever possible, to turn that frown upside down.
“That’s just my face, I don’t know,” Nabers said Wednesday after practice. “When you all talk to me, I look the same way every time, I don’t know, it’s just how I am, but I guess I have to smile more.”
The sideline demeanor of the second-year wide receiver is once again a topic of discussion.
Nabers between the first and second quarter of last Sunday’s season-opening 21-6 loss to the Commanders could be seen exchanging heated words with coach Brian Daboll.
Afterward, both dismissed the incident as two high-strung competitors blowing off steam.
Nabers, though, sounds as if he understands that such public displays can be misconstrued and he wants to keep his emotions more under wraps, when possible.
“I have my moments, but I had a talk with Dabes after the game, just overall sideline demeanor, myself included,” Nabers said. “I can see how it got blown out of proportion. But I had my thinking face on, that was my thinking cap. I wasn’t really focused on where I was, but I was trying to think about, who can we get to? How can we get some more plays to be made on this team? How can we score points? So, it was my face just trying to think, and I felt like the camera was just on me all the time. But I have to be more conscious of that. Whether it’s stepping out of my box and going to talk to Dabes on the side, overall just being aware of where I am, I’d probably say that’s the main key point.’’
It would be far easier for Nabers to keep his cool if his efforts led to more wins for the Giants.
He was targeted 12 times by Russell Wilson and managed to catch only five passes, for 71 yards. That lack of production is what irritated Nabers during the game and when he reviewed it afterward.
“I would look at it a little bit, get frustrated again, turn it off, sick to my stomach,” he said. “Just overall, not even saying the whole team, just my gameplay. I’m going to start with mine first because I believe I’m a key part of this offense. So, when I don’t play right, the energy is not right.”
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
