Darren Rizzi doesn't keep it a secret: He's a Jersey guy. Even when he's pretending it's not on his mind, he can't help talking about it.
Last year when he facing the Giants and Don Bosco alum Tommy DeVito, Rizzi donned a Bergen Catholic shirt -- his side of the rivalry -- in a subtle reminder of where he stands. Rizzi was ribbed subtly this week over whether he was disappointed that it'd be Drew Lock getting the start at QB this time around.
"Are you asking me the Bergen Catholic-Don Bosco question? Is that where you’re headed with that?" Rizzi said jokingly. "Come on now, just because Bergen Catholic beat Don Bosco last Friday night in Giants stadium, the state championship, we’re not gonna go down that road. Just because Bergen Catholic is the No. 1 school in the state of New Jersey this year in football and the No. 3 team in the country, we’re not gonna mention that. We’re not gonna mention that at all."
Even as he's become a part of Saints nation, Jersey will always be a part of him. That's why this week is so meaningful. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi returns home to face the team he watched and rooted for growing up. It'd be a lie to say it meant nothing, but that's where the prep comes in, because he's told his players the focus has to be on the here and now, the opponent ahead.
Now it's Rizzi's turn to live up to that mantra, even if it means turning his phone off at some point this week to mute the litany of texts and calls from family and friends.
“It’s definitely interesting, I’ve got to practice what I preach, quite frankly ... with the players," Rizzi said. "I’ve got to stay locked in. I can’t get too wrapped up in the moment.”
To his credit, players haven't noticed any difference. It might as well be any other week, based on what they've seen in practice.
"All week he’s been the same," said QB Derek Carr. "He’s been fiery, brings a lot of energy, you know, and he’s a great motivator and a great teacher and so I didn’t – I honestly didn’t think about that until right now because he was the exact same all day today.”
The homecoming might feel a bit different if not for a loss to the Rams last week that came down to the final possession and a failed 4th down play inside the 10 yard line. Rather than a shot at the lowly Giants to get on the first four-game win streak since 2020, it's a chance to get back on the winning track after the first loss since Rizzi took over as interim following the firing of Dennis Allen.
It's an important moment, but one that Rizzi thinks his team is ready for. There's been no sense of a rug getting pulled, simply another chance to roll the ball in the right direction.
"I don’t feel anything different from what I felt the last few weeks," Rizzi said. "Our guys are in a really positive space. I think the big question for us this week is how do we respond."
If they respond the right way, Rizzi will be able to celebrate the homecoming in the aftermath. If they don't, it'll just be another ugly moment in what's been a season full of ugly moments. Rizzi knows Giants head coach Brian Daboll well, having been staffers together in 2011 with the Miami Dolphins. Daboll was the OC, while Rizzi was special teams coordinator. The Giants will be ready to play in some brisk temperatures. The Saints have to do that, too, in one of their coldest games in several years.
"Whether we’re home or on the road, no matter where it is, you’ve got to stay locked into the game" Rizzi said, "and so, again, I’m trying to do a great job, just like I tell the players, of avoiding the distractions during the week, and so that’s gonna be important to me, too.”
