Prior to a Gasbag’s soliloquy on the futures of Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen comes a similar disclaimer. A preamble that goes something like this: “I don’t like coming on the air saying these guys should lose their jobs.” Apparently, these few words are enough to sooth any pangs of guilt. For the voices then have no problem segueing into a case for why Giants CEO/co-owner John Mara should fire the team’s coach and the general manager. Exhibit “A” is the Giants 2-12 record going into Sunday’s game in Atlanta. The numbers are convincing, providing enough evidence to seal the deal for dismissal. Yet the foundation for permanent exile was being set long before the Giants arrived at 2-12. During the first month of the season questions, some directed at the coach, were being asked about whether Daboll was concerned about his own future. Daboll said he was not. The subject of Daboll’s job security, deemed premature by some Giants observers, not only stuck but gained momentum as the losses mounted. Now, the future of Daboll and Schoen (and planes with messages to Mara flying over the Meadowlands) is the only reason to pay any attention to the sleepy Giants. On the field, the brand is beyond boring. Off the field, Daboll regurgitates the same answers to the same questions about his future while Schoen avoids the media. Mara? Once again, he finds himself in the NFL’s version of media purgatory. He has experience in these matters. Mara knows whatever decision he makes the organization must sell it to a frustrated Giants fan base and the media. Selling “hope” to fans is easier than selling it to boss scribes. A decision to bring back both the GM and coach — or just one of the two — will not be met with unanimous media approval (Nothing ever is). Neither will a decision to clean house and hire a new brain trust. In some quarters Mara’s verdict will be met by a backlash of disgust, negativity and here-we-go-again. And the Giants media arm of in-house podcasts, TV shows and sympathetic souls will find it tough countering the critics. Unfortunately, there is no quick fix for the mess, no overnight solution, no savior — no one player, no one coach — on the horizon. There will be unrelenting media pressure from the get-go once the decision on the coach and GM’s future is made. Instead of a temporary escape, the media — social and otherwise — will keep heat on the Giants through the draft and “offseason.” Then, it will be training camp, a new season, a “fresh start.” Unfortunately for the Giants, in terms of media reaction, it’s still going to feel like 2-12. BILL’S IN CONTROL Could it be that along with whatever he’s being paid to appear on “The Pat McAfee Show,” UNC head football coach Bill Belichick has some editorial control over his weekly segment on the ESPN show? The question is necessary after McAfee (on Monday’s edition) didn’t ask Belichick about published reports saying he recently called the Jets to see if the organization had any interest in talking to him about coaching The Woody Johnson & Sons Football Club (has a nice ring to it, right?). It’s not like McAfee has not asked his guests — paid and otherwise — pointed questions. On the other hand, McAfee has always been accommodating with his special guests. It would not stun us to learn Belichick didn’t want to be in a position to reveal the contents of his alleged Jets phone call. And “forced” to explain why he would work for an owner he can’t stand. THE RATINGS GAME Once again, the NBA office is in full panic mode over double-digit decline in early season TV ratings. Adam Silver, the commissioner, made note of the ratings slide before the NBA Cup Final in Las Vegas. A variety of excuses are being made for the dip, including the style of play — like too many three-point shots. Silver blamed it on America’s scapegoat, Cable TV. When circumstances are beyond Silver’s control he should relax. For there is nothing the commish can do to change what days the NFL plays its games and why it’s a far more popular product — a ratings juggernaut compared to NBA hoops (or any other televised sport). The NFL also incorporates Fantasy Football and heavy gambling into the product. The NFL’s less-is-more schedule compared to the NBA’s over-saturated sked, also hurts the NBA when it comes to “competing” with the NFL. So, when the NFL playoffs end, and the NBA is not up against the NFL’s TV steamroller, Silver’s league will experience a ratings increase. It’s that simple. PHISHING FOR BLUESHIRTS Just when the Knicks organization has steadied its tremors of turmoil, James (Guitar Jimmy) Dolan’s other Garden property — the Rangers — is providing the kind of media static that he once reserved for his NBA franchise. Lost among the repetitious Yankees and Mets hot stove babble, is something icy hot. Now, along with president/GM Chris Drury trying to rearrange chairs on a sinking ship, turning the locker room into the Club High Anxiety, comes a report of about how Dolan may be getting involved. On the “Spitting Chiclets” podcast, NHL analyst Paul Bissonnette said former Rangers winger Sean Avery flew to New York to meet with Dolan. Bissonnette said: “There is a crazy element to James Dolan that my content dream might get rid of Drury and hire Sean Avery as the next general manager of the New York Rangers.” There has been no confirmation of Bissonnette’s report. Or was it just a dream? And the Post’s hockey writer Mollie Walker wrote: “Yes, Sean Avery is going to New York. He’s going to see the band Phish in concert at Madison Square Garden next weekend.” HUBIE’S FINAL GAME Something tells us Hubie Brown wasn’t thrilled when an ESPN suit told the no-nonsense coach this will be his last season behind the NBA microphone. His final game will be Feb. 9, Philly vs. Milwaukee on Super Bowl Sunday afternoon. Brown, 91, was a fixture on NBA TV/Radio broadcasts for 35 years. When he criticized, he didn’t rip players, he lectured them. * * * DUDE OF THE WEEK: BILL BELICHICK Pretty dang cool when a 72-year-old coach can parachute (figuratively) on to a college campus and almost overnight reinvent himself. Don’t bet against this guy succeeding. DWEEB OF THE WEEK: FLORIDA STATE The football team is awful and the administration is a joke. Particularly after announcing that the school never wanted to leave the Atlantic Coast Conference despite its desperate attempts to break away. DOUBLE TALK What Joe Mazzulla said: “I don’t watch NBA games [on TV]. I’m just as much of a [ratings] problem as everyone else.” What Joe Mazzulla meant to say: “My eyes are stuck on NFL games.”