Big Blue head coach Ben McAdoo looks like he’s heading to the unemployment line.
But make no mistake, this version of the New York Giants is an organizational failure. Ownership has not figured out whether they need more involved or more hands-off. Yet, the fact that ownership still sticks its nose in football operations seems to be an indictment of general manager Jerry Reese.
Interestingly enough, the owners, John Mara and Steve Tisch, should trust their gut instincts. Clearly, Reese cannot handle his job, but the focus still deflects to McAdoo.
Most observers know that McAdoo has lost the locker room. That revelation was “uncovered” through anonymous sources by ESPN this week.
"“McAdoo has lost this team. He’s got us going 80 percent on Saturdays before we get on a plane to play a game. It’s wild. Changed our off day. He’s dishing out fines like crazy. Suspended two of our stars when we need them the most. Throws us under the bus all the time. He’s ran us into the ground and people wonder why we’ve been getting got.”"
But anyone with two eyes and a modicum of common sense saw that from a mile away, several weeks ago. Josina Anderson spoke to the unnamed sources for the initial report. She also got two additional named sources, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Landon Collins, to dispute the earlier report.
New York Giants
Could it be that the named sources are same folks as the unnamed sources?
Conspiracy Theory
Clearly, Anderson makes her name by getting “scoops” – usually from players. Right now, there’s a very good chance, she’s being used as a pawn in a much larger game.
On Sunday, New York Giants players overplayed their hand. The quitting was obvious, especially by the secondary. Rodgers-Cromartie is playing for his next contract, surely his previous antics may have scared away a few suitors. Perhaps, he’s been told by his agent to play “good cop” for the rest of the season. Let’s be real, his on-the-record comments represent damage control for his career.
Collins appears to be a different story. With a steep decline in his play, don’t be surprised if Collins turns it up this week. His reputation will be at stake.
Per NJ.com, WFAN radio host Mike Francesa hit the nail directly on the head with regard to the effort:
"“I don’t know what went on in the last couple of weeks between the head coach and certain members of the defense, and the head coach and the secondary. But the secondary let him have a message yesterday: You know what? We don’t agree. Because you can’t tell me they were that bad on their own. They sent a message.”"
Clearly, that’s what happened, and McAdoo’s head should not be the only one who pays the price. Firing the head coach – that’s the quick fix. There are more than a few passive-aggressive participants in the New York Giants locker room. For them, all they want to hit the reset button with a new coach. It shouldn’t be that easy for them.
HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 02: Mike Francesa simulcasts from the SiriusXM set at Super Bowl 51 Radio Row at the George R. Brown Convention Center on February 2, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
Ironically, the current coach bent over backwards for them initially. And it still wasn’t enough. When they didn’t act like professionals, and performed poorly, then McAdoo became the issue.
Let’s be clear, McAdoo has done a poor job on his own. Most of that had to do with being a friend instead of a coach. Shame on him. He will likely pay for it with his job.
But the groundwork was laid by Reese throwing buckets of money at random guys. Some of those guys don’t bleed Giants blue, instead they worship green. They want all the benefits and none of the responsibilities.
The players’ performance speaks for itself. They should not feign being insulted by any of these insights. Their actions speak louder than any words can.
Overall, none of this can be much of a surprise to anyone who follows the New York Giants religiously. The only surprise would be if pass-the-buck Reese gets to keep his job at year’s end.