There are tone-deaf comments, and then there is whatever Graham Gano said after the New York Giants' 34-24 Week 9 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Big Blue entered Week 9 with more on the line than you’d expect for a 2-6 team. It was a who-are-we game — a gut check for a group already in free fall. How would they respond to the embarrassing Week 7 collapse in Denver and the subsequent annihilation by the Philadelphia Eagles? Short answer: They wouldn't. And that's the problem.
The loss to the Niners was a full-on, three-phase collapse that showed just how much of a joke this team is turning into. Nothing went right — including a missed field goal — but that didn’t stop 38-year-old team captain Graham Gano from delivering one of the most ridiculous postgame quotes fans will hear all year:
"Only miss all day — warm-ups and . Have to hit that one. My [third] miss in two years. ... My job is to make my kicks, which I’ve been doing a pretty damn good job of."Graham Gano
Graham Gano’s delusional postgame quote proves it’s time to move on
Oh, Graham. What are we doing here? He's been in the league long enough to know that this is an irrational thing to say, especially after a loss. This is wild behavior coming from a former team captain. Where's the accountability?
My only question is, does he prefer a medal or a trophy for his hard work? We could do a plaque if wall-display is a preference, too.
Get out of here with this nonsense. Late in the first half, Gano missed a 45-yard field goal that would’ve cut the 49ers’ lead to seven. Everyone was rightfully frustrated, including Brian Daboll, who said, “You gotta make those.” The G-Men have been stuck in an inexplicable kicking crisis for three years now. They can’t seem to figure it out.
- 2023: Gano played through a knee injury and missed two FGs in a 13-10 OT loss to the New York Jets. It cost the Giants the game — and should’ve ended the experiment.
- 2024: Gano aggravated a groin injury on the opening kickoff in Week 2. With no backup elevated, punter Jamie Gillan missed an extra point, setting for two-point conversions for the rest of the game, and the Giants lost 21-18.
- 2025: With Gano on IR, the G-Men signed recently released Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo. However, they rolled with backup kicker Jude McAtamney, who missed three PATs over two games, including two in a 33-32 loss.
While the McAtamney experiment was short-lived, at least he held himself accountable for his missed kicks. Apparently, that’s the difference between a second-year practice squad player and a 16-year vet.
Shocking stuff.
It’s infuriating for fans to not have a reliable kicker on the field. But now, having one unreliable off the field, too? That’s a non-starter. With the trade deadline looming Tuesday, maybe make a move — or just call up Koo from the practice squad and release the guy. Because this isn’t it.
Just be better. You missed a kick — own it. If this is the attitude after directly contributing to another losing effort, get him off the team. It’s time.