Aikman: Giants ‘aren’t even in Dallas’ class’
Two decades after his retirement, Troy Aikman has become a big part of the Giants-Cowboys rivalry again.
Aikman said the Giants “aren’t even in Dallas’ class” during an interview this week with “The Musers” on 96.7 FM The Ticket in Dallas. The former Cowboys great will be the color commentator on Fox’s broadcast when the teams meet Sunday in Arlington, Texas. “[The Cowboys] are so explosive that there’s a lot of pressure for an opposing offense to feel that they’ve got to go do something every time they have the ball,” Aikman said. “And if they don’t, they’re going to be down two scores. That’s going to be the challenge for the Giants. They’re coming off a big win — and I understand in the NFL anybody can beat anybody and all that — but they aren’t in Dallas’ class.”
The quote went viral on social media, fired up Giants fans who were redirecting it to the attention of players. Aikman’s put-down made its way into the locker room, as a source confirmed to The Post that some players were joking about it with each other.
“We don’t even have a bulletinboard in there, to be honest with you,” Giants head coach Joe Judge said. “Everything’s screens and magnets and stuff now. We’re in the future now. Look, these guys are all active on Twitter and all that type of junk, so I’m sure they see stuff all the time.”
The Cowboys are averaging 420.8 total yards of offense and 31.5 points per game, giving them the NFL’s third-best offense through the first four weeks. Judge was so over-the-top effusive in his praise of the Cowboys that it almost sounded as if he were subtly sending a message. “We have to acknowledge this team’s one of the best statistically that this league’s seen in a long time, to be ranked this high on offense as a rushing team, a passing team, defensively — in terms of turnovers and takeaways, along with rushing defense,” Judge said. “To be this situationally good and to be this good in the kicking game, this team’s an outstanding team. There’s no getting around it.”
In addition to his ties to the Cowboys, Aikman remains close to Giants offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, his longtime teammate.
“I don’t think we really need any external motivation to show up and do our jobs,” Judge said. “I think you have to understand the magnitude of every game you play — these division games are obviously no different.”
Last week, Saints defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson said of the Giants visiting for the Superdome’s first game at full capacity in two years, “I feel sorry for them boys … they in for a rude awakening on Sunday.” The Giants turned around and rallied for a 27-21 overtime win.
Defensive lineman Leonard Williams said immediately after Friday’s practice that he hadn’t heard Aikman’s comments.
“I think everyone’s entitled to their own opinion,” Williams said. “That’s those guys’ job, to make predictions and all that type of stuff. It’s my job to come here and get better and practice and focus on winning the game.”
Williams said he would rather the Giants be respected than gain any potential advantage from being overlooked.
“I’m gonna respect our opponent no matter what their record is because of stuff like that,” Williams said. “If you devalue the team that you’re gonna go against, you’re not gonna prepare the same and you can get upset. You can’t overhype the team as well because you obviously have to feel you can compete with them.”