McAdoo dismisses players’ criticism with political flair
At least Giants coach Ben McAdoo targeted people in his locker room and not every news outlet on the planet. And he didn’t even do it on Twitter or take a shot at the “Rocket Man.” The drama that has surrounded the Giants all week has been the result of “fake news,” McAdoo said Friday while stating the players who spoke publicly to trash those who spoke anonymously did a “great job.” “They’re excited to go play. Excited to go get back on the field. When you have a setback like we did last week and some fake news, I guess you could call it like we had this week, some drama, I think it’s good to go out and play the game you love to play,” said McAdoo, sounding like a certain renowned politician, as his 1-7 Giants prepare to face the goshawful 0-9 49ers on Sunday in Santa Clara, Calif. McAdoo, whose Giants were obliterated 51-17 at home by the Rams last Sunday, said he labeled the reports “fake news” because it all came from “anonymous quotes.” Pressed if “anonymous” meant “fake,” McAdoo said: “No, I’m saying it’s anonymous. No names behind it … I’ll let you define it for me then. It’s anonymous.” The furor started through an ESPN report in which two unidentified players blasted McAdoo, claiming the second-year coach had “lost the team” and was doling out fines and changing practice and work schedules. This came in the wake of the destruction by the Rams in which the team’s effort, had it been miserable, still would have been better than the wretched endeavor the Giants provided. Awful loss, then anonymous rips — or fake news rips, according to the coach. “Honestly, I feel like all of the guys are in high spirits right now,” said defensive end Olivier Vernon, who missed the past four games with an ankle injury. “Everybody is behind Coach McAdoo. So, everything that you guys hear or whatever comes out, I have no comment on that one.” On Thursday, players, speaking on the record, reacted angrily to the report. Defensive tackle Damon “Snacks” Harrison labeled those who spoke anonymously as “cowards.” Harrison said the issue would “be addressed” internally by players. So was it? “No,” Vernon said. “I mean if somebody wanted to come forth and say who said anything, come forth and say it. If not, it doesn’t really mean anything to us.”
McAdoo, asked if the situation is dangerous if players indeed feel that way toward him, claimed it is not.
“It’s not an issue. I’d like to help the players who have issues,” McAdoo said. “It’s not an issue for the team. We can handle it. We’re strong. You saw how the players responded in the locker room yesterday. I thought they did a great job.” With their public comments. Despite all of this melodrama, McAdoo said he believes his players are in a good frame of mind. Others may think they should become best buds with Sigmund Freud’s descendants, but they do have one thing on their side upcoming: a game against a team worse than they are.
“I don’t think it’s taken a toll,” he said. “Again, the way last week worked out, I think we’re excited to go jump on a plane, go cross-country and play in a ball game.”
McAdoo was asked if he spoke to co-owner John Mara this week.
“I’m going to keep my personal and private conversations personal and private,” McAdoo said.
So “As the Giants Turn” hits San Francisco this Sunday, hoping the sad-sack 49ers can provide an elixir for an upsetting week. A win could do wonders.
“A win helps take care of a lot of things,” Vernon said. “It’s been a while since we’ve had a win, so it would be nice to get a little win and try to get on a roll.”
Fall off the horse, get right back on. That’s the advice Giants running backs coach Craig Johnson has for rookie Wayne Gallman.
With the Giants’ season going nowhere, the team is looking toward the future. So guys like Gallman are receiving auditions. After three inactive weeks, Gallman has played five straight games but last Sunday against the Rams, Gallman had a critical fumble, one of about 219 awful Giants plays in the 51-17 debacle.
“What I told him when he came off the field is there is no excuse ever in my mind for a back ever to turn the ball over,” Johnson said of the former Clemson back. “I refuse to accept that. That being said, when it happens, you can’t change the past, but you can go forward. So what I’ll tell him is, ‘You know what? Don’t dwell on it, move on, trust yourself, trust your fundamentals, but understand that ball security is a really critical element. But when you’re on the field, you got to play.’ I don’t want any player being timid and being scared about playing with a football. They got to make sure they protect it and go on and help us win.”
Defensive end Olivier Vernon (ankle) is listed as questionable, but he hopes to return after missing four games — the first time in his career he sat out.
“I’m feeling great man so we’ll see how it goes on Sunday,” said the sixth- season veteran Vernon, who is “making progress,” according to coach Ben McAdoo.
“I’m taking it day-by-day,” Vernon said. “We got practice tomorrow so we’ll see how that goes and look forward from there. … You never want to be on the outside looking in when all of your brothers are out there playing. But it was out of my control, nothing I can do about it. All I could do is just get healthy and now I’m back.”
Linebackers B.J. Goodson (ankle), Devon Kennard (quad) and Keenan Robinson (quad) officially are out for Sunday. Cornerback Donte Deayon (ankle) is listed as doubtful. Linebackers Jonathan Casillas (neck) and Calvin Munson (quad), and defensive end Kerry Wynn (knee) all are questionable.