Tension reportedly causing rift between Giants head coach, defensive coordinator
Not much has gone right for the New York Giants this season, and now, another log has been thrown on the fire.
According to a report from Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer, a rift has formed between head coach Brian Daboll and defensive coordinator Wink Martindale that could force one (most likely Martindale) to part ways with the team.
“These guys are in a bad place,” Glazer said Sunday on “Fox NFL Sunday.” “Bad place to the point where I don’t see them actually continuing their relationship after this season, maybe not even during this season — there could be a mutual parting of the ways. When I talk to people inside that organization, they’re saying the tension between these two, you could feel it. It’s just getting worse and it’s odd that it’s happened considering how much success they had together last season.”
After Glazer’s report, Giants director of player personnel Tim McDonnell spoke with Martindale on the sidelines before kickoff while team president John Mara was seen speaking to both Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen.
Following New York’s win over the Patriots, Daboll gave a game ball to Martindale, whose defense held New England to 283 yards of total offense and forced three turnovers.
If there is indeed tension between Daboll and Martindale, the Giants are likely wanting to keep it in-house, as evidenced by post-game comments made by Daboll and linebacker Bobby Okereke following Sunday’s 10-7 win over the New England Patriots.
“I've got a lot of respect for Wink,” Daboll told reporters. “[I’m] glad he's on the staff.”
“No, I don't feel [there’s any tension],” Okereke added. “If there is — I mean, obviously, our record is what it is, so it's probably just positive tension trying to get positive results.”
The Giants are one of the worst defensive teams in the NFL. They rank 28th in both yards per game (371.7) and points allowed per game (25.9).
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