The New York Giants’ three coordinators met with the media on Thursday as their prepared their respective units for Sunday’s game against the 3-10 Miami Dolphins.
The Giants, 2-11, have lost nine consecutive games and can set a franchise record for consecutive losses should they come out not he losing end this week.
Offensive coordinator Mike Shula
The Giants are still holding out hope that Daniel Jones can play this Sunday. Shula did not commit to Jones or Eli Manning leaving that announcement for head coach Pat Shurmur.
Shula was also asked about the failure of running back Saquon Barkley to crack 100 yards rushing since returning from a high ankle sprain seven games ago.
“First of all, it’s hard. Last year when we got rolling, it was you get on a roll and you stay on it,” said Shula. “That’s our goal to do that every year. More importantly, to win football games. We know that the running game is going to be a big part of that. I think that probably four or five weeks ago, we kind of struggled just with a few things, just with some moving parts.
“Saquon was just getting back from his injury. I think the last few weeks, though, we’ve been back heading in the direction where we want to go. We’re not quite there, but there are a lot of positive runs, a lot of efficient runs. You see our offensive line coming off the ball, you see them re-establishing the line of scrimmage, Saquon is hitting it up in there. We’ve had a few that have been really close, really in the last three games, from breakouts. I felt that way the week before.
“Unfortunately, we had to punt it over and then got down a couple scores. We had to kind of get to throwing the football. Then last week, we were kind of the same. But there is a lot more good now than basically what we saw four or five weeks ago.”
Defensive coordinator James Bettcher
The Giants are 27th in the NFL in total defense. They have yielded big plays in big spots and are a huge reason why the team has the worst record in the NFC.
Bettcher was asked if he thought his unit would be farther along at this point of the season.
“I’ve watched a lot of football just like everyone that is standing here. Sometimes plays you don’t what to happen, happen. Whether you have seasoned guys or young guys, it’s not an excuse, it’s part of the game,” Bettcher said. “Do I think we would be further along, I don’t really judge it that way. I judge each day, each rep, each period. That’s how we try to stack and get better. I think there’s certainly been some progress with our young guys, probably over the last seven weeks.
“Collectively, we’ve been a little bit better and a little bit better. We have not played a complete game, there’s no question about that. That’s what we are striving for on defense. To play a first quarter to fourth quarter complete game, not something that’s in spurts. That’s what we’re pushing to have happen here down the stretch.”
Special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey
The Giants committed to punter Riley Dixon last week by signing him to a three-year contract extension. McGaughey commented on why the club felt they wanted to be in the Dixon business.
“He’s a lot more consistent in his ball striking. It’s night and day from last year. Like I told you guys a couple weeks ago, he’s just growing. You can see him maturing and just doing the things that he needs to do to take his game to the next level,” he said.
