Following a 31-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 13, New York Giants cornerback Janoris Jenkins didn’t hold back, ripping defensive coordinator James Bettcher and the team’s coaching staff for not using him correctly.
Specifically, Jenkins expressed frustration over not traveling with the opposing No. 1 wide receiver, instead being limited to one side of the field.
“I’m the only one in the league that don’t travel no more,” a frustrated Jenkins told the New York Post. “I don’t understand why. I was traveling other years.
“I play on the left side of the field all game. I get two passes a game. C’mon bro. Everybody in the league who has a top corner, they travel. Rabbit don’t travel no more.”
Addressing those comments during a Monday afternoon conference call, Giants head coach Pat Shurmur dismissed Jenkins’ criticisms as “spirited” and argued that the veteran may be a tad off base.
“He’s a spirited guy and he wants to have an impact on the game,” Shurmur said. “I think his assessment of we’re the only team that doesn’t travel isn’t quite accurate. I just came from the Minnesota Vikings who don’t. I think there’s a lot that goes into that. Again, he’s a competitive guy and I’m sure those are just immediately after the game comments. Unfortunately, I have not had a chance to talk to him, he left immediately (because) there was an illness in his family that he had to go attend to. I’m sure I’m going to have a conversation with him when he gets back.”
Ultimately, Shurmur said, those sort of comments should be saved for private meetings with coaches as opposed to being aired out to the media.
“I think coaches and players talk about a lot of things behind the scenes. But obviously anything that we do we should do behind the scenes,” Shurmur said.
It’s unlikely that Jenkins, who is an obvious favorites of both Shurmur and general manager Dave Gettleman, will be disciplined for his comments, which the coach feels were misinterpreted.
