With a 28-14 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, the New York Giants fell to 0-2 on the season — the sixth time they’ve started 0-2 over the last seven years.
While many players insist there’s no frustration building, veteran cornerback Janoris Jenkins went. . . well, a different route.
Following their Week 2 loss, which saw the secondary carved up the second consecutive game, Jenkins lashed out at his teammates and the lack of pass rush generating by the front 7, blaming it for many of the defense’s coverage issues.
“When you have time and you ain’t getting no pressure, I can’t cover nobody for 10 seconds. Who can cover somebody for 10 seconds? Go look at the first five seconds of the route — he’s not open,” Jenkins told reporters. “If you scramble and there ain’t no pressure getting there, what do you want me to do? I can’t cover this side and that side. Like, c’mon, bro. We’ve got to play football around here.”
While there is some credence to Jenkins’ gripe, the secondary is not without blame of their own.
Yes, the pass rush has struggled, but there have been plenty of passes falling into broken zone coverage, an equal amount of blown assignments and plenty of quick passes that eat up what appears to be consistent cushion coverage by the Giants.
Still, linebacker Lorenzo Carter, who recorded a half a sack against the Bills, didn’t disagree with Jenkins’ assessment.
“[Expletive], it’s the truth,” Carter said.
Admittedly frustrated, Jenkins sounded like a guy who may want to find his way out of East Rutherford.
“Yeah, I’m angry,” Jenkins said. “It’s what my second year going 0-2? Third in a row. I’m on Year 8. I need to get somewhere. I’m trying to win something. C’mon bro.
“There were bright spots, but we don’t need bright spots. We need spots all day, bright all day every day. Everybody has to come to play football.”
It may only be two weeks into the season, but already tensions are boiling over and fingers are being pointed. The Giants need to rally now or this entire thing will burn to the ground before they escape the first month of the season.
