In the aftermath of a devastating loss that included a devastating injury, the two longest-tenured Giants players both hit on a similar theme Monday as there was not yet any relief from the physical scars and emotional baggage — unwanted residue of the 27-0 beating at the hands of the Eagles.
Eli Manning and Mathias Kiwanuka sounded what was not a call to arms but more closely resembled a call for maturity. The word circulating about this setback was “humbling’’ and you could also add “dispiriting’’ as the grim reality is setting in that Victor Cruz is gone for the remainder of the season with a torn right patella tendon.
“I think this is a turning point in the season,’’ said Kiwanuka, in his ninth year with the Giants. “This is something we are going to have to grow up from real quick and make sure we get the ship right. The story about the season has not been written yet, and I feel like as long as we come back out this week ready, prepared and enthusiastic about getting a win, then we will change that perception of us.’’
With Cruz undergoing what the team termed “successful surgery” on Monday afternoon at the Hospital for Special Surgery, Manning called on the receiving corps — Rueben Randle, first-round pick Odell Beckham Jr. (suddenly a starter), Preston Parker (presumably the new man in the slot) and another rookie, Corey Washington — to overcome the loss of the team’s most dynamic and accomplished offensive player and, above all, heed Tom Coughlin’s decree that the Giants cannot feel sorry for themselves.
“That is not going to help us out any,’’ Manning said. “This week we have to grow up and find out who is going to be playing the spots that Victor has played so well for us and keep growing.’’
Is it true that the Giants are only one week removed from a three-game winning streak that had optimism soaring and visions of conquering the NFC East dancing in their heads? All it took was one trip down the turnpike to turn the season into a crisis. The Giants were already trailing 20-0 when Cruz got hurt, well on their way to embarrassing themselves for the second time this season on national TV. They were outclassed in every imaginable fashion by the Eagles, who along with the surging Cowboys sit atop the division at 5-1, with the Giants (3-3) looking up at them. Now the Giants must face the Cowboys — who went into Seattle and beat the defending Super Bowl champions — without Cruz, without any confidence and suddenly also without Trumaine McBride, their nickel back, who needs surgery on his right thumb and is likely done for the season.
This is going to have to be some selling job from Coughlin.
“We don’t hide from anything, we lay it right on the line, and we will be prepared to go to Dallas this weekend,’’ Coughlin said.
In reviewing the terrible offensive showing, the gashing of the defense by LeSean McCoy, the (again and again) breakdowns on special teams, Coughlin said, “The humility should and is deserved’’ and couldn’t help answering a question with one of his own: “The ability to continue to rise and to improve as a football team is my concern. Where is the consistency?’’
As of late Monday afternoon, Manning had not spoken to Cruz and Cruz had not yet responded to a text from his quarterback.
“I think for the player,’’ Manning said. “That is my only concern is the individual. I am not worried about our team or the season or how we will be able to manage. You just hate it happened to Victor because he loves playing this game. I feel for him.’’
Coughlin made sure to remind his players the week leading into the Eagles game was not the Giants’ finest hour. The verbal and pictorial sparring with the Eagles caused unneeded and at times silly distractions and the evidence is there that one team handled its business and the other got manhandled.
“We have had a lot of meetings and it has been reiterated to us that [the talking] didn’t get us a win,’’ Kiwanuka said. “Coughlin has always tried to run a tight ship and especially when it comes to respecting your opponent and never doing anything to cast a negative light upon this organization. We get it. We understood and we will move on from it.’’