The most vilified Giant is following his coach’s lead.
During a week in which Ben McAdoo has excused his errors, Ereck Flowers responded to critics for the first time since he played his way into becoming the face of the Giants’ offensive woes Monday night. The third-year pro looked overwhelmed going up against the Lions’ Ziggy Ansah, surrendering three sacks in the Giants’ 24-10 loss.
“I don’t have nothing to say to none of them,” Flowers told NJ.com after Thursday’s practice. “I could not care less. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.”
Backed by McAdoo, who said on Tuesday Flowers “absolutely” would remain in the starting lineup, the 23-year-old Flowers found the positives in his play — by ignoring the very large negatives.
“Minus those few plays, I thought I played all right,” he said. “Those three plays were big, so it overshadows any good work I did. But other than that, I’m on to the next week.”
Flowers has been one of the Giants’ biggest question marks since his rookie season, gravely underperforming after the team invested so much in him, taking him No. 9 overall in the 2015 draft. The Giants have stuck with him nonetheless, vowing this offseason the 6-foot-6, 325-pound left tackle had come into training camp a fitter and better player.
So far, the Giants have given up eight sacks in their first two games — both losses — and Flowers has taken the most heat.
Flowers apparently has been immune to even those in his corner. McAdoo noted “some good things” he saw Flowers do in the Lions game, and fellow lineman Justin Pugh said all five of Eli Manning’s protectors were to blame in a passionate postgame interview.
“I don’t pay attention to none of that,” Flowers said when asked if he were aware of their comments. “Everybody supports everybody here.”
That support will come in handy Sunday, as the Giants look for their first win against the Eagles, who are tied for fourth in the NFL with eight sacks over the first two weeks.