At least Giants coach Ben McAdoo targeted people in his locker room and not every news outlet on the planet. And he didn’t even do it on Twitter or take a shot at the “Rocket Man.”
The drama that has surrounded the Giants all week has been the result of “fake news,” McAdoo said Friday while stating the players who spoke publicly to trash those who spoke anonymously did a “great job.”
“They’re excited to go play. Excited to go get back on the field. When you have a setback like we did last week and some fake news, I guess you could call it like we had this week, some drama, I think it’s good to go out and play the game you love to play,” said McAdoo, sounding like a certain renowned politician, as his 1-7 Giants prepare to face the gosh-awful 0-9 49ers on Sunday in Santa Clara, Calif.
McAdoo, whose Giants were obliterated 51-17 at home by the Rams last Sunday, said he labeled the reports “fake news” because it all came from “anonymous quotes.”
Pressed if “anonymous” meant “fake,” McAdoo said: “No, I’m saying it’s anonymous. No names behind it … I’ll let you define it for me then. It’s anonymous.”
The furor started through an ESPN report in which two unidentified players blasted McAdoo, claiming the second-year coach had “lost the team” and was doling out fines and changing practice and work schedules. This came in the wake of the destruction by the Rams in which the team’s effort, had it been miserable, still would have been better than the wretched endeavor the Giants provided.
Awful loss, then anonymous rips — or fake news rips, according to the coach.
“Honestly, I feel like all of the guys are in high spirits right now,” said defensive end Olivier Vernon, who missed the past four games with an ankle injury. “Everybody is behind Coach McAdoo. So, everything that you guys hear or whatever comes out, I have no comment on that one.”
On Thursday, players, speaking on the record, reacted angrily to the report. Defensive tackle Damon “Snacks” Harrison labeled those who spoke anonymously as “cowards.” Harrison said the issue would “be addressed” internally by players.
So was it?
“No,” Vernon said. “I mean if somebody wanted to come forth and say who said anything, come forth and say it. If not, it doesn’t really mean anything to us.”
McAdoo, asked if the situation is dangerous if players indeed feel that way toward him, claimed it is not.
“It’s not an issue. I’d like to help the players who have issues,” McAdoo said. “It’s not an issue for the team. We can handle it. We’re strong. You saw how the players responded in the locker room yesterday. I thought they did a great job.”
With their public comments.
Despite all of this melodrama, McAdoo said he believes his players are in a good frame of mind. Others may think they should become best buds with Sigmund Freud’s descendants, but they do have one thing on their side upcoming: a game against a team worse than them.
“I don’t think it’s taken a toll,” he said. “Again, the way last week worked out, I think we’re excited to go jump on a plane, go cross-country and play in a ball game.”
McAdoo was asked if he spoke to co-owner John Mara this week.
“I’m going to keep my personal and private conversations personal and private,” McAdoo said.
So “As the Giants Turn” hits San Francisco this Sunday, hoping the sad-sack 49ers can provide an elixir for an upsetting week. A win could do wonders.
“A win helps take care of a lot of things,” Vernon said. “It’s been a while since we’ve had a win, so it would be nice to get a little win and try to get on a roll.”