The Giants can try to spin this and they assuredly will. Some, maybe most, will buy it, too. This was Wink Martindale who wanted a change, not New York. Sure, he and Brian Daboll butted heads, but so many do in this field.
Statistically, this defense wasn’t even that good, so they’ll be able to replace him — no problem.
Hogwash.
The Giants had one of the league’s best defensive minds, a true culture changer and setter, in their building and they let him walk out. That reflects poorly on all those involved.
“It’s my expectation that they’re (Martindale and offensive coordinator Mike Kaftka) are going to come back,” Daboll said just hours before Martindale resigned.
What you see is not necessarily what you get with Martindale. The cut-offs, mullet and moxy make you think he’s a thicker Gregg Williams. That couldn’t be further from the truth. He’s level-headed during games, indebted to his staff and players, and hellbent on getting the most out of them.
That personality is why he and Daboll butted heads so much during their two years together. Daboll, as television cameras illustrated seemingly countless times during games, wears his emotions on his sleeve. He’s hot-headed and has no problem publicly chewing out those for their mishaps. That works for some but rubs others the wrong way. It was one of the criticisms centered around him during his time as the Browns offensive coordinator from 2009 through 2010.
Daboll and Martindale looked past those clashes a year ago. It was easy to — the Giants made the playoffs and beat the Vikings in the first round. It was much harder in 2023, with the Giants finishing 6-11 and seeing their playoff hopes all but dashed before Halloween.
A report from FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer in late November indicated things had gotten so bad there might be an in-season change. The Giants then won back-to-back games over the Patriots and Packers to subdue some of the drama, but the Daboll-Martindale relationship was fractured…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/wink-martindales-resignation-leaves-another-223354519.html
Author : SNY
Publish date : 2024-01-08 22:33:54
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