The New York Giants suffered a humiliating 28-3 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at home on Sunday afternoon. However, one of the most embarrassing moments came when cornerback Deonte Banks hesitated to tackle Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts.
During the first play of the fourth quarter, Hurts ran out of the pocket along the right sideline. Banks had a chance to tackle him but seemed to deliberately miss, allowing Hurts to gain more yards before stepping out of bounds.
Defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson, who had previously criticized Banks for his lack of effort, shouted at the young cornerback from the sideline.
On two more occasions during the same drive, Banks avoided engaging in a play.
After the game, head coach Brian Daboll was asked about Banks’ effort but had little to say. He mentioned that they would review the situation and address any necessary changes.
When asked if Banks’ behavior should have been addressed on the sidelines, Daboll chose not to comment on the coaching aspect but acknowledged that the team’s performance was not up to par.
The Giants are now 2-5 for the season, and if they lose to the Steelers next Monday, it will mark the seventh time in the last eight years that they have started with two or fewer wins halfway through the season.
The team’s morale seems to be affected by the string of losses, and Daboll acknowledges the challenges they face. Despite the setbacks, he remains hopeful that the team will regroup and strive to perform at their best.
Having players give up on plays only adds to the team’s struggles, both in terms of results and perception. Perhaps some disciplinary action is necessary.