The New York Giants’ season hit a low point once again after their fourth straight loss to the Washington Commanders, which left them with a 2-7 record. In his sixth start in the last eight years, Wink Martindale, the team’s defensive coordinator for the 2022 and 2023 seasons, appears to be enjoying the Giants’ misery, as his acrimonious departure from the team made headlines.

Martindale, now the defensive coordinator at the University of Michigan, launched a verbal attack on the Giants and his former boss, head coach Brian Daboll. at the last press briefing It was before the school’s next game against Indiana when asked about his own personal coaching future.

“I haven’t really sat down and thought about the long haul,” Martindale said. “When you’re 61, you just try to think about tomorrow.”

“But I’m happy to be here. I like the players we have, you know it’s a different game but it’s a lot better than being in places 2-7.”

Considering how his split with the Giants happened, Martindale’s sarcastic comment shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. Following the lackluster campaign that knocked New York out of the postseason for the sixth time in eight seasons, Martindale reportedly got into a heated screaming match with Daboll after Daboll informed the defensive coach of his intention to fire Martindale’s two most important players, Kevin and Drew Wilkins . reliable coaching assistants.

Martindale later walked out of the Giants facility and resigned from his position. His resignation was finalized days later and only through his manager.

In the first year of his tenure, Martindale’s defense was one of the best on third downs, keeping the goal close to the end zone. This has helped them win plenty of close games en route to postseason berths in 2022, but the heavy use of blitzes and creative press often has left the back end of their unit on an island and the Giants pushed toward the bottom half of the league overall. distance allowed.

The 2023 season wasn’t any better, either, as the Giants would fall to 26th and 27th in total points and yards, respectively, and have an eye-popping -141 point differential, their second-worst numbers in the past five seasons. They also gave up a total of 25 touchdowns and fell apart, opposing rushing efforts for a 4.7-yard average carry, good for the 30th-most in the NFL.

Daboll hired Shane Bowen to replace Martindale this year. Bowen’s defending is the exact opposite of what Martindale does, focusing more on generating pressure from the front four and providing extra protection for the second. This benefited the team within the confines of the red zone; Ranked fifth in opponent goal percentage.

The Giants rank in the top 15 in most passing categories, but as they rank last in the league, they struggle to slow down the run and allow opponents to run the clock when they have the lead.

The Giants offense didn’t do Bowen’s team any favors either. New York has held opponents to 15th-fewest points per game this season; This is a huge improvement over Martindale’s second season and featured four games with under 20 points allowed to the other side.

But they allowed just 13 touchdowns in that same span and managed just one at home before two jump shots by quarterback Daniel Jones in last Sunday’s 27-22 loss to the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium.

The stats looked better on the road, but the lack of consistent production held the Giants to a league-worst 15.4 ppg average, forcing them to six losses by 10 points or less.

Martindale’s defense in Ann Arbor didn’t fare so well in the record books. They barely rank among the top 25 teams in Division-1 college football in major defensive categories, but they remain among some of the best in total tackles and defensive tackles with six.

Daboll and the Giants, who play a weekend game against the Carolina Panthers in Munich, Germany, clearly have far more pressing concerns than a former employee’s delight in their tackle.