Abdul Carter had two simple and blunt words in his initial comments when asked about being benched to start another game after apparently missing another team meeting before the Giants’ Monday Night Football matchup against the Patriots.
“S--t happens,” Carter said.
The No. 3 overall pick sat out the team’s first two defensive possessions, and by the time he entered the game, Big Blue trailed 17-0 in an eventual blowout loss. Carter missed the team’s first drive against the Packers on Nov. 16 after missing a team walkthrough.
Frustration surrounding the hyped rookie is growing rapidly among the fanbase, as Carter has not performed on the field the way many expected in his first NFL season. He also isn’t always guaranteed to be on the field as he continues to get punished during game weeks. Neither he nor Mike Kafka went into specifics, but the belief is that Carter missed a team meeting yet again.
“I let my team down,” Carter said. “First two drives, I was out. They scored 17 points. I take responsibility and I have to do better.”
Kafka repeatedly declared that the benching was his decision, while Carter’s veteran teammates expressed belief that the message got through to Carter this second time around. But forgive fans if they don’t share that belief until they see different.