Following the New York Giants' blowout loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday, second-year head coach Joe Judge delivered a long-winded rant defending his team and the internal progress they've made this season. He even noted that some former players frequently call him, explaining how much they wish they were still members of the franchise.
Whether or not Judge shared the truth with reporters, his oddly impassioned speech went rival, and received widespread criticism from NFL analysts and former players. Judge's opinions also grabbed the attention of former Giants tight end Howard Cross, who's long witnessed the team's shortcomings.
"They're not in a better position than what everybody suggests," Cross told The DA Show on Wednesday morning. "This was supposed to be a big year for the Giants, a big moment for Judge and for Gettleman. And unfortunately, it's just not. When you have a bad season, a lot of eyes start looking at you. There aren't fingers pointing at you. Everybody's looking at you. They don't have to point at you -- they know where the problem is.
"Joe should get another shot, but you can't go off making crazy speeches at the end of games, saying guys aren't quitting when you're not playing well... It's very weird, when you think about it. For years, you've heard that talking to the press is a bad thing, because the more you say, the more trouble you can get in. So, say little. They may not like you, appreciate you. They'll make fun of you. But the less you say, the less trouble you'll get in."
The Giants (4-12) have simply been inept under Judge's watch this season. Their offense ranks a ghastly 31st in the NFL in average points (15.7), 31st in average yards (293.9), 31st in giveaways (27), and 28th in point differential (minus-143). On Sunday against the Bears, the team finished with minus-10 net passing yards, the lowest mark in an NFL game since 1998.
Judge reiterated his comments on Monday, telling reporters that the speech was directed toward the fans. Of course, the Giants' front office must also be listening -- the team has achieved just one winning campaign since 2012 and finished with double-digit losses in seven of the last eight seasons. New York currently owns the fifth and eighth overall picks in the 2022 draft.
The entire Giants conversation between Cross and DA can be accessed in the audio player above.
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