Tiki was disappointed in the Giants’ effort in Sunday’s 40-0 loss, to say the least, and he says this blowout was a month in making, that began when the organization decided to limit the starting unit to roughly one series the entire preseason.
“I hate the fact that most teams, but particularly my team, does not play in the preseason,” Tiki said. “I hate it. The preseason is a chance to get hit - Saquon Barkley, take a shot catching a ball out of the backfield and holding on to it…I hate that nobody plays in the preseason. Because when the first game happens, you get hit with an intensity that you’re just not ready for.
“I know you can say ‘I’m a vet, I’ve done this before,’ but you’ve spent six months doing nothing but running around in your underwear, just shorts and t-shirts, acting like you’re an elite, physical athlete. Guess what? You’re not until you put pads on and hit somebody in the chin.”
The Giants came out looking strong on Sunday night, driving down the field until a false start on third down and a low snap on the ensuing play led to a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown. Big Blue never recovered, and Tiki says the Giants looked unprepared throughout the night.
“I felt like I was watching a preseason game when I was watching the Giants try to compete with a much more intense Cowboys team,” Tiki said. “I hate that I’m making the excuse. I don’t think this is who the Giants are. I don’t think they are this bad…that’s not them. But I felt I was watching a team half-assing through the motions, and had no idea how to flip a switch. ‘We don’t need the preseason. We’re gonna come back in Week 1 and just flip the switch. We have veterans and good stars.’”
Evan challenged Tiki by bringing up the fact that Dak Prescott and the Cowboys starters played limited time in the preseason, to which Tiki said Dallas just seemed to want it more.
“It meant more to them,” Tiki said. “That’s all I can say. It meant more.”