New York sports talk radio has taken center stage in recent days, which speaks volumes considering that the New York Giants and New York Jets will play this coming Sunday.
But two moments on WFAN from earlier this week have stolen the show.
The first came on Tuesday when co-hosts Brandon Tierney and Sal Licata took aim at Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux, remarking on both his play and physical appearance. It was an odd commentary and one that drew a response from Giants legend Carl Banks.
After calling into the show on Wednesday, Banks engaged in a back-and-forth with Licata before being abruptly hung up on in a viral moment.
Asked about the WFAN criticism and Banks coming to his defense, Thibodeaux dismissed Tierney and Licata but expressed appreciation for Banks.
“Man, let’s just keep playing. Everybody has an opinion, everybody has a critique and sometimes I like it when they’re educated, sometimes when somebody’s trying to help me get better,” Thibodeaux told reporters on Thursday. “But most of the time you try not to pay attention to it because it’ll have your emotions going up and down.
“I actually was just told about (it by) one of the reporters about what happened, and I’ll probably go look at it later on, but I appreciate the support from the people who do like my game and the people who want to watch me play.”
Meanwhile, defensive coordinator Wink Martindale continued to express his support for Thibodeaux — a stance that has not waivered even the tiniest bit this season.
“I’ve said this every time I come up here, I think he’s a very good football player and I think he’s having a really good season,” Martindale said. “I mean, you’re talking about a guy in the NFL that as an edge rusher, as a linebacker who played 68 out of the 69 plays, which is a rarity in itself. I think that — where’s he at now, five-and-a-half sacks?
“He makes everything roll for us. I know no matter what he does, it might not reach what some people think he should be doing, but I think he’s a hell of a football player. I’m glad that we have him. I’m glad that I’ve had the opportunity to coach him.”
Thibodeaux has 5.5 sacks through seven weeks this season, which is ninth-most in the league and ahead of Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons, who Tierney and Licata used as a base for their criticism.
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