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The New York Giants fell to 0-5 on the season following a 37-34 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, but there were no pats on the back or “Atta-boys” this time around.
For the fourth time in five games, the Giants battled hard, kept the game close and positioned themselves to win, but simply couldn’t make the big play in crunch time.
Yes, the team did show substantial progress, but both the coaches and players know that the time to celebrate moral victories has run its course.
“Obviously, we’re not happy about losses, that’s not what we do here, but I’ve seen a lot of progress on all fronts and all units. We have to keep making consistent progress to keep being a better team as the year goes,” head coach Joe Judge told reporters after the game.
“[The players] are disappointed after any game where we don’t come out winners, but one thing I know about our team is it’s a resilient group and it’s a hard-working bunch.”
Veteran defensive back Logan Ryan, who has quickly developed into a team leader, was far more blunt in his response to the loss.
“Look, we scored on defense. We did a lot of good things, but we’re not getting anymore ‘Atta-boys.’ No more pats on the back. At this time, it’s done,” Ryan said. “The fan base deserves wins and we’re going to do what we have to do to get some wins for the fans and for ourselves because we deserve it, too. Coach Judge deserves it. I’m going to stand up here at this podium with my chin held high and I’m going to go back to work like anyone else would do. I’m going to find a way to play better for the team.”
Linebacker Blake Martinez, who was fuming over his missed tackle of Amari Cooper, echoed Ryan’s sentiments.
“It’s at this point in time that there’s enough of this ‘we’re so close, we’re getting there,’ it’s time to win, this is a result business, we need to go out there and win, get the job done, and it’s time for that now,” Martinez said.
Despite his eight-reception, 129-yard game, wide receiver Darius Slayton wasn’t satisficed, either.
“We’re fighting hard to win. The first thing on the top of your mind is we didn’t get the win, so regardless of how many plays we made, or what we did, it wasn’t enough to win the game. Right now, it’s the overall, forefront thought in my mind, at least,” Slayton said.
The message was clear all-around: the Giants know they’ve taken solid steps over the first five weeks of the season, but the time to celebrate progress has come and gone. The only progress left to make is finishing games out and walking away with wins.
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