Asked about the implosion this season of the 2-13 New York Giants, the Redskins’ final opponent of the 2017 season, Jay Gruden chose to praise his team for sticking together through a tough, disappointing year.
“We’ve had our share from time to time — squabbles — but we have a very strong room in there and they handled it within the group, which is good,” the Redskins coach said Thursday. “I’ve hardly ever had to go down there and step in there and address the team about certain issues because we have a strong group down there that they can handle it within themselves. You always want that as a head coach.”
New York suspended cornerback Eli Apple for “conduct detrimental to the team” on Wednesday, a day after Giants safety Landon Collins called Apple a “cancer” in a radio interview.
Gruden expressed empathy for New York interim coach Steve Spagnuolo being forced to deal with locker room drama.
“You don’t want to be putting out fires every single day,” he said. “But it’s unfortunate what [the Giants are] going through but we are fortunate that we haven’t had to go through it.”
On the flipside, Gruden had many positive things to say about Giants quarterback Eli Manning, who could be making his final start for New York in Sunday’s matchup with the Redskins.
“Durability and consistency, and that’s what every quarterback should strive for — and production, obviously … the guy has never missed a game,” Gruden said of the two-time Super Bowl MVP. “He’s won Super Bowls and has just been a great team leader and player for the Giant organization and made life miserable for a lot of teams when he played against them. Nothing but the most respect for Eli Manning and what he has done for pro football and his accomplishments.”
• Josh Luckenbaugh can be reached at jluckenbaugh@washingtontimes.com.
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