Giants’ Nick Gates: Cardinals surprised us with 4-4 defense
The New York Giants were not prepared for what the Arizona Cardinals threw at them.
That’s not just the analysis after watching film of the Week 14 contest, it’s literally what center Nick Gates told reporters on Monday afternoon. For just the second time this year, Joe Judge was outcoached and his players were left unprepared.
“They were doing like a 4-4 heavy package, where they brought four linebackers and four d-linemen in. We weren’t expecting that,” Gates said. “We had some game time adjustments. We just have to do better. We have to execute better in getting everything going.”
Gates also felt the Giants’ offensive line failed against even basic stunts, but refused to blame quarterback Daniel Jones, who was hobbled due to a hamstring injury.
“They ran a lot of T/E’s and stunt games and twist games inside,” Gates added. “We just didn’t do a good enough job up front as a line passing those off and giving Daniel the ample amount of time to throw the ball. That’s just on the offensive line. It doesn’t matter if Daniel is healthy or not healthy. That’s up to him to answer those questions, and Coach Judge, but we have to do our job better.”
Ultimately, Gates wasn’t happy with his performance or those of his O-line mates. But they don’t have too much time to stew over it as a Sunday night game against the Cleveland Browns looms.
“It was not good, and we have to do better. I can tell you for me personally, we weren’t happy with the way we played. We can always do things better. We have to keep executing and keep going back to work in practice this week, and we have to get ready for the Browns,” Gates said.
