Mike Kafka: Benching Abdul Carter Was Solely My Decision
In a surprising move, New York Giants linebacker Abdul Carter was benched at the start of the game against the New England Patriots on Monday night. This marked the second game in three weeks where Carter started on the sidelines, as the Patriots quickly took a commanding 17-0 lead in the second quarter.
Mike Kafka’s Decision to Bench Carter
Head coach Mike Kafka confirmed that the decision to bench Carter was entirely his own. “It was just my decision to not play him,” Kafka stated, declining to elaborate further when asked about the specifics leading to this choice. He acknowledged that these decisions are challenging but felt it was the right call for the team’s situation.
Carter, reflecting on his previous benching earlier in Week 11, expressed regret for making a mistake that he deemed “detrimental to the team.” When questioned about the recent benching, he simply stated, “s—t happens.” This response underscores the unpredictable nature of team dynamics.
Carter’s Performance After Benching
Once on the field, Carter made an impact by recording a sack against Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, preventing any gain on a scramble. In total, Carter accumulated four tackles during a challenging game where the Giants were trailing significantly.
- Player: Abdul Carter
- Position: Linebacker
- Team: New York Giants
- Opponent: New England Patriots
- Game Situation: Giants down 17-0 in second quarter
- Head Coach: Mike Kafka
- Previous Benchings: Second time in three games
- Carter’s Stats: 1 sack, 4 tackles
The Giants hope that this latest decision by Kafka will resonate with Carter, their first-round draft pick. As the season progresses, team cohesion and individual performances will be pivotal in shifting the Giants’ trajectory.
