Giants’ Abdul Carter Responds Defiantly to Latest Benching

Abdul Carter, the third overall draft pick for the New York Giants, recently faced another benching due to tardiness issues. This occurred during Monday night’s game against the New England Patriots, where Carter started the game on the sidelines. This marks the second instance in just three games under interim head coach Mike Kafka that Carter has been benched.

Consequences of Tardiness

The Giants were defeated 33-15 by the Patriots, adding to the team’s struggles this season. Following the game, Carter spoke with reporters regarding his benching and the ongoing message about punctuality.

Carter’s Reaction

• Carter expressed frustration about starting on the bench, stating, “S— happens.” He emphasized that he needs to do better.
• He acknowledged feeling sick about not being on the field for the first two drives of the game.

Carter admitted to letting his team down and accepted partial responsibility for the situation. He stated, “I’ve got to be out there. I’ve got to do better.” This self-reflection marks a shift from previous leadership under former coach Brian Daboll, who had not imposed strict accountability on Carter for similar late issues.

Accountability and Improvement

When asked if the benching was justified, Carter simply responded, “Yeah.” He has openly communicated with teammates about his tardiness, recognizing that he needs to improve his commitment and punctuality. “I’ve been through worse things, so I’ll be all right,” Carter remarked about his challenges adjusting to the NFL.

Patterns of Behavior

This issue of tardiness has plagued Carter during his rookie season. Just two games ago, he was benched for the first drive of the game against the Green Bay Packers after reportedly sleeping through a walk-through practice. Although he denied sleeping, he admitted to missing the session.

Carter’s recent benching came after he missed a team meeting, highlighting ongoing punctuality issues that need immediate rectification. This persistent problem puts significant pressure on Carter to make adjustments and reclaim his role as a foundational player for the Giants.

• Carter’s performance this season has been hampered by self-inflicted mistakes.
• His ability to take accountability will be crucial in determining his future with the team.

With the season’s momentum slipping away, Abdul Carter must demonstrate improved discipline and commitment if he hopes to turn around what was anticipated to be a standout rookie year for the New York Giants.