Giants' first loss under McAdoo a repeat of last year
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - The Giants' first regular-season loss under Ben McAdoo looked like many of the crushing defeats from their last year under Tom Coughlin.
In falling 29-27 to the Redskins on Sunday, the Giants (2-1) blew a late lead, turned over the ball three times, had dumb penalties, and sustained a couple of injuries that are going to leave them short-handed heading to Minnesota next Monday night.
While Odell Beckham Jr. was OK on the field in his matchup with cornerback Josh Norman, the receiver had meltdowns on the sideline that McAdoo said were a distraction. He said he talked to Beckham twice during the game.
"No one in the locker room was pleased afterward," McAdoo said Monday in assessing the team's mood. "We knew that we were our own worst enemy yesterday."
The biggest injury was a season-ending torn triceps sustained by running back Shane Vereen . He started against Washington with Rashad Jennings nursing a thumb injury. Vereen has been their third-down back, with his 59 catches last season second on the team.
"Shane is a tremendous football player and our thoughts go to him with that tough injury," McAdoo said. "I feel for the player. He's a good football player. We wish him a speedy recovery."
McAdoo did not know when Vereen was hurt, but he believes he played with the injury for a significant amount of time.
McAdoo said it was too early to say if Jennings can play this week. Orleans Darkwa ran for 53 yards on 10 carries as the backup. Rookie Paul Perkins and Bobby Rainey will have to take on bigger roles if Jennings misses the next game.
New York also had cornerbacks Eli Apple (hamstring) and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie hurt, leaving them uncertain for the Vikings. McAdoo said the Giants will decide whether they need to sign another cornerback.
Rookie safety Darian Thompson also had his foot examined Monday and he will not need surgery. He will have to wear a walking boot for now.
Beckham finished with seven receptions for 121 yards. He showed some emotion on the field after making two consecutive catches against Norman in the fourth quarter, but he seemed agitated at times on the sideline.
"He needs to control his emotions better and become less of a distraction to himself and to his teammates," McAdoo said. "It's our job to help him with that process and maturing."
The Giants can't afford another effort like that this week. Worst was 11 penalties for 128 yards, including five 15-yarders.
Defensive end Olivier Vernon was called for a hit to the helmet on the Redskins' winning-drive.
"We were sloppy with our play," McAdoo said. "Our discipline and poise wasn't there like it was in the first two weeks. It's something that we addressed in the locker room after. We have to continue to address it and work on it. Get back to the team that we were the first two weeks of the season as far as the penalties go,"
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