Cowboys
Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy said their 3-9 overall record reflects how the organization must improve in many areas.
“We’re not where we need to be. Clearly. Our record reflects it,” McCarthy said, via Todd Archer of ESPN. “We can improve on a number of things. It’s just not one area, one person. Everybody’s 3-9 right now, so we all need to do a better job.”
McCarthy admitted that it’s been a tough stretch for them, but he believes the organization has provided a “phenomenal opportunity” for him to turn around.
“This has been a hard stretch. And it’s just really the stretch has been difficult because the number of challenges that everybody in this league goes through. We’re just not doing as well as we’d like with the multiple challenges that we’ve had. I’m glad to be a Dallas Cowboy. I love it here. This is a phenomenal opportunity. Make no mistake about it. This is not where we intended to be. This is not where we’re going to stay.”
McCarthy is still confident in his abilities to build a successful organization.
“There’s no doubt that you have to continue to look at everything and be honest about it,” said McCarthy. “I think it goes back to the preparation of a football team. How did you set your schematic schedule in the limited time that we had? Just the anticipation of the changes. Frankly, I don’t think any of us anticipated the amount of it. Are we handling it properly? Did we adjust in midstream as good as we can? So I think, like anything, times like this can confirm what I believe in.”
In the end, McCarthy feels this season’s adversity for the Cowboys will help build their program.
“I do believe that we will be much better from this experience and all this adversity is happening for a reason, and from adversity and negative experiences, obviously you have a great opportunity to learn and increase your instincts and your awareness. And I feel that our program and our team will be better for this moving forward. It can’t happen quick enough.”
- Cowboys owner Jerry Jones spoke about making some personal changes as he managers his franchise: “When you work for yourself, there’s no firing him. You gotta change him. And he’s gotta change the direction he’s going. I’ve worked all my life for myself, but I’ve had to change directions many times. So, I will change. I can change.” (Jon Machota)
Giants
Giants’ DB Logan Ryan will be the defensive leader and will be receiving audio from DC Patrick Graham in his helmet during the Giants’ next game.
“It says a lot about how we trust Logan and his ability to communicate with the defense,” Giants HC Joe Judge said, via Ryan Dunleavy of The New York Post. “But the other thing is he’s very consistent in terms of being on the field for us in multiple packages. If they use tempo, if we have to make a call before Pat gets it in, or the headset goes out and it’s checking the sideline for signals, we know that he can do it.”
- Zack Rosenblatt reports that Giants’ CB Darnay Holmes still has a chance to play this week and will be a game-time decision, despite being listed as questionable with a knee injury.
- Dan Duggan reports that Giants QB Daniel Jones’ hamstring injury was checked on Saturday and he is expected to start Week 14’s game against the Cardinals.
- According to Art Stapleton, Giants LB Blake Martinez (back) was feeling better on Saturday and there is “more optimism” he’ll be cleared for Week 14. Stapleton adds that Martinez will be a game-day decision.
Washington
Washington HC Ron Rivera said RG Brandon Scherff, who is in the final year of his contract, has done a “great job” and identified him as someone who can line up next to any player.
“I really like what we’re getting from him. I think he’s done a great job. He really has,” said Rivera, via The Athletic. “It doesn’t matter who he lines up next to, he’s a great communicator. I think that’s as important as it gets. He does a great job. He and Chase Roullier are really good together in terms of their combinations. Watching them with Morgan (Moses) has been really cool. He’s helped David Sharpe really nicely. He’s helped David out a lot. I think when you have a guy like that it really doesn’t matter who you put next to him. He’s going to be able to communicate and get things worked out, and that’s what he’s shown us.”
Washington OC Scott Turner said Scherff is among their leaders on the offensive line and plays well alongside RT Morgan Moses.
“Brandon’s toughness, his consistency, and then just the resiliency that he shows, dealing with that (knee) injury earlier in the year, being able to come back … he’s just the steady rock. Him and (tackle) Morgan (Moses) playing on that right side together. … Those guys working together, playing together … those are the leaders so far for us. They’ve done a great job, Brandon in particular. He brings it every day … the toughness, the blue-collar mentality. It helps (as) the engine that drives our team. … He’s a guy that we trust is going to get his block done. If we can ask a little bit more of him than someone else and give a little help to the other side, that’s definitely something that we do. That’s definitely a factor we know, I know, when he’s out there.”
Veteran QB Alex Smith called Scherff the “total package” as a right guard and praised his leadership around Washington’s locker room.
“I think Brandon’s the total package. From a talent standpoint, I think that he’s the best player in that position in the league, one of the best teammates I’ve ever had. It means so much to him. He’s so invested into this team. You can feel his energy in the huddle. You certainly miss it when he’s gone. It’s significant. He’s that type of player. Not just from like I said a talent standpoint, but certainly his leadership, his energy and the attitude he brings to the huddle every day.”
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