Giants’ Golladay on benching: I should be playing
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — New York Giants Wide receiver Kenny Golladay. He didn’t exactly like coach Brian Daboll’s decision to play him just two snaps in Sunday’s game. 19-16 win Top Carolina Panthers.
“Of course I don’t really agree with it. Or like it,” Golde, who was speaking to the media for the first time after the game, said Wednesday. “But the only thing I can control is what I can control, which is to come to work every day.”
Golladay, the Giants’ prized free agent acquisition in 2021, didn’t see it coming. He said everyone in the organization has been telling him he’s been a pro and is doing things the right way.
This makes it all quite confusing for Golde.
“I should play regardless,” he said. “It’s a fact.”
Golladay, 28, was considered the Giants’ No. 1 receiver when the previous administration signed him last offseason. He signed a four-year, $72 million contract and is being paid $18 million this season.
But Golde had a rough first year with the team, hampered by injury and unable to score a touchdown. He had a procedure that kept him out this spring.
The signs were actually on the wall this summer when — despite consistently being on the field — Gouldey was dealing with a string of injuries. He was surprisingly one of the few veterans to play in the preseason finale, and caught two passes for 22 yards on 42 snaps (most among Giants wide receivers) in the season-opening win. Tennessee Titans.
Daboll said he told Golde in the middle of last week that he was going along. David Sills v Against the Panthers on this one. Seals finished with two career catches for 17 yards. He is making $825,000 this season.
Golde has 222 receptions for 3,611 yards and 21 career touchdowns. He led all receivers with 11 scores in 2019. But it’s not out of the question to think he’s lost a step. Gouldey has two touchdown receptions and less than 900 yards receiving in two-plus seasons since.
The veteran receiver was asked about requesting a change of scenery after being benched for most of Sunday’s game.
“We’re going to see how it goes. Yeah, we’re going to see how it goes,” Golde said. “I’m here to play. I’m pretty sure they’re paying me to play. I guess they want to see more or get whatever is on their end. I just Just doing what I had to do to get in. Every single day.”
It appears that Golde could be moved at this point, in part due to the lack of production and his contract. He is still owed $11.6 million for the remainder of this season and another $4.5 million next year.
It’s not a problem to keep him around right now. Daboll and several Giants players told ESPN that he handled it like a pro.
“It is what it is. It’s a business,” Golde said. “I’m not here to be friends with the coaches. They’re just my co-workers.”
Daboll has been consistent about saying the wide receiver position is an open competition, and he means business. Richie James Leads Giants with 10 catches and 110 yards receiving.
James was an offseason acquisition that many believed was on the roster bubble. Sales made the team.
Daboll has used the same line about the competition from the beginning. He took a similar stance back when Goldey was one of the few veterans to play in the third and final preseason game. He was also the reasoning behind last year’s first-round pick. Qadirius ToneyPlaying just seven snaps in the opener, Goldey barely got on the field against the Panthers.
“It’s a constant competition at receiver. How long have I said that? I’m not a jerk, I’ve said that since the middle of camp, right?” Dabol said on Sunday. “That hasn’t changed. It’s going to be an ongoing competition.”
He added Monday: “Again, whether it’s the highest-paid player, the lowest-paid player, the highest draft pick, an undrafted free agent — we’re there. Let’s go and let the guys compete. Week doesn’t necessarily mean that’s what’s going to happen next week. I think everybody understands what we’re trying to do as an organization. In terms of getting better, competing for places, working as hard as we can.”
Daboll isn’t playing favorites based on salary or draft status, and that has gotten his team’s attention.
“It’s rare, but coach has always told us he doesn’t care where you’re drafted in the first round, second round, undrafted. Sterling Shepard said.
Shepard has played the most snaps (102) of any Giants wide receiver so far this season. He is coming off a torn Achilles last season. Sales is second with 91.
If Golde has a role this season, it will have to be earned, not given based on his past accomplishments. This new regime is not tied to Golde, who was a third-round pick of the Lions in 2017.
Golde was optimistic about how Wednesday’s practice went. He said he believes his role is probably going to be a little different this week.
The Giants (2-0) may need more against him Monday night. Dallas Cowboys. Toney did not participate in Wednesday’s practice due to a hamstring injury that is still ongoing.