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Dennard Wilson’s ‘Traitor’ Dig Sparked Giants Turnaround
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- Dennard Wilson’s ‘Traitor’ Dig Sparked Giants Turnaround
Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Dennard Wilson did not whisper to the Giants defense, according to the New York Post . He roared. Following a 34-27 defeat against the Saints during Week 6, the defensive coordinator addressed his players, singling out "traitors" within the unit for insufficient effort. It was a harsh label, but Wilson knew the film backed him up. The team had 13 missed tackles in that game, a number that made the problem impossible to ignore. Now, the Giants are winning, and the hard truth is that Wilson's approach worked.
The Film Does Not Lie
Many coaches stay quiet to keep the peace, but Wilson refused to play that game. Prior to Thursday practice, he informed the media that numerous modern coaches fear engaging in such difficult discussions. Wilson believes the relationship between a coach and a player allows for blunt truth without it becoming a personal attack. He said, "I think we get too caught up into not speaking the truth, right? The film doesn't lie and it never lies." The silent tape showed players who were not running to the ball, and he made sure everyone knew it. This was not about blaming one person; it was about fixing a behavior that hurt the whole group.
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From 13 Missed Tackles to Six
The results came fast. The defense held strong and only had six missed tackles. That number was less than half of what they had against New Orleans just a week prior. Wilson noted that the players responded in a great way. He noted that the group knew they had to sprint toward the ball and play tough. The shift happened because the coach demanded it, and the players answered the call.
Hard Truths Build Champions
Wilson has been trained to do this since he was a young coach 20-some years ago. He understands that letting a standard slip is a shame on the coach as well as the player. The Giants need this kind of leadership to survive the rest of the season. They face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Nov. 8, at Lincoln Financial Field, and they will need that same toughness. The team cannot afford to go back to the soft play that led to the Saints loss. Wilson's "traitor" comment was the wake-up call the unit needed.
