A year ago, they were a hot item.
Now it's not even lukewarm.
Mike Kafka and Wink Martindale, fresh from helping the Giants make the playoffs last season, were both candidates for the vacant NFL head coaching position in the offseason.
Now, Kafka, the Giants' offensive coordinator, and Martindale, the defensive coordinator, are in the crisp January breeze of the Meadowlands as the season concludes for Sunday's final game against the Eagles at MetLife Stadium. Next season they are squirming and wondering if they will still be hired by the team. So is special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey.
This is what happens when you are part of a team of 5-11 people. This is what it means to lose. Everyone will be paying attention. And none of the three phases of the game went well for the Giants this season.
Offensively, the Giants rank 30th in the league with just 239 points, averaging 14.9 points per game. They rank 30th in the league in total yards, but last in passing yards with just 2,580.
Defensively, the Giants are scoring 397 points, averaging 24.8 points per game, which is the fifth-most. They allow 24 rushing TDs, the second-most in the league, rank 30th in the league with 4.7 yards per carry, and rank 29th with 2,118 total rushing yards.
The Giants' special teams have also been inconsistent throughout the season, failing to generate game-changing plays.
The team's coordinator speaks with reporters every Thursday, and this was his last appearance of the season — and possibly forever.
When asked if he planned to return next season, Kafka went into Belichicki-esque “head to Cincinnati” autopilot mode.
“Really, my only focus is today and this week and getting the guys the best preparation for Philadelphia,” he said.
Asked in a follow-up if he had discussed his future with head coach Brian Daboll, Kafka said, “Our sole focus is on Philadelphia.”
Asked how he felt about his future after interviewing for the head coaching job a year ago, Kafka said: “I have a lot of confidence in myself as a coach, but my focus is really on Philly.'' Only in Delphia, today and this week.”
Kafka interviewed for the vacancy with the Panthers, Texans and Colts after last season and was considered a finalist for Carolina and Houston. Martindale interviewed with the Colts and was on their list of candidates.
“Do you think you'll come back? I don't know why you wouldn't, but after this last game you can have a conversation like that and calm down and reflect and get the emotions out,” Martindale said Thursday. He said this when asked about his future. “We'll have an answer later this week as to what direction we're going to go in. When you're not winning, you're inevitably going to have conversations, tough conversations, about how this league works. How it works out is how it works out.”
A few weeks ago, a FOX Sports report stated that Martindale and Daboll were in “bad situations” and that Martindale was not expected to continue the season. Well, he did. But will he survive until next season?
The report came shortly after Martindale went public with how hurt he was when safety Xavier McKinney suggested he didn't listen to players' in-game input. Daboll, who hates airing dirty laundry, must not have liked Martindale perpetuating a story he wished had died quickly.
Daboll coaches his players and coaches hard and is unapologetic about it. Martindale clearly has a sensitive side and probably doesn't like being coached too harshly.
Asked if he believed he and Daboll could “continue to have a healthy working relationship,” Martindale said: “Yes, we do.” of course. You can do it anytime. ”
Where this will lead is anyone's guess, but it seems like the Giants defense players don't want this to lead to anything other than Martindale staying with the team, and if Daboll decides to move on from Martindale. , the problem becomes even more complex.
“We all love him and have a great relationship with him,” McKinney told the Post Thursday. “He's a great DC. He's very aggressive and gives us all confidence. It's fun to be coached by him.”
Cornerback Adoree' Jackson said he would “be a little disappointed” if Martindale didn't return next season.
“Anytime you have an opportunity to have continuity and grow this season, that's always a positive,” said linebacker Bobby Okereke, the third defensive coordinator in his career. We all love Wink and hope he comes back. ”
Of course, things are not that simple, the disappointing result is real and the head coach has to make a decision.
“If you don't produce, you don't have a job,” veteran offensive lineman Justin Pugh told the Post. “That's the job of football. Coaches are in exactly the same mode as all of us as players. One year you might get a great new contract and the next year you might be fired. We all know the business we're in, and it ranges from great to terrible.
“Quickly.''
