Giants DC Wink Martindale wants to stay despite reported tension - ESPN

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale still expressed a desire to return to the New York Giants next season, even after details of tension between him and head coach Brian Daboll emerged in recent weeks.

Fox Sports' Jay Glazer reported prior to the team's 10-7 win over the New England Patriots on Nov. 26 that the tension between the two is palpable to those in the building and it wouldn't be surprising if they eventually parted ways. Glazer even suggested it could happen during the season.

Daboll downplayed any potential rift between the two coaches in the days after that game. However, he wouldn't directly answer questions about Martindale's future and instead made awkward food-related jokes.

«The biggest argument that Wink and I have had is who has the last piece of pizza,» Daboll said.

Martindale didn't say anything on Friday to suggest that the relationship was unsalvageable.

«We're fine,» he said. «It's the same thing it was last year. It was just different because we were winning more games.» The Giants (4-8) have struggled this season. Specifically, the 32nd-ranked offense, which has subsequently put added pressure on the defense. This after they made the playoffs and won a postseason game for the first time in over a decade last season.

That was the first season for Daboll and Martindale together. This year has been much more trying.

Martindale said that Daboll told him after the Patriots game that there was a report detailing tension between the two.

«I said, 'I don't pay attention to that,'» Martindale explained.

He did say that it bothered him though.

The difference in personalities between Daboll and Martindale has been the impetus for some of the tension, according to multiple