Giants' Wink Martindale hurt, surprised by McKinney's criticism - ESPN

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale said he felt hurt and surprised by safety Xavier McKinney's comments after Sunday's 30-6 loss to the Raiders.

McKinney said after the game the team's leaders were «not really being heard.» The fourth-year safety is one of the defensive captains.

The Giants' defense had been playing good football heading into that Raiders loss. It had allowed just 33 points in the three previous games.

This particular complaint was one that Martindale, known for his player-friendly approach, had never heard in his 36-year coaching career.

«Yeah, it surprised me because it's the first time it's ever happened in my career that a player would make a statement like that,» he said. «I think it was a case of the kid is just frustrated from losing. We spoke. We cleared it up. The example that he gave me of what he was talking about was an in-game adjustment.

»It really took a while for him to point out exactly what it was. But I think you grow from that, and I just told him that is something that it hurts the locker room. It hurts the defensive room when you say something like that."

Coach Brian Daboll said that McKinney would be in his usual role Sunday as a starting safety against the Cowboys. There wouldn't be any on-field discipline for expressing his opinions.

The postgame critique still hit hard. It hurt Martindale, who is known for his «Keep It Real» meetings and open-door policy. He views his defensive meetings as a safe place that always end by asking if anyone has questions or concerns.

«It did [hurt],» Martindale said. «It did because I've always been open, and I've always been honest with players. I think if you have a problem, it's just how we handle things in that