The New York Giants left Sunday’s loss against the New Orleans Saints unsettled at quarterback and running back, with John Harbaugh offering no definitive answers on either position and making it clear neither job is settled.
Harbaugh refused to name a starter at quarterback immediately afterward, saying the decision was not yet under discussion. He acknowledged that Jameis Winston was up and down while praising the play of J.J. McCarthy after the latter entered in relief.
McCarthy’s mobility was described as a significant part of his skill set, and Harbaugh said the evaluation process begins immediately.
“I thought he came in there and did a heck of a job given the circumstances, you know, and kind of desperation time. It’s different than normal
football, but made some plays and got us back, gives us a chance to win the game and we’re throwing the ball in the endzone at the end so that was good. You’ve got to compliment him on that,” Harbaugh told reporters before being asked about the starter in Week 7.
“I can’t answer that now. The game just ended ten minutes ago. Like I said, I can’t answer it now. It’s not even up for discussion or conversation right now. We’ve got to go back and go to work. I have no problem with Jameis whatsoever. I love the way he competes, I love the way he fights, all those kind of things. He was up and down today for sure, but those things will all be decided not ten minutes after a game.”
The running game was equally unsettled. Harbaugh called the performance “not very good” and explained that the Giants rotated four backs in the first half in an attempt to find a hot hand. Cam Skattebo’s reduced second-half snaps were not the result of a benching; the team simply moved into no-huddle and third-down personnel once it fell behind. No back has emerged as the clear lead option.
“We didn't bench Cam Skattebo. No, it was not by design. All those guys were taking equal reps in the first half," Harbaugh said. "We were trying to see who could make something happen, who could get a hot hand and earn it. Nobody has really taken the bull by the horns. Motor really hasn't had a chance to take the bull by the horns. So, we thought we'd get him in the mix, too. So, we put four guys up and see if we can get something going with the running game. That was the idea.
“One of those guys needs to step up. Somebody needs to step up and be the back. And none of those guys have done that yet. And when one of those guys steps up to be the back, then they'll be the back. That's your answer.”
The Giants enter the week at 3-2-1 with a difficult matchup against Houston ahead. Both the quarterback and running back situations remain open competitions, and Harbaugh made clear that someone will need to seize the opportunities in front of them if the offense is to find consistency.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Unsettled Giants leave Sunday with questions at QB and running back
