After six straight losses, the Giants are in a rut. And they're coming off the bye week with three tough games ahead that could further that losing streak.
Head coach Pat Shurmur and his staff have taken the off week to look into what could turn things around, and give this team a boost heading into the homestretch of the season. And while those changes will reveal themselves this week against the Bears, Shurmur has already started a certain change during practice that he hopes will help.
For those that have been to training camp or gotten to watch practice, you'll notice music playing. It keeps the players loose and the playlist has horns in between songs to trigger the next drill to be done.
Shurmur has gotten rid of that.
According to NJ.com's Matt Lombardo, the first practice Shurmur ended the music privilege came on Nov. 6 following the Monday Night Football loss to the Cowboys. He said "things weren't working" with the music, and instead, he was looking for the players to build their own energy.
"We're creating our own energy, creating our own vibes with each other," Cody Latimer told Lombardo.
Darius Slayton added: "We've got some big personality guys on this team. Russell Shepard's going to be loud, whether there's music or no music. You need guys like that to get it started. Then, you start making some plays, and everybody out here's competitive, so once myey the offense makes a play it'll get the competitive juices going which makes everyone better."
The strategy didn't work against the Jets before the bye week, when the Giants fell in their sixth straight game. But, going to Chicago to face the Bears this week, the Giants definitely need to bring their own energy.
Solider Field has some of the most loyal fans in football, and they have been itching for a Bears win. The Giants must build off their own energy in a crowd rooting against them.
In Shurmur's eyes -- and his players' -- this is a good way to create that energy organically.
"Obviously there's no music during the plays in the stadium on game day," Slayton said. "It's about pulling from within, everybody pulling from within individually to create energy, enthusiasm and a desire to go out there during practice and have a good day."