The numbers belie Joe Schoen’s confidence in his Giants future

It was always going to be exceedingly difficult for Joe Schoen to stand behind a lectern and sound as if he remains the right man for the job. The evidence against him is incriminating and the defense of his employment is based far too much on faith and hope and a few flickers of light amid the darkness.

Schoen’s annual bye-week State of the Giants address came at about the worst time possible, so late in a season that was dead and buried back when the air was warmer than this cold carcass of a team. It came after the ugliest of seven consecutive losses in a season overstuffed with weekly reminders that the Giants, in a league where stuff happens, are numbingly consistent in their ability to leave the field with fewer points than their opponent.

And so, there was not much the beleaguered general manager could say about a record of 2-11 that anyone could swallow without gagging just a bit. The head coach, Brian Daboll, and the defensive coordinator, Shane Bowen, have already been jettisoned. Schoen lives on and is tasked by co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch with leading the search for the next head coach.

“I do have confidence in our process and our ability to find the next coach to lead the organization,’’ Schoen said Tuesday. “I know we’re gonna get it right.’’