When the New York Giants’ director of college scouting, Chris Pettit, called Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas to let him know he was about to be selected in the 2020 NFL Draft, one of the first things Thomas mentioned was getting to the Super Bowl.
“You ready to become a part of a championship team?” Pettit asked on the call.
“Yes sir. I’m trying to win that Super Bowl,” Thomas responded.
It was a magical moment for Thomas and his family, but it came with an instant dose of reality and a blunt introduction to how the Giants will now be run under head coach Joe Judge.
Immediately following that part of the call, Judge informed Thomas he doesn’t want to hear another word about the Super Bowl or any sort of predictions.
“When you talk to the media, I don’t want to hear anything about Super Bowls, I don’t want to hear any predictions and comparisons,” Judge said, reports ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio. “You talk about coming up here, getting to work, putting your head down and improving. That’s all you have to worry about.”
Judge’s warning wasn’t in relation to Thomas’ conversation with Pettit, but rather, an expectation of what’s to come from here on out.
There is a new captain in East Rutherford now; one who is understandably Bill Belichick-like. The normal distractions aren’t going to be allowed or tolerated. It’s team only, team always.
Luckily for Thomas, he’s a very disciplined person with a focus on the mental side of the game. He will adapt well to Judge’s style of coaching, and the Giants will be better off for it.
[lawrence-related id=645525,645539,645549]