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You can’t see it and there’s no measuring stick you can compare it to but despite constant losing, the New York Giants are headed in the right direction.
Just ask head coach Joe Judge.
“I know we’ve got the right foundational pieces [here],” Judge said. “I know we have some players in key positions who are guys that you can build with and keep carrying on. All right? I know we got the right temperament. I know we got the right culture in terms of teaching the players.”
Judge said a lot more in his wild 11-minute rant last Sunday. It was cringeworthy and there was a mild expectation for revolt. But that’s not happening. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
“Coach is a passionate coach. He said things that he felt and that he believed in, and that a lot of players in the locker room believe in, too. What I took from it was the message that this place is going in the right direction,” running back Saquon Barkley said. “It may not look like it right now from the outside looking in, but internally we know what we have here, we know what we’re doing in the locker room, meaning the characters that we have, the personalities that we have, the work ethic that we have. Sometimes, it doesn’t automatically transfer to the football field, but like I said after I talked after him, I believe it’s the only way I know how to get stuff done, how to improve and how to get better is to continue to work and continue to trust the process.”
Fellow team captain, Logan Ryan, agrees.
“I would just say that Joe’s been consistent in his demeanor and his approach with us. I think as a professional, he’s treated us all well with respect in terms of players and listening to the veterans on this team and welcoming any insight that we might have,” Ryan said. “I just think he’s been a coach and a man who’s been willing to listen to his players and still requires the same week in and week out from his players. To me, he’s just been consistent since they hired him in terms of his approach with us and he’s treated us professionally. It’s been respectable, he’s been a respectful head coach in my opinion.”
Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has never swayed. He’s close personal friends with Judge and has the utmost respect for him. If not for Judge, Graham likely would have taken a head coaching position last year.
Although he’s now opened the door to that in 2022, Graham still firmly believes in Judge and the long-term future of the Giants.
“I’m here because of Joe. I trust in Joe’s vision. Again, leadership has to have vision and with vision, you can’t be worried about the stuff that tries to sidetrack you from there,” Graham said. “I just know this, I know Joe’s strong, he’s a good leader, smart dude and he’ll handle it how he needs to handle it.”
Giants players and coaches still believe in Judge. Does ownership? Will this support be enough to save his job? We’re going to find out in a few short days.
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