New York Giants co-owner John Mara, like many others around the football world, came away impressed with the team’s 2020 NFL Draft haul, which featured additions such as offensive tackle Andrew Thomas and safety Xavier McKinney.
Mara also feels comfortable with what the Giants did during free agency, and believes they should be a better team in 2020.
Of course, Mara also recognizes that fans have heard similar optimism before.
“I do believe that we’re on the right path,” Mara told the New York Post. “But I’m sure our fans are saying, ‘I’ve heard you say that before.’ So until we start winning games, I understand there’s gonna be some doubt. But I do feel good about where we are right now.”
Mara’s encouraging take didn’t come without a caveat, however. He also made it abundantly clear that the team must meet some of those higher expectations in 2020.
“We should be a better team this year; we better be a better team this year,” Mara said.
The good news? Mara is happy with his decision to bring back Dave Gettleman, and is additionally pleased with how he and head coach Joe Judge communicated and operated throughout the draft process.
“It was terrific, they had great communication,” Mara said. “There’s a lot of discussions, a lot of meetings, and I was really pleased with the way the whole team operated. They obviously respect one another, and I was very pleased with how it all worked out. You never know how that’s gonna work out with a new head coach and a general manager that’s been around the league for a while, and I thought that their communication was excellent.
“I thought it went far more smoothly than I ever could have imagined. . . I don’t think they agree 100 percent of the time, but I think they have a lot of respect for one another and they talk it through, and that was pretty evident during this entire process.”
Like many others, Mara has also seen a little Bill Parcells and Tom Coughlin in Judge, the way he operates and the message he spreads.
“He’s very thorough. He does his homework. He’s got great relationships with other coaches around the country who he communicates with. He sees the big picture and so far so good,” Mara said.
Mara is quick to acknowledge that the Giants’ rebuild is far from over, but he likes where the team is headed and is pleased with the talent they have begun to amass.
Still, Mara isn’t ready to make any sort of bold prediction.
“It’s a little bit early to be making predictions,” Mara said. “Obviously we’re all hopeful we’ll have a season [at all].”
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