Tag: John Mara

Giants issue statement following Brian Flores lawsuit alleging racism

The New York Giants have released a statement following the Brian Flores lawsuit, saying they are confident in their hiring practices.

On Tuesday, former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores filed a lawsuit against the New York Giants alleging racism in their hiring practices.

The lawsuit also named the NFL and two more of its team, the Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos.

Flores claims that he was “humiliated” by the Giants, believing they ran him through a “sham interview” process just to give the impression a minority coach was a serious candidate.

Following the bombshell accusations, the Giants released a statement saying they are confident in their hiring practice.

“We are pleased and confident with the process that resulted in the hiring of Brian Daboll. We interviewed an impressive and diverse group of candidates. The fact of the matter is, Brian Flores was in the conversation to be out head coach until the eleventh hour. Ultimately, we hired the individual we felt was most qualified to be our next head coach,” the statement read.

The Giants completed an exhaustive search last Friday night, announcing Daboll as the 20th head coach in franchise history.

Flores interviewed with the team twice and had been contacted by Giants co-owner John Mara prior to the hiring of general manager Joe Schoen. Also interviewed were Patrick Graham, Leslie Frazier, Dan Quinn and Lou Anarumo.

Follow the Giants Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

Brian Flores accuses Giants in lawsuit of racism in hiring practices

Brian Flores has filed a lawsuit against the New York Giants (and two other teams), accusing them of racism in their hiring practices.

Former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores filed a lawsuit against the NFL and three of its teams on Tuesday, alleging racism in their hiring practices.

The New York Giants, who introduced Brian Daboll as their head coach on Monday, were among the teams named.

In the lawsuit, which the New York Daily News shared in part, Flores claims the Giants “humiliated” him with a sham interview after their decision on a new head coach had already been made.

Mr. Flores was not only denied the head coach position of the New York Giants but was humiliated in the process as (the team) subjected him to a sham interview in an attempt to appear to provide a black candidate with a legitimate chance at obtaining the job.

The suit continued:

Thus, last week, Defendant New York Football Giants, Inc. (the “Giants” or “New York Giants”) had an opportunity to move a step in the right direction, if even only one. The Giants had the chance to hire Mr. Flores, an eminently qualified Black man, to be the first Black Head Coach in the Giants’ nearly 100-year history.
Instead, the New York Giants made the decision to hire Brian Daboll—and disclosed that decision to third parties—during a time when the Giants were scheduled to still interview Mr. Flores and when Mr. Flores was deceptively led to believe he actually had a chance at this job. 

Thus, on Wednesday, January 26, 2022, Mr. Flores was forced to sit through a dinner with Joe Schoen, the Giant’s new General Manager, knowing that the Giants had already selected Mr. Daboll. Much worse, on Thursday, January 27, 2022, Mr. Flores had to give an extensive interview for a job that he already knew he would not get—an interview that was held for no reason other than for the Giants to demonstrate falsely to the League Commissioner Roger Goodell and the public at large that it was in compliance with the Rooney Rule.

A text message between New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and Flores was also submitted as evidence. In it, Belichick mistakes Flores for Brian Daboll and congratulates him on getting the Giants job.

Asked by Flores if he realizes which “Brian” he was talking to, Belichick tells him the Giants intend to go with Daboll.

Flores had second interview with the team just days later.

Even prior to hiring Joe Schoen as their general manager, Giants co-owner John Mara reached out to Flores to inform him he was a serious candidate — something Mara confirmed to the New York Post. The team subsequently interviewed Flores twice.

The Giants had also previously complied with The Rooney Rule, conducting an interview with Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier.

Like Flores, Frazier later received a second interview.

Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, who is expected to remain with the team, also earned an interview.

Follow the Giants Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

Giants owner John Mara: Daniel Jones’ neck injury a ‘non-factor’

New York Giants CEO John Mara says the team and its medical staff are confident that Daniel Jones’ neck injury will be a non-factor in 2022.

One of the biggest questions heading into the 2022 season for the New York Giants surrounds the health of starting quarterback Daniel Jones, who missed the last six weeks of the 2021 season with a neck injury.

On Monday, Giants co-owner John Mara spoke with the media after the team held they introductory press conference for new head coach Brian Daboll, who told reporters that he was looking forward to working with Jones.

Mara, meanwhile, shot down any notions that Jones’ neck injury could linger or impact his availability next season.

“Yeah, so our medical people are very confident that the neck injury will be a non-factor,” Mara said when asked about Jones’ status. He was also probed about what many of the general manager and head coaching candidates had to say about Jones in their interviews with the team.

“I think we did (nine) general manager interviews and (six) head coach interviews, and every single interview was positive about Daniel,” Mara added. “Now, they’re not willing to say that they think he’s going to be the next Patrick Mahomes or anything like that, but they were excited about the potential he has and the possibility of working with him. That, to me, was reassuring because that’s the way we feel as well.”

Asked if he would be surprised if Daniel Jones was not the Week 1 starter in 2022, Mara had a simple response.

“Yes,” he said.

Mara, Joe Schoen and Daboll all appear to be in that much-desired “lockstep” when it comes to Daniel Jones. They love him and are intent on riding things out with him under center.

Follow the Giants Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[pickup_prop id=”13858″]

Giants owner John Mara used key phrase regarding Deshaun Watson trade value

New York Giants owner John Mara used a phrase that indicates how NFL teams feel about Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson and his trade value.

New York Giants owner John Mara made it pretty clear that his franchise would not be the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes, and he made no bones about it.

According to CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin, the Giants don’t want to trade for the Houston Texans’ quarterback due to his being named as a defendant in a lawsuit wherein 22 women allege he committed sexual assault.

“We’re not trading for Deshaun Watson,” Mara said when asked of speculation linking the former Pro Bowler to New York. “There are so many reasons why we wouldn’t do that. Cap-wise, we couldn’t afford it, but more importantly, with the allegations that are out there right now, that’s just not the right fit for us.”

Mara used a very key phrase in his answer that signals how NFL teams view Watson and his trade value.

Most will focus on Mara declaring they aren’t trading for Watson, and it may very well be so they stay the course with former 2019 first-round pick Daniel Jones. The fact Mara made reference to Watson’s allegations is also significant.

However, Mara used the phrase “right now” that tells you where Watson is in the eyes of prospective teams.

Tony Buzbee, who represents the 22 women, says that the Miami Dolphins were ready to trade for Watson at the trade deadline in the 2021 season. However, the Dolphins wanted all 22 women to settle, and they wouldn’t.

Whatever happens with Watson legally, it won’t instantly dissolve the patina of sexual assault over his character in the court of public opinion.

For an NFL team, the allegations are in the past; there are no more issues with Watson “right now” anymore.

The team that deals for Watson and the three-time Pro Bowler will undergo immense media scrutiny, at least until Week 1, 2022 kicks off, but that won’t be the Texans’ problem.

Giants will once again focus on fixing O-Line this offseason

Have you heard this before? The New York Giants intend to fix the offensive line this offseason, admitting they can’t function currently.

It’s been the focus for years and it will be again: The New York Giants will look to address the offensive line this offseason.

With the Giants in salary cap hell, they will likely look to fix the offensive line in the upcoming draft. And although New York has plenty to repair, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that they spend both of their top 10 picks on the O-Line.

In newly hired general manager Joe Schoen’s first press conference, he didn’t shy away from the problems that need fixing on the roster he just inherited. For years, the Giants’ offensive line has needed to be repaired and the team has failed when it comes to the players that have come in to fix it.

Schoen has already stressed how important it is to build through the draft.

Schoen was also asked about Daniel Jones and he made it clear they plan to build around Jones’ strengths. Giants co-owner John Mara agreed and admitted they have not yet set Jones up to succeed here.

Fixing the offensive line once and for all is something that could alleviate a lot of the Giants problems.

“If you upgrade the offensive line, it’s going to help Daniel and it’s going to help Saquon (Barkley),” Schoen told SNY.

“I don’t think Daniel Jones has been given the best opportunity to succeed. He’s going to be on his third head coach, there’s been turnover at the offensive coordinator position, the offensive line — there’s been some injuries there,” Schoen later told Tiki and Tierney. “You know, (fixing) the offensive line will give us a chance to really see what we have in Daniel Jones. And it will also help Saquon Barkley. In order for both of those players to put their best foot forward, we’re going to have to upgrade the offensive line.”

Two years ago, the Giants drafted Andrew Thomas fourth overall. In his rookie year, Thomas really struggled. However, he really came into his own in his sophomore season and is now seen as a piece for the Giants to build around.

In many of the mock drafts throughout the second half of the season and even many of the recently released mocks, the Giants going in the direction of offensive line with at least one of their top 10 picks.

A fix at offensive line will make life easier for Jones, Saquon Barkley, the new offensive coordinator and ultimately will help the offense flow. Giants fans have been starving for the team to fix the offensive line for years and it is comforting to know that the new GM knows it must be addressed this offseason.

[pickup_prop id=”14193″]

[listicle id=685451]

Giants will ask Brian Flores to explain Dolphins’ power struggle

When the New York Giants interview Brian Flores on Thursday, they will ask him to elaborate on Miami’s power struggle and his termination.

The New York Giants, still in search of their next head coach, will meet with Brian Flores in East Rutherford on Thursday. And by all accounts, he’s considered one of the favorites.

Even prior to Joe Schoen being hired as general manager, there were reports that Giants co-owner John Mara reached out to Flores and informed him he was a serious candidate. That seems like an unusual step, but New York wanted to make sure they had their shot at Flores.

And when they do finally meet face-to-face, Mara intends to bring the heat. He will ask Flores to explain the power struggle in Miami that ultimately led to his firing.

“That’s certainly one of the things that we’re going to ask Brian. I discussed it with him briefly when I spoke to him a week ago, but we’re going to spend some time on that when he comes in tomorrow,” Mara told reporters.

And what did Flores say? That’s only for the fly on the wall to know.

“I’m not going to go into that. It’s obviously something that we’re going to have to discuss,” Mara added.

Whatever happened in Miami, it hasn’t stopped Flores from generating significant interest. Mara acknowledged that all nine candidates who interviewed for the Giants’ GM job had Flores on their list of potential head coaches.

“I reached out to him because he was on all the candidates that we interviewed for general manager, he was on each of their lists,” Mara said. “I see he’s been interviewing elsewhere, I just wanted to let him know: ‘Before you make a decision, just know that we have interest in you. Make whatever decision you feel like you need to make for you and your family, but just know that we do have interest in you. Once I get the general manager search done, we will be back to you, so that was the purpose of that call.'”

And get back to him the Giants did. Flores waited and now he will have the opportunity to explain what happened in Miami and why he’d be the best choice to lead New York in 2022 and beyond.

[pickup_prop id=”19095″]

[listicle id=685451]

Giants commit to Daniel Jones: “We’ve done everything possible to screw this kid up”

The Giants seem committed to Daniel Jones in the short term, seeming to understand that they haven’t met him halfway.

The New York Giants selected quarterback Daniel Jones out of Duke with the sixth overall pick in the 2019 draft despite a lot of tape that didn’t exactly scream, “First-round prospect.” Jones has had his moments in the NFL, completing 62.8% of his passes over three seasons with 45 touchdowns and 29 interceptions, but among all quarterbacks with at least 1,000 passing attempts in that time, Jones ranks 23rd in passer rating (84.3), 23rd in Adjusted Net Yards per Pass Attempt (5.28), 23rd in touchdown percentage (3.5%), 19th in interception percentage (2.29), and 24th in QB WINZ (12).

Behind some really subpar offensive lines, and with a stream of receivers whose gifts have not been optimized, Jones has the sixth-most sacks (105) in that time, and his fourth-quarter comebacks (two) and game-winning drives (three) are among the league’s lowest. Former general manager Dave Gettleman was all in on Jones to a large degree due to his performances at his Senior Bowl, which makes you wonder if Gettleman watched anything else.

On Wednesday, during the first press conference for new GM Joe Schoen, both Schoen and team president John Mara seemed to be all in on Jones’ future with the team. The two men are narrowing their search for a new head coach to replace the mercifully fired Joe Judge, but they seemed to be in lockstep with the idea that there’s more to Jones from a potential standpoint than we’ve seen to date.

“I’ve looked at Daniel and once the new staff gets in here, we’re going to get together – offensive coordinator, head coach, the entire staff – dive into the film as a group and look at what Daniel does best and we’re going to try to allow him to put his best foot forward,” Schoen said. “I wasn’t here in the past, so I don’t exactly know what he was told to do. I know he’s a great kid, he’s been in this building the last two days, I’ve talked to him. There’s not anybody in this building that’s said a bad word about his work ethic, passion, desire to win. I think you’ve got to have those traits as a quarterback, and the kid has physical ability, he’s got arm strength, he’s athletic, he can run. I’m really excited to work with Daniel and, again, when the new staff gets in here, we’ll build an offense around Daniel to accentuate what he does best.”

Mara, who has presided over some really dodgy coaching hires — from Ben McAdoo to Pat Shurmor to Judge over the last six seasons — seemed to finally understand that the people he’s put in place to develop Jones really haven’t done the job.

“I want Joe and the new head coach to make that evaluation,” Mara said regarding Jones’ future with the team. “We do feel that Daniel can play. We’ve done everything possible to screw this kid up since he’s been here. We keep changing coaches, keep changing offensive coordinators, keep changing offensive line coaches. I take a lot of responsibility for that. But let’s bring in the right group of coaches now and give him some continuity and try to rebuild the offensive line and then be able to make an intelligent evaluation of whether he can be the franchise quarterback or not. I have a lot of hope in Daniel, and I know how badly he wants it. I know how the players feel about him. We are certainly not giving up on him by any stretch of the imagination.”

The Giants have a big decision to make regarding Jones’ fifth-year option in the new league year, and they’ll also have to balance the fact that Jones has missed time due to injury. Jones hasn’t made it easy for his team, but as Mara said, the Giants haven’t met him halfway, either.

Giants’ John Mara: ‘We will not trade for Deshaun Watson’

New York Giants co-owner John Mara emphatically ruled out the possibility of trading for Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson on Wednesday.

New York Giants co-owner John Mara has finally broken his habit of dancing around reporters’ questions and taking the high road on Wednesday. He’s firing off directives and speaking frankly.

At the press conference to introduce incoming general manager Joe Schoen, Mara — who claimed he would not be a ‘hand on’ owner and step back — recoiled when taking about the team’s future at quarterback.

“We’re not trading for Deshaun Watson,” Mara said in response to an inquiry regarding the beleaguered Houston Texans’ quarterback.

Mara also admitted the Giants made multiple mistakes in developing their own high first round franchise quarterback Daniel Jones.

Jones has had to deal with a multitude of institutional errors such as having instability in the coaching ranks and having to play behind a subpar offensive line.

Mara is committed to giving Jones another bite at the apple. This could be seen as a contradiction to what he said recently when the Giants began the process of finding a new GM and coaching staff. Seems like he’s made the QB decision for them, although Schoen also seemed equally on board with DJ.

[listicle id=685451]

Giants’ Joe Schoen holds introductory press conference: 17 takeaways

The New York Giants introduced general manager Joe Schoen on Wednesday and here are the 17 biggest takeaways from his press conference.

The New York Giants introduced newly hired general manager Joe Schoen on Wednesday, and he promptly took questions from the media.

Schoen touched on a variety of topics and showed a lot of personality. The mellow, mild-mannered 42-year-old is in stark contract to the previous general manager, Dave Gettleman, which will be welcomed by most.

Here’s a look at 17 of the biggest takeaways from Schoen’s introductory press conference.

Report: Giants’ John Mara personally reached out to Brian Flores

New York Giants CEO John Mara called Brian Flores days ago and reportedly told him that the team is willing to eat dead cap to clear space.

The New York Giants have hired Joe Schoen as their next general manager, which means the search for a new head coach can commence.

Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has already been requested for an interview, but he will not be alone. The Giants are also expected to request interviews with former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores and Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.

There will likely be others.

What’s interesting however, is that Giants co-owner John Mara reportedly reached out to Flores prior to the hiring of Schoen. Additionally, Mara is telling coaching candidates that the team is willing to eat a boatload of dead cap in order to clear some space for 2022.

This approach is interesting because Mara and fellow co-owner, Steve Tisch, previously stated the new GM would “oversee all aspects of our football operations, including player personnel, college scouting and coaching.”

That already appears to be an untruth with the request to interview Quinn and the private phone call to Flores. It also flies in the face of Schoen’s first remarks as Giants GM, in which he claimed the head coaching search would be wide-ranging.

“Now, the work begins. My immediate focus is to hire a head coach, with who I will work in lockstep with to create a collaborative environment for our football operations. We will cast a wide net, it can be former head coaches, first-time head coaches but, more importantly, it has to be a person who possesses the ability to lead an organization and the ability to motivate and develop players,” Schoen said.

Mara promised to stay out of the way but he can’t seem to help himself. Hopefully for the Giants’ sake, he was just trying to get some ducks in a row so Schoen could hit the ground running without a leash.

[listicle id=685284]