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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.
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.
John Mara reached out to Brian Flores a couple of nights ago, a source told The Post. Very good conversation. Mara assured Flores that he's a serious candidate and that Giants will be willing to eat money to clear up some cap space…This could be Flores-Daboll steel cage match.
— Ian O'Connor (@Ian_OConnor) January 21, 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.
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The New York Giants are reportedly offering carte blanche to general manager candidates, but is that offer truly genuine?
The New York Giants are at an all-time low. Or at least that’s how co-owner John Mara currently views things.
“I kept thinking during the season that we had hit rock bottom and then each week it got a little worse. Honestly, I’m not proud of saying this, but if I’m going to be 100 percent honest, I would have to say the answer is yes,” Mara told reporters when asked if this is the most embarrassed he’s ever been.
That statement came on the heels of Dave Gettleman’s “retirement” and Joe Judge’s termination as head coach.
It was just the latest of a seemingly endless overhaul for the Giants, but this time they are committed to doing things right. And in an effort to see that through, Mara and his fellow co-owner, Steve Tisch, are apparently offering all general manager candidates carte blanche.
The most encouraging thing to take from this Giants GM search: From what I've heard, they are offering carte blanche to candidates to reshape the organization. The Giants way of operating is about to change drastically no matter who is hired.
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) January 19, 2022
That’s an encouraging step for the Giants if it’s true. However, despite his defiant denial that nepotism exists within the organization, a recent article from Dan Duggan of The Athletic paints an ugly picture.
In Duggan’s article, several former members of the front office and a few scouts sound off about Chris Mara’s role. And while they don’t attack him on a personal level, it’s made abundantly clear that Chris has much more “authority” than John claims.
It didn’t sit well with some colleagues when Chris Mara, a partner in Starlight Racing, left the Giants’ war room during the third day of the 2015 draft to watch his horse run in the Kentucky Derby. New York made one pick during Mara’s flight to Louisville and another after he arrived at Churchill Downs. “Look, if we were in the first or second round today, I probably wouldn’t be here,” Mara told a Sports Illustrated reporter chronicling his double duty.
“Is that really your priority over what we’re doing here in the draft?” a former member of the front office said. “It’s something that all the other guys just couldn’t do.”
Chris doesn’t go on the road to scout college games during the fall. His in-person scouting is typically limited to postseason all-star games, the scouting combine and college pro days. According to multiple current members of the organization, he has been less hands-on in recent years.
“I think he figures, ‘[Expletive] it, I’ll come around when I want to,’” a former Giants coach said. “He’s not answering to anybody.”
If the Giants are truly offering carte blanche to turn the organization around, that’s a legitimately positive step. But if that does not include the ability to fire and/or reassign Chris Mara, Tim McDonnell, Jonathan Tisch and Charles Tisch, then it’s not really “carte blanche,” is it?
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New York Giants CEO John Mara was inclined to give Joe Judge a third year but reportedly changed his mind due to pressure from Steve Tisch.
The New York Giants have wasted their fans’ time the past five years by thinking they could put band-aids on gunshot wounds hoping that some divine intervention they would turn them back into winners.
Heading into the 2022 season, the Giants are devoid of talent with 60 percent of their salary cap dedicated to seven players, none who can be considered a “franchise” player.
Co-owner Steve Tisch apparently pleaded with his partner, John Mara, to ‘blow up’ the model two years ago and start from the ground up. Mara balked and stayed the course, giving general manager Dave Gentleman a vote of confidence and Joe Judge was hired as the head coach.
You know the rest. The Giants have been going downhill with no brakes ever since. They finally crashed last week when they were embarrassed by a marginal Washington team at home in a game that saw the coaching staff basically circle the wagons and surrender.
Gettleman chose to retire before the team got a chance to fire him but Mara waffled on Judge, who was clearly in over his head after finishing 10-23.
This time around, Tisch convinced Mara it was time to let go of the past and move forward, reports Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News.
Co-owner Steve Tisch did not talk and has no plans to do so, outside of Monday’s statement that it’s an “understatement” to say he is “disappointed.”
Tisch should have to answer for coach Joe Judge’s firing in particular, because sources say Mara was the one who initially wanted to give the coach a third year, but Tisch pushed to blow it up after failing to achieve a full reset two years ago.
Mara knew that firing Judge after two years saddled by 19-46 GM Dave Gettleman — despite hiring him for a long-term rebuild — was not only moving the goalposts on his coach. It was ripping them down.
Mara was fully prepared — and maybe still is — to continue doing things the way he’s done the past decade. Had Tisch not stepped in, the Giants would be conducting their GM search with Judge in tow, and that would have made the job a lot less appealing. Some top candidates would have stayed away. Instead, there are nine very qualified people interviewing for the position.
“I just feel given where we are right now, on the verge of bringing in a new general manager, we have to give that person the flexibility to bring in the head coach that he wants,” Mara told reporters on Wednesday. “And I think that was a large part of the decision here in making a change.”
That’s correct. The tail can’t continue to wag the dog in East Rutherford. It’s time for a real football person to come in and install a 21st century NFL infrastructure to this once proud franchise.
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The New York Giants have fired head coach Joe Judge who, contrary to popular belief, did not receive a fair shake in East Rutherford.
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The New York Giants officially pulled the plug on Tuesday, firing head coach Joe Judge after just two seasons with the team.
The termination represented the end of a remarkable fall from grace for Judge, who arrived in East Rutherford with the full support of team ownership. John Mara and Steve Tisch were convinced that Judge would finally put an end to the vicious coaching cycle and restore Giants pride.
As recently as two and a half months ago, Mara and Tisch still believed that. In fact, Mara offered his public support of Judge.
“It is,” Mara said when asked if his belief in Judge remains strong. “Obviously, we’ve struggled this year, but he has not lost the locker room, and I’ve seen that happen over the years. I think the players still believe in him. We’ve just got to get our guys healthy again.”
But things drastically changed after that comment was made.
The Giants completely fell apart on the field, losing six straight games — many of them in humiliating fashion — to close out the season. And then, of course, there was the 11-minute rant Judge unleashed following a loss to Chicago in Week 17.
That speech was likely the final nail in Judge’s coffin.
Changes were necessary and Judge had to go with a new general manager coming in to oversee things. It was the only move ownership could make if they truly wanted to start fresh. Plus, Judge left them little choice.
But how much of the failure was the fault of Judge? Did he really get a fair shake? We’d argue not so much…
Judge started behind the eight-ball in his first season with the Giants. The world was crippled by the COVID-19 pandemic and that drastically altered the approach for the first-time head coach. Rather than working on-hand with his team, Judge was thrust into a virtual world where he had to create a foundation digitally.
There was also the presence of general manager Dave Gettleman, who had already lost the faith of fans and was trending downward. His roster building left Judge very little meat on the bone to work with and that was only compounded by bad contracts and injuries in 2021.
By the time this past season ended, the Giants led the league in games missed due to injury and were so depleted offensively that they failed to function at even a High School level. Never was that more evident than in Week 18 when they ran back-to-back quarterback sneaks inside their own 10-yard line with their third-string quarterback.
That, too, was a bad look for Judge but a necessary evil. Situationally, the Giants had been there a week earlier and failed. Judge simply refused to relive that nightmare.
Then, of course, there was the presence of Jason Garrett — a veteran coach who was forced on Judge as his offensive coordinator. The relationship didn’t work and had completely fizzled by the time of Garrett’s mid-season termination.
Judge was also saddled with a roster that he didn’t help build. He inherited the injured-prone Saquon Barkley, the under-performing Daniel Jones and one of the worst offensive lines ever assembled, among other negatives.
Yes, this was the job Judge had campaigned for. Yes, he was certain he could take what was given and fix things. That did not happen but to poke fun of Judge, pile on and force him to shoulder the majority of blame is both unfair and objectively dishonest. He couldn’t save the already sinking ship and had to go, but he certainly didn’t drown the organization himself.
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New York Giants coach Joe Judge is confident in his job security and that appears justified as reports say there’s “no chance” he’s fired.
Despite compiling a 10-19 record over this first two seasons (so far), New York Giants head coach Joe Judge doesn’t appear to be going anywhere.
Judge expressed a confidence in his long-term job security on Monday, telling reporters that he’d never have accepted the position if the Giants weren’t willing to commit to him long-term.
“I’ve said this from the beginning, I’m not interested in coming and having some kind of quick flash, I’m not interested in shortcuts, I’m not interested in quick fixes. I want to do this the right way and when I took this job, I made it very, very clear that I was only going to do this if we were all committed to doing this the right way and that’s been something that’s been very clear from ownership on down,” Judge said.
“I’m very happy with the support the ownership gives. Both families are tremendous people to work for and I know that this team is very, very important to them. To be honest with you, it’s their family business and football’s my family business, too. I take a lot of pride in what we do and the product is important to me not only in just the wins and losses, which ultimately in this business is the most important part, but it’s also how you do it and how you prepare and how you conduct yourself throughout the course of the week, how your team represents you on and off the field and how the players reflect what you’re trying to represent within that community and the city you represent.”
As it turns out, Judge’s confidence appears validated.
Ralph Vacchiano of SNY reports that Giants ownership is extremely confident in Judge and have committed to him long-term. They believe he is their Bill Belichick or Bill Parcells.
Interestingly, they avoided comparing Judge to Tom Coughlin.
Judge is widely expected to be brought back for his third season with the Giants, despite an immensely disappointing season and a dismal 10-19 record as a head coach overall. Though nothing is final until Mara and Steve Tisch say it is, multiple team and league sources said the belief is Judge’s job is safe – and that’s even if, as expected, ownership nudges GM Dave Gettleman into retirement at the end of the year.
“A few weeks ago I would’ve told you no chance he gets fired,” said one NFL source. “Now? Even after (the Giants’ 37-21 loss to the Chargers on Sunday), I’d probably still say ‘No chance.’ (Mara) loves Judge. He thinks he’s found his (Bill) Belichick or (Bill) Parcells. And there’s just no way he gives up on another coach this soon.”
Since Coughlin left after the 2015 season, the Giants have fired two head coaches in Ben McAdoo and Pat Shurmur, and Mara doesn’t appear ready to unload a third.
This news will not be something fans will agree with, as most have been calling for Judge’s dismissal for the better part of the season.
Unless something drastic changes between now and the end of the season, it appears that Judge will get a third year as the Giants head coach and another chance to try and fix the team.
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Analyzing the New York Giants’ 37-21 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Week 14.
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It was another tough test for the undermanned New York Giants on Sunday as they faced off against the Chargers in Los Angeles. A really tough test.
The Giants were without starting quarterback Daniel Jones (neck) again but were saved the indignity of starting the very green Jake Fromm when Mike Glennon cleared the concussion protocol on Friday.
It didn’t really matter. The Giants did not put up much of a fight. They can’t score on offense and now they can’t seem to stop the opposition from scoring.
That’s a bad combination in any sport.
The Chargers dominated the first half, holding the football for over 18 minutes and gaining 18 first downs to the Giants’ six. Los Angeles put up 289 yards of offense buoyed by the passing of second-year phenom Justin Herbert, who threw for 204 yards and two scores, the second one coming on a 59-yard strike to Jalen Guyton with 23 seconds remaining.
The Giants have now been outscored 59-0 in the final two minutes of halves this season.
The second half was unwatchable. Nothing the Giants did seemed to work from fake punts to gadget plays. Meanwhile the Chargers, who are in the playoff hunt, appeared as if they didn’t want to get anyone injured since the game was over early, just like this season has been for the Giants.
The final was 37-21, but the Chargers had taken their foot off the gas at 37-7, as stated, allowing the Giants two late touchdown drives.
At 4-9, they sealed another losing season — their fifth straight and eighth in the last nine years. One more loss and they will have their fifth consecutive double-digit loss season making this era of Giants football the worst stretch in franchise history.
Both owners, John Mara and Steve Tisch, watched from the press level. Neither could be pleased with this garbage performance by their team. One has to wonder what they’ll be doing to rectify the situation come the end of the season.
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During his jersey retirement on Sunday, Michael Strahan urged New York Giants fans to remain patient, promising the team will be back.
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At halftime of Sunday’s 13-7 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, the New York Giants retired the jersey of Hall of Fame defensive end Michael Strahan.
It was a long time coming.
As Strahan thanked his former teammates and the Giants organization, fans once again booed when the names John Mara and Steve Tisch were mentioned. Rather than ignore it as Eli Manning had done before him, Strahan took the opportunity to remind Giants fans just how good they’ve had it.
The 92 jersey has officially been retired for the New York @Giants 🙏
Congratulations to @michaelstrahan! pic.twitter.com/ewYyBd770R
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 28, 2021
“I’ve got to say this: Every team has their ups and downs,” Strahan said to the crowd. “But the New York Giants have won Super Bowls. There are teams that never have. Appreciate what you got. We will be back! We will be up again! I guarantee you that!”
Leave it to Strahan to bring his leadership back to the table 14 years after he last stepped onto the field.
“To be here today does not mean my journey is over,” Strahan said. “It just means my journey in a uniform is complete. I want to thank you for taking a 15-year journey. I love you, New York Giants fans.”
Strahan also took the opportunity to poke a little fun at his former head coach, Tom Coughlin. Although he credited Coughlin with making him a better player and man, Strahan couldn’t help but to poke fun at Coughlin’s five-minute rule one final time.
“I want to thank all my teammates because I stand up here, but I stand on your shoulders,” Strahan said. “You guys made me better as a player, you made me better as a leader, you made me better as a man. Coach Coughlin, I can’t thank you enough. Completely changed my life. I almost came out here five minutes late just to [expletive] him off.”
In fitting fashion, Strahan ended his ceremony with one last, “we will stomp you out!” And the Giants defense did just that in his honor, limiting the Eagles to only seven points while forcing four turnovers.
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Rumors are beginning to swirl that the New York Giants are quietly looking at possible general managers to replace Dave Gettleman.
New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman is firmly on the hot seat even if team co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch won’t say so publicly.
In fact, you can tell Gettleman’s status with the Giants is flimsy at best based on what Mara and Tisch don’t and won’t say.
Early last week, Mara hitched his wagon to head coach Joe Judge with unwavering conviction. When presented the opportunity to do the same with Gettleman, Mara apparently balked.
And that’s not all.
ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reports that there’s a strong belief around the league that the Giants are “quietly looking at general manager possibilities.”
Executives around the league are under the impression the Giants are quietly looking at general manager possibilities, according to multiple sources.
Another ominous sign: The Giants and owner John Mara declined an opportunity to provide a public vote of confidence for Gettleman this week after doing so for head coach Joe Judge with a New York Post reporter several days earlier.
More coming…
The New York Giants will retire Michael Strahan’s No. 92 jersey on November 28 during halftime of a game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The New York Giants announced on Wednesday their plans to retire Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end Michael Strahan’s No. 92 jersey.
The number will enter Big Blue history in a halftime ceremony on November 28 when the Giants host the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium.
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“Michael Strahan was one of the greatest players in franchise history,” said Giants co-owner John Mara. “He deserves to have his number retired as other Giants immortals have, including Mel Hein, Frank Gifford and Lawrence Taylor. Michael’s career was defined by his achievements, his consistency and his leadership. Very few defensive ends played the position as well as Michael. He was a tremendous run defender as well as a great pass rusher. And he realized a goal every player aspires to, but few achieve, winning a Super Bowl in his final game. We are grateful for all his contributions and are happy to officially say no Giants player will ever wear No. 92 again.”
“Michael Strahan was a Hall of Fame player and he is a Hall of Fame person,” added Giants chairman co-owner Steve Tisch. “Only the very best players get their jerseys retired and Michael is in that category in Giants history and NFL history, as well. He was the consummate defensive end, a team captain and a winner who helped lead us to the greatest victory in our history in Super Bowl XLII.”
Strahan’s jersey retirement will be the second such ceremony held this season by the Giants. On September 26, Eli Manning’s No. 10 will be immortalized during halftime of the game against the Atlanta Falcons.
From the Giants:
Strahan owns the franchise career record with 141.5 sacks. It was the fifth-highest total in NFL history when he announced his retirement on June 9, 2008 and 14 years after he played his final game, it is still the sixth-highest total (since 1982, when sacks became an official statistic). Strahan is the only Giants player to twice lead the league in sacks. He also holds the Giants’ postseason record with 9.5 sacks.
The 6-5, 255-pound Strahan was credited with 868 regular-season tackles. He was a first-team All-Pro in 1997, 1998, 2001 and 2003. Strahan was selected to his first Pro Bowl in 1997 and his seventh in 2005. Only four Giants played in more Pro Bowls and all are Hall of Famers: Taylor (10), linebacker Harry Carson (9), offensive tackle Rosie Brown (9) and cornerback Emlen Tunnell (8).
Strahan’s number will be the 14th retired by the Giants after Manning. The others are No. 1 (Ray Flaherty), 4 (Tuffy Leemans), 7 (Mel Hein), 11 (Phil Simms), 14 (Ward Cuff and Y.A. Tittle), 16 (Frank Gifford), 32 (Al Blozis), 40 (Joe Morrison), 42 (Charlie Conerly), 50 (Ken Strong) and 56 (Lawrence Taylor).
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