New York Giants offensive lineman Justin Pugh is embracing his leadership role in the locker room. He expects his teammates to do the same.
The 2017 NFL season has yet to begin and media outlets are already attempting to provide reasons to be skeptical of the New York Giants. Between criticism of Odell Beckham Jr. for missing voluntary OTAs and Eli Manning’s autograph fiasco, it’s been a tumultuous time.
As skepticism runs rampant that the Giants will succumb to the pressure, a locker room leader is stepping up and taking accountability and responsibility.
Despite coming off of a wildly successful 2016 NFL season, the Giants are facing incessant questions about the quality of leadership in the locker room. Whether fair or foul, it’s becoming a recurring theme with every article that’s produced about New York.
According to Jordan Raanan of ESPN’s NFL Nation, star offensive lineman Justin Pugh explained the need for the leaders in the locker room to set a good example.
"“I kind of know what to expect and it’s something that getting better with. Obviously the better you are as a leader — you show it with example. I think that is the way I’ve always led and I kind of build off that,” Pugh said. “I think we have to set a good example. We have Brandon Marshall who has been around for a while. He’s a more vocal guy. You have Odell Beckham, who obviously is transcending the game with the way he plays. Guys are going to look to him because of his ability.“So guys have that responsibility. And it’s realizing once you have that responsibility what to do with it. I think everyone is going to mature one more year under it and do a better job.”"
As criticism of the Giants’ star players pours in, the players themselves are stepping up and taking responsibility for their duties and obligations.
Pugh, 26, was New York’s first-round selection in the 2013 NFL Draft. He’s gone on to become one of the best offensive linemen in the league, which is quite impressive when one considers the erratic play by the players around him.
That level of individual determination and will power creates the foundation for the respect that Pugh has earned from his coaches and teammates.
Entering a 2017 campaign that will carry high expectations, Pugh is prepared to take on the responsibility of not only being a star on the field, but a leader in the locker room.
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of Pugh’s quote is that it singles out wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandon Marshall as leaders. Both players have had their leadership called into question, yet Pugh showed no hesitation in singling them out as positive influences.
It’s all conjecture until the results are revealed, but Pugh is showing an invaluable sense of confidence in the leadership abilities of his embattled teammates.
That alone is reason to be confident in Pugh’s ability to be a leader himself during the 2017 NFL season.
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The New York Giants will face high expectations in 2017, but it’s leaders like Justin Pugh, Brandon Marshall, and Odell Beckham Jr. who can help this proud organization overcome the inevitable hurdles it encounters.