Joe Judge’s message is exactly what NY Giants need right now
Joe Judge is being criticized across the league for his hard-edge mantra and practice tactics, but really, its exactly what these young NY Giants really need.
Let’s just say rookie NY Giants head coach, Joe Judge’s first week of coaching padded practices has caused a stir around the league — to say the least.
The young, upstart, confident, and direct coach has played no games and set a clear tone that every single second the NY Giants have to be together on the practice field will not be wasted.
It’s exactly what he said he’d do from the beginning and he’s living up to his word so far.
Despite former players such as Shannon Sharpe criticizing Judge’s “harsh” tactics such as him making players run laps, this is exactly what this young team needs at the moment.
No team has lost more games over the past three seasons than Big Blue (36) — this change is necessary.
Switching over from a quiet, ‘I’m going to figure this out all on my own’ type of coach to an in your face, team building, ‘no one is special’ type of coach can and will be a major change for any member of the 2019 NY Giants.
While he’s surely stern and will rip into his players, Judge has also shown that he values their opinions and has made it clear that he will delegate responsibilities unlike his predecessor, Pat Shurmur, in what was the former coach’s biggest downfall.
Besides the laps, Judge has so far also not allowed names to be put on the back of player jerseys, further echoing his message that the team comes first and the only name or logo that matters is the one on the front of the jersey.
Judge has made it clear that no spot is just going to be guaranteed and that every player will be held accountable for their mistakes; apparently, that even includes a player all the way at the top of the food chain — franchise quarterback, Daniel Jones.
Via Art Stapleton of NorthJersey.com on Twitter:
Giants went at about 75 percent speed for today's one hour practice, as anticipated.
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) August 19, 2020
Graham Gano spent the entire session with LS Casey Kreiter + P Riley Dixon, who doubles as the holder.
Three laps given, including one to Daniel Jones + Spencer Pulley for fumbled exchange late
While these sort of old school tactics are frowned upon in this day and age, I believe this type of strategy can really work as long as the team continues on an upward trajectory.
I mean, if Daniel Jones and even Saquon Barkley aren’t safe from being scolded or running laps, you can bet that the back end of the roster is going to be working extra hard to prove their worth.