NY Giants: 7 reasons to be excited about the future

Joe Judge, and the Return to the Giants Way

Perhaps the greatest thing of all to come out of the Giants’ 2020 season is a sigh of relief over the head coach.

Joe Judge proved over and over again he is the real deal. And his ability to take this team as far as he did in a season like this should give all Giants’ fans hope for the future.

From his opening press conference, he maintained a no-nonsense, let’s-go-to-work attitude that has backfired on so many other Bill Belichick proteges. But it’s clear from his handling of on- and off-the-field issues that this is not an act.

Before the season began he had to deal with two players getting arrested. During the season he had to deal with an unhappy player venting on social media and rumors of him fist fighting former offensive line coach.

But none of these problems distracted him for doing his job of coaching up his team and preparing them for each game.

And his players respond to it. They see their coaches dedication, determination, and desire to win, and they want to prove that they do too. Even in some of their worse losses, you could see Giants’ players still fighting hard on each and every down until that final whistle blew.

And even when it was all set and done, he knew how to casually throw shade at the Philadelphia Eagles for their seemingly purpose tank in Week 17.

It’s not as easy as it looks to put blame on another team without overtly calling anyone out. But he knew first hand how hard this team has worked to put themselves into a position to reach the playoffs. And that presser showed to his players that he’s the kind of coach willing to fight for them and be in their corner.

Judge’s ability to connect to his players is going to have big benefits to get excited about. While it’s a tough pill that the Giants couldn’t win the “NFC Least,” which sent a team with a losing record to the playoffs, it shows that the division is up for grabs.

Washington’s defense is improving along with the Giants. But the Giants were able to continue to stretch their win streak over Washington with two wins this year. The Eagles have a mess all over, and the Cowboys seem to equally have more questions than answers.

By all accounts, the Giants are the team to fear going forward in the NFC East. And what kind of football player wouldn’t want to play for a coach like Judge?

As NY Jets fans are acutely aware, if the team stinks, no one wants to come play for them, and actively try to get away. But if a team has a good foundation and appears to be on the up-and-up, it makes it more enticing to try to get there.

That can only help the Giants, who showed this year that they are quickly putting all the pieces together under Judge’s rule. And best of all, he’s doing so by the traditional Giants mentality that has been championed for generations.

And results are already bearing fruit. Defensive coordinator and assistant head coach Patrick Graham, who was highly sought out for a head coaching position elsewhere, would rather stay with the Giants and build upon an already sound defense.

While it could be difficult to institute yet another offense if Jason Garrett leaves, fans have to be excited from what Judge showed in 2020.

The expectation is no longer to find a coach. The expectation in 2021 is to win.