New York Giants head coach Joe Judge held a 24-minute conference call with reporters on Wednesday, addressing everything from the coronavirus pandemic to his golden retriever.
Here’s a look at five quick takeaways:
Doesn’t feel there’s a disadvantage
Joe Judge has yet to address his full team — something that will likely happen on Monday — and organized team activities have been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, but don’t expect the coach to make excuses.
Judge said on Wednesday that he doesn’t believe he or the Giants are at a disadvantage because all teams are currently in the same boat. Ultimately, he says, whoever adapts and prepares will be in the best shape.
Judge also believes that this generation of players is well-equipped to handle the adjustments to virtual living.
And when the time comes, Judge will be ready despite the potential variables.
No prospect is pro-ready
The Giants will rely heavily on their upcoming draft class, but that may not be great news for the team — at least not in Judge’s eyes.
Judge made it clear that he doesn’t believe any college player is “pro-ready” until they get into the NFL’s strength and conditioning program and begin to learn the system.
BPA with long-term upside
When it comes to what the Giants will do at No. 4 overall, Judge echoed the sentiments of general manager Dave Gettleman, saying they will target the best player available who also has long-term upside.
Specifically, Judge is looking for players who will fit the team’s system and not necessarily the best all-around player who might be better suited elsewhere.
He still refuses to address individual players
Since the moment he was hired as head coach, Judge has refused to name a single player on his roster. That persisted during Wednesday’s conference call.
As Judge has maintained all along, he doesn’t believe it’s fair to his players to offer an assessment on them until he’s been able to evaluate everyone on the roster — and that means in the building, firsthand.
Needless to say, don’t expect to hear Judge utter a single player’s name –even those he’s worked with in the past — until the Giants return to East Rutherford and get to work.
Expects a relentless effort
When the Giants do finally return to East Rutherford, Judge has high expectations for his players. He wants to see a relentless effort every single day and a tireless work ethic.
In fact, he’d like his players to mimic the work ethic of his golden retriever, who spends 15 hours a day with him and is more informed on the Giants’ draft plans than any other person on the planet.
