New York Giants co-owner John Mara had not met with members of the media in quite some time, but with the 2020 regular season looming, he held his annual pre-season conference on Thursday — this time via Zoom.
Mara touched on a wide range of topics, so let those of us here at Giants Wire catch you up.
Impressed with Joe Judge
When the Giants hired Joe Judge as their next head coach, Mara knew that it would have to be a long-term decision after cycling through a series of other coaches in recent years.
The good news is that Mara has been impressed with Judge to date and feels like the first-time coach has a solid grasp on the long-term direction of the team.
John Mara praises the amount of teaching that goes on under Joe Judge. "It's non-stop." He also notes the intensity, communication on football and non-football issues, and the staff he put together.
— Dan Salomone (@NYGsalomone) September 3, 2020
John Mara said what sold them on Joe Judge was his view of the big picture. He thinks the communication between Judge and Gettleman has been great. They are both reasonable, talk it through, and then it's the New York Giants' decision.
— Dan Salomone (@NYGsalomone) September 3, 2020
Giants not for sale
Back in early July, long-time sports business reporter Darren Rovell suggested that anywhere between 10 and 20 team owners could ultimately be forced to sell as a result of the economic damage brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rovell listed the Giants as one of those teams.
Mara wasted no time in dismissing that speculation, saying that he and fellow co-owner Steve Tisch are in this for the “long haul.”
Asked John Mara about speculation the Giants might be for sale given this economic climate. He said he has not had any thoughts about that. "We're in for the long haul."
— Tom Rock (@TomRock_Newsday) September 3, 2020
Supports player protests
John Mara has previously expressed a desire to see his players stand during the national anthem, and that will not change here in 2020. However, he’s not going to fault any players should they opt to kneel this season.
In fact, Mara is very supportive of his players protesting racial injustice and police brutality even though he knows it will upset some fans.
John Mara says he will support players who may choose to kneel during the national anthem as a peaceful and silent protest. States his preference is that everyone on the sideline stand, but he will support the players and coaches. #NYGiants
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) September 3, 2020
John Mara: "I believe in the first amendment." He supports players who will take a knee in silent protest if that's what they choose to do.
— Dan Salomone (@NYGsalomone) September 3, 2020
John Mara on his support for continued social justice protests by his players and coaches: "I understand that's not going to be popular with certain segments of our fan base, but I think it's the right thing to do."
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) September 3, 2020
Dave Gettleman’s future
Mara acknowledged that general manager Dave Gettleman will be reevaluated at the end of the season, but he wouldn’t pin a win-loss record on any potential decision.
Rather, Mara said, he wants to feel as if the Giants are competitive in December and that they are only a step or two away from the Super Bowl when this year wraps up.
Mara also cautioned against potentially blowing things up yet again.
When John Mara is evaluting Dave Gettleman at season's end, he wants to "feel the pieces in place to compete for a Super Bowl." #giants
— Ryan Dunleavy (@rydunleavy) September 3, 2020
If the Giants are not competitive in December, John Mara says he will be "very disappointed."
Quickly adds that both he and Steve Tisch will not "blow the whole thing up again" if they are not. Again, goes back to Joe Judge and seeing the big picture with a long-term view.
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) September 3, 2020
Optimistic on full season
Although he was not so optimistic initially, Mara now expects the NFL to weave its way through an entire 17-week season. But he wouldn’t be surprised to see a few hiccups along the way.
John Mara believes there is a “good chance” to play a full season. Wasn’t anywhere near as confident several months back. Thinks the protocols in place have worked well so far. #NFL
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) September 3, 2020
#Giants Mara on finishing the season – much more confident now that march or april and given the protocols that there is a good chance to get in a full season….maybe be a small glitch along the way, but low testing results have been "terrific"
— GiantsWFAN (@giantswfan) September 3, 2020
Unfortunately, Mara is not nearly as optimistic about having Giants fans in the stands at MetLife Stadium this year.
John Mara is "not all that optimistic" that the Giants will have fans in the stands at MetLife Stadium this season. He's hopeful, but not all that optimistic.
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) September 3, 2020
Decision on DeAndre Baker coming
Like Gettleman before him, Mara admits he’s very disappointed by DeAndre Baker’s legal situation, even adding that it’s “embarrassing” for the organization.
Unlike Gettleman, Mara seemed to indicate a decision on Baker’s future is coming very soon.
John Mara: DeAndre Baker situation to be resolved sooner rather than later. Calls situation “embarrassing.” Also said there were red flags on Baker but none that indicated criminal behavior.
My take: Question(s) remain why #NYG traded up for player who was off some draft boards.— Kim Jones (@KimJonesSports) September 3, 2020
John Mara and Dave Gettleman both point out that the red flags around DeAndre Baker before the draft (work ethic, commitment, trust) are a long leap from the arrest and charges he faces. #Giants
— Ryan Dunleavy (@rydunleavy) September 3, 2020
Expectations for Daniel Jones
Mara stopped short of heaping over-the-top praise on second-year quarterback Daniel Jones, but did credit him with a solid rookie year and an impressive offseason.
Still, Mara says, Jones needs to take the next step in his development in 2020 and establish himself as a higher tier quarterback.
John Mara feels good about Daniel Jones. He would like to see him make the next step, and he is confident that will happen. What makes Mara so high on Jones is that the coaching staff is so high on him, too. He showed a lot of grit and promise as a rookie. "The sky is the limit."
— Dan Salomone (@NYGsalomone) September 3, 2020
John Mara on Daniel Jones: "Feel good about him right now, amount of work he's put in, the way he's worked at camp … our coaching staff is very high on him, guys who have been around very successful quarterbacks in the past feel he has what it takes to get us to the next level"
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) September 3, 2020
