The process of the New York Giants’ offseason has been on full display in recent weeks with the airing of HBO’s “Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants.” The show has given fans a behind-the-scenes look at the Giants’ offseason from their free-agency negotiations with Saquon Barkley to their NFL Scouting Combine interviews, and plenty more.
The overall reception to the show itself has been positive. But the reception around those in the show has been a bit mixed. Some fans and analysts have praised general manager Joe Schoen and his staff for their offseason work. Others, meanwhile, have shared some pretty intense criticisms.
Ex-GM Michael Lombardi criticizes Giants GM Joe Schoen and claims his team has no identity
During a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, former NFL executive Michael Lombardi reacted to the latest episode of HBO’s Hard Knocks, sharing intense criticism of Schoen and the Giants’ front office:
“I can’t believe the access that the New York Giants have allowed inside their building,” Lombardi told McAfee. “Watching Hard Knocks, it feels like there’s no identity with this team.”
Lombardi spent 32 years working in the NFL, beginning as a scout with the San Fransisco 49ers in 1984, eventually becoming the general manager of the Cleveland Browns in 2013, and serving as an assistant to the New England Patriots’ coaching staff toward the end of his career.
Lombardi is a three-time Super Bowl champion who has gained plenty of respect and credibility within the NFL and sports media industry. He has also created a successful and long-spanning broadcasting career.
“What I find missing in terms of what I watch this show is there’s no identity for the Giants,” Lombardi said. “There’s no systematic ‘This is who we are.’ And that started in 1979 when the great George Young came in and said basically, ‘We’re going to create a system of scouting that’s gonna put a team on the field that has great size and speed.’ I watch this show and I see a team that is basically every player is evaluated individually. So, they’re adding talent, not building a team. That’s my one concern.”
The Giants are no strangers to harsh criticism. Their frequent losing seasons over the past few years have invited plant of critics to take aim at the organization. Hard Knocks has put the spotlight on the franchise, and Lombardi is not the only prominent media analyst to share his concerns about the team.
Colin Cowherd sees a messy owner-GM dynamic on Hard Knocks
Lombardi was not the only member of the mainstream media to criticize the Giants’ process. FS1’s Colin Cowherd also shared disdain toward the team’s front office, however, his critiques were not all directed toward the general manager. Rather, Cowherd took issue with team president and co-owner John Mara’s meddling with football decisions:
“Read the room,” Cowherd began as he reacted to a clip of Schoen and Mara discussing the Barkley negotiations (h/t Awful Announcing). “Read the owner. The bottom line is that maybe Mara created some of this stuff because he wanted to re-sign Daniel Jones. And I don’t think anybody else in the world wanted to in New York. But I watch the Giants here and there is a disconnect between owner and GM and I’m uncomfortable watching it…I’m uncomfortable watching Joe Schoen there.”
Cowherd joins a loud portion of the fanbase that has voiced its displeasure in Mara this offseason. Many fans feel as though Mara involves himself too much with the football decisions, leading Schoen to feel pressure to make roster-building moves in appeasement of the man cutting his checks.
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The Giants do seem to have a plan on Hard Knocks
While Lombardi and Cowherd’s criticisms might be valid from a certain point of view, keen viewers of Hard Knocks might also have a different perspective. The Giants are building their roster from the inside out — through the trenches. Every move displayed in the HBO series has begun with the offensive and defensive line, then moved outward toward the skill positions. The Giants’ plan is clearly to dominate the trenches.
The acquisitions of pass-rusher Brian Burns, offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor, and offensive guard Jon Runyan Jr. demonstrate Schoen’s commitment to building a football team through the trenches and with a gritty identity.
“Smart, tough, and dependable,” have been proclaimed the Giants’ core values under the current regime of Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll. The phrase has been repeated throughout the Hard Knocks episodes. And the mantra has clearly dictated the team’s actions this offseason.
The Giants’ identity seems clear. Their process to realizing that identity might be a bit messy, but so is every rebuilding of a major sports franchise. Time will tell whether or not Schoen’s process achieves its goal of building a competitive football team.
