New York Giants’ Joe Judge drops awesome quotes in latest Giants Life episode

New York Giants, Joe Judge
Sep 14, 2020; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants head coach Joe Judge walks on the field prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

In the latest Giants Life episode, details and behind-the-scenes videos describe the process for the New York Giants and upper management during the 2021 NFL draft. Ranging from the players arriving at camp to the phone calls that management executed to inform them of their selection, a few fantastic quotes from head coach Joe Judge stood out.

Ever since Judge took over in 2020, the atmosphere and disciplinary rulebook have changed significantly. Players and coaches are now held accountable for their actions, whereas, in the past, people might’ve gotten away with malpractice. This current team has bought into the system and discipline that Judge has put forth, but let’s take a look at the top quotes from the Giants’ head coach during this episode.

Top quotes from New York Giants HC Joe Judge:

“Sometimes, you hear the approach from certain people, you don’t have that many picks, you must not have to worry about the entire draft. To me, it’s the opposite. It’s like going hunting with one arrow, you can’t waste a shot.”

Considering the Giants had only six picks in the 2021 NFL draft, they had to make all of them count. They did just that, turning their first-round pick into several selections next year and a playmaker in Kadarius Toney. They also moved back in the second round to acquire another third-round pick in the future.

The Giants had a fantastic draft class, thanks to a modernized approach that helped convince them to trade back and choir more value.

Judge expressed his excitement regarding Kadarius Toney, their 20th overall pick. He’s a player that not only has a great personality but brings a ton of exciting traits to the football field. Essentially, he’s a receiver that runs like a running back, containing a low center of gravity and incredible shiftiness in the open field.

“He [Kadarius Toney] was a guy that brought a lot of energy to every meeting, he was very direct, very honest, and that’s what we are looking for with our players. We want a transparent locker room, a transparent building, and people that aren’t afraid to tell you, this is who I am and you accept me for me, and I really love that about people.”

Regarding Azeez Ojulari, the team’s 50th overall pick, it was clear that Judge and upper management did not anticipate him being available in the second round. They even moved back to acquire more value as Ojulari continued a freefall. Supposed concerns were the primary reason for his demise in the draft, but the Giants ended up landing an adequate player who was being mocked in the first round no more than a week before the draft.

“We didn’t expect him to be there that late, we had a lot of calls trying to move up to that spot as we were getting ready to pick him. He plays stout against the run and he had a lot of production in pass rush to have the number of sacks he had and was very, very impressive.”

It was quite interesting to see that the Giants received calls to move up to 50 so an alternative team could snag Ojulari. The Giants had already executed two trade backs, so landing a premier pass rusher at that point was a priority. They were never going to let him slip away.