New York Giants co-owner John Mara told reporters this week that he does not anticipate making any organizational changes this season or during the offseason despite the team getting off to yet another sluggish start.
“Obviously, we’re all very disappointed with where we are right now,” Mara said at a viewing of “The Duke: Wellington Mara’s Giant,” a documentary of the life of his late father, in New York City on Wednesday night.
“But I’m gonna say one thing: we are not making any changes this season. And I do not anticipate making any changes in the offseason, either.”
Translation: General manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll are going nowhere. Mara is likely tired of the revolving door of coaches and executives he’s had to deal with since parting ways with Tom Coughlin after the 2015 season.
That is both good news and bad for Giant fans. Schoen has swung and missed on several draft picks and fumbled draft capital in the process. He has the organization in neutral at the moment.
On the flip side, his free agent signings have largely been hits (Bobby Okereke, Jermaine Elumunor, Jason Pinnock) and he adroitly pulled off a trade for a star edge rusher (Brian Burns).
Mara is likely figuring that both men — who are both new to their positions — will grow into them over time. Although both have extensive NFL resumes, Schoen has never been a general manager and this is Daboll’s first job as a head coach.
They have both made mistakes and perhaps have learned from them. Going forward, they can lean on their experiences and not repeat those mistakes. Changing them out would only set the team back further.
“I think to try to be more patient than maybe I’ve been in recent years. He preached that all the time,’ Mara said referring to his father.
“I’ve probably been guilty of not being patient enough in recent years. That’s one of the reasons I’m committed to Joe and Brian Daboll and giving them a chance to turn this thing around.”
Mara is also resigned to the fact that Daniel Jones’ days in blue are likely numbered and the Giants, who are probably going to be selecting very high in next April’s NFL draft, are going to have a quarterback that appeases both Daboll and Schoen.
The clock will officially begin to tick for Scheon and Daboll at that time. If Mara’s patience pays off, his statements this week will be seen as the Giants finally “getting it.”
