After several days of speculation and rumors, former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is officially a New York Giant. The team held its introductory press conference on Tuesday afternoon. He was asked questions by the media, and he gave some interesting answers.
From the beginning of his press conference, Harbaugh made it clear that the number one topic on his mind is football. His mission statement was simple.
“We’re here with one mission: to become, to earn the right to be called the world champions in New York, and that’s what we plan to do”.
If you took a shot for every time Harbaugh said the word “football,” you’d be passed out before the presser ended, and that’s a wonderful thing. Since coach Tom Coughlin’s departure in 2016, the Giants have been missing a football-first culture.
From the moment Brian Daboll was fired back in November, it was clear the Giants wanted and needed a CEO-type head coach. They have one of the best in the NFL now, and one with true passion.
When Harbaugh was let go in Baltimore, he was the golden goose of this year’s coaching cycle. After coaching Lamar Jackson and Joe Flacco for the last 18 years, the right quarterback was crucial for attracting him.
Jaxson Dart won the hearts of New York fans in his rookie season. His confidence and swagger were immediately noticeable. What made that even better is that his talent backed it up. He’s the heartbeat of this offense in just one year, and already a major leader.
“I like the way he plays. I like his talent, skill set, all the things he’s accomplished, but more than that, I like who he is and what he’s about…He wants to talk football all the time, and that’s kind of what I like doing too.”
Nothing is more enticing to a head coaching candidate than a promising, talented QB. Jaxson Dart met with Harbaugh during the hiring process, and his game tape stood out. He’s the future of this team, and he has a new head coach who believes that as well.
There were rumors and reports through the hiring process that general manager Joe Schoen could be on thin ice with Harbaugh’s arrival. Questions about their collaboration flooded the news cycle, but Big Blue’s new head coach quickly put that to bed.
“This guy lives and breathes football… His knowledge is deep. He knows the league… He was impressive to me.”
There are reports that with Harbaugh’s hiring, the status quo has changed in New York. He will answer directly to ownership, and his relationship with Schoen will be a collaborative effort. He continuously praised owner John Mara during the presser, showcasing the strength of their relationship.
Harbaugh is bringing his analytics-driven style to New York. During his Ravens tenure, he utilized real-time analytics mid-game and had expert analysts in his headset. He’s looking to modernize the methods of the Giants in a way that’s been successful throughout his whole career.
One of the biggest moments in the presser came in just a single sentence. Harbaugh stated, “I wanted this job.” He even repeated that statement multiple times. That sentence is bigger than one man’s desire for a job; it’s about restoring prestige to a world-renowned franchise.
Despite being a laughingstock for over a decade, the Giants are one of the most well-respected franchises in football. For over 100 years, they have been a staple in the sport of football, and it’s time for them to reach that level of prestige once again.
In Harbaugh’s opening statement, he referred to the team as “the New York Football Giants”. He stated that his dad taught him, they weren’t just the New York Giants, they’re the New York Football Giants. The past decade of losing has brought apathy to this fanbase, and with that one word, the new head coach has brought excitement back.
Harbaugh’s introduction felt less like a presser and more like a celebration. Players were in attendance to see the start of a new era, and the air feels different in East Rutherford. The NFL is unpredictable, and success is never guaranteed, but if the Giants want to find relevance again, they’re off to a great start.
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