Earned not given under new Giants coaching staff
Like most coaches, John Harbaugh believes in basic football principles. One of those rules is the sport is a meritocracy.
It’s something most football players expect, and Harbaugh is applying it ever so closely while evaluating his first Giants team.
“The best player is the player that plays the best. The best team is the team that plays the best,” Harbaugh said Thursday. “They prove it on the field. That's what merit is all about. There's really not too much – it doesn't really matter what family you were born into or how much money you have, you make it to National Football League, you just have to be a great football player.”
One way that’s applied is Odell Beckham Jr. Despite Beckham’s success with the Giants a decade ago, he’s fighting for reps at receiver since a roster spot is far from guaranteed.
Tremaine Edmunds and Arvell Reese were added this offseason at inside linebacker. Darius Muasau, who played often his first two seasons, has been relegated to second- and third-team duty in camp so far.
There’s also the cornerback rotation that’s become one of the more intriguing camp battles so far. Greg Newsome has taken most of the first-team reps, but this week Deonte Banks has gotten some as well. It’s a surprise given Banks’ struggles his first three seasons, but Harbaugh said he likes the competition so far.
“I really feel good about our corner depth,” Harbaugh said. “I think we've got some guys there. So, we're just going to let those guys keep competing and it brings out the best in everybody.”
At the same time, a clean slate doesn’t erase what players have done before. Consider receiver Jalin Hyatt and offensive lineman Evan Neal.
Neal was surprisingly re-signed to a one-year deal this offseason despite not playing since Week 17 in 2024. He’s played mostly on the third team and it appears he’s a longshot to make the roster.
Same with Hyatt entering his last season under contract. Hyatt's career has been disappointing in three seasons and he’s mostly been getting third-team and special-teams reps in camp. A fresh start hasn't changed a new staff's perception of him so far.
That’s part of Harbaugh’s job now. He may be evaluating everyone with fresh eyes but you can’t always ignore someone’s body of work. While some like Banks are getting more chances to reverse their reputation, others like Neal and Hyatt haven’t yet proved their careers can be salvaged yet.
It’s all a part of Harbaugh determining who will play for his first team. The Giants need that high standard If they want to avoid another 4-13 season.
“Every player is a great player,” Harbaugh said. "Then even among the best in the world, which is the National Football League, there's still levels, right? And they earn it. The guys earn it. Talent, but also application in terms of performance.”
Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
'Democrats say this is a misuse of taxpayer funds' Nassau Republicans awarded over $1 million in taxpayer-funded legal contracts to the one-man law firm of Sheharyar Ali, a longtime GOP ally. Ali's father is an adviser to Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa and Newsday Nassau County politics reporter Bahar Ostadan have the story.
