The Giants apparently need to do more than field a better team
Are the New York Giants a good, well-run franchise? We know the results on the field haven’t been good, but what do the players and their families think of the facilities, their treatment and more?
If you believe the annual NFPLA Report Card, the Giants are falling behind not only on the field but off it.
The Giants ranked No. 8 overall in the 2024 report card. This year, however, the Giants fell to No. 20 overall among the league’s 32 teams.
Players were asked to grade the franchise in 11 categories. Let’s go through each of them.
Treatment of families (Grade: C | Rank: 21st)
The Giants provide daycare during home games and began providing a family room during home games this season.
Players feel that communication and engagement between the team and their significant others or families need improvement.
The grade is the same as a year ago. The ranking isn’t as good as a year ago, when the Giants were 15th.
Food/dining area (Grade: B | Ranks: 17th)
Once again, the grade hasn’t changed from 2024, but the ranking is down from No. 8.
Nutritionist/dietician (Grade: C+ | Rank: 31st)
A trend. Again the same grade as a year ago, but the ranking dropped from No. 27.
Locker room (Grade: C- | Rank: 23rd)
The grade dropped from C+ in 2024 to C-, and the ranking fell from 17th.
The players report that the locker room needs renovation. They feel the room is dated and needs larger, more functional lockers.
Players are 100% right. The locker room at the Giants’ training facility is a blah, cramped place. The lockers aren’t big enough, and the center of the room is crowded with makeshift lockers for practice squad players and guys signed during the year.
It is a utilitarian place, and it isn’t really large enough for players to be comfortable.
Training room (Grade: B- | Rank: 22nd)
Down from B- and a ranking of No. 12 a year ago.
Training staff (Grade: B | Rank: 19th)
This one will likely get the Giants’ attention. It is a clear sign that something changed, and that it was not for the better.
The grade is down from an A-1, and the rank fell precipitously from No. 2 overall.
Weight room (Grade: B- | Rank: 24th)
Down from a grade of B and a rank of 18th.
This is another space in the Giants’ facility that has remained relatively the same for years now, though some of the equipment and how the space is divided have been revised.
Strength coaches (Grade: A- | Rank: 15th)
This grade moved up slightly from a B+, with the ranking staying the same.
Team travel (Grade: B | Rank: 18th)
This is another area where the Giants fell significantly from 2024, dropping from a B+ grade and a rank of No. 3.
The NFLPA said “The players feel that their team’s travel schedule is not very efficient.”
The 2024 schedule included a Germany trip, and one to Seattle.
Head coach (Grade: B+ | Rank: 21st)
The players’ view of Brian Daboll is not as favorable as it was. His grade dropped from an A- and his ranking from 13th:
The NFLPA said:
90% of Giants players feel their head coach Brian Daboll is efficient with their time.
The players feel Daboll is moderately receptive to locker room feedback on the team’s needs.
Ownership (Grade: C+ | Rank: 21st)
That is a dropoff from a B+ grade and a ranking of No. 14. Maybe it is just the price of losing.
Valentine’s View
It is clear from this survey that the Giants’ organization needs to look at a number of improvements in a number of areas, not just on the field.
The Giants have always prided themselves on being one of the league’s best franchises. This survey makes it clear that they need to upgrade their facilities and perhaps re-think some of the ways they do things behind the scenes.
