John Mara, Jerry Reese, and Tom Coughlin Hit the Airwaves

Jerry Reese and John Mara – © USA TODAY Sports Images

[contentblock id=1 img=html.png]

New York Giants President/CEO John Mara, General Manager Jerry Reese, and Head Coach Tom Coughlin were all interviewed on Wednesday afternoon on WFAN Radio. The audio from those interviews is available at CBS New York. Mara was also interview on ESPN Radio.

Some key points raised included:

Mara:

• He is aware that the teams the Giants beat were not very good teams. He is under no illusions about how much work needs to be done.
• Giants did not stick with Tom Coughlin because of what he did in the past but because they felt he was the best option moving forward.
• Maintaining the same offensive system under Offensive Coordinator Ben McAdoo was a consideration for keeping Coughlin, but not the overriding concern.
• It is OK if the coordinators have longer contracts than Coughlin.
• Coughlin will make the decision on hiring the new defensive coordinator.
• The team has struggled because of injuries and a bad couple of drafts. The 2013 and 2014 drafts were better.
• Giants need to upgrade offensive and defensive lines as well as linebacker and safety.

Reese:

• The Giants considered WR Odell Beckham a top 10 pick. They also liked OG Zack Martin. Anytime the choice is between a dynamic play maker and a guard, the team will choose a play maker. The Giants did have WR Sammy Watkins rated over Beckham, but had Beckham ahead of OT Taylor Lewan.
• He thinks Weston Richburg, who played left guard in 2014, will be a terrific center and considers that his natural position.
• Where Justin Pugh plays in 2015 depends on what offseason moves the Giants make.
• DT Johnathan Hankins played extremely well and DE Damontre Moore made things happen when he played.
• Having OG Geoff Schwartz, who  missed most of the season with injuries, will help the offensive line.
• The Giants need to protect QB Eli Manning better, but the new offense does help him get rid of the ball quicker.
• WR Victor Cruz is on schedule to be back in 2015 after suffering a serious knee injury, but the Giants can not count on him returning.
• Because of the attention Beckham receives, the #2 receiver should be “feasting” in terms of on-field performance.
• The Giants did not do a good enough job of closing out games in 2014.

Coughlin:

• Change was necessary on defense. The defense gave up too many big plays. He does not believe the new defensive scheme will be radically different.
• The new offensive system was right for the Giants at this particular time. Manning improved his play at quarterback.
• The Giants need to do a better job of stopping the run and running the football.
• Believes the Giants are not that far way on the offensive line, but do need more help.
• Believes Weston Richburg will make a big leap forward in 2015.
• The Giants keep researching the injury situation. The team did cut down on soft tissue injuries in 2014, but the non-soft tissue injuries hit them hard.
• The fans have been great to him. He feels badly for the last two years and wants a product on the field that the fans can rally around.

Article on WR Victor Cruz: Giants’ Victor Cruz ‘excited’ about Odell Beckham Jr.’s Pro Bowl nod, updates rehab progress by Jordan Raanan for NJ.com