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John Harbaugh Turned The Giants Into NFC East Favorites
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- John Harbaugh Turned The Giants Into NFC East Favorites
Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
The New York Giants sit in first place in the NFC East, and the shift started with a new coach who refuses to let mistakes slide. John Harbaugh has turned this team around in his first season by demanding total accountability from every player on the roster. Yahoo Sports reports the Giants (4-2-1) are the only team in the division with a winning record as they head into their next matchup.
This success comes after the team matched its win total from last year before the season even reached the midway point. Harbaugh did not wait for a crisis to fix the culture. He met with player groups in the locker room immediately after a loss in Los Angeles to stop any self-pity from taking hold. That quick action helped the team bounce back from losing quarterback Jaxson Dart for the season the next morning.
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Calling Out Traitors to Fix Effort
The biggest change is how the staff handles bad effort. Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson addressed his unit's lack of hustle in front of the entire team after a loss to New Orleans. He did not whisper to individuals or hold a side meeting. "You confront it. Just like we do, we confront everything," Wilson said. He told players he looks at those who do not run to the ball as traitors to the defense.
Wilson made it clear that the team will either make adjustments to get those players off the field or wait for them to correct their behavior. Harbaugh and his staff have removed players from the lineup when needed., including Jameis Winston and running back Cam Skattebo. Salary and veteran status mean nothing if the player cannot help the team win.
Quarterback Moves That Win Games
To secure the strongest opportunity against the Houston Texans, Harbaugh detailed last week's decision to replace Winston with J.J. McCarthy. Many players found out about the change only when they started reviewing the game plan. There was no grand announcement. The move was met with such nonchalance by Harbaugh that he allowed the facts to speak for themselves.
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Although Jameis Winston had recorded two wins and a tie across his four starts, the staff determined a change was necessary for that specific week. Harbaugh said of his tactics, "I don't know if it's philosophy so much." He added, "It's just a week-to-week feel thing with your guys."
The Giants now face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 1 p.m. ET at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles hold a 2-6 record, but the Giants have not won there since 2013. Harbaugh's team has been on the field for a final play in five straight games and has lost just once in those tight spots.
