The New York Giants’ offseason wasn’t just messy—it was filmed for the world to see. In what many fans view as a colossal misstep, General Manager Joe Schoen let Saquon Barkley walk away in free agency. Barkley didn’t just leave—he joined the rival Philadelphia Eagles and went on to win a Super Bowl. That stings on its own.

But what makes it worse? The entire fallout was captured on camera and packaged into Hard Knocks: An Offseason with the New York Giants, which aired on HBO Max. If that wasn’t enough salt in the wound, the docuseries just earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Documentary Series.

Emmy Nomination Highlights Giants’ Pain.

From a fan perspective, this feels like a twisted joke. The Giants’ mistakes are now award-worthy content. It’s easy to understand why fans feel betrayed. Not only did they lose a franchise player—they had to watch the painful unraveling play out in HD for a national audience.

Yet, here’s the thing—I actually liked the series.

A Good Watch, Even if It Hurt.

It’s strange to say, but Hard Knocks was well done. It told a compelling story, even if it made the Giants look incompetent. If the team had landed a few key wins, maybe this documentary would’ve felt more like a redemption arc instead of a cautionary tale.

Interestingly, the NFL now seems to be pulling back. There are reports the offseason edition of Hard Knocks may be shelved going forward. Maybe it hit a little too close to home.

At the end of the day, Giants fans deserved better—on the field and on the screen.

🛍️ Rep the Team, No Matter What!

Even through the ups and downs, we bleed blue. And if you’re gearing up for a fresh season, there’s no better way than with the just-released Russell Wilson New York Giants jersey. It’s a bold new chapter—make sure you’re suited up for it.

New York Giants Fanatics Shop

🎟️ Ready for Redemption? Grab Tickets Now!

The past is behind us. A new season is coming, and hope is alive. Want to be there when the Giants start writing a new chapter? Head to StubHub to grab your tickets for the home opener at MetLife Stadium!

📬 More Giants Talk Every Week.

We’ll be covering more Giants drama, victories, and throwbacks every week. Don’t miss a post—subscribe below and stay in the loop all season long

The post From Bad to Worse: Giants Now Emmy Fodder first appeared on Bleedbigblue.com.

The final episode of “Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants” aired on Tuesday night, I was eagerly anticipating this episode. However, it fell short of expectations, feeling rushed and underwhelming. Let’s break down what went wrong and why this episode was the weakest of the series.

A Rushed Production

From the start, it was evident that the 35-minute episode was trying to cram too much into too little time. The episode did provide an intriguing look behind the scenes of the draft process, but the pacing felt off. Important moments, like phone calls with other teams and the pre-round process, were glossed over too quickly. We saw brief snippets of trade discussions with the Indianapolis Colts and the New York Jets, but these conversations were not given enough depth to fully appreciate the drama and strategy involved. Schoen’s rejection of the Colts’ offer of picks Nos. 15 and 46, plus a 2025 second-round pick for the No. 6 overall, was a critical moment that deserved more screen time.

Lack of Emotional Depth

One of the strengths of “Hard Knocks” has always been its ability to capture the emotional highs and lows of the team. This episode, however, missed the mark. While we did see some excitement when the Giants picked Nabers, the emotional journey felt flat. Nabers’ cool and calm reaction to the draft call and his proclamation to his family, “I’m going to New York!” were brief highlights. Even scenes meant to show joy, such as the celebration in the draft room and the reactions of team co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch, lacked the usual emotional punch. Coach Brian Daboll’s swift return to business mode after expressing initial excitement further dampened the episode’s emotional impact.

Missed Opportunities

The episode also failed to explore some of the more interesting storylines that could have added depth. For instance, the Giants’ pivot from their top cornerback targets to selecting safety Tyler Nubin was a pivotal moment. Yet, it was rushed and didn’t fully convey the team’s internal struggle and strategic adjustments. The frustration of missing out on Kool-Aid McKinstry and Kamari Lassiter at picks Nos. 41 and 42 was palpable, but the narrative quickly moved on. Similarly, the excitement around selecting tight end Theo Johnson and running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. was not given the spotlight it deserved. These players’ stories and their potential impact on the team could have been explored in greater detail.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the final episode of “Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants” was a disappointment. It felt rushed and lacked the emotional depth and detailed storytelling that makes the series special. While it provided some behind-the-scenes glimpses into the draft process, it didn’t do justice to the excitement and drama of the event. As a Giants fan, I was left wanting more, feeling that this episode was the weakest of the current series. Here’s hoping that future installments will return to the high standards we expect from “Hard Knocks.”

Hard Knocks Episode Five Recap was originally published for bleedbigblue.com.

Subscribe to our blog

Be sure to subscribe to our blog. When we post new content, you’ll receive an email with all the latest updates, delivered in a non-spammy way! 

The post Hard Knocks Episode Five Recap first appeared on Bleedbigblue.com.

Episode 4 of Hard Knocks focused heavily on the New York Giants’ offseason preparations for the 2024 NFL Draft. Let’s dive into the 3 main takeaways.

Giants Consider Draft Day Trade: Reflections on a Familiar Dilemma

As the 2024 NFL Draft approached, the New York Giants considered trading up with the New England Patriots to select North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye at No. 3. Co-owner John Mara couldn’t help but recall the 2004 draft day trade for Eli Manning.

“We’re in a great position. I’m just nervous about giving away too much… very similar to 20 years ago,” Mara said to assistant GM Brandon Brown two weeks before the draft.

Despite knowing that Jayden Daniels would be off the board, the Giants hoped to land Maye. However, GM Joe Schoen emphasized to Mara that they wouldn’t pursue the trade if the Patriots’ asking price was too steep.

“I think we’re in striking distance, so we should take a chance,” Schoen said. “If you’ve got a chance to get a top three in the draft, the hit rate is way better. But if it requires a blockbuster deal, we’ll stick with Daniel Jones and continue building around him.”

Schoen Reassures Daniel Jones Amid Giants’ QB Market Exploration

At the start of Episode 4, GM Joe Schoen was upfront with Daniel Jones about the Giants exploring the quarterback market. Schoen reassured Jones that their interest in other quarterbacks didn’t reflect a lack of confidence in him. Instead, it was due to Jones missing 17 games over the past two years due to a neck injury and an ACL tear.

“We didn’t play our best football in the first six games before you got injured,” Schoen explained. “We’re exploring all options, but it doesn’t mean we’re taking a quarterback. We still believe in you. My job is to do what’s best for the organization, so we have to consider all possibilities. This doesn’t mean we’ve given up on you, and it doesn’t guarantee we’ll draft someone else.”

Schoen admitted that the uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position had left him feeling unsettled, emphasizing the importance of having a reliable player in that role.

Malik Nabers. Be there, please.

When the Giants realized they couldn’t draft their preferred quarterback, they shifted focus to securing the best available playmaker. The team seemed to rank the top wide receivers as follows.

The Giants’ top wide receiver choices were led by Malik Nabers, who was highly favored by wide receivers coach Mike Groh, even over Marvin Harrison Jr. Head coach Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen also had a strong preference for Nabers. Following Nabers, the team ranked Marvin Harrison Jr. as their second choice, with Rome Odunze coming in third.

“We have to get an offensive weapon,” Schoen told Director of Player Personnel Tim McDonnell. “I’d be thrilled with Nabers and even okay with Odunze. If we can get Marv or Nabers, we’re turning the card in.”

The post Hard Knocks Episode Four Recap first appeared on Bleedbigblue.com.

We gained valuable insights into the Giants’ offseason in episode three of Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants. The episode delved into key events like free agency, Saquon Barkley’s departure, and the impactful trade for Brian Burns. The show provided an in-depth look at the team’s strategic decisions and how they are shaping the roster for the upcoming season all streaming on HBO.

We’re not gonna go there. We’re out

The big debate has been whether Saquon Barkley actually received a final offer from the New York Giants, or if he was lying, as Hard Knocks suggested Joe Schoen did make an offer. The episode began with Joe Schoen on the phone, discovering that a three-year deal worth $12.5 million per year with $25 million guaranteed might seal the deal.The Giants allowed Barkley to test free agency to find out his market value, hoping he would return with an offer they could match or decline. This did happen, and GM Joe Schoen asked Berry directly, “What would we need to do to get Saquon?”

Schoen later asked Berry, “If I offered him a three-year deal at $12.5 million per year with $25 million guaranteed, would he stay with the Giants?” Berry hesitated, saying they had a lot of work to do if that happened. Schoen then told team owner John Mara that Berry wasn’t sure Barkley would accept the offer.

Mara, worried about Barkley possibly joining the Eagles, said, “I’ll have a tough time sleeping if Saquon goes to Philadelphia. He’s our most popular player.” When the Giants learned from Berry that Barkley had an offer, it was clear Barkley would not be returning to the Giants.

Free agency poker.

Hard Knocks creatively used poker visuals to illustrate the high-stakes nature of free agency, making the negotiation process even more captivating for viewers. Watching the negotiation process was fascinating. Agents shared offers from other teams to increase the price tags for players. While this is a common tactic, seeing it in action as the Giants worked to pay the players they wanted was insightful.

For the offensive line, the Giants made it a priority during free agency. After a final conversation between coach Brian Daboll and Schoen, they offered contracts to three players, including the two they signed: Jon Runyan Jr. and Jermaine Eluemunor.

Moving on with Brian Burns

After losing Saquon and McKinney, the Giants went after Brian Burns.

It’s clear Joe Schoen was excited about trading for Brian Burns, as he mentioned it several times in each episode. Once the Giants lost their free agents, Schoen met with Brandon Brown, Shane Bowen, and Brian Daboll to get their input on Burns. Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen fully supported trading for the EDGE, even though it would be the team’s only defensive move.

We saw Joe Schoen discuss the potential trade package, but the front office had to wait for approval from David Tepper in Carolina. Dan Morgan called back asking for an additional seventh-round pick, which clearly frustrated Schoen. Landing Brian Burns for less than a first-round pick is incredible, considering Morgan initially asked for two first-rounders and the Panthers had declined four first-round picks from the Rams.

The post Hard Knocks Episode Three Recap first appeared on Bleedbigblue.com.

Hard Knocks Episode Two Recap: The second episode of HBO’s Hard Knocks delivered exciting insights. From the draft strategy to behind-the-scenes decisions, fans got a real treat. Here are three major takeaways that every New York Giants fan should know.

Quarterback Insights from the Draft Class

We gained a deeper understanding of the Giants’ evaluation of top quarterback prospects. Area scouts shared their thoughts before the combine, revealing some intriguing insights.

Caleb Williams, from USC, faced adversity in his final season. Blaise Bell noted Williams’ refusal to speak to the media after a tough loss, something that wouldn’t sit well in New York.

Jayden Daniels, from LSU, had mixed reviews. Scott Hamel noted Daniels’ leadership as a three-time captain. However, he mentioned Daniels was not much of a vocal leader, although improving. Hamel emphasized the importance of testing Daniels under pressure to see how he performs.

Drake Maye, from North Carolina, had favorable reviews. Patrick Hanscomb described Maye as “a little looser than Daniel Jones” but with similar traits. Hanscomb predicted Maye’s football character and mental game would score high.

J.J. McCarthy, from Michigan, was noted for his youth and on-field experience. Brendan Prophett pointed out that McCarthy’s offensive line called protections, suggesting a need to assess his decision-making under pressure.

Daboll’s Influence on the Draft

Brian Daboll’s influence was evident throughout the episode. He took a liking to Malik Nabers during the combine, particularly admiring Nabers’ competitive spirit. Daboll’s admiration for Nabers was clear as he repeatedly called him a “baller.”

Daboll’s input was crucial in the Giants’ decision to draft Nabers. Despite some initial reservations from Joe Schoen and Brandon Brown, Daboll pushed hard for Nabers. Schoen even consulted Daniel Jones about Nabers, who gave positive feedback.

Additionally, Daboll’s reputation as a quarterback guru was on display. His unique method of testing quarterbacks by having them recall plays under pressure was impressive. This approach highlighted Daboll’s commitment to finding the best fit for the team.

Giants Attempt to Trade Up with New England

One exciting reveal was the Giants’ attempt to trade up in the draft. They aimed for the third overall pick, held by the New England Patriots. General Manager Joe Schoen visited the Patriots’ suite at the NFL Combine. He spoke with Eliot Wolfe, the Patriots’ Executive Vice President of Player Personnel, to explore a potential deal.

Despite offering two first-round picks, the Patriots declined. This move shows the Giants’ aggressive approach to securing top talent. The Patriots eventually used the third pick to draft Drake Maye. This insight highlights the high stakes and strategic maneuvers teams undertake during the draft.

In conclusion, Episode 2 of Hard Knocks offered valuable insights into the Giants’ draft strategy and the influential role of Brian Daboll. As the season progresses, it will be exciting to see how these insights translate into on-field success for the New York Giants.

If you missed Episode 1 and want a recap, Hard Knocks Episode One Recap.

The post Hard Knocks Episode Two Recap first appeared on Bleedbigblue.com.

Hard Knocks Episode One Recap: The first episode of HBO’s “Hard Knocks” offers an inside look at the Giants’ preparations. It highlights critical decisions and strategic shifts for the upcoming season. Here are three main takeaways.

Daniel Jones Going Forward.

General Manager Joe Schoen has made it clear that Daniel Jones is at the center of the Giants’ future plans. With a hefty $40 million annual contract, the expectation is for Jones to lead the offense rather than simply manage it. “This is the year for Daniel,” Schoen asserted, emphasizing that the team’s offseason strategy was designed to support and elevate Jones as the face of the franchise. The departure of Saquon Barkley was a concern, but the focus remains on Jones stepping up and thriving in his role.

The Saquon Barkley Decision.

The decision regarding Saquon Barkley was a major point of contention within the Giants’ organization. After the 2023 season, Schoen and his team debated various scenarios, including a tag-and-trade option. Concerns about Barkley’s age and injury history weighed heavily, despite his undeniable talent. While some believed he wouldn’t secure a lucrative deal on the open market, others, like Director of Pro Scouting Chris Rossetti, thought teams like the Philadelphia Eagles might overpay for him. Ultimately, Schoen decided against risking a $12 million cap hit and chose to move forward without Barkley.

John Mara’s Input.

Co-owner John Mara found the prospect of losing Barkley difficult to accept. Although some might view his involvement as meddling, Mara’s conversations with Schoen were more supportive than directive. He openly expressed his desire to retain Barkley but ultimately trusted Schoen’s judgment. The decision was a tough one for the organization, reflecting the delicate balance between emotional ties and strategic moves.

This episode sets the stage for an intriguing season. The narrative highlights the challenges of transitioning from a star-driven offense to one centered around Daniel Jones. It emphasizes the difficult decisions involved in this shift.

The post Hard Knocks Episode One Recap first appeared on Bleedbigblue.com.

New edition to the Hard Knocks family.

This edition of Hard Knocks will bring something a little different. While this new version of Hard Knocks will cover the offseason process, the traditional style of the show that follows teams during training camp into the regular season is still expected to air later this summer, featuring a different team.

HBO’s description of Offseason with the New York Giants.

Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants brings viewers inside the New York Giants organization as they prepare for their highly anticipated 100th season. Camera crews chronicle the team’s every move as general manager Joe Schoen and the front office navigate the critical offseason period — from the NFL Scouting Combine and free agency to the NFL Draft and team minicamps.

Ownership’s Reluctance with the New York Giants on HBO’s Hard Knocks

Co-owner John Mara has long insisted that his storied franchise would never take part of Hard Knocks there seems to be a different direction now. “When I’m next to my father in Gates of Heaven Cemetery,” Mara told the New York Daily News when asked when the Giants would allow HBO’s cameras into their facility.

Moving Forward with the New York Giants on HBO’s Hard Knocks

“As we enter our 100th season, we look forward to providing our fans with the opportunity to see what it takes to build an NFL roster,” Giants senior vice president, marketing and brand strategy Nilay Shah said. “Beginning the moment the previous season ended, we gave NFL Films unprecedented access to this critical time of the year. We know viewers will gain insight from moments that have never been captured before and are excited for them to learn more about our Giants history.”

When and How to Watch

Mark your calendars: Hard Knocks airs every Tuesday at 9 PM ET on HBO, debuting July 2, 2024, and running until July 30. You can also stream it on HBO Max, with clips available on Giants.com and other Giants social media platforms.

The post New York Giants on HBO’s Hard Knocks first appeared on Bleedbigblue.com.

It took 23 years, but the NFL finally got the New York Giants on HBO’s Hard Knocks.

We learned that peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are Joe Schoen’s go-to when on the road. He said that he ate PB&J sandwiches while driving as an area scout, and also ate them when driving to New York after being hired as the Giants’ new GM in 2022.

But while that’s a fun anecdote, it wasn’t the big story from the first episode.

The real meat of the first episode was the peek behind the scenes of the Giants’ free agency process, particularly with respect to star running back Saquon Barkley.

The value of Saquon Barkley

“Certain positions have high dollar points because they’re positions of impact,” said assistant GM Brandon Brown “You want to make sure you get return on your investment.”

The big question for the Giants was whether Barkley — and the running back position in general — is worth that investment.

Schoen said early in the episode that the running back position became less and less of a need for the Giants in comparison to the rest of the roster. He observed that the Giants needed to add a cornerback, a pass rusher, and a number one receiver, saying “that running back keeps going down.”

“We’re not going to franchise him,” Schoen said, noting that the team wasn’t going to be realistic to franchise and trade him. The Giants didn’t anticipate anyone giving up draft picks for Barkley as well as sign him to a $12 million per year contract. They regarded a potential tag and trade scenario as a “Hail Mary”.

The Giants’ front office members also seemed skeptical that any team with a $20 million per year receiver would pay Barkley what he was asking. As it so happens, the Philadelphia Eagles were willing to give Barkley that contract. And in light of how the Giants’ brass values the running back position, the Eagles signing Barkley likely came as a surprise.

Schoen questioned how Philly would allocate their funds given their own needs. That’s particularly true given that their divisional rival would also have to pay receivers DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown, both who whom would garter far more than $20 million per year.

Replacing Barkley

With respect to the class of running back free agents as a whole, Schoen said, “There’s going to be saturation in the running back market, there could be some value guys there.”

He later said to John Mara that he believed that the Giants wouldn’t need to draft a running back highly to replace Barkley, but that they would be able to address the position with a high value player in the second week of free agency.

The Giants’ brain trust discussed multiple free agent running backs. From Zack Moss and Tony Pollard to Devin Singletary, who they ultimately signed.

We know that Hard Knocks is edited in such a way as to give us a glimpse behind the scenes, but without giving away much of anything to future opponents. Even so, we got some interesting insight on the running back position, and perhaps into the offense as a whole.

The discussion around Singletary noted that (in contrast to Moss) he’s more of a receiving threat, and a screen player in particular, on third downs than a pass protector. That could be a hint that the Giants will look to emphasize running back screens in the upcoming season. They also noted that Moss was a “banger” on first and second downs, while Singletary is more of a finesse player. In light of that — and of course the pick of Malik Nabers at 6th overall — that the Giants are going to be more pass-heavy than in previous years.

Schoen also noted that the Giants aren’t paying Daniel Jones $40 million to hand the ball off. It seems clear that the plan has been to add weapons in the passing game, and put the offense wholly on Jones.

Put simply, the first episode makes clear that this wasn’t Saquon Barkley’s team anymore. 2024 is all about Daniel Jones.

The post Giants’ Saquon Barkley decision focal point of ‘Hard Knocks’ debut episode first appeared on Bleedbigblue.com.

But as they enter their 100th season of existence, they are determined to change that perception. HBO’s “Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants” features the new Giants’ hierarchy, led by youthful general Manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll, at work using 21st-century technology to build a winning roster.

The series, which debuts on Tuesday, July 2 on HBO and will stream on MAX, will show the Giants’ front office going through the offseason process of the NFL Combine and draft and the preparation that leads up to those events as well as free agency and the offseason workout program.

It is HBO and NFL Films’ first foray into a team’s winter schedule.

Charlotte Carroll, who covers the Giants for The Athletic, recently listed six reasons to watch the series which will include: the Saquon Barkley defection, the shakeup within the coaching ranks, the failed quest for a new quarterback, the Brian Burns trade, Shane Bowen’s defense and Daniel Jones’ rehab.

What will be most interesting is the fans will get to see inside the walls of 1925 Giants Drive and what all those people are doing on a daily basis.

As one who has been inside the building many times, I always wondered myself, but over time, I have learned that it truly takes a village to run an NFL organization.

The post Hard Knocks promises to give Giants fans a peek behind the curtain first appeared on Bleedbigblue.com.

‘SB Nation Reacts’ survey reveals limited interest

NFL fans don’t appear to be excited about the upcoming offseason version of ‘Hard Knocks’ that will feature the New York Giants.

According to a national ‘SB Nation Reacts’ survey, only 26% of respondents plan to watch the HBO series next month.

You might think that is because of lack of interest in the Giants, a team that went 6-11 last season and has won one playoff game since 2012. Really, though, it might be ‘Hard Knocks’ fatigue.

The ‘Reacts’ survey found that a majority of respondents believe there are too many versions of the HBO series.

The five-part series debuts Tuesday, July 9 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO with new episodes debuting subsequent Tuesdays through July 30.

This is the Giants’ 100th season of NFL competition, and the first time they have been on any version of ‘Hard Knocks’.

“As we enter our 100th season, we look forward to providing our fans with the opportunity to see what it takes to build an NFL roster,” said Nilay Shah, Giants Senior Vice President, Marketing and Brand Strategy, in a statement released by the team. “Beginning the moment the previous season ended, we gave NFL Films unprecedented access to this critical time of the year. We know viewers will gain insight from moments that have never been captured before and are excited for them to learn more about our Giants history.”

The post NFL fans not thrilled about Giants’ ‘Hard Knocks’ appearance first appeared on Bleedbigblue.com.