New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen held his annual bye week session with the media on Tuesday. With his team alone in first place after seven weeks with a 4-2-1 record, Schoen seemed a little less pressured than in years past, but he knows things change rapidly in this business.
But for now, he's pleased with how the season has gone.
"I'm happy where we are. I really like the team. I like the makeup of the players, the grit," Schoen told reporters. "I was thinking about it, just the end-of-game happiness that we've had, whether it was the last play of the game in Tennessee or Arizona or even Washington, the way that played out. And then the walk-off run by Motor (running back Devin Singletary) on Sunday in Houston."
Schoen, like many followers
of the Giants, sees a team that is finally learning how to win. They are closers now. Not like last season, when they couldn't hold leads and lost five games in the fourth quarter.
"So, just the resilience of the players, the way we performed late in games in the fourth quarter and overtime. Credit to the strength and conditioning staff, the training staff. They did a phenomenal job through camp and through the season, making sure we hit our numbers at practice," Schoen said.
"And that way, when you get into those situations in the fourth quarter and even into overtime, that you still have your stamina and to be able to have those two big runs at the end of the game to finish a game, that was awesome. That was a great feeling. It was cool to see. So, again, I'm really proud of the guys, the way they've worked."
It's rare, but the Giants will enter November playing meaningful football.
"The players have earned the right," Schoen said. "They were able to finish some of these games or make plays at the end of games or whatever it may be through their preparation and hard work and practice and dedication to the team and seeing how things play out on Sunday. So, they've earned that right to be in these games, and I know they're excited about it."
Schoen knows the Giants could very easily be in last place instead of first place in the NFC East right now. A few bounces here and there and he could be back under pressure again, but for now, everyone is enjoying things.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants' Joe Schoen likes the makeup, grit of his team so far
