Giants Country

John Mara Makes a Painful Confession About Giants

The 2021 season was by far one of the most disappointing seasons John Mara said he's ever been through.

Patricia Traina

John Mara Makes a Painful Confession About Giants
John Mara Makes a Painful Confession About Giants /
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When an organization like the New York Giants has been around for nearly a century, there are sure to be more than just a few cringeworthy moments.

But for team co-owner John Mara, who witnessed events such as the Fumble, the Miracle of the New Meadowlands (DeSean Jackson game), the Ray Handley era, and others, what the Giants just went through in 2021 seems to be the clear-cut winner as far as most embarrassing moments in Mara's lifetime.  

"Honestly, I would have to say yes. Yes, it is," he said when asked if this season was the most embarrassed he's felt in his direct association with the team. 

"I kept thinking during the season that we had hit rock bottom, and then each week, it got a little worse. So honestly, I'm not proud of saying this, but if I'm gonna be 100% honest, I would've to say yes."

Those feelings are a big reason why Mara finally decided to blow the whole thing up and start anew in a search for a general manager and head coach that could begin their respective tenures on the same page and hopefully get the franchise back on track. 

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New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman on the field before the Giants host the Washington Football Team in the final game of the season at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
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Despite taking such a drastic step, there is still some concern among the fan base about Mara's ability to get it right given the team's poor track record with hiring top decision-makers, a concern that Mara said he understands.

"I haven't given (the fan base) any reason to believe that (he can turn things around). It's up to me to make the right choices; up to Steve (Tisch) and I to make the right choices going forward to earn back their trust. And that is not gonna be an overnight process; that's gonna take some time. But it starts with getting the general manager pick done correctly, and then with hiring the right head coach."

Mara, who admitted to rushing through the general manager hiring process last time--Gettleman was hired before the 2018 season ended, the Giants' working off a limited candidate pool that included mostly in-house candidates and Louis Riddick, who has been an ESPN television analyst--also understands the importance of being patient this time around and letting the process play out.

"I feel very good about the group of candidates for the general manager position that we have scheduled right now," Mara said when asked how confident he was in being able to get it right this time.

"I think any one of a number of them would make an excellent general manager. So I am confident that we are the resources to make the right choice."

 

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Patricia Traina
PATRICIA TRAINA

Patricia Traina has covered the New York Giants for 30+ seasons, and her work has appeared in multiple media outlets, including The Athletic, Forbes, Bleacher Report, and the Sports Illustrated media group. As a credentialed New York Giants press corps member, Patricia has also covered five Super Bowls (three featuring the Giants), the annual NFL draft, and the NFL Scouting Combine. She is the author of The Big 50: The Men and Moments that Made the New York Giants. In addition to her work with New York Giants On SI, Patricia hosts the Locked On Giants podcast. Patricia is also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America.

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