At an event to discuss the Mara Family Center, a new building for the East Rutherford YMCA, New York Giants owner John Mara also took some to discuss the team's offseason and a variety of other topics.
John Mara presents $250k check to Meadowlands YMCA to build the Mara Family Day Care Center.
— Tom Rock (@TomRock_Newsday) July 17, 2014
According to NJ.com, the YMCA will begin construction on the new building in January 2015. Back in May, Giants co-owner Steve Tisch also donated $10 million to concussion research.
John Mara won't make any predictions today... "But I feel good about our team."
— Ebenezer Samuel (@ebenezersamuel) July 17, 2014
Mara: "Certainly we were aggressive in the offseason, we felt like we had a lot of holes to fill." Adds team was in best cap shape ever.
— Tom Rock (@TomRock_Newsday) July 17, 2014
Mara on predictions: "I was the same idiot who said last year it was the best team we'd had in years and look what happened."
— Tom Rock (@TomRock_Newsday) July 17, 2014
Seems like the same common thread we've been encountering throughout the offseason: the Giants seem to have a "time to get back to business" mantra about them, and that includes less talk of talent on paper and other things that might unnecessarily elevate expectations for this season. That seems smart considering the significant makeover the team has underwent on both sides of the ball.
Mara on D Wilson: "We expect him to be playing ... all signs are he'll be ready to go."
— Tom Rock (@TomRock_Newsday) July 17, 2014
Good news on David Wilson, of course. That jibes with what we've been hearing throughout the offseason regarding the Giants' running back, who underwent neck surgery following a season in which he was limited to five games. The Giants also signed Rashad Jennings in free agency to shore up a running back unit that also includes Peyton Hillis, Michael Cox and fourth-round draft pick Andre Williams.
Mara: "If you are that aggressive every (offseason) it means there is something wrong with your organization."
— Tom Rock (@TomRock_Newsday) July 17, 2014
How many teams in the league could earnestly benefit from heeding this advice? At least a dozen, right?
Mara says Giants have "a stronger secondary than we've ever had before" provided they stay healthy and play to expectations.
— Tom Rock (@TomRock_Newsday) July 17, 2014
Again, Mara tempers praise with some caution. Smart move, considering how the Giants' defense has been burned by a weak secondary at various times over the past few years. Big things are expected out of Prince Amukamara, while many consider Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie one of the biggest signings of the offseason. At safety, Antrel Rolle is of course back, and Stevie Brown should be as well. Again, though, he must prove he can stay healthy after missing all of last season with a torn ACL.
John Mara on Justin Tuck: "it's gonna hurt to see him in a different uniform...this ones really gonna hurt."
— Ebenezer Samuel (@ebenezersamuel) July 17, 2014
Yes indeed. Especially in an Oakland Raiders uniform, of all teams.
Mara said it's going to hurt to see Justin Tuck in a new uniform, but said you never know what will happen in the future. #nyg
— Conor Orr (@ConorTOrr) July 17, 2014
Well, that last bit sure is tantalizing. At the very least, you gotta imagine Tuck will retire as a Giant, right?