:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67139253/1198544607.jpg.0.jpg)
New York Giants coach Joe Judge held his first media availability of training camp on Friday, and was adamant that whatever sacrifices players and coaches have to make due to COVID-19 the privilege of fulfilling NFL dreams is worth it.
“The thing I want to emphasize on my team is we have to make responsible decisions, all of us.” Judge said. “What I’ve got to think personally about is it’s not just where I go. I’ve got to be conscious of where my wife and children are. Who are they around on a daily basis? What am I bringing back to the team?
“Listen, there’s some sacrifices we have to make. Everybody’s made sacrifices to get to this level. If the biggest thing we have to do is for half a year wear masks around each other, distance a little bit and when we go home BE HOME I think that’s a pretty fair tradeoff to be able to be part of the National Football League.”
Here is more of what Judge said, via the Big Blue View Twitter account.
On getting players ready ...
Joe Judge said the Giants will do what they can to go slowly in their ramp up because "these guys can't go from 0 to 100."
— Big Blue View (@bigblueview) July 31, 2020
Coach Joe Judge said what the Giants are currently able to do with rookies and rehabbing players is "a little bit like a rookie mini-camp."
— Big Blue View (@bigblueview) July 31, 2020
On the idea of “getting a pass” for 2020 ...
On the idea that anyone would get a pass this season because of the pandemic, Joe Judge said "the NFL doesn't give you a redshirt year."
— Big Blue View (@bigblueview) July 31, 2020
On Nate Solder’s opt out ...
Joe Judge said the organization wanted Nate Solder to play, but reiterated that "we fully understand his decision not to."
— Big Blue View (@bigblueview) July 31, 2020
Asked about the cap space created by Nate Solder's opt out, Joe Judge said "We don't feel we have money burning a hole in our pocket."
— Big Blue View (@bigblueview) July 31, 2020