Giants’ Joe Judge emphasizing “weekly improvement,” more takeaways

Even at 0-3, the optimist’s point of view would be that the New York Giants are only one win out of first place in the pitiful NFC East. New York Giants coach Joe Judge isn’t worried about the silver lining of the division’s standings.

“Right now I’m really just emphasizing weekly improvement, starting with fundamentals and execution, that’s really it. We’ve gotta focus on what we’re doing day by day to really take care of our own jobs and make sure that we’re improving as a unit and as a team. All the other things will start taking care of themselves,” Judge said.

“There’s 13 games left. It’s the NFL — there’s a lot of ball left to be played.”

Judge added that win or lose the NFL is never easy.

“It’s not sunshine and rainbows. Monday’s a day where it’s a tough day on everybody because all you can think of as a coach is what you’ve gotta get better at. Doesn’t matter what the result of the game is,” Judge said. “in the NFL not a lot of things get easier as the year goes. We’ve got to improve so we can make sure that as the year goes we can be competitive.”

Here are some other takeaways from Judge’s Monday media availability.

On the frame of mind of his 0-3 team ...

“I think we’re fine. the emphasis has to be for our guys on moving forward and executing. We have to be better teachers and coaches, and we have to execute better on the field for 60 minutes. That’s really it.

“It’s the NFL. It’s the most competitive league in all of sports in the world. It’s at the highest absolute level. It’s not supposed to be easy. What we’re trying to do here isn’t easy, either.”

Injury updates ...

Judge said that safety Jabrill Peppers, who played only nine snaps Sunday after injuring an ankle, is “day-to-day.” He also said the Giants would likely make a decision Tuesday on whether or not to start the 21-day clock on linebacker David Mayo, eligible to come off IR this week.

On facing Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams this week ...

“Aaron Donald is one of the best players in the NFL and he’s definitely a force. With Aaron in the middle it makes you feel a little more creative about how you protect and use some tools in your toolbox.”

On the defense’s struggles on third down ...

“It’s never one thing ... There’s been a lot of times we’ve been a step away here, a step away there. That to me is really a symptom of what are we doing on the front end of the play, make sure we start in the right position so we can finish in the right position. We definitely have to make more plays on third down to get off the field.”