New York Giants second-year head coach Joe Judge has recently received some flack for his old-school approach to disciplining players on the practice field. Reasonable criticism, considering that a full-team brawl broke out during camp Tuesday and three players -- yes, three -- happened to retire this week.
But Judge's tactics -- right or wrong for the modern game -- are endorsed by Giants legend Phil Simms, and he has high expectations for the organization this coming season.
"I go by many things -- the way he handles himself, what he does with the football team," Simms told the Tiki and Tierney show on Friday. "I loved people yesterday, I was watching him making fun, 'Today's players, you can't make them run a lap, those days are over.' C'mon, give me a break. Those days are never gone. It builds up something between the team... When I watched them on tape last year, I saw a disciplined team -- especially on the defensive side. They mixed it up, did different things, and they're very well-coached...
"I think Joe Judge really fits the Giants and who they really are. I went down and watched them practice this week, and I just walked away, 'Oh my god, they're so big.' They're big, by NFL standards. Everybody's big, but you walk next to Dexter Lawrence, and see all these big defensive linemen. They're building that offensive line, it's going to be much better. And I think the Giants are a sneaky team, and it wouldn't shock me at all if they win the division."
New York, which finished 6-10 in a dreadful NFC East race last season, ranked top-10 in the NFL in average points allowed (22.3) and top-15 in average yards allowed (349.3). The root of the team's issues were on offense, however, as their unit averaged a measly 17.5 points and 299.6 yards -- the second-lowest marks in the NFL.
The Giants will open up the 2021 season at home against the Denver Broncos on Sept. 12. According to the William Hill Sportsbook, New York currently has the third-best odds (+425) to win the division.
The entire NFL conversation between Simms and Tiki and Tierney can be accessed in the audio player above.
You can follow the Tiki and Tierney Show on Twitter @TikiAndTierney and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.