LockedOn Giants: Friday Vibes

Ah, Monday Night Football, how I missed you.
That's right, you read that correctly. But if you're new to this podcast or have no idea what I'm talking about, I've never been shy about expressing my disdain for night games and especially Monday Night Football, which from a professional perspective, is the worst of the worst.
Why is that, you ask? Long night, short deadline, and short work week to follow. It's awful, and I don't know anyone in the sports media business who works on deadline who likes MNF.
But look, after facing the prospect of there not being any football, here we are. So who cares if it's a night game that will create a short work week? We have football!
My change of heart for MNF isn't the only change of heart I've had. I share in head coach Joe Judge's feelings about playing starters on special teams, which you'll hear him explain.
I also continue to be impressed with how meticulous this man is in getting this team together--and remember, I covered the Coughlin years from start to finish.
I have no idea what the upcoming season holds for the Giants. But I like what they're doing and what they're saying, like how Saquon Barkley sits there and says (yes with a straight face) that he'll never be the running back he wants to be. And that's not because he doubts himself but because he recognizes how important it is to keep on reaching for the stars.
There will be a lot of people who, if the Giants get blown out by the Steelers (for the record, I think they lose to the Steelers, but I also think it will be a lot more competitive than some of the Giants games we've seen in the past), will have the pitchforks out.
But let me leave you with this since the next podcast is Tuesday: It's all about progress, and that progress is probably going to be made in baby steps that hopefully begin with the team being worthy of standing on the same field as the Steelers.

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.
Follow Patricia_Traina