When the spotlight comes on and the cameras are rolling, there will be many flaws in most organizations. The New York Giants are no different and this year's Hard Knocks program is proving that.
Hard Knocks has been a great show for the fans of the NFL to get a look inside how franchises go about their business during training camp and what it's really like to be on a professional team. But, as with most things under a spotlight, there seems to always be some drawbacks. Sure, the publicity can be great, but there is a reason teams don't want the cameras around all the time and Big Blue is feeling that backlash this year.
This version of Hard Knocks actually began taking place back in the winter when the G-Men were evaluating their free agents and predraft acquisitions. This is a sore spot for many New York fans because while they did gain a big defensive piece in Brian Burns, they also lost a fan beloved piece in Saquon Barkley. Watching that unfold has only brought more pain and anger to Giants fans.
Hard Knocks has highlighted how General Manager Joe Schoen handled the Barkley situation and many have been vocal about his half-hearted attempt to keep one of the best players in franchise history. Barkley not only chose to leave New York, but he went to their division rival, the hated Eagles. More than once, the cameras showed owner John Mara explaining to Schoen that he would lose sleep if Barkley left, yet Saquon will be wearing green this season. Cost and age certainly played a role, but the inside look of losing a beloved player stung just a little more when fans watched it unfold.
Schoen never offered Barkley a contract and never tried to match the Eagles offer. Early on, you could see that Schoen had already pivoted in his idea about his backfield. Barkley later told the Athletic that he “never got a true negotiation” and he directed some anger toward Schoen who referenced on the show how trying the negotiations were the year prior saying, “if it took 10 years off your life, what do you think it did for mine”.
The Giants are an organization in transition and both Schoen and Brian Daboll seem to be on the hot seat this year, along with their QB Daniel Jones. All three have been criticized heavily this offseason, and now that the cameras are rolling, it seems to only be adding fuel to the fire.