The New York Giants navigated through their first potential crisis as a team under head coach John Harbaugh last week, and did it with flying colors.
What could have been a disaster turned out to be a big nothing burger for Big Blue. The reason? Harbaugh and his ability to relate to the players. He knows how to steer his team away from the icebergs. His mantra of “team first” has already been woven into the fabric of the locker room and taken hold.
That’s why, when the media attempted to stir the pot over Jaxson Dart’s appearance and the introduction of President Donald Trump at a local rally, the Giants’ new infrastructure held firm. Nothing is more important than the team.
When linebacker Abdul Carter questioned Dart’s actions on social media, Harbaugh nipped the situation in the bud. He put both players front and center at the soonest possible moment to quell any speculation that there was a real problem with team harmony.
Both Dart and Carter then buried the situation for good by embracing in public after speaking.
Harbaugh didn’t exactly jump right in to reprimand and preach. He let the two players and the team handle it. He just reminded them that everyone has their opinions, and it shouldn’t interfere with why they are here.
“Respect everything about a person’s situation, including their opinions, and then keep it about the main thing, which is our mission,” Harbaugh told the media at the Giants’ OTA on Thursday. “That’s what we’re here for. We’re here to be the very best football team we can be. We want to be the best team in the league, and we want to prove it. That’s our goal. That’s our mission.
“We’ve got to work hard to do that, and there’s going to be all these different things that are going to come up, but stay focused on that as much as you can and deal with all the other stuff because the other stuff is part of life, too.
“If I was going to sum it up, it would be that way. But I think you should ask them and see what they say.”
And now, it is old news. A less experienced coach, or one with less power within the organization, might have handled this situation differently. The Giants finally have a leader who is keeping them focused and on task.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: John Harbaugh passed first test as New York Giants’ new leader
Reporting by John Fennelly, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
