Hard Knocks Episode 4 Discussion

[AZGiantFan]

I had never watched NK before e either so this is all new to me. While I enjoy some of the stuff t hey use as filler, sometimes it sort of gets in the way of the real idea of the show.
 AND, I also agree with Kat in that maybe they filmed all 3 WRs being drafted by the Giants and used the one with Nabers as to show he was the one they wanted all along. If they drafted one of the others, could they have made it look as if he was the guy the Giants wanted all along?

Just a couple of thoughts

I believed unless Daniels was available, Schoen had no real thoughts about trading up.
I enjoyed the Acorsi part about trading up for the guy you want as it is a once-in-a-decade thing, make or break your team as with Eli. Again, Daniels was the guy wanted, I really didn't think Schoen wanted Maye and was happy when NE wanted a King's ransom for him. He wanted that WR, maybe to show his faith in Jones and that huge contract. Now if Jones fails, it can't be because of all the excuses already used.

Is it me, or does Mara come off as a lonely man, wandering the halls of the offices with nothing really to do? He seems like he has no energy, no excitement, just a man who seems older than he looks.

On the preview of the next episode it did look as if the Giants were fielding an offer from someone looking to move up, but I was wondering why no one has even called about the #6 spot as of yet. Any team needing a WR in a big way would have tried to deal with the Giants.

I think you maked some excellent points.  The truth of the matter is that with hundreds of hours of film they can tell any story that they want.

[MightyGiants]

Is it me, or does Mara come off as a lonely man, wandering the halls of the offices with nothing really to do? He seems like he has no energy, no excitement, just a man who seems older than he looks.

If I was John Mara and I had the success he has had over the past decade, I think I would be shuffling along feeling like I didn't have a friend in the world.
 

[DaveBrown74]

Based on observations from this show, I'm not sure I'd describe Mara as "lonely", because he certainly has plenty of people in his life. He has a big family, including family members who work in the same building, and I'm sure he has plenty of friends.

I think I would describe him more as "awkward." He is very focused on the team, but he realizes he can only insert himself so much without being seen to be meddling or potentially doing more harm than good.

I'm conscious also that we're only getting a mere glimpse of things from this show. Mara may have any number of more business-driven meetings during the day in which he is more vocal and dynamic than what we have seen in these few episodes. You can only glean so much for this small sliver of what goes on in their building we have been delivered (after editing).

I know what you mean though Lenn. He does seem to be just kind of slowly, almost aimlessly wandering around in these episodes, talking to people for about 3 min in an office, making a comment, and then leaving. There doesn't appear to be a great deal of dynamism or purpose in his interactions. Such as "Jeez, I'd sure hate to lose Barkley. But ok, I guess that's where this is going."

Given people have knocked him for meddling, maybe all of this is not such a bad thing.

[MightyGiants]

On thing that struck me about @LennG comment. Mara has his brother and nephew to keep him company

[todge]

I had never watched NK before e either so this is all new to me. While I enjoy some of the stuff t hey use as filler, sometimes it sort of gets in the way of the real idea of the show.
 AND, I also agree with Kat in that maybe they filmed all 3 WRs being drafted by the Giants and used the one with Nabers as to show he was the one they wanted all along. If they drafted one of the others, could they have made it look as if he was the guy the Giants wanted all along?

Just a couple of thoughts

I believed unless Daniels was available, Schoen had no real thoughts about trading up.
I enjoyed the Acorsi part about trading up for the guy you want as it is a once-in-a-decade thing, make or break your team as with Eli. Again, Daniels was the guy wanted, I really didn't think Schoen wanted Maye and was happy when NE wanted a King's ransom for him. He wanted that WR, maybe to show his faith in Jones and that huge contract. Now if Jones fails, it can't be because of all the excuses already used.

Is it me, or does Mara come off as a lonely man, wandering the halls of the offices with nothing really to do? He seems like he has no energy, no excitement, just a man who seems older than he looks.

On the preview of the next episode it did look as if the Giants were fielding an offer from someone looking to move up, but I was wondering why no one has even called about the #6 spot as of yet. Any team needing a WR in a big way would have tried to deal with the Giants.

You can find John Mara playing golf virtually everyday at his country club. He's active in that organization as well as numerous charities. So I wouldn't say that he's "lonely" Lenny


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[LennG]

You can find John Mara playing golf virtually everyday at his country club. He's active in that organization as well as numerous charities. So I wouldn't say that he's "lonely" Lenny


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I didn't mean he is lonely in the sense he has no friends or family, but he just seems alone as he wanders about the offices, sort of hands in your pocket, wondering what should I do next.

[kartanoman]

I didn't mean he is lonely in the sense he has no friends or family, but he just seems alone as he wanders about the offices, sort of hands in your pocket, wondering what should I do next.

Hi Lenn.

Because I haven't watched this program, I don't feel I have a right to comment in this thread; however, I wanted to offer an opinion on yours regarding John Mara.

Consider that John's span of responsibility is far greater than just his Giants. He continues to serve on the NFL Competition Committee and is the Chairman of the NFL Management Council Executive Committee. He also serves on the board of directors of Saint Vincent's Hospital in Harrison, New York and Boys Hope Girls Hope of New York.

Consider all of his responsibilities and, in his spare time, whether he golfs, answers letters from Giants fans or is executing his weekly operating rhythm with his staff, I would venture to guess he has far more on his plate than he knows what to do with.

In that instance he was caught on camera looking disconnected from happenings going on, I would submit to you that he was letting his staff do their job while waiting patiently for (hopefully) good news from them.

Here is an interesting take from Paul Schwartz on this episode and, in particular, the perception of John Mara meddling around to the point of a potential relationship strain with  Joe Schoen:

Hard Knocks doesn't provide full view of John Mara and Joe Schoen's relationship

If anything, this presents a perspective that John Mara is engaged through Joe Schoen "managing up." This hasn't been previously discussed before amongst us so I wanted to put that out here for discussion.

Peace!

[AZGiantFan]

I didn't mean he is lonely in the sense he has no friends or family, but he just seems alone as he wanders about the offices, sort of hands in your pocket, wondering what should I do next.

Not a blessed thing.  Leave the football pros alone to do the job you hired them for, would be a good suggestion.  You don't see the other owner doing this.