Giants GM Joe Schoen sheds light on why he jumped into viral scuffle breakout with Lions
Joe Schoen's New York Giants and the Detroit Lions got embroiled in a team-wide scuffle during practice on Monday. Preseason practice scuffles are nothing new in the league, but what is new is a general manager getting into the middle of it. Recalling the experience from the previous day, the Giants general manager explained what happened on Monday's edition of "Good Morning Football."
Joe Schoen: [00:01:15] "We were doing a red zone period and our whole team was on one side, theirs was on another. So I was right there by the ruckus or whatever is going on. I was just trying to keep our guys back," he said.
He went on, claiming that his tales of his involvement were "overblown."
"So I think it got a little bit overblown in terms of my involvement. And I know my strengths and weaknesses. I was just trying to keep our guys back," he added. [00:01:31][15.8] GMFB
Multiple dust-ups occurred during Monday's practice, creating almost a baseball-like bench clearing. Of course, one must note that the stress of the preseason, coupled with the summer heat in the north likely played a role in setting up such a conflict.
However, the New York Giants general manager getting into the trenches gives Giants fans bragging rights over most other teams, which most would argue is a new frontier for the Giants in the last half-decade or longer.
Joe Schoen's new wide receiver Malik Nabers throws punches in viral skirmish
Rookies in the NFL and any new hires often do everything in their power to avoid conflict early in their careers. However, Malik Nabers took a different tactic, as the rookie wide receiver was involved in a scuffle with Lions' Kerby Joseph.
In a video uploaded by Charlotte Carroll on Twitter/X, Joseph was seen throwing the first punch after a play his team appeared to win against the rookie. Following an incompletion in the endzone on a drill, Joseph pursued Nabers, throwing the first punch.
Malik Nabers turned around and in self-defense, responded with punches of his own. Both players were wearing shoulder pads and guardian-capped helmets, so it is unclear who was doing more damage. If nothing else, both players were more likely to damage their hands on the collision protection material than anything.
That didn't stop a sea of players from taking part in the scuffle, including Amon-Ra St. Brown. Will more scuffles break out with Joe Schoen's team as the preseason continues or has the morale already bottomed out?
If any of the above quotes are used, credit "Good Morning Football" and H/T Sportskeeda.