Second year judgement

G-MAN ON THE G-MEN

- Kevin Gleason

Joe Judge might have put together as graceful a 6-10 season as possible in the NFL. He was mostly beloved by installing old-school discipline and accountability without alienating key players

Oh, there certainly were moments showing Judge as the classic controlling Belichickian disciple, most notably spats with offensive line coach Marc Columbo and receiver Golden Tate. As such, both became former members of the organization, allowing ego and emotion to disrupt the team-first concept incessantly preached by Judge.

Still, Judge came away from his rookie season as a head coach virtually unscathed. Players wanted to play for him. Fans felt a renewed sense of optimism following the two-season debacle of Pat Shurmur. Judge got a lot of good press, as they say.

Let’s hope he enjoyed it, though Judge clearly isn’t the type to trust glowing press clippings. The party officially ended as the final seconds ticked off on Philadelphia’s Sunday-night tanking, assuring Washington of the NFC East title and sending the Giants into the grouping of which 6-10 teams belong.

The second season represents the most important year for an NFL head coach trying to become a veteran NFL head coach. It’s when we typically learn a lot about the team’s direction and the coach’s acumen, not to mention his job security.

Take Shurmur, who melted in his second season by going 4-12 after an uninspiring 5-11 season his first year.