Phil Simms: John Harbaugh has New York Giants players' respect, attention

The New York Giants embark on a new era this week when they open their 2026 training camp at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. It will be the team's first away from their New Jersey facility since 2012 and their first under new head coach John Harbaugh.

The camp is expected to be one that will instill discipline, unity and endurance in a team that won just 13 games over the past three seasons. Harbaugh's old-school ways will be a throwback to camps run by former Giants coaches Bill Parcells and Tom Coughlin, both of whom led the club to two Super Bowls each.

Legendary Giants quarterback Phil Simms, who played under Parcells, told veteran NFL reporter Jason La Canfora that Harbaugh has already captured the respect of his team before they've even arrived at camp.

“It’s so huge to have that guy," Simms said. "I’ve been over there, and when John Harbaugh is in front of that group and they sit in that little theatre there with the lectern in front and Harbs comes in through that side door, trust me, everyone sits up straight and they’re a little bit nervous, because they know he’s the man and he is in charge."

Harbugh comes in the door after an 18-year stint as head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, where he amassed a .609 winning percentage and a Super Bowl ring. He does things his way and the Giants don't want to change that. He has the full support of the team to the point where he holds the most sway in the organization. A five-year, $100 million contract solidified his position as the Giants' ultimate boss.

It didn't take long for everyone in the building to understand that.

“He coaches them that way and drives them and he understands how to create those bonds between him and the players. He practices them hard and trains them hard and those things carry over into the season," Simms added.

“But how he presents himself to the team, I’m just a big believer in him. He’s like Parcells. It didn’t matter if I had a great game or not; he’d come walk in that side door and he’d throw a pen on lectern and it was, not really fear, but he commanded your attention. What he’s creating there is a really good thing for that team.”

Harbaugh may ask a lot of his players and coaches, but the effort is worth the reward. For a team that has gone through 10 double-digit loss seasons over the last 12, reverting back to the basics feels like a breath of fresh air.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Phil Simms: John Harbaugh has New York Giants players' respect, attention

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