The New York Post e-Edition

Vax or no vax could be part of coach’s roster calls

By PAUL SCHWARTZ

Would Joe Judge cut a player because he is not vaccinated?

The Giants head coach, heading into his second training camp, says he will keep the 53 best players on his roster. He will know exactly who is fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and who is not and, in framing what one of the “best’’ 53 players means, he does offer insight as to this unprecedented period the

NFL is about to enter.

Does it simply make more sense to keep around a vaccinated player?

“The truth is, it’s a lot easier if you get the vaccine, that’s just what it is,’’ Judge told The Post. “I think a lot of our players have taken the information we’ve given them and the medical education we’ve given them through our medical experts and made their decisions.’’

Most have decided to get the vaccine. The Giants, however, are not at the 85 percent threshold that allows teams to relax some rules and protocols, but Judge has not ruled out getting to that mark before the start of the season. He also has not ruled out taking everything into consideration when putting together his roster, and several of those considerations are directly related to who has a shot in his arm and who does not.

Judge acknowledges the decision process “includes along the way the availability and dependability of making sure that guys are doing everything they’re told. Whether it’s following protocol or just following team rules in general, that’s all part of the evaluation. We’re evaluating based on what you do according to what you’re supposed to do.’’

Those who are not vaccinated have to do a whole lot more than the vaccinated members of the team. Unvaccinated players must get tested every day and cannot enter the facility until the test comes back negative.

They cannot eat in the team cafeteria — there is a tent outside for the unvaccinated — and must wear masks and adhere to social distancing guidelines every second they are in the building. If unvaccinated players get to the season, they will not be able to leave their hotel room for road trips, other than to travel to the game. At home, unvaccinated players are banned from bars, clubs, concerts and even house parties.

The NFL has mandated that all coaches must be vaccinated unless they have a medical or religious exemption. Judge is vaccinated.

“To me, you’re not just choosing not to get vaccinated, you’re making a choice to follow all the protocols, and you have to follow ’em all,’’ Judge said. “Whatever has been set in place by the league, and they tell us that’s what keeps us safe, you have to follow those to the ‘T,’ and that’s just the way it has to be. There’s definitely real-world

implications. The league has provided the players with a choice, that’s between the league and the union and look, we’re gonna make sure that if you choose that you have certain protocols, we’re gonna enforce the rules.’’

There is plenty to enforce. An unvaccinated player will be fined $14,650 for every violation of protocol.

“My rule as a head coach, I always provide the players with all the information, it doesn’t matter if it’s X’s and O’s, opponents, talking about vaccines,’’ Judge said. “My job is to give them all the information, make sure they know everything involved, and in a case like this, where the league has given them a choice, I have to make them aware of the consequences, in terms of league protocols, fines, things of that nature. And I’ve got to do a good job of enforcing it, that’s really my job and they have to understand whatever choice you make you have to make that choice and go forward with it.’’

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2021-07-27T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-07-27T07:00:00.0000000Z

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