Russini’s what I’m hearing: Goff belief, Giant regrets and, maybe, the NFL’s first female GM

Thanksgiving is all about gratitude, football, and, of course, those unavoidable family conversations you’d rather dodge. In the meantime, this column might give you a few icebreakers to help navigate the holiday chaos: • Looking back on the Lions’ unwavering belief in Jared Goff • “She’s a tough, no-nonsense leader with a better résumé and background in football than most of the men up for these jobs” • What’s wrong with the Houston Texans? A conversation with Dan Campbell ignited his unlikely comeback Dawn Aponte’s GM candidacy gains steam If you’ve been keeping up with the buzz around the many expected general manager and coaching changes coming this offseason, you’ve seen the name Dawn Aponte, the NFL’s chief football administrative officer, come up as a potential GM candidate. By the following offseason, Barkley hit free agency, and general manager Joe Schoen made the call, despite the owner John Mara’s concerns about letting “the face of the Giants” walk. Sign Up The Saquon effect on “Hard Knocks” It’s been really hard to find a front office executive or coach in football who would willingly sign up for “Hard Knocks” again — anyone with a social media account can’t avoid the clip of the Giants deciding to let Barkley go.