In an interview in front of the team's home at the Timex Performance Center, the Giants president and chief executive officer addressed the media shortly after the facility opened up to the players for the first time this season, touching on the weeks to come and the return to normalcy.

"It's a great feeling to drive in here and see cars in the parking lot," Mara said. "It's been a long time coming, and certainly we missed having the players around here."

As of 10 a.m. on Tuesday, players could report back and Mara said he looked forward to personally greeting the players after they passed through the security gate swarming with TV cameras and reporters.

Meanwhile, the front office has been working the phones, prioritizing its needs in the hectic weeks to come.

So what exactly is the first concern? Re-signing the players already on the roster? Getting veterans back in? Getting rookies signed?

"I think it's going to be all of the above," Mara said. "Certainly re-signing some of our own guys and then doing what we need to do in the free agent market, those are all going to be big issues for us. And we're going to have to be ready to act quickly."

Mara's plan of attack for Tuesday included circling the wagons and getting his staff together and on the same page.

This will all unfold while the Giants prepare for the opening of training camp this Friday, which fans will have access to.

"We're in the process of getting stands put in now, and we intend to have most of our practices open," Mara said. "We have to sit down and figure that out. Just about all of them will be. As you've read, the second practice is a walkthrough. So whether we open that up or not, I don't know."

Because of the time constraints, the push to the regular season has accelerated, but the philosophy remains the same for the organization.

"You always to do what you can to improve your team, and you always have to think long term," Mara said. "You can't be thinking short term in this business because that's when you get in trouble."