Loading ...As the 2006 season drew to a close, many Big Blue faithful were calling for the head of head coach Tom Coughlin. During the initial portion of Tom Coughlin’s tenure as head coach of The New York Giants, his teams were characterized by a multitude of injuries coupled with disastrous finishes.
In 2007, that all changed.
Coughlin’s Giants began the season in embarrassing fashion, surrendering 80 points in the first 2 games of the season. Despite that, Big Blue would eventually gather themselves in time to put together one of the greatest championship runs in sports history.
2008 began with promise, but one of Coughlin’s old demons reared its ugly head again and The Giants collapsed down the stretch.
As for 2009? Well suffice it to say that it was a complete disaster. The receiving corps played well and Eli Manning had a career season, but outside of that there was little to take away from the 2009 season.
This brings me to the question at hand: Is Tom Coughlin part of the solution or part of the problem?
Not to straddle the fence here, but I think the answer lies somewhere in between. Admittedly, Coughlin does have his strong points as a coach, specifically his ability to fix major issues with the team.
After 2006 everyone wondered how in the world The Giants would replace Tiki Barber. In 2007, Brandon Jacobs and The Giants offensive line had incredible years and The Giants boasted one of the strongest rushing attacks in The NFL.
Heading into 2009, everyone questioned the receiving corps and how they would perform. Needless to say, Steve Smith and company were stellar.
Now?
The entire defense seems to be falling apart, and the prospect of hoisting another Lombardi Trophy during the Coughlin era is looking awfully gloomy.
If history tells us anything when it comes to Coughlin, the defense will be okay. Perry Fewell is a great young mind who has done a lot with a little everywhere he has been, especially in pass defense. I think The Giants will record a lot of interceptions this season and the secondary will be a much improved unit.
From an improvement standpoint, Coughlin is a great coach.
That said, Coughlin has his blind spots, particularly when it comes to personnel and creativity.
During the one championship run Thee Giants had, they had an infusion of youth and fresh legs late in the season in the form of Kevin Boss, Ahmad Bradshaw, and Steve Smith. Not to mention the contributions of Aaron Ross. Had Shockey and Ward not gotten hurt, these players may never have emerged.
This is not a knock on Ward and Shockey. It’s a knock on Coughlin. Is it not completely obvious that when The Giants used their young players they were successful?
Apparently it isn’t.
From a creative standpoint, Steve Spagnuolo had the best of offensive coaches standing on their head. On offense, the addition of the slippery Smith had defenses wondering what happened to The Eli who played The Vikings back in November.
In both 2008 and 2009, The Giants could have improved by using bodies like Travis Beckum and Clint Sintim.
Can these players get roles in 2010? Can drafted rookies get roles in 2010?
The answers to these questions will hold the fate of the 2010 season. With the usage of young, excited players, The Giants ceiling is very high. Without them, the 2010 season could get ugly.
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OK… here’s my take on Coughlin.
As everyone knows, I was on the ‘game has passed him by’ bandwagon really early. And I stand by that…. but…
In a sense he’s like the CEO of a business. And success is measured not in one quarter… or one year… but in long term profit.
In the NFL that means fielding a competitive team year after year. That’s what TC does. even last year… a total disaster… we were 8-8.
Trust me… we… the Giants… went decades where we’d have shot the dog for 8-8.
TC … and the Giant FO… are looking to have a solid product on the field year after year. That means being somewhat risk adverse. They aren’t going to take big gambles… gamebles that may get a Superbowl… but could also ruin the team.
This frustrates us fans who are more focused on the championship… and are ready to do anything to get one. Whereas the team FO has the long view.
With the talent this team has I doubt ownership would tolerate another .500 season, Tommy C would be canned for sure.
I’m still scratching my head over the decision to let Waufle go, but I’m happy to see how that plays out. If a DT gets taken in the first three rounds, you’d better hope the new kid gets some decent coaching.
It got quiet fast lol
Coughlin is a party killer.
Too true…
Here’s my take on the Coughlin doesn’t play rookies problem:
1.) Yes, Nicks should have been getting more playing time this past season. However, he got about as much PT as most good, rookie WRs. His numbers were better than or comparable to the best rookie wideouts in the game so it’s not like he was fetching water the whole year. Don’t forget, he messed up his ankle in the KC game early in the season and was out 2-3 weeks. I think that’s something that had a big effect on his playing time yet everyone conveniently forgets about it.
2.) Sintim was a 3-4 rushbacker his entire collegiate career and was drafted to play SAM in a 4-3. Again, most of you seem to think changing positions is a quick, easy process. It’s not. He has to learn how to do things he was never asked to do before. His entire view of the field has changed. He has to rewire his instincts. This all takes time, more than a training camp and a couple of weeks. Now I will say that towards the end when the season was all but over, he should have been given extensive playing time over Mr. Invisible, just to get him some live snaps. However, the idea that he should have been starting the whole season or should have gotten 50% of the snaps is just not realistic. I guarantee you if that happened, people would see Sintim’s inadequacies, and declare him a bust. Instead of people crying “Sintim didn’t get enough playing time” they’d be crying “Why’d we draft a 3-4 LB?!?!”
3.) Steve Smith was starting since day one but hurt his shoulder early in the year. He was immediately placed back into the starting lineup as soon as he was healthy. Smith was also considered “NFL ready” coming out of the draft. Coincidence?
4.) Ahmad Bradshaw was a 7th round pick who was 3rd on the depth chart for good reason. We all saw what Ward and BJ did when they were healthy; they dominated the league. The coaching staff obviously knew they had something in them so putting a 7th round rookie 3rd on the depth chart isn’t exactly a dumb move.
I actually like coughlin – he isnt the problem. Look at last yr, sheridan ran the defense into the ground and we were killed form injuries. And killdrive sometimes calls the worst plays in terrible situations.
I think the whole theme is blown out of proportion. Outside of the few highlight reel guys who inevitably emerge here and there, I’m not sure most teams that have quality depth charts to begin with play a whole ton of rookies.
Troy- I mostly agree, its more the degree to which I agree. Im not saying that it was a bad idea to have Bradshaw 3rd on the depth chart or that I didn’t acknowledge that Smith was in fact hurt. I was simply pointing out how ironic it was that when young players played they did well.
Not for about 8 games did Nicks see time prior to the 4th quarter. A guy like Beckum? He certainly could have come in a lot more than he did particularly in the red zone. Sintim? An good middle ground considering his transition would have been using him in certain packages to either just rushor just cover a certain space. Thats not tough. Just give him one responsibility.
But no, we rarely ever saw him.
Its not that I dont see where TC is coming from, and thats why I didn’t destroy him. But truth be told, Ill never know why R.W. McQuarters returned punts over Hixon, especially when he sucked at it and nearly cost us an NFC Championship
Kyle – I wasn’t singling you out there, just addressing the thing as a whole. I agree that he’s not perfect, I wasn’t trying to imply that. I think KP should have gotten more snaps, same with Beckum among others. I just think it’s overblown by all of us due to frustration. I know I’ve been guilty of it at times myself but when the dust settles and the disappointment fades, he’s really not THAT bad about it.
On an unrelated note, Schefter is saying McNabb to the Raiders is practically a done deal.
For what?
Well the Eagles have said the are looking for at least a top 42 pick and Raiders have stated they aren worried about their demands. So Oaklands second rounder is likely involved..
Hopefully they deal McNabb. Id much rather want to deal with the limp armed Kevin Kolb..
McNabb to the Raiders
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5038866&campaign=rss&source=NFLHeadlines