In this week’s Ten-Pack for SportingNews.com, we make the case of inclusion in Canton of Giants coach Tom Coughlin.
A year ago, we never would have dreamed that we’d ever make such a suggestion absent the consumption of heavy doses of alcohol. But with two of the best coaching performances we’ve ever witnessed at any level of any sport, Coughlin’s total accomplishments and (more importantly) his willingness and ability to make a stunning late-career change in his style render him worthy of the Hall of Fame.
If, that is, his Giants finish the job this year and win another Super Bowl.
We’d be shocked at this point if the Giants don’t claim a second straight title. (Then again, the Giants shocked us all last year in getting their first one since 1990.) Through every type and degree of adversity, Coughlin has found a way to get his guys to continue to do their jobs.
The challenges he has faced over the past two seasons are largely unprecedented. Former G.M. Ernie Accorsi had recklelessly mashed together a locker room of talented malcontents and miscreants, and he traded Philip Rivers and the picks that became Shawne Merriman and Nate Kaeding for field general who had as much charm and appeal as a pencil with a worn out eraser.
Somehow, Coughlin got them all on the same page in 2007, and he’s doing an even better job of it in 2008 — even after the enormous distraction that receiver Plaxico Burress created on the day before a road game against the division rival that the Giants really didn’t have to win and that their opponents desperately needed in order to stay in the thick of the wild-card chase.
Anyway, we’re saying too much. The point is to get you to read the Ten-Pack. So go read it. Or else no soup for you.
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D1ehardfan, a Cheerleader, on 12/1/08 at 1:54 pm
Should be Spags earning his spot…look what he did with the eagles for years and now what hes doing with the Giants D…coughlin taking too much credit for these last two years
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misterj, a Passionate Fan, on 12/1/08 at 1:55 pm
I can’t believe you were able to squeeze in a Seinfeld reference even here. I got to the last sentence thinking I’d be free. Damn you, Florio.
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brianforster, a Rookie, on 12/1/08 at 2:05 pm
Going in to the giants game the Skins did not desperately need a win. But now they do.
Also, as a Skins fan, I agree with you. I was amazed at the end of 2006 when he got that 1 year extension. We all thought he was a goner, we all also thought Eli was done. Now look at the headlines.
Many are calling for Jason Campbell’s head, but I try to think about how many called Eli a bust before the playoffs last year and stay positive.
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