Tom Coughlin at the NFL Combine – © USA TODAY Sports Images
Tom Coughlin and Giants Agree to One-Year Contract Extension: Head Coach Tom Coughlin and the New York Giants have agreed to a 1-year contract extension reported to be around $7 million. Coughlin’s contract had been set to expire after the 2014 NFL season. Coughlin last agreed to a 3-year, $20 million contract extension after winning Super Bowl XLVI. He is now signed through the 2015 NFL season.
“I had great confidence that it would happen,” said Head Coach Tom Coughlin on Friday. “And it did.”
Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s NFL Combine Media Sessions: Video clips of Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s media sessions at the NFL Combine on Friday are available at Giants.com:
Some tidbits of note:
- Coughlin on the impact and role of new Offensive Coordinator Ben McAdoo: “I’m involved very much in (the offense). As are all our coaches. It’s a very good exchange right now because we’re doing the best we can to meld a couple of systems, to discuss those types of things. Everyone has responsibilities and makes strong contributions. We’re certainly listening to the entire system and Ben will have the final say on that and of course play-calling, but I’ll be very much involved…(McAdoo) interesting enough does not describe himself as West Coast (Offense guy). He thinks more in terms of the ball going vertical and down the field…I would say that you will notice some differences for sure. Anytime you have different people, personalities, play callers, you’ll see some differences. I think definitely we would maintain a commitment to the run, and that will be a factor no matter what. And that’s been agreed upon by all. But as far as changes, they may be subtle; there may be some drastic ones. But the number one thing will be the players, the team, the opportunity to again get ourselves back on track the way we need to be, the ball security issues being first and foremost. The obvious questions being made about the offensive line, we’ll see where that goes. Who knows what that would have been like last year had a couple of our guys been able to stay on the field. “
- More on McAdoo: “I like Ben because he did a superb job in terms of his preparation. He’s very fundamentally sound. He started out with that aspect of it, not necessarily starting to talk about Xs and Os, but just about fundamentals. He had some very detailed video of the way in which he teaches. The way in which he presents, the way in which he teaches, he did an outstanding job with that. And great knowledge of the system he believes in and also knowledge of our team. The critical games that we had played against the Packers the last few years and the fact that we’ve had a little success there. That combination was a good one for both of us in terms of attracting him and being a franchise that he very much respected and wanted to be a part of if the opportunity came his way.”
- Coughlin on QB Eli Manning: “We’re very confident that Eli will, with the help of others around him, with the help of his coaches and the help of his teammates, will return to the high stature that we hold him in. I feel very good about that.”
- Coughlin on RB David Wilson, who recovering from career-threatening neck surgery: “Do I think he’ll be ready for training camp? I really don’t know the answer to that. A lot has to do with his attitude, the way he feels and the way the doctors and trainers obviously feel…I saw him about four or five days ago and he’s that same bouncy personality. He’s very pleased with where he’s at right now. He’s able to do work with his legs for example, not as a heavy-duty thing but in a lighter capacity. He’s excited about that. He looks good, he feels good. He doesn’t have a lot of pain. I’m excited about that…Forget about that he could be a difference-maker on the team, it’s the idea that is he going to be healthy enough to be able to withstand (hits). That will be the doctors’ and our main concern. We’re not going to put him out there unless he really, really believes in himself again and the doctors believe he’ll be ready to go. He’s not going to be put out there unless he’s ready for that. I’m not even sure how he’s going to be limited in the spring.”
Coughin on OG Chris Snee, who is recovering from elbow and hip injuries. “I think there’s no question (he intends to play in 2014)…I think certainly there’s a natural, built-in timetable as far as progress goes along here. He’s in the rehab aspect of it. For anyone that has been injured, the rehab and all of those things come into play as you start to formulate where you are. Right now, I’m optimistic about it. He’s progressing well, he’s working, he’s building himself up. He’s feeling good and he’s looking forward to feeling better. So all I can tell you is that he’s made very good progress.”
No New Deal Currently in the Works for Eli Manning: According to The Star-Ledger, there have been no discussions between the New York Giants and quarterback Eli Manning to re-structure his current contract. Manning has two years left on his current contract. He will count $20.4 million against the estimated $130 million 2014 NFL salary cap – the fourth highest cap number in the NFL.
In order to re-structure a contract, the contract is usually extended with more guaranteed money. The Giants do not appear willing to do that at this time according to The Ledger.
Hakeem Nicks Changes Agents, Not Likely to Re-Sign with Giants: Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent on March 11, has changed agents. Like wide receiver Victor Cruz, Nicks will have his contract negotiations handled by the agency CAA while his marketing affairs will be handled by Jay-Z’s RocNation. Nicks was formerly represented by agent Peter Schaffer.
A number of current Giants have relationships with CAA, including Cruz, quarterback Eli Manning, and defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka.
According to NJ.com, an unidentified source says the chances of Nicks re-signing with the Giants are “close to zero.”
Head Coach Tom Coughlin did not sound overly optimistic on Friday when asked about Nicks.
“He’s a free agent,” Coughlin said. “Who knows? You’d basically like to have all of your free agents back. That doesn’t happen. You have guys that are injured, you have limitations on salary. I’m sure that the (free-agent) market will be where Hakeem will go and we’ll see what happens.”
Article on the New York Giants and the 2014 NFL Draft: NY Giants focused on helping Eli Manning through NFL draft this offseason by Ebenezer Samuel of The New York Daily News
Articles on the New York Giants and the NFL Combine:
