NY Giants: Ray Perkins says, "Tom Coughlin has '15, 20 years' left"

This will make the Professor very happy!

NFL.COM Article

Tom Coughlin turns 66 in August. He's entered a stage in life when lesser men punch the clock one final time, shift comfortably into beach furniture and spend the next three decades complaining about the Knicks.

His long-time friend Ray Perkins, who coached the Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers back in the day, can't fathom Coughlin vanishing into retirement.

"Tom Coughlin's got another 15, 20 years in him," Perkins told the New York Post.

This generated snickers, but Perkins wasn't kidding.

Tom Coughlin with Eli and Ernie

"He does," Perkins said. "He works out, he takes care of himself, he feels good. He's a great coach, and I mean it. He's got 15 or 20 more years in him. And he is totally wrong if he starts thinking of retirement, in my opinion."

Two more decades of dealing with the New York media will age a man, but Coughlin has football in the blood. The game reels these coaches in, drives them to obsession and too often spits them out. It took a lifetime for Coughlin to reach these heights, and we don't expect him to walk away before he's ready to.

NY Giants: Martellus Bennett 291 Pounds!

Coach Coughlin wants Martellus Bennett to hit the weight room!

NFL.COM News Story

On Friday, we pointed out that new Giants tight end Martellus Bennett recently weighed in at a whopping 291 pounds. This prompted plenty of jokes around the Internets about Bennett becoming an extra lineman.

But Bennett didn't like any of the jokes and questions about his size and, during a shirtless interview at Giants offseason training activities, said that he bulked up on purpose and that he is "not fat."

"I had to let the world see because the way it sounds it's like, 'Damn this guy's fat? Like he let himself get fat?' Bennett said, per Jorge Castillo of the New Jersey Star-Ledger. "I just wanted everybody to know that I'm not fat. I'm trying to get an eight pack. I got six and a half now. I'm trying to get eight.

"I'm looking like Atlas, not Professor Klump."

Bennett also reminded people that he could be a pretty hilarious dude. By all accounts, his interview was closer to Klump-y in terms of laughter involved.

However, via our Giants Rapid Reporter Alex Raskin, it doesn't really sound like Bennett's new coach Tom Coughlin is that thrilled with the weight gain.

"He is a guy that obviously has got the size to carry whatever weight we would want him to carry," Coughlin said. "He claims that he has made very good strides in the weight room. He played in the 270's last year, so we will get that under control."

Coughlin certainly wants Bennett to be busting his tail in the weight room, and it's likely the coach wants to see Bennett also step up as a run blocker. But at the same time, if Bennett's off about his weight gain and it limits his ability to be productive as a receiver, that could grind Coughlin's gears pretty quickly. 

Tom Coughlin confident of new deal

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

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By Rich Cimini
ESPNNewYork.com
PALM BEACH, Fla. -- New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin, entering the final year of his contract, expressed confidence Wednesday that a new, multiyear extension will be hammered out in the coming weeks.

"Quite frankly, it'll get done," he told reporters at the NFL meetings. "I'm not overly concerned."

Two months removed from his second Super Bowl championship in four years, an upbeat Coughlin didn't seemed concerned about anything -- not even the massive amount of publicity generated by theNew York Jets.

 You know who won the Super Bowl, you know who the world champions are. Whether we're on the front page every day or not, it's not that important. New Yorkers know.

” -- Tom Coughlin

The Jets' acquisition of Tim Tebow has overshadowed the Giants in the New York area, but Coughlin insisted he doesn't mind one bit. Perhaps tweaking his local rival, Coughlin said fans remember championships more than anything.

"You know who won the Super Bowl, you know who the world champions are," he said. "Whether we're on the front page every day or not, it's not that important. New Yorkers know."

Clearly, the Giants are reveling in their status as the understated champions. On Sunday, co-owner John Mara arrived at the league meetings and said of Tebow-mania, "I don't know (if the city is big enough), but the David Carr press conference will be tomorrow afternoon, too."

Life is good for the Giants and Coughlin, who is looking at the likelihood of a significant raise. He signed a four-year deal for about $21 million after the previous Super Bowl win, receiving a one-year extension before the 2011 season. This time, he expects more than a year and there's speculation he could jump into the $7 million-a-year category.

"It's just whenever John and our people get together, get a sit-down and give themselves a little time," he said. "I'm sure it will get done."

On Tuesday, Mara told the New York Post he expects to wrap up a deal in four to six weeks.

"We've had a lot of good discussions since the Super Bowl, and I have no doubt it's going to get done very soon," Mara told the Post.. "As I've said, Tom is our guy, and we think we have the best coach in the league."

Coughlin, 65, the oldest coach in the league, said he has no timetable in terms of how long he'd like to coach.

"No matter how many years you sign a contract, it's a one-year deal," he said. "I'm going to go forth with the idea of enjoying each season as it comes and rallying the troops, if you will."

Super Bowl XLVI: Giants 21, Patriots 17

Once again, the Giants battled back in the closing minutes to beat the Patriots in a Super Bowl. 

But Jacobs won't be returning to the Giants as he agreed to a contract with the San Francisco 49ers on Wednesday, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Defensive end Osi Umenyiora, who requested a trade before last season, will be back on the team, according to Coughlin.

"I'm not thinking of anything else," he said.

Coughlin did perhaps his best coaching job last season, overcoming injuries and a four-game losing streak to win the NFC East at 9-7. The Giants stunned the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ersin road playoff victories before defeating the New England Patriots in a dramatic Super Bowl XLVI.

"The stuff of legends," Coughlin said, sipping a cup coffee over a relaxing session with reporters.

A few weeks before the championship, Coughlin was thought to be on the hot seat, with critics calling for him to be fired. Looking back on the adversity, he laughed.

"I'll take the lumps to get to the end of the rainbow anytime," he said.

Coughlin reflected on the Super Bowl celebration, saying amid the post-game madness that he hugged a stranger on the field that turned out to be rap star Flava Flav. He also reminisced about the victory parade in lower Manhattan.

That morning, he gave the players a lesson on the history of ticker-tape parades through the Canyon of Heroes.

"You look at ticker-tape parades from years ago, black and white: Here he comes Truman, here comes Eisenhower, here comes MacArthur," he said. "Just incredible history.

"You asked me what it's like to win in New York. Well, it's unlike anything you've ever experienced in your life. It's the stuff of legends. It's a magnificent experience."

The Professor - Reese's Pieces - Updated

Reese’s Pieces:

Jerry Reese

New York Giant, General Manager, Jerry Reese, has been vindicated and has finally climbed out of George and Ernie’s shadow. He can now take his place among the great Giant GM’s. No longer can the neutral observer not give him his due. Even his Head Coach, who is averse to change, has not been able to frustrate the development of this refreshed roster. Below are 3 reasons why Jerry Reese should be executive of the year.

1. Reese drafts for value. He will slightly account for need. Only in the later rounds will you see him fill an existing or future hole in the roster. Character does not go over-looked. He has an excellent eye for the bottom half of his roster. Think of all of the guys who have filled in when needed.

2. Reese is a brutally honest evaluator of his roster. We have seen him reach into free agency to add Baas, Boley, Bernard, Canty, Grant, and Rolle. Each one of these additions have made a positive impact, and have been an important component to this year’s Super Bowl run. How many players has he let move on? How many regrets?

3. 

   Henry Hynoski - NY Giants

   Reese has put together a player personal and scouting department that deserves praise for unearthing undrafted free agents that have not only made the roster, but have added to the winning formula. Obviously, Victor Cruz is the gemstone of this group, and Henry Hynoski is the setting. 2 starters and a solid group of contributors. WOW.

Enjoy the Giants in this year’s Super Bowl. Try and remember how each player came to be a New York Giant. You may begin to appreciate the job Jerry Reese has done in turning over this roster, since the Giants last Super Bowl appearance 4 years ago.

Giant Free Agency 1.0 / Major Moves

Giant Free Agency 1.0 / Major Moves

Ok, lets boil and mash the potatoes. Add a big slab of butter, a dollop of sea salt, and some freshly ground pepper. The Giants 2012 Free Agency activity will not resemble French fries. Below is the recipe for mixer.

1. Jerry don’t do glamor. Perhaps he reaches to secure an upgrade at Guard, Tackle, or Tight End, but that’s it. I am sure he has already worked his Draft Board and has an idea on what he may replenish through that process.
   

2. Running back will be done in the later rounds of the Draft, unless a stud falls into their lap. More than likely Ware, and Scott move up and take the place of Jacobs. T.C. doesn’t trust rookies. Coach believes in the orderly advancement of the roster. Of course, this drives me nuts. When you consider both Super Bowls were greatly assisted by players only given an opportunity because of injury. This wasn’t a demonstration of coaching flexibility; this was an exercise of need.
   

3. T.E. will have to be addressed. Both Ballard and Beckum sustained injuries in the Super Bowl. Sadly, Ballard could miss the entire 2012 season. Even if the Giants draft a T.E., the Giants will not go into a new season with only Pascoe to depend on. T.C. doesn’t trust rookies. T.C. wouldn’t start Jesus, if he was a rookie. I expect the Giants to sign a lunch pail T.E. in Free Agency, and draft for the future.
   

4. I don’t expect Jerry to resign McKenzie. I doubt Brewer is ready. So what now? OL is a high priority early in the Draft, as well as securing a David Bass type signing in Free Agency.
   

5. I expect Jerry to resign Thomas and Ross. CB’s are rare, so even a weak-link like Ross will be brought back. Prince will win the starting job and Ross will be used in the nickel and dime packages. Giants could add a CB late in the draft, if there is a perceived value.
   

6. I believe the Giants will draft an LB within the first 2 rounds of the Draft. If they do, I expect them to part ways with Grant, and perhaps play less 3 safeties. Sash will continue to develop and the return of Jones is unknown. Rolle played well in the box, but was a liability in coverage. Phillips has not returned to his pre-injury level. They will try to squeeze another year with this grouping.
   

7. I believe the Giants will sign Goff to a 1 year with an option deal as insurance. They will not overpay for a bridge to the future.
   

8. Osi re-ups under win/win terms or is traded for a 2 or a 3. It’s up to Osi. Who knows what he is thinking. Tollefson resigns a cap friendly deal with the Giants.
   

9. Last but not least. Reese will resign Super Mario. Mario is the only Giant WR that can effectively stretch the field. Speed, but poor route runner, and not the greatest hands. Offenses must attack laterally, not just horizontally. Barden is a possession receiver and Jernigan isn’t ready to start. If the price is right, Reese resigns Manningham.