Tom Coughlin's tenure in New York will never be viewed as a disappointment - two Super Bowl championships allow anyone to rise above such petty nonsense - despite the team's struggles over the last several seasons. But Coughlin's time in New York is likely coming to an end.
"At the end of what will be his third straight year out of the playoffs and fifth in the last six years, Coughlin should fire the Giants and gracefully retire and leave on his terms before they have a chance to ask him to 'retire," Gary Myers of the New York Daily News wrote.
The Giants are just 28-29 under Coughlin since 2011. There has been little to no sense of urgency or energy from the team in that time frame. Many around the league expect a change in an attempt to inject some life into this mediocre team.
"I think Tom is a great coach, but there comes a time when it's just over, it's stale," one NFL source said Monday. "The players need to hear a new message, a new voice. They've grown deaf to Tom's. You see it in their play. They need a re-do. It's not that he can't coach - he just can't be the Giants' coach. It happens. He's had a great, long run, more than most, but I think they should have made the move last year."
The Giants are 3-6 this year, and show no signs of making a late season push. While New York may not technically fire Coughlin - again, two Super Bowl rings buys you a lot of cache - a mutual split is in everyone's best interest.
