That was in 2008. The Giants beat the Patriots for the NFL title and won their division in the fall. It was also the year that Super Bowl hero Plaxico Burress accidently shot himself in the thigh in a New York City nightclub in late November and the Giants were one and done in the playoffs without him.
This is a different team. It’s a much closer, one that Coughlin has transformed into a tough-minded group that doesn’t give up when hit with adversity.
Injuries, a four-game midseason losing streak and a pitiful performance against Washington that dropped their record to 7-7 could not break their resolve.
“It’s special. To go from 7-7 to world champions is pretty special,’’ said punter Steve Weatherford, one of 20 unrestricted free agents who will be able to test the market next month unless re-signed. “I can’t say enough about this team, how tough these guys are. How resilient these guys are. I mean a lot of teams at 7-7 are making plans for January for a family vacation. There wasn’t one guy in our locker room who was ready to give up at that point. Our coach does a great job of when our backs are against the wall and we can’t lose, we don’t.’’
Coughlin left little doubt that he wants to go for a third title next season, joking he was only 45.
“I mean, it’s what I do,’’ Coughlin said at the news conference where Manning was presented with another automobile for winning his second Super Bowl MVP award. “So, the alternative I’ve never really given it a whole lot of consideration. (Just coach) as long as I can.’’
Coughlin could be around for a while following his second title as a head coach. He signed a contract extension in July that runs through next season, but it looks as though the Giants might revisit that deal following the franchise’s fourth Super Bowl win.
Giants chief executive John Mara said the team wants Coughlin back.
