One of the most powerful statements Tom Coughlin made on the day he was hired was about “the restoration of pride” for the Giants and “the restoration of our professionalism and the dignity with which we conduct our business.” He wanted to win, of course. But he wanted to win the right way.
At the moment, that day seems a lot longer than 11 years ago.
Because for all the pride and dignity Coughlin has brought to the Giants organization, not to mention the two Super Bowl championships, it took a big step back on Sunday afternoon with the crazy Odell Beckham sideshow. It wasn’t just that Beckham went nuts, throwing punches, launching himself helmet-first at his opponent’s head, drawing three personal fouls and, on Monday, a one-game suspension.
It was that it happened on Coughlin’s watch. And happened near the end of a season where the picture being painted is of a team and coach spiraling out of control.
Frank Sinatra’s “That’s Life” blared over the speakers at the start Giants practice on Wednesday with interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo overlooking his team stretching.
By the time they broke for drills the music cut off and it was dead silent in the Meadowlands — a change of pace from the short-lived Ben McAdoo era — marking a new day for the 2017 Giants.
“I hope to unite, restore and find a way t ..