On Thursday, we printed Tom Coughlin's comments at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis (BBB, Feb 19). We learned that he is unconcerned about his status, that he considers coaching in the NFL a year-by-year proposition. He said talks about a contract extension was underway.
We also learned that the Giants are serious about retaining JPP and Antrel Rolle, but we already knew that.
We also were told the defense, under returning DC Steve Spagnuolo, will be more sophisticated and that Ben McAdoo had shown growth in his first season as the offensive playcaller.
Victor Cruz is working his way back from a torn patellar injury.
"He has worked very hard. He looks good," Coughlin said. "It is a very regimented rehabilitation program. He has done a good job with it. He is where he should be. I think very shortly he is going to start running."
That is a good sign. Cruz began running on a treadmill in December. When he'll be able to return in full is still unknown. The timetable for a patellar injury is generally longer than other knee injuries. The Giants are hopeful that Cruz is able to participate in training camp.
There is still a lot gray area here. Cruz may return but will he be the same? He relies on his shiftiness and ability to change direction at will. This injury may rob him of some of that ability.
Cruz was injured shortly after Odell Beckham, Jr. made his NFL debut, so we never got to see the effect of having both star wideouts on the field at the same time. Coughlin was asked how Cruz' presence effects Beckham.
"Two very, very talented individuals, two guys that have been extremely productive," the coach said. "Obviously the more weapons you have, the better the opportunities are. The only thing any of these guys are interested in is winning. That is all we talk about. The complementing each other, complementing our team, helping our team win – that is what it is all about."
Mathias Kiwanuka's Giant career may be over.
"I don’t know that is has been finalized," Coughlin said when asked about Kiwi's future with the club. "I don’t know that any particular decision has been made along those lines."
Kiwanuka, who will turn 32 in March, missed the final month of the season with a knee injury. He is working his way back, according to Coughlin, but the Giants may release the nine-year veteran who has been seen as more of an overpaid liability than a valuable veteran presence on the field. Kiwi is due $4.775 million this season.
Ryan Nassib could be a starter in this league.
The Giants traded up in the 2013 draft to select Nassib only to bury him on their roster for his rookie season. Last year, they elevated him to primary backup and now Coughlin believes Nassib could eventually be a starting QB in the NFL.
"Ryan has gotten better. If you studied our preseason, there was no doubt that he improved," said Coughlin. "I see him continuing to improve. He is a guy that works very hard below the surface and behind the scenes. He is in the weight room right now, all the time, pretty much four or five days a week. He studies on his own. He is very, very serious about being an outstanding football player and he is willing to pay the price to do it."
Many believe that Nassib was not brought in here to backup Eli Manning, but to be used as trade bait. With Eli due for a healthy (and lengthy) extension, that is exactly what Nassib has become. I wrote back in 2013 that Nassib may never start a game for the Giants, and halfway through his first Giant contract, that has held true.