Tom Coughlin called Monday “a day of healing,” which is certainly what the Giants needed after getting whipped 23-0 by the Seahawks in their own building Sunday.
It was the kind of loss that numbs a coaching staff and its players, who must question why they played so poorly when they were confident they’d play well.
“Nobody expected that,” center Kevin Boothe said. “[The Seahawks] obviously played at a much better level than we did.”
We were told by Giants general manager Jerry Reese earlier this year Coughlin can be the Giants coach “as long as he wants.” But that might have to be re-evaluated if the Giants don’t respond any better over these next two games against the Lions and Redskins than they have in their previous two games against the Chargers (a 37-14 loss) and Seahawks.
Few expected the Giants to beat Seattle, but no one expected to witness quarterback Eli Manning throwing five interceptions and the offense to suffer its second shutout loss of the season.
After calling his offense “pathetic” moments after the game, Coughlin reviewed the video and said the breakdowns were more about “spotty” execution than a lack of effort. But that doesn’t absolve the players or coaches.
The Seahawks (12-2) are an elite team and might be playing in the Super Bowl at MetLife Stadium on Feb. 2, but the Giants (5-9) didn’t offer much of a challenge despite all the pregame “playing for pride” rhetoric.
“The idea that we could go out and play together and complement each other was something that had been talked about at great length,” Coughlin said. “And so the frustration when it didn’t work out that way, the frustration was there. It was very real. It was very emotional.”
It’s was also very troubling. Coaches can misread their teams. Practices can be hard; the gameplan can seem sound; the players can appear focused. Then the game starts and they tank. It happens.
But now it has happened three of the last four weeks. If the pattern continues at Detroit on Sunday and the season finale against the Redskins, Reese has to question whether Coughlin is up to rebuilding the Giants.
With two Super Bowl wins on his resume, Coughlin isn’t going to be pushed out the door. But he may be asked to make changes in his coaching staff or make other tough decisions that may go against his thinking. Whether he’s willing to make those changes could affect his eagerness to return.
On Monday, Coughlin said he still has faith in his offensive coaches, calling longtime coordinator Kevin Gilbride “a pro” who has been through the ups and downs of the NFL. There has been no indication Coughlin is thinking about making a change at offensive coordinator.
“It certainly hasn’t been a connect-all-the-dots-from-Day-One type of year,” Coughlin said of the offense, adding, “We try to find ways to take advantage of things. It hasn’t been easy.”
Injuries along the offensive line and at running back have wrecked the offense. So has a career-high tying 25 interceptions by Manning. That’s not all on the coaches, but showing up without the kind of heart and passion needed to compete with one of the league’s best teams reflects poorly on everyone.
Coughlin admitted this season has been “taxing in every way.” But in some respects he faces his toughest challenge trying to get his team to play with some passion and pride over these two final weeks. Football is an emotional game, and the Giants look zapped of emotion.
“You’ve got to be able to reach out to everyone in the organization,” Coughlin said, “but for sure the players and the coaches, and give them the kind of reinforcement that they need to go forward.”
That could be a pat on the back, a kick in the pants, or simply a day of healing. Whatever it takes to get the Giants to compete again, Coughlin has to find it over these next two weeks or Reese’s invitation to stay “however long he wants” could turn into not very much longer.