TOM COUGHLIN WANTS CORE BACK

[RoanokeFan]

TOM COUGHLIN WANTS CORE BACK (http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/7612130/new-york-giants-tom-coughlin-wants-brandon-jacobs-osi-umenyiora-back)

"The <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/nyg/new-york-giants">New York
Giants</a> have several decisions to make as they prepare to defend their Super
Bowl title.


Running back Brandon Jacobs (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/8524/brandon-jacobs) and defensive end Osi Umenyiora (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/4514/osi-umenyiora) are two key Giants who are
uncertain about their futures due to their contracts. But Tom Coughlin says
Jacobs is a big part of the Giants' future and he expects Umenyiora to be back
as a Giant.</p>


"Brandon's been an outstanding part of our team for any number of years [and]
two Super Bowl teams," Coughlin said at the NFL scouting combine in
Indianapolis. "And as far as I'm concerned, he's a big part of [the team's
future]."</p>

When asked if he expects Umenyiora to be back as a Giant, Coughlin replied,
"I do."</p>


Jacobs and Umenyiora are both under contract for the upcoming season. But
Jacobs has a $500,000 roster bonus due next month to go with the $4.4 million he
will earn this coming season. The running back wants to return and said this
week that he expects to be back. He has said he is open to restructuring his
contract for a second straight season if it is fair.</p>


The Giants likely will have to do some maneuvering to create cap
flexibility.</p>


"You'd love to think that all of our players are going to be here," Coughlin
said. "Brandon is certainly one of them. There's a hallmark that we stick to by
position. Brandon is very rare, very rare."</p>


Umenyiora has one-year remaining on his deal at just under $4 million. He
wants a new contract but he also wants to remain a Giant. </p>


Umenyiora was asked on SiriusXM's Mad Dog radio how important of a factor
money is in staying or leaving. </p>


"You know what's so funny?" Umenyiora replied. "If it came down to me taking
less to stay here I would."</p>


Mario Manningham (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/11329/mario-manningham), however, may leave for the
best offer. The wide receiver who had the most memorable catch in the Giants'
Super Bowl XLVI win over the Patriots is one of the Giants' 21 unrestricted free
agents. He could not only leave for more money but also a more prominent role
since the Giants have Hakeem Nicks (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/12586/hakeem-nicks) and Victor Cruz (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/13553/victor-cruz).</p>


"You'd love to have him back," Coughlin said. "We're not naive. The guy just
made a Super Bowl memorable play." </p>


If Manningham leaves, wide receivers like Ramses Barden (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/12555/ramses-barden) and Jerrel Jernigan (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/14040/jerrel-jernigan) could have the opportunity
to become the team's third receiver. </p>


"The guys that we've had, just as we lined up last year with all kinds of
questions, they did very well," Coughlin said. "So the thoughts are that the
players that are currently a part of our team are going to have great
opportunity." </p>


As for his own future, Coughlin said he has not yet got into serious talks
with ownership about a contract extension. He currently has this coming season
remaining on his deal but John Mara, team CEO and president, said he would
eventually sit with Coughlin to discuss an extension.</p>


"We haven't talked seriously," Coughlin said. </p>


As for how much longer the 65-year-old coach wants to keep working, Coughlin
said, "Everybody thought I was kidding. What did I say during the season,
72?"</p>

[swimeasy]

Thanks Roanoke. Pretty stellar accolades for Jacobs by TC. With Jacobs' recent comments, sounds like this will be worked out and BJ will be back.

Interesting comparison with TC's comments re Osi. "When asked if he expects Umenyiora to be back as a Giant, Coughlin replied,
"I do." - very straightforward, no embellishment and safe as Osi is under contract for another year. Clearly TC is not biting on the sound bites that Osi has been sending out recently.

[RoanokeFan]

Thanks Roanoke. Pretty stellar accolades for Jacobs by TC. With Jacobs' recent comments, sounds like this will be worked out and BJ will be back.

Interesting comparison with TC's comments re Osi. "When asked if he expects Umenyiora to be back as a Giant, Coughlin replied,
"I do." - very straightforward, no embellishment and safe as Osi is under contract for another year. Clearly TC is not biting on the sound bites that Osi has been sending out recently.


Of everyone on the team's coaching and front office staffs, TC best understands the benefits to be derived from keeping as many of our current players as is possible. Not only because the current players know the 'playbooks', but because of their team chemistry.

I have no way of knowing this, but I think TC sees Jacobs as a keeper for his passion and fire but also for his potential behind an improved OLine. Ig he can run North and South through holes, we could have a very intimidating offense on the ground, with Bradshaw, and through the air with Eli, Nicks, and Cruz.

[Voldamort]

so do I but Jerry has only so much money to go around?

[RoanokeFan]

so do I but Jerry has only so much money to go around?

A challenge I hope he's up to

[TroyArcher]

Barden showed me nothing. Jernigan didn't play much so hard to say. I am really pulling for Hixon but he has never been a reliable receiver but did have good speed before all the injuries. Ihope Manningham stays but if not we may have to look outside the current crop of WR's on the roster.

[FIFTY6G-MAN]

It seems T.C.'s words are spoken from the FO. I hope thats the case here. this team NEEDS continuity to become something more than a once every 4-5 year contender for the BIG GAME. I have all my eggs in the basket that the FO makes the right decisions to follow TC's hopes of keeping his core together. I know we dont have much cap room but when all is played out I believe that we wont pull an eagles stunt with the so-called "dream team".</P>


It really is in the players hands at this point, to choose making another superb run(healthy) this time, or going and making dough. I know that they work hard but so do I and they make more in one season than I have made the last 20 years in the military. I would definetly go for another ring instead of the dough, atleast this year with all the talent we have. Just mho.</P>

[swimeasy]

It seems T.C.'s words are spoken from the FO. I hope thats the case here. this team NEEDS continuity to become something more than a once every 4-5 year contender for the BIG GAME. I have all my eggs in the basket that the FO makes the right decisions to follow TC's hopes of keeping his core together. I know we dont have much cap room but when all is played out I believe that we wont pull an eagles stunt with the so-called "dream team".</p>


It really is in the players hands at this point, to choose making another superb run(healthy) this time, or going and making dough. I know that they work hard but so do I and they make more in one season than I have made the last 20 years in the military. I would definetly go for another ring instead of the dough, atleast this year with all the talent we have. Just mho.</p>

I agree FIFTY6G-MAN re being spoken from the FO. That's exactly how it struck me as well. The BJ/Osi comments as I said before and the MM comments seemed to be signaling a direction. As vague as TC was about Osi, he was specific about BJ and MM and the writing being on the wall about MM.

[Harooni]

says the guy that held out. maybe he has came back down to earth. if so good for him.

[Toadofsteel]

Everything hinges on an improved O-line. With better run blocking, BJ can run up the middle more often, which is what he does best. With better pass protection, Eli can have more time in the pocket, meaning he can really make your average Jernigan or Barden into a powerhouse WR. Remember, he threw for almost 5000 yards with no run game to stretch the field and little pass protection from a patchwork O-line.

[swimeasy]

Everything hinges on an improved O-line. With better run blocking, BJ can run up the middle more often, which is what he does best. With better pass protection, Eli can have more time in the pocket, meaning he can really make your average Jernigan or Barden into a powerhouse WR. Remember, he threw for almost 5000 yards with no run game to stretch the field and little pass protection from a patchwork O-line.

Agreed. I wish someone would ask TC about the Oline at the Combine. Bet those words would be chosen very carefully.