New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin spoke with the media Monday following a disappointing 25-24 loss in Jacksonville on Sunday. Coughlin was understandably upset and not willing to engage in much discussion about his future with the team, according to the New York Daily News.
Tom Coughlin accepts responsibility for latest loss, bemoans offensive struggles
The Giants offense scored only three points in the second half in a loss to the Jaguars.
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Coughlin accepted responsibility for the Giants’ latest loss as well as the team’s losing record, adding, “Whatever price has to be paid for that responsibility, it starts right here with me.” The 68-year-old coach understands that his job may no longer be secure after what appears to be a third consecutive year without a postseason berth. However, when asked if he has lost belief in his ability to lead the Giants, Coughlin responded, “No. Not in the least.”
Still, the embattled head coach sees plenty of issues with his team, including its lack of scoring in the second half. The Giants ran in two touchdowns and threw for another in the second quarter, giving them a 21-3 lead at halftime. They did not score again until a field goal in the waning minutes of the game. Coughlin said he doesn’t understand how his team didn’t have 42 by the end of the game, saying, “I don’t know why it would be any other way.”
Turnovers were another major issue for New York against the Jaguars. Quarterback Eli Manning, who told reporters that Coughlin isn't to blame for the team's inability to close out games, fumbled away two possessions, with tight end Larry Donnell losing another. According to Coughlin, "At the end of the day, a minus-3 (in turnover differential) on somebody else's turf ... you're not going to win." That echoes his earlier comments to NJ.com about the kneel down being a better option than New York's offense.
But it wasn't just offense that stymied the Giants. Jacksonville pulled out several wildcat plays that Coughlin admitted caught his team off guard. Led by quarterback Blake Bortles, the Jaguars rushed for 118 yards on just 22 attempts. The end result was 25 points allowed by New York, nearly 10 more than what Jacksonville averages per game.
The Giants’ next game is next Sunday in Tennessee. They are currently 1-5 on the road in 2014.
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