Tom Coughlin: Eli Manning should be Giants' QB 'as long as he can do it'

New York Giants' co-owner Steve Tisch said Monday that it was his "personal goal" to try to see that Eli Manning retires as quarterback of the Giants. In an interview Tuesday at the NFL owners' meetings, head coach Tom Coughlin sounded very much like he would like to see the same thing.

"He's our quarterback and I would like him to be our quarterback for as long as he can do it, mentally and physically," Coughlin said of the 34-year-old Manning.

The Coughlin-Manning duo has been together since Coughlin became Giants coach in 2004.

"He's been an outstanding example for all of us. His work ethic, what the game means to him," Coughlin said. "We've been together a long time, I do feel very strongly about him. We do have a professional relationship in which I can get right to the chase, and he understands that."

Coughlin is expected to speak to a media gathering Wednesday at the owners' meetings, so we will likely hear more about the upcoming season at that time.

Whether or not the Giants and Manning work out a contract extension this offseason remains to be seen. Indications from all sides, though, point toward Manning being the team's quarterback for several years to come.