EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- If New York Giants players already know the fate of head coach Tom Coughlin they did a great job hiding that on Monday, despite having met briefly with the coach during the morning. Aside from the emotional reaction of Eli Manning, players said little that would indicate they knew what was going to happen.
Here are some of the reactions.
Odell Beckham Jr. admitted it took him a while to figure Coughlin out.
"Initially, a younger player would immaturely think Coach is always on you. He's always on you, he's always you ... why is he always on you? Initially, I thought it's because he wanted to be," Beckham said. "It was growing up, maturing, and learning that it was because he knew what was in you, he wanted to bring the best out. And he was going to do everything that he could to do that. Along the journey, it's been great with Coach as far as growing and learning each other and teaching me things, just how to be a man.
"I love Coach, I love Coach Coughlin. He's always going to be my coach."
Veteran defensive tackle Barry Cofield, who began his career with the Giants and returned to the team late this season after four years with the Washington Redskins, also said he has a better understanding of Coughlin now that it is later in his career.
"When I was young I didn't get. When I came back I get it," Cofield said. "The benefit he had in my career and in my life ... He's going to do the right thing. You should, too."
There was this odd comparison from Prince Amukamara.
Quote of the day has to go to Prince Amukamara who compared the Giants' not speaking of winning for TC to not speaking of...Lord Voldemort.
— Ebenezer Samuel (@ebenezersamuel) January 3, 2016
"He's a great coach for us, great leader, great motivator," said running back Orleans Darkwa. "I'd love to have him back as my coach, but we don't know what's going to happen."
Jason Pierre-Paul can be a free agent so his status for next season is unknown. JPP has appreciated his time with Coughlin:
"He's a great coach, he's determined, motivator, father figure and consistent at everything he does since the day that I got here," Pierre-Paul said.