Fansided

One silver lining for every team that missed the playoffs

By Luke Dahlgren

Nov 30, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns fans in the stands against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens won 33-27. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns fans in the stands against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens won 33-27. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 3, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin (C) waves to fans while walking off the field after the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium. The Eagles won 35-30. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin (C) waves to fans while walking off the field after the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium. The Eagles won 35-30. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

New York Giants (6-10)

Don’t be sad it’s over. Be happy it happened.

On one hand, the New York Giants parting ways with head coach Tom Coughlin is heartbreaking. His credentials in 11 seasons as Giants coach are unquestioned, and the impact he had in shaping the team both on and off the field was immense. The memory of his time in New York will not be ambiguous; it will be entirely positive.

Giants fans should dwell on the past. Namely four years ago. And eight years ago. The league, and namely the New England Patriots, are relieved he’s left. In an NFC East division filled with turmoil, Coughlin was the steadiest presence among all four teams, and proved a force that could wreak havoc in the playoffs.

It is bleak right now, but this is not the end of the Giants. Eli Manning will still be a productive, if uneven, quarterback. And Odell Beckham, Jr. will remain as one of the league’s premier receiving talents. The Giants aren’t finding another Tom Coughlin, but they aren’t falling off the face of the Earth either.

Jerry Reese’s position as GM is not secure, and a change in the front office could spark more changes across areas of need. The secondary could be the first place the team looks to improve. Even so, the Giants have the core talent to continue to do well, and they should be back competing for the NFC East in 2016.

Next: Chicago Bears

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