Fox Sports Finally Gets Real on Coughlin
By Joe Tufaro
For years the tandem of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman have played the party line on the Giants and Head Coach Tom Coughlin. The production crew went out of their way to show Coughlin at his worst moments. They would cut to him only when he was seething over mistakes by his players. They would show the Giants players in their worst light. They would tell stories about rules, remarks made, and “things they heard” about Tom. It started with the 5 minute rule. Showing up 5 minutes early was mandatory for Tom Coughlin, a rule he implemented but didn’t invent. He learned it from All World Coach John Wooden. I don’t think I ever heard anyone call that idea silly when it was attributed to Wooden.
Fox has gone out of their way to put Coach Coughlin in the worst light possible. Make him seem old, inflexible, and mean spirited. Yesterday for about 5 minutes it all changed. Fox finally showed the side of Coughlin people who really know him have seen for years. They showed a short clip of him chatting with the line judge on his sideline. A big smile, shaking hands, making a little joke; And then, in a way only Joe Buck can do, they expanded on the subject as if he was their best friend. Joe goes on to state that over the years they get the opportunity to get to know these coaches and players in a personal way. That Coach Coughlin is not only a great football man, but a great man in general. Now, we all know Joe is a load of hot air, who never bothered to learn the rules until Fox brought in an expert that made him look silly. He is a lifer that never had to wonder what he would do with his life. I have no problem with Joe taking his opportunity for success, but he has always been lazy, thinks himself too funny, and takes the easy way out when discussing others. He could have been on Coughlins side early on. Even in 2007 they gave him no credit. They always quoted Tiki, and Plaxico, and others that complained there way through life. Tom Coughlin is a good man, a grandfather, and an ex-marine. He should be treated with more respect.
It might be a little too late, but at least for one day, and hopefully for the remainder of the season, Joe Buck and Troy will remember there is a good person under that headset.