Giants Quotables: Tom Coughlin talks 2014 schedule

Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Giants’ 2014 season schedule was leaked early yesterday evening by WFAN Sports Radio. From difficult stretches away from MetLife Stadium to ruthless travel arrangements to clashes with teams on the incline, the Giants road to victories appears anything but favorable. However, it’s only April (deep breath) with the NFL Draft still two weeks from commencing. The full roster picture is a prerequisite for making an accurate and knowledgeable assessment of each squad.

Head coach Tom Coughlin sat down with Giants.com last night to discuss the unveiling of the team’s path to the postseason:

Coughlin on the overall quality of opposition

"“It’s a difficult and challenging schedule, as we knew it would be. We play a lot of very good teams. We’re playing some teams that we haven’t played for a while that feature some key, key ingredients, some teams that are building and growing and teams with new coaches, guys I have a lot of respect for.”"

On facing the NFC West and dangerous trio of Atlanta/Houston/Jacksonville 

"“We do have any number of outstanding games in a row, because in addition to the NFC East, the NFC West and the AFC South. The NFC West is a very strong division and certainly continues to be strong. Seattle won the Super Bowl, San Francisco played in the NFC Championship Game, you look at the improvement in the Arizona team and the way they played, particularly toward the end of the year. And the way in which the St. Louis defensive team has played, their quarterback (Sam Bradford) being injured but coming back. That’s a very tough challenge and that’s to say nothing about the fact that we really haven’t been in that AFC South for a while. We played Atlanta a couple years ago. They’ve made drastic changes with their team. You saw Jacksonville improve. Houston has a new coach and with (Bill) O’Brien there and the first pick of the draft…so there are a lot of interesting factors that go into taking a look at this.”"

On the different breed of schedule-making 

"“We’re not opening in the division, which is kind of a rarity. We’re on our fourth game before we do get a divisional game. I think that’s an interesting thing.”"

Near halfway mark bye — Week 8 (October 26th) 

"“The bye, again, is in a good spot for us.”"