Here are the questions I answered from Jets writer Kristine Reese.

1. Many people believe that if the Giants fail to make the playoffs again this year, Coughlin has to go one way or the other. I would love to hear your thoughts on Coughlin, his coaching style and if you feel he is mostly to blame for the team’s “struggles.” And if a change is made, what head coaching candidates are on your short list?

I respect Tom greatly.  I have been lucky enough to meet the man and see the side the national media refuses to see.  Tom is an ex-Marine, and that means loyal, organized, and disciplined.  He is not a phony in any way, and therefore his methods and rules are not phony either.  I was amazed when Cris Collinsworth and Al Michaels marveled at how in “such a big game” he would discipline one of his players when he benched Ahmad Bradshaw for missing Curfew the night before the Cowboy game.  Shouldn’t they be more amazed that a player would break a rule like that the night before such a big game?  I think Tom is prepared for any situation and I hope he stays till he thinks he is done.  As far as a short list if I had to make a choice…1. Gruden  2. Fischer  3. Cowher
2. Eli has played phenomenal this season, yet he is still unfairly criticized by some. What do you think it will take for everyone to agree that Eli is among the best in the league? And what, in your opinion, has brought him up to the next level?

Eli will need to win another Super Bowl with this team to get the extra level of respect.  Until he outperforms his brother in that area, he will be the little brother that’s not as physically gifted or talented.  Comparing Easy E, as he is known to teammates, to other QB’s is silly in many ways, his demeanor is different and in this world of fantasy football, stats rule.  Not many QB’s get credit for changing plays from pass to run which Eli does with great success.  Eli has learned that taking the sack or the incompletion is better than forcing balls.  He thinks he can make any throw, which is great, except when you miss that throw by a half inch, it’s tipped, and it goes the other way.  Eli’s sacks are up, but so is his completion percentage and yardage, while interceptions are way down.
3. The traditionally stout Giants defense had struggled, both against the run and in the secondary and in distinctly different ways. Other than the obvious injury troubles, can you give your thoughts on what other factors might be contributing to the decline in defensive performance? How do you think these issues can be addressed? (more…)