Eli Manning holds back tears during Tom Coughlin's farewell presser (VIDEO)

Tom Coughlin stepped down as head coach of the New York Giants on Monday, and during his final press conference on Tuesday, the two-time Super Bowl champion let quarterback Eli Manning know that the farewell wasn't his fault.

And that emotional message about bonding and teamwork left Eli holding back tears:

Eli Manning could barely hold back tears during Tom Coughlin's farewell press conference. https://t.co/tLO0G1oFC6 pic.twitter.com/NpMWul18xz

— Joe Giglio (@JoeGiglioSports) January 5, 2016

Manning took responsibility for the team's recent failures but, like a father defending his son, Coughlin made sure his veteran quarterback knew it's about the team — not him.

As the culmination of two Super Bowl titles and 12 years together came to the final gun, it was tough for Manning to see the only NFL coach he has ever known step down.

It was a moment that transcended sports, winning and losing.

So before he hung up his Giants head coach's hat for good, Coughlin delivered a fatherlike message to Manning one last time at the podium:

Tom Coughlin gets mowed over on sideline, pops right back up (VIDEO)

Giants head coach Tom Coughlin got completely mowed over on the sideline in the fourth quarter of the Giants' game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday night.

Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill, under pressure, heaved a high pass to the Giants' sideline, throwing the ball away. Giants cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was tracking it out of bounds when he inadvertently crashed into the 69-year-old coach.

Coughlin's toughness has never been called into question, but I'm guessing those jumping jacks at his presser this week helped him spring back up just a little quicker.

Tom Coughlin Did Jumping Jacks At Todays Press Conference, So The GMen Are Super Bowl Locks https://t.co/3tpeP4gl36 pic.twitter.com/OAI3aCnBaF

— Clemzingis (@TheClemReport) December 10, 2015

Damontre Moore cut by Giants after locker room fight over free Beats By Dre headphones

Defensive end Damontre Moore is out of a job with the New York Giants after losing his cool when he didn't get a pair of free Beats by Dre headphones and got into a fight with a teammate over the handout.

The disappointing Moore, who had yet to live up to the promise of becoming the Giants’ next great pass rusher, was released by the team on Friday for “discipline-related reasons,” according to a team source.

Moore, who was paid $585,000 this season by the Giants, was released after fighting with defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins over the $300 blue Beats By Dre headphones, being handed out as gifts by teammate Odell Beckham Jr.

On Thursday, Beckham Jr. was distributing the headphones and several veterans — including Jenkins — tried to grab multiple pairs.

And, at the start of the media access period the same day, Jenkins was seen leaving the locker room with several pairs.

Giants GM Jerry Reese, in a release announcing the roster move, said only, “We made the move today in the interest of both parties,” without elaboration. Tom Coughlin made no mention of Moore during his media briefing in the Friday morning before practice — in which Moore was not a participant — and the head coach was not made available again after the announcement.

Moore had already warmed the bench and lightened his wallet after some other boneheaded moves he made this season.

The 23-year-old was sat by Coughlin for the Dallas game on Oct. 25, one week after the lineman committed an inexcusable penalty for roughing the passer for a late hit on quarterback Sam Bradford in a Monday night loss to the Eagles, drawing a $20,000 fine. He also was fined $10k for a hit on Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger last season.

The Giants’ third-round draft pick (81st overall) in the 2013 draft out of Texas A&M, totaled 8.5 sacks in 42 games over three seasons, including only three this year.

Merry Christmas.

Thanks @OBJ_3 😁 pic.twitter.com/38UeX276Iv

— lOUIS NIX III (@1irishchocolate) December 10, 2015

Tom Coughlin thinks Odell Beckham Jr.'s play vs. Patriots was a touchdown

Odell Beckham’s non-touchdown catch in Sunday’s last-second 27-26 loss to the New England Patriots should have been a touchdown.

At least that’s what New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin said Wednesday, when he took issue with one of the many controversial plays that cost his team a victory — and the NFL’s definition of a catch.

“We’ve made this a very difficult call,” a miffed Coughlin told WFAN during an interview. “And the thing that bothers me about it is, first, the word ‘runner,’ There is no runner in the end zone. When a guy catches the ball in the end zone, that’s it. He’s not going to take another step... He’s on the sideline.”

On the play in question, just before the two-minute warning on Sunday, with the Giants trailing, 24-23, Beckham caught a five-yard pass from Eli Manning in the end zone, seemed to get two feet down, and then stuck the ball out. As he did, Patriots corner Malcolm Butler knocked the ball away.

OBJ had a touchdown. The NFL’s catch rule cost the Giants the game: https://t.co/QAPQRhIovV pic.twitter.com/bd3Cjby2rk

— SB Nation (@SBNation) November 16, 2015

In real-time, it was hard to tell whether or not the play was a score, and the refs took a few seconds to deliberate. They initially ruled it a touchdown only to overturn that on instant replay. On Monday, the head of NFL officiating, Dean Blandino, backed up that ruling, stating on NFL Network that “the rule is pretty clear on this.”

And in slow-motion, it’s not clear that Beckham does have the ball long enough to establish himself as a runner, although Coughlin seemed to think so Tuesday.

“Beckham, the second foot hits, and it’s a fraction of a second, maybe a fraction of a second after that, the ball comes out,” Blandino said. “He didn’t have the ball long enough after the second foot was down to establish possession. That’s why it was overturned to incomplete.”

Still, Coughlin insisted Beckham did make the catch.

“If you look at it closely, he does have both hands on the ball, he does have his left foot down.

Then comes Butler in, and he makes a heck of a play. The kid (Butler) is very good,” Coughlin said. “Whatever has been determined to be a gray call, to me, is not going to be overruled. There was a call on the field that was a touchdown. It was a touchdown. It took a couple of guys to get together, but it was a touchdown. As such, if it was really in a gray area position, I really expected that the touchdown would continue to be ruled. Where is this going to go in the future, as we look at how can we solve this issue, because it is controversial.”

But Coughlin hopes his star receiver learned something from the play.

“He caught the ball. Now do I want him to have the ball in tight? You bet. And is that a tough lesson for Odell to learn? Yes it is.”

Tom Coughlin not happy with Rodgers-Cromartie's celebration on way to end zone (VIDEO)

Tom Coughlin was more than happy to see Giants cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie pick off a Matt Cassel pass and take it into the end zone Sunday. 

But the head coach wasn’t exactly thrilled with how Rodgers-Cromartie held the ball up high in celebration 45 yards from the goal line while a bunch of Cowboys were still giving chase down the sideline.

DRC started celebrating his 58-yard pick-6 at the 40-yard line. #DALvsNYG (no @DeionSanders 2-step though) https://t.co/SSPt4s4TSl

— NFL (@NFL) October 25, 2015

“I tried to get him to not hold the ball up in the air with a guy running 4.3 behind him,” Coughlin said. “I just mentioned it to him and he agreed.”

Rodgers-Cromartie's 58-yard pick-6 did put the Giants up 17-13 during the third quarter of the 27-20 victory, but the premature finger-waving might have been a little presumptuous.

Or maybe DRC was just signaling a medic for the referee who was taken out on the sideline by a Cowboys player during the play:

Jason Pierre-Paul still a no-show at meeting with Giants: Report

The mystery surrounding Jason Pierre-Paul's return continued on Wednesday after the Giants defensive end had been expected to meet with team officials this week for a second time — since he injured his right hand in a Fourth of July weekend fireworks accident — but never showed up.

Even head coach Tom Coughlin had no idea when JPP will be bringing his mangled hand back to practice.

"I wish I knew," Coughlin said when asked if he had any info on Pierre-Paul's meetings expected to take place with the team and, more importantly, the medical staff, this week. 

Asked if Pierre-Paul was visiting with the Giants on Wednesday, Coughlin said: “Not that I know of. As soon as I have information, I’ll let you know.”

Pierre-Paul has been away from the team almost the whole time since the July 4 incident that resulted in the amputation of his right index finger and damage to his thumb and middle finger. 

He visited in early September, hoping to be cleared to play and sign his $14.8-million tender but was sent home to Florida for further rehab and recovery.

Since then, he has been peppering social media with images of himself working out and lifting weights.

The Giants have only one more chance to meet with Pierre-Paul, technically a free agent although the team holds his rights as a franchise tag player. According to league rules, free agents are limited to two medical evaluations before signing. So now it appears the negotiations between the two sides are how to make certain that Pierre-Paul's hand is as close to football functional as possible without actually having team doctors examine him.

There is also the business matter to be worked out. Pierre-Paul will collect nowhere near the $14.8 million he would have earned had he been uninjured and signed the tender at the start of training camp as many expected.

And the Giants' best pass rusher last season better hurry. If Pierre-Paul is not signed by Nov. 17, he will be ineligible to play this season.

Giants dedicate game to Daniel Fells, award him game ball after W

New York Giants tight end Daniel Fells, who had five surgeries this week to stave off a MRSA staph infection, sent out a few encouraging words for his teammates via Twitter from a hospital bed before they took took the field at MetLife Stadium Sunday night — "Get that W G-men."

My heart is with my brothers tonight. Get that W G-men. I love every one of you #thiswillnotdefeatme https://t.co/lJ01kL3DCR

— Daniel Fells (@danielfells85) October 11, 2015

And after the G-Men's thrilling 30-27 W over the visitors, head coach Tom Coughlin stepped to the podium after the game and wasted no time in dedicating the game ball to Fells, who is still in danger of losing a foot to the potentially deadly infection.

“Thank God we were able to get him a game ball,” Coughlin said. “That was some football game there tonight.”

The 32-year-old Fells missed the game as he stayed in a local hospital. He was placed on injured reserve last week before the seriousness of his illness was fully diagnosed.

Sunday night's hero — and fellow tight end — Larry Donnell believed that Fells was watching him from afar as he caught the game-winning touchdown in the back of the end zone with 26 seconds left to put the Giants atop the NFC East.

“It just feel good,” Donnell said, before mentioning his thoughts were with Fells. “That’s my boy. It just feels good to get him [the win]. I’m gonna tell him that I love him.”

Coughlin and the team dedicated the game to Fells beforehand. Fells, now in his eighth season, had offered the offense a veteran presence as he caught six balls for 60 yards in the season’s first three games and had been Eli Manning's best all-around option at tight end.

Fells' MRIs have come back clean in recent days. 

“Hopefully he’ll continue in that direction, and go home and see his kids” Coughlin said.

Rashad Jennings apologizes to Eli Manning for throwing quarterback under the bus: Report

As if the game mismanagement disaster during the New York Giants devastating 27-26 loss to the Dallas Cowboys Sunday night wasn't enough to stoke the fires of team turmoil, Rashad Jennings added fuel to the controversy by blabbing to the press that he was instructed not to score on two goal-line plays late in the game.

Now, after throwing Eli Manning under the bus, Jennings, who will be providing a season-long, weekly column to The New York Post, addressed the fallout from the game and issued an apology to the two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback through the newspaper:

First of all, let me say that I want to apologize from my heart for the negative light that I unintentionally cast my quarterback and friend Eli Manning in. I continue to have the utmost respect for him, and I have complete trust in his leadership. It is a strange and unwelcome feeling I have that after all these years as a professional football player, I finally get to experience the other side of how words can be misconstrued.

I see now how what I said could easily be misunderstood as an expression of resentment. I make no claims to be a perfect communicator. But I also assure that I had no ill will at all in stating what I did. Yet, I admit in retrospect that I should not have shared that information with the world. I chose to do so, and for that choice, I am truly sorry.

Jennings also said in the column he apologized to Giants head coach Tom Coughlin and called Manning once his comments began to make headlines.

"Being the humble guy that he is, he wanted us to put this fiasco behind us with no hard feelings so that we could focus on the Falcons," said Jennings. "That is why I am taking this opportunity to more formalize my apology to Eli, the team and the fans."

Jennings also said: 

As professional competitors, our deep-rooted desire to win is usually our best friend. It can drive us to leave everything out there on the field. But sometimes, if we are not careful, it can consume us enough to lead us, in the heat of a moment, to say things that only our souls should hear.

I hope that those who have come to know me over the years will readily see that this is something that is uncharacteristic of me. I take full ownership of the fact that I didn't handle things as I should have. And for that, again, I truly apologize to my quarterback, to my coach, to my team, and to our fans.

We all just want to win. And I truly believe that I have learned a very valuable lesson about just how delicate a balance we must maintain in keeping ourselves and our team focused on the preeminent goal of winning games.

Steve Weatherford posts heartfelt farewell message to Giants fans after release (VIDEO)

Steve Weatherford was released by the Giants Friday afternoon and the veteran punter didn’t leave without a fond farewell to his fans.

The Twitter-happy Weatherford, one of the hardest-working and most popular players on the team, posted this sincere message with his wife Laura and their four children a few hours after being cut:

Thank You @Giants and the most amazing fans in the @nfl #OnceAGiantAlwaysAGiant https://t.co/oFuT4NEBDy

— Steve Weatherford (@Weatherford5) September 4, 2015

The 32-year-old Weatherford was signed as a free agent from the Jets in 2011. He was a key contributor to the Super Bowl XLVI team and spent four seasons with the Giants.

Head coach Tom Coughlin, no stranger to seeing fan favorites get cut loose, got emotional about the amicable breakup.

"He's been just an exceptional, exceptional human being," Coughlin said Friday. "The enthusiasm, the passion, the way that he had a unique ability to touch people in all parts of life . . . Steve had a very unique ability to come into a room, be the light in the room, and get people excited and emotional or speak to them in remarks which showed compassion."

They don't come with much more class or generosity than Weatherford.

Jason Pierre-Paul nowhere close to return six weeks after surgery: Report

It has been six weeks since Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul blew up his hand and had his right index finger amputated after a fireworks accident on July 4th.

And now, a month-and-a-half later, there is nothing to indicate that JPP is anywhere close to a return or if he is even training or rehabbing. 

There has been nothing but silence from his reps about his injuries, his healing, his plans or his training. And besides spotting a bandaged Pierre-Paul in South Florida several weeks ago, he hasn't spoken or been seen otherwise. 

According to the Giants, they still don't have any idea when he's going to return, or even if he realistically can. 

  

"Until we see him, we can't make that determination," co-owner John Mara said on WFAN earlier this week. "We've been led to believe all along by his people that he'll be able to play. But again, we'd like to have our doctors take a look at him."

Six weeks was reportedly an important milestone in Pierre-Paul's return. At six weeks the fractures in Pierre-Paul's right hand and thumb were supposed to be healed. Doctors said those parts needed the longest to heal. More so than the amputation, they were the primary complications to his return to the field.

Word was that Pierre-Paul would be returning "sooner than most people think," a person close to the Pro Bowl defensive end claimed at the time of the surgery. The player and his representatives seemed to think Week 1 was a realistic possibility.

But why haven't all of the details of the injuries been revealed by JPP's camp. There was believed to be serious damage to his hand and finger, burns and charred skin. Can't they give more specifics about some of the injuries? Was there a skin graft? And why wouldn't he let the Giants' doctors inspect them? 

It all piles up to one big question: With the Week 1 regular season opener only 25 days away, how can anyone know if Pierre-Paul could possibly return to play in an NFL game within months of such a serious injury?

Pierre-Paul has kept in touch with some teammates. He's communicated with some coaches and had conversations with general manager Jerry Reese and an annoyed Tom Coughlin.

But, as Mara has said on multiple occasions, the Giants still can't be sure how many fingers he even actually has right now.

So with the all important six weeks post-surgery timeline passing, it appears even more likely Pierre-Paul won't be suiting up.

Tom Coughlin, Jason Pierre-Paul finally talk but still no timeline for return: Report

It’s been over four weeks in the making, but Tom Coughlin and Jason Pierre-Paul have finally spoken to each other. And from that conversation, it sounds like JPP won’t be back with the Giants anytime soon.

On Saturday, the Giants head coach said that he’d finally gotten in touch with his star defensive end, in a phone call on Friday night. And while Coughlin said the two had a “good conversation,” Pierre-Paul also made official what most believed: He will not return to the team until he is healthy enough to take the field.

“He’s looking forward to coming,” Coughlin said. “He’s anxious to be here. But he’s not going to come until he feels like he’s ready to be able to play.” 

The Giants defensive end already spoke Giants General Manager Jerry Reese and his position coach Robert Nunn in recent weeks to re-open the lines of communication that were closed immediately after Pierre-Paul was injured in a fireworks accident on July 4. 

The Giants defensive stud is still recovering from injuries to both hands sustained in the incident. He had at least his right index finger amputated as a result, and, just a month later, there are still questions about his rehabbing and condition.

“Do I know anything more than I did before, no,” Coughlin said, via NJ.com. “He’s looking forward to coming, he’s anxious to be here. But he’s not going to come until he feels like he is ready to play. It could be any amount of time; I’m not even going to speculate. … He wishes he was here, too.”

JPP  has yet to sign his $14.813 million franchise tag tender and remains without a contract. By not inking a deal until fully healthy, he prevents the Giants from placing him on the non-football injury list. If the Giants chose to place him on the NFI list, they would not have to pay him.

Coughlin said he has no idea when Pierre-Paul will be ready for action, so he can't calculate when the defensive end will re-join the team. “It could be whatever amount of time,” the coach said. “I’m not even going to speculate.”

But Coughlin is sure that Pierre-Paul wants to suit up with the Giants. 

“There’ve been many people talking to him,” Coughlin said. “He’s little by little tried to make his contacts. 

“I was glad to hear his voice,” Coughlin added. “He sounded good. He sounded interested, that he wanted to get back here.” 

New York Giants sign male model Justin Halley

The Giants made a roster move on Friday, signing Justin Halley, a rookie safety who started 11 games last year at Florida International and had a solid collegiate career.

But one thing most fans don't know about Halley is that he doubles as a male model — and not for some cheesy spreads. The Florida native is represented by top-flight agency Wilhelmina according to its website and the 6-foot-3, 207 pound Halley has done photo shoots, walked runways and has even been on the cover of Vogue magazine. 

And it's a good bet he could quickly become a real favorite of female Giants fans. 

#ManCrushMonday #justinhalley #italiansdoitbetter pic.twitter.com/vZsf9cEMIL

— Jessica Coogle (@Docta_Coogle) July 22, 2013

But back to football.

The addition of Halley now gives the Giants eight safeties in camp. Both starting safety spots are currently up for grabs.

And I doubt Tom Coughlin knows a Hansel from a Zoolander.

Giants' John Mara on JPP: 'I don't know how many fingers he has': Report

The New York Giants' patience is wearing thin because of the lack of communication from Jason Pierre-Paul, regarding the injuries he suffered during a Fourth of July fireworks accident, as the first day of training camp opened Thursday.

And since the team has not been allowed to examine Pierre-Paul's injuries to his right hand, as he recovers in South Florida, team president John Mara admitted the only information the Giants have received has come through media reports.

"We don't know how extensive the damage is, that's the problem," Mara said. "I don't know how many fingers he has."

The silence means Mara still has no idea when, and if, Pierre-Paul will show up.

"I think we have to plan on moving ahead without him at this point," Mara said. "Until we see him and make some sort of determination as to what condition he is in, I don't see how we can count on him. Certainly not for the opening of the season."

But not everyone is as forgiving.

"It's hard to believe that he couldn't get here and take care of an awful lot of issues rather than what they're doing," coach Tom Coughlin said, adding that his texts to Pierre-Paul have gone unanswered. 

"Hey, we're all concerned about the young man first and foremost. But it's difficult to extend this concern when we feel like he should be here."

As for JPP's franchise tag and contract, Mara said everything is off the table until the Giants' medical staff can examine Pierre-Paul. Mara did say that he would be open to negotiating the terms of the franchise tag, including the non-football injury option the Giants have that could reduce Pierre-Paul's salary.

"We'd be open to discussing anything," Mara said. "But we first need to see him."

Mara reiterated comments from earlier in the week, when he said Pierre-Paul is receiving poor advice from his management team. He again said Pierre-Paul would be better served availing himself of the medical experts at the Giants' disposal.

"I'm disappointed that he's not here," Mara said. "I think this would be the best place for him to be for a number of different reasons . . . I think it would be in his own best interest to be here. I don't think he's receiving the best advice in the world. That's sad as far as I'm concerned."

Tom Coughlin thinks Jason Pierre-Paul's injuries are more severe than reported

In his first public comments about Jason Pierre-Paul, New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin said he has no idea when Pierre-Paul might show up at the team's training camp, described the player's refusal to allow the team to participate in his recovery as a "fiasco," and suggested that JPP is receiving poor advice from his management.

Speaking to Sports Illustrated's MMQB.com, Coughlin said he believes the silence from Pierre-Paul makes him fear that the injury is more severe than even the gory details that have been reported.

"I don't know what they think they are hiding," Coughlin said. "It only makes us, me personally, think the worst."

It's been nearly a month since the Giants defensive end injured his right hand in a fireworks mishap on July 4. Coughlin texted him the following day, offering any assistance that he and the Giants could provide.

He has yet to hear back.

Coughlin said he first learned of the injury on July 5 from general manager Jerry Reese. That's when he sent the text to JPP that read simply: "How can I help you?" He has yet to receive a response.

"I want to help. I want to be there for him," Coughlin said. "But he's decided that he doesn't want our help. He thinks that something will come of it. But, all I care about, all any of us care about, the whole organization, is the well-being of the kid."

Coughlin is not alone in the mystery. He said that defensive line coach Robert Nunn has spoken to Pierre-Paul a few times since the accident, and others have communicated via text, but most of the conversations between JPP and those associated with the team have been vague.

"There has been very little information even to this point in time," Coughlin said. "Everybody in this building is concerned with him and his welfare. Even to the point where this fiasco, when Ronnie [Barnes] goes down there and Jessie [Armstead] goes down there, and he won't see them — these are the people he has depended on all the time he has been there. I don't know what he thought he was going to accomplish by not allowing them to be there to assist, to help, whatever needed to be done."

"I thought that was a really poor move by them, by his people," he said.

Pierre-Paul was absent from the team's spring workouts and seems to be rehabbing his hand on his own. It was expected that he would sign the one-year, $14.8-million franchise tender shortly after the mid-July deadline to reach a long-term agreement passed. He has not. And, not surprisingly, the Giants would like to assess his hand injury before any contracts are signed.

For that to happen, Pierre-Paul has to show up.

Pierre-Paul didn't attend the team's minicamp in June, as Coughlin had hoped. Now he has no idea when he'll see Pierre-Paul again.

"I don't know what to expect anymore," Coughlin said.

Giants are latest NFL team to use drone at training camp

The New York Giants have become the latest NFL team to use a drone to videotape their teams during practice.

The Giants entered the world of high-tech surveillanceWednesday when they used a DJI Phantom 3 drone to videotape a part of the second day of a mandatory veterans minicamp.

Tiny white object above Giants practice is a drone, equipped with camera to take overhead shots of drills. pic.twitter.com/XCyucEGBYq

— Bob Glauber (@BobGlauber) June 17, 2015

The drone hovered at 50 to 60 feet over the grass field next to the Quest Diagnostics Training Center and gave coaches a chance to study plays from a straight overhead angle.

The Giants' football video department practiced using the drone above an unoccupied field for three weeks before doing it Wednesday.

Coach Tom Coughlin deferred comment until he has more detail regarding exactly what the drone will provide, and has had an opportunity to review the video shot from the drone.

Punter Steve Weatherford and placekicker Josh Brown saw the four-bladed drone hovering above and joked about about using it for target practice.

''Josh was saying: 'It's not that high up there,''' Weatherford said. ''And I said: 'Dude, look at the drone and look at the top of our indoor facility. It's higher (indoors).' Obviously I can hit the top of the indoor facility but you have to hit a pretty good ball to hit the drone. Like a really big ball.''

After a split second, Weatherford finished the thought.

''It's definitely doable,'' he said. ''They won't be putting that up there while I am punting.''

While the kickers plotted against the pesky little chopper, most players were oblivious to the white drone. Quarterbacks Eli Manning and Ryan Nassib admitted they didn't even notice it.

Giants owner John Mara: 'I wanted to fire everybody': Report

When it comes down to loyalty, there is no organization more honorable than the New York Giants in the NFL but, at times, even that true blue devotion comes to a breaking point.

It happened when team president and CEO, John Mara, sat on the team bus after an embarrassing 25-24 loss to the Jaguars on Nov. 30 as he tried to repress what was an overwhelming urge to start from square one.

"When I'm sitting on that bus after the Jacksonville game, I wanted to fire everybody," he said Tuesday, "from the people in the equipment room to the people upstairs [in the front office]."

It was, he said, a "low point" and an "embarrassment." The Giants blew a 21-0 lead against one of the worst teams in the league, and maybe if the season had ended after that game, Mara would have followed through on his tortured instincts. 

Instead, after three straight playoff-less seasons, Tom Coughlin and Jerry Reese are getting one more chance with the Giants — a make-it-or-break-it season.

“I don’t think that’s an unfair statement,” he said point blank.

Mara said he still has faith in his head coach and general manager and both will return for 2015. And, although he said he is "sick" about a seven-game losing streak and finishing 6-10 this past season, Mara added that there is "reason for optimism" based on how the team finished up the season.

"We need to have another [strong draft]," Mara said. "With that and with another year under this new offense, I think we have a chance to be a good team next year. Obviously, that's a tough sell right now when you go 7-9 and then 6-10, but I still have a very strong belief in this staff and this organization. I think we're going to be a good team next year."

Fair warning everyone.

Giants' Steve Weatherford visits NYPD precinct to say thanks (PHOTO)

New York Giants punter Steve Weatherford says he was sick to his stomach to hear of the ambush killing of two NYPD officers this past weekend.

So on Tuesday, back from the team’s trip to St. Louis, Weatherford dropped in on the 18th Precinct in Midtown Manhattan to show his appreciation to the men and women who serve New York City.

Before heading to the Meadowlands for practice a "nervous" Weatherford, with his seven-year-old son Ace in tow, spent more than an hour with New York’s Finest.

“What they do for us on a daily basis, I know it doesn’t get enough credit,” Weatherford told the New York Daily News. “People don’t say ‘Thank you’ enough for the times that they don’t need the police because everything is under control and everybody is safe. It’s a very thankless job, and I just wanted to go there and really just tell them ‘Thank you for doing what you do for us, for putting your life in danger on a daily basis to afford us the safety and security so we can sleep peacefully at night,’ and ‘I appreciate everything that you do.’”

It was an honor to spend the morning with the #NYPD 18th precinct. Thank you for all you do. pic.twitter.com/PO4F2T0Z3x
— Steve Weatherford (@Weatherford5) December 23, 2014

Weatherford hoped his simple but significant gesture — along with head coach Tom Coughlin's subtle tribute during the game — helped show the NYPD that the two officers — Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu – won't be forgotten in Big Blue Nation.

And it sure looks like he did a Giant deed.

Tom Coughlin tells Odell Beckham Jr. to tone down celebrations (VIDEO)

New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin may have introduced a more relaxed atmosphere around his team this season, but that doesn't mean he'll tolerate any nonsense.

And it starts with Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. toning down his touchdown celebrations.

In between Beckham's elaborate touchdown dance in the first quarter and his way more subdued third-quarter touchdown celebration against the Rams, Coughlin laid down the Footloose law to his rookie sensation.

"He will tone it down," Coughlin said after the 37-27 victory where Beckham finished with eight catches for 148 yards and two touchdowns. "He will. He did."

That was after Beckham spun the football and did his trademark 'Whip' dance after his 9-yard touchdown reception when he was flagged 15 yards for taunting.

“@Court_Frilot: Odell Beckham With The "Whip" Dance🔥😍😍😍😍😍😍😍 https://t.co/e7ujoPTbcD” my mans 😂😂
— #BeGreatKev (@OBreezy33) December 22, 2014

When Beckham scored his second touchdown of the contest on an 80-yard bomb from quarterback Eli Manning, he tried to show restraint. He tossed the ball aside, shook his head 'no' at the crowd and started to put his finger to his lip to hush the Rams fans.

But Beckham thought better of it, collected the football and handed it to the official. It was the first of his 11 touchdowns this season that didn't include a dance.

"I just picked the ball up and handed it to the ref," Beckham said. "I didn't want to hear anything else. It feels good when all those big guys are running down 80 yards."

And it was a thing of beauty.

GIF: Watch Odell Beckham Jr blow past the Rams secondary on an easy 80yd TD http://t.co/LDqYD91fPY
— The Cauldron (@TheCauldron) December 21, 2014

Immediately after the taunting penalty, the dance-tested Coughlin called his young star over on the sideline. He wasn't happy about the end result of the celebration.

"I said something to him when it happened," Coughlin said. "When he was called for it I said something to him."

If Coughlin is back with the Giants next year, and Victor Cruz returns with his salsa shake, it looks like the old coach will do more scrutinizing than that Dancing With The Stars panel.

Tom Coughlin wears subtle tributes to the slain NYPD officers (PHOTO)

Giants head coach Tom Coughlin honored the memory of the two New York Police Department officers slain on Saturday by wearing a black stripe on the left shoulder of his sweatshirt and a peace sign medallion pinned below the “NY’’ logo over his heart during Sunday's game against the Rams.

It was Coughlin's subtle tribute to officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos — who were killed in a murderous ambush yesterday afternoon.

Tom Coughlin wearing a black strip on left shoulder and peace sign under NY in honor of #NYPD officers Liu and Ramos pic.twitter.com/dMn6a1O1lw
— pat hanlon (@giantspathanlon) December 21, 2014

In the past, Coughlin has worn hats with logos of the NYPD and FDNY to honor and acknowledge those who serve, but the Giants did not have any available to them on their road trip to St. Louis.

Tom Coughlin has 99.9 percent chance of returning to Giants: Report

After 11 seasons, it's beginning to sound like Giants fans may be seeing Tom Coughlin at MetLife Stadium for at least one more. And, despite three consecutive playoff misses, Ol' Redface might get one more chance to get things right.

“99.9 percent he’s back,” a source familiar with the club’s thought process told The  N.Y. Post Sunday night.

Quite remarkable, since the odds of the 67-year-old Coughlin returning were at 50-50 only a few weeks ago.

Co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch have remained tightlipped on Coughlin's future, which they do after every year, but they have said they plan to meet with the coach after the season.

“I have no comment,” co-owner John Mara said Sunday following the Giants second straight victory — a 24-13 win over the Redskins.

“No comment,” co-owner Steve Tisch added.

This will be the fifth time in six years the Giants have missed the playoffs under Coughlin. Of course, the one year they did quality for the postseason, they won the Super Bowl for the second time during his tenure.

The reasons which have "weighed strongly" on ownership's support of Coughlin include injuries to the Giants this season, Coughlin's ability to remain respected in the locker room, the benefit of keeping offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo for another season.

And don't forget the stability he provides to quarterback Eli Manning — the only head coach he has ever played for.

Loyalty carries a lot of heft in the Giants' philosophy of making decisions but, those two Super Bowl rings sure carry a lot of weight too.