The former Giants players who were on the team when Coughlin was coach are not happy with Ramsey’s comments about Eli Manning.
Tom Coughlin, former head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Giants, has been accused by Jalen Ramsey of being a racist.
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The Los Angeles Rams’ Jalen Ramsey #20 looks on before their game against the New York Jets at SoFi Stadium.
If we’ve learned anything about Tom Coughlin, it’s that his old-school methods aren’t for everyone. Coughlin, who is now 74 years old, was a great football coach in his day, guiding the New York Giants to two Super Bowl wins in his 12 years in East Rutherford. Despite his enormous success, T.C.’s approach ruffled the feathers of even his most famous players.
From Tiki Barber calling his former coach a “pain in the ass” during a CBS Sports Radio monologue in 2016 to Michael Strahan admitting to FOX Sports in 2017 that he and his teammates “hated” Coughlin for a time, the Giants’ Ring of Honor inductee’s militant-like approach has been a lightning rod for criticism.
Coughlin eventually took his foot off the gas, which helped to calm tensions between him and the Giants locker room, resulting in better on-field performance. When Coughlin left coaching to become an executive with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2017, his approach was greeted with scorn by the players — maybe more so than ever before.
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‘We didn’t like Tom Coughlin,’ says Jalen Ramsey.
Coughlin’s return to his hometown of Jacksonville was a huge success at first. During his first season on the job, the club advanced to the AFC Championship game, the franchise’s longest postseason run since Coughlin led the Jaguars to the conference title in 1999 as their head coach. His second stint in Duval, however, was short-lived, as he was removed of his responsibilities in mid-December 2019 after an NFLPA grievance resulting from a slew of player complaints.
“To tell you the truth, we didn’t care for Tom Coughlin. On the Catchin’ Fades with Aqib Talib podcast, ex-Jaguars CB Jalen Ramsey stated, “That’s what it came down to.” “It was his first year there, and the year before we had been a bad squad. We went from having a laid-back coaching staff that allowed us to be grownups and enjoy our lives, to being able to simply be ourselves. We were, however, too young at the time. We were a young team, therefore we didn’t know how to handle it properly. So we took advantage of that, and that’s why we didn’t do well.”
“When Coughlin was came in, he did the exact opposite. At times, it seemed even worse than college,” Ramsey said. “We felt that half of what he was attempting to do had nothing to do with football. White socks are required. It makes no difference whether I wear white or black socks; the receiver will be turned off.”
Without Coughlin, the Jaguars have become an afterthought in the NFL. The club has had little success (42.5 percent win percentage) since joining the league as an expansion team in 1995, reaching the playoffs just seven times. Coughlin was either the team’s head coach (1995-2002) or president of football operations for five of those instances, including all three of their AFC title appearances (2017-2019).
Former Giants Speak Out in Support of Coughlin
Ramsey and his former Jaguars colleagues obviously didn’t like Coughlin’s methods – that’s understandable. However, you’d be mistaken if you didn’t expect the First-Team All-remarks Pro’s to create a stir among former Giants players.
Coughlin isn’t for everyone, according to Lawrence Tynes. Unlike Tynes, though, such guys are unlikely to have two Super Bowl wins to their credit.
Tom isn’t for everyone, but he is for those who want to hoist the Lombardi Trophy to their shoulders. https://t.co/cq4hqQ8e3R
— 16 July 2021 (@lt4kicks)
Rich Seubert, who spent his entire nine-year playing career with the Giants, was a little more blunt in his criticism of Jalen Ramsey. Tynes, the former inside offensive lineman, “must not enjoy being held accountable,” according to the former offensive lineman.
I’m happy Jalen was my coach since he doesn’t seem to like being held responsible.
July 17, 2021 — Rich Seubert (@RichSeubert69)
Eli Manning, who is usually quick to flex his Twitter fingers, let Seubert do the tweeting this time, like his old teammate’s remark, according to Giants Alliance.
Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning were a fantastic coach-quarterback combination. It’s always inspiring to witness how much love and respect they have for one another. pic.twitter.com/eulyw1qmbg
July 17, 2021 — Giants Alliance (@GiantsAlliance)
Brandon Jacobs, the Giants’ all-time leading rusher with 60 touchdowns, offered Coughlin the highest praise of the group, saying the team “played for Tom.”
True Leader, True Champion!!! To be champs, we just needed Tom Coughlin. We didn’t play for Tom, therefore we didn’t win anything. pic.twitter.com/HKxeihpU0f
July 16, 2021 — Brandon Jacobs (@BrandonJacobs27)
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