Giants coach Coughlin not swayed by what people think of him
Tom Coughlin has come a long way in the past month.Or, to put it more accurately, the perception of Tom Coughlin has come a long way in the past month. Let's rewind to Dec. 18. The Giants had just kicked away a golden opportunity at home in Week 15, losing decisively at home to an inferior Redskins team. It was New York's fifth loss in six games, a slide likely to cost the Giants a playoff spot and Coughlin his job after eight seasons.Of course, that was before the Giants captured the NFC East title with wins over the Jets and Cowboys to close the regular season. Then they bludgeoned the Falcons and Packers to reach Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the 49ers. The run has re-shaped Coughlin's New York legacy -- again. Just as a stunning run to Super Bowl XLII glory gave Coughlin new life in 2008, this latest surge has taken him off the hot seat and into the discussion of greatest Giants coaches ever. It's enough to make you dizzy, but Coughlin never has paid much attention to how people see him.