Giants

Defense

Reportedly Michael Strahan was fined $1000 for showing up two minutes EARLY for a team meeting. The door was already closed and Strahan was advised to stay out or incur coach Tom Coughlin’s ire.

Perhaps they’ve listed to Commandant Coughlin’s “injuries are cancer” speech. They are one of the healthiest teams in the league.

“I have no doubt it’s going to get done very soon,” said Mara. “As I’ve said, Tom is our guy, and we think we have the best coach in the league.” Mara’s comments notwithstanding, Coughlin was on the hot seat as recently as early last season. Winning his second Super Bowl in a half-decade may have allowed the NFL’s oldest coach to also become the highest-paid.

“I feel good,” Coughlin told CBSSports.com earlier this week. “Retire to do what?” Much like Tony LaRussa’s easy-going attitude throughout the playoffs, Coughlin was notably loose with reporters on Thursday. Asked if he was superstitious, Coughlin replied, “I haven’t changed my so-and-so’s in three or four weeks.” Pressed on strategies for stopping Rob Gronkowski, Coughlin quickly offered, “With a ladder.”

It’s the position Spags held before flopping as St. Louis’ head coach. The Giants finished the regular season 27th in total defense, and 29th versus the pass. Lombardi anticipates “major competition” for Spagnuolo’s services. The Eagles are also expected to be in the mix, though Spagnuolo’s schemes have never used the “Wide-9" philosophy implemented in Philly by Jim Washburn.

Coach Tom Coughlin also made it clear Monday that Fewell will be retained for the 2013 season despite major decline on the defensive side of the ball. The Giants finished 2012 ranked 31st in the NFL in total defense. They were sixth the previous year. Fewell was hired as Giants defensive coordinator in 2010.

According to the report, Taylor is accused of beating and raping a 15-year-old “runaway from New York City controlled by a pimp.” The alleged incident occurred early Thursday morning at the Holiday Inn Holidome Hotel in Suffern, and charges are expected to be filed once police complete their investigation. Though the original LT has a long history of drug abuse and other brushes with the law, this is still a shocking report.

Spagnuolo’s remarkable and successful Super Bowl game plan undoubtedly upped his head coaching stock in Redskins owner Dan Snyder’s eyes. Spags will interview with Snyder on Tuesday, but it seems unlikely that he’ll want the job with defensive coordinator Greg Blache already in place.

Spagnuolo is currently considered an underdog in Washington, but the ‘Skins are waiting on him and a strong interview could put him into serious contention. Williams is held in high regard by Giants coach Tom Coughlin.

This was widely expected. The Redskins will host Spagnuolo on either Monday or Tuesday of next week. If the Giants upset the Patriots, Spags could vault past several other candidates who are on Dan Snyder’s short list.