NFL Notes: Tom Coughlin, Bengal, Cardinals, Chargers, & Rams

Tom Coughlin

Former Colts GM Bill Polian tells Chris Mortensen that there’s no way he would fire HC Tom Coughlin if he were in charge of the Giants.

“Tom may be doing the best coaching job in the NFL,” said Polian. “You judge a head coach how well teams play in situations where he’s outmatched. Does the coach get the maximum or more out of talent he has? With Tom, the answer is unequivocally yes.”

Polian points to the current shape of the team’s roster for their underwhelming 2015 season.

“Tom has to take in account the inventory of players he has on hand,” said Polian. “Eli gives him a proven Super Bowl quarterback but the offensive line does not have a left tackle and has been battered by injuries. None of the running backs would be a quality No. 1 on a good team. They have only two receivers and that’s being generous because I’m counting (Dwayne) Harris as the second guy besides Odell Beckham, Jr. They have no tight end. The reason they can’t finish on offense in the final four minutes is they [have] no running back and a below-average offensive line.

“Defensively, they have no one to sack the quarterback in the final two minutes. They’ve only had JPP (Jason Pierre-Paul) since Thanksgiving and he can pressure but he can’t get the quarterback on the ground. You need at least two dynamic pass-rushers to finish games. They have none. They have some big, powerful guys to do a good job against the run but winning games requires getting to the quarterback. They are not athletic at linebacker. I mean, they’re certainly not replicating what they are facing this week (against the Panthers) with (Luke) Kuechly, (Thomas) Davis and (Shaq) Thompson.”

“It’s not letting Tom walk out the door,” said Polian. “Get better players. It has to be more than Odell Beckham Jr. and Eli Manning.”

Bengals

• Aaron Wilson reports that the Bengals worked out WR Michael Bennett and QB Phillip Sims.

Cardinals

• Aaron Wilson reports that the Cardinals worked out CFL players Wilie Jefferson, Aaron Grymes and Mitchell White in recent days.
• Aaron Wilson reports that the Cardinals hosted DE Tristan Okpalaugo for a visit.

Chargers

• Aaron Wilson reports that the Chargers worked out CFL P Swayze Waters, CFL WR Eric Rogers, and WR Terrell Sinkfield.

Rams

While the Rams are not expected to fire either HC Jeff Fisher or GM Les Snead after the season, Ian Rapoport mentions that they will set their sights on improving at the quarterback position.

“The quarterback position will be a focus,” Rapoport said.