The New York Giants were stuck in the mud. After an improbable title run that culminated in yet another fourth-quarter game-winning drive led by quarterback Eli Manning, the team became the embodiment of complacency. Failing to adapt “The Giants Way” to the post-2011 lockout rules changes that limited practice time and changed draft pick contracts, the Giants first saw their offensive and defensive schemes fall apart.
Looking for fresh blood, the Giants parted ways with a likely Hall of Fame coach in Tom Coughlin and brought in a first-time coach who was very good as an offensive coordinator but who clearly wasn’t ready for the top job.