January 12, 2016
Peter Solari Follow @4PeteSakeNY
A couple of days ago, it seemed like Bengals offensive coordinator, Hue Jackson, was destined to be the next coach of the San Francisco 49ers. However, San Francisco has expanded it's search, and is interviewing ex-Giants coach Tom Coughlin today. The Giants aren't complaining about that, as it will allow to interview with them on Thursday. The New York Daily News' Ralph Vacchiano is reporting that the team has "serious" interest in Jackson.
Yesterday, The Monday Morning Quarterback explained why Coughlin might not be a great fit in San Francisco or with the Philadelphia Eagles, and Pro Football Talk is echoing those sentiments today, in regards to the 49ers. The Coughlin-Eagles situation is one to keep an eye on. Philadelphia doesn't have anybody else scheduled to interview right now, and Coughlin is, by far, the most qualified available candidate they've met with. While his age is of some concern, don't think for a second that the Eagles wouldn't love to stick it to their NFC East rivals, by hiring Coughlin.
Jackson, on the other hand, doesn't have near the experience Coughlin does, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Jackson has a reputation for being a good coach, even though he only spent one season as a head coach with the Raiders in 2011. He did a good job in Oakland. He got the Raiders, who had been struggling for years, off to a 7-4, but only finished the year at 8-8. At season's end, the team hired a new general manager, and Jackson was unjustly let go.
While the Giants could certainly do worse than Jackson, his hiring could have big implications on the team. Specifically, a Giants-Jackson marriage could slam the door, or the window rather, shut on quarterback Eli Manning's career in New York.
That's not to say the team will look to move Manning if they hire Jackson. They won't. However, should Jackson get the head coaching job, and not retain offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo, then Manning and the Giants will be in their third offensive system in the past four seasons. They will also be abandoning an offense (McAdoo's), that we know Manning can run flawlessly and be successful in. Manning is 35-years old and asking and expecting him, as well as the rest of the offense, to master a new system and keep rolling like nothing has changed. These things take time, and at 35, Manning might not have enough left.
A Jackson regime would likely be looking to either develop current backup Ryan Nassib, or spending a draft pick on Manning's eventual successor. That doesn't necessarily mean it would be a mistake for the Giants to hire Jackson, but everyone needs to understand that there will be a period of transition, and the chances of Manning leading the team on another postseason run are slimming. Quarterbacks don't last forever in the NFL, and Eli Manning isn't a spring chicken anymore.
