Tom Coughlin's Biggest Challenge

Tom Coughlin is a man that has overcome a lot of adversity in his career, but this is by far his biggest challenge as a head coach. The New York Giants are 0-6 after a heartbreaking loss to the Chicago Bears on Thursday night. On a potential game winning drive, an Eli Manning pass sailed through the hands of tight end Brandon Myers for an easy Bears interception. An image that left several key members of the Giants in disarray on the sideline as the clock dwindled down. A sad sight for any Giants supporter.

What's even sadder for the Giants is that the effort is there, but the results are not. Injuries have plagued the Giants more than usual this season, but their cohesion as a team has been askew all season long. A few disappointing losses later and all of a sudden it's the middle of October and the Giants are still without a win. At this point, it doesn't matter who's on the field for the Giants, because they are victims of an extremely negative environment.

This environment is a direct result of season woes. An established reputation of a struggling team is one of the hardest things to overcome in the world of sports. Players start pointing fingers, coaches start getting frustrated, and the pressure piles up for a team to deliver that's more and more desperate for a win.

The pressure is particularly shifting to New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin. Quarterback Eli Manning has been desperately trying to keep the Giants in games and his passing numbers are suffering as a result. Justin Tuck is another captain that's trying to do too much for the team, and his struggles on the field have been visible as well. What's even worse is the looks of disgust they've displayed time and time again.

In sports a winning attitude is contagious, but unfortunately for the Giants, losing can be also. It's up to Tom Coughlin to right this ship. His future with the team is unclear. The Giants recently announced that Coughlin's future remains up to Coughlin himself, but who knows what could happen if the Giants struggles continue. The best thing Coughlin can do, is completely forget about the playoffs, a winning record, or even winning games in general. He needs to completely transform the attitude of this team.

Captains after recent losses this season have been seen with mopey looks of sadness on the sidelines. Losing isn't fun, but a captain cannot display that kind of body language to other teammates. It's a symbol that all hope is lost. It makes it seem like victory is virtually inconceivable. That type of representation seen on the look of captains is a direct reflection of the head coach.

It's possible that Coughlin's lost this team. The attitude in every game visibly is just all wrong. At this point, all fans can hope for is that the teams philosophy is rightfully adjusted. And for an 0-6 team, that's a very significant challenge.

Fans desperate for the Giants to secede the season and look to the future, are furthering the notion of a negative attitude that fans have seen in their heroes. No matter what the scenario, the Giants need to do whatever they can to get as many wins this season as possible. It's a tall order at this point, but Coughlin needs to revitalize the New York Football Giants.

This demand may be even more difficult than either of the Lombardi trophies Coughlin has helped lead home. And it's because he doesn't have the support. Players are moping, fans are distancing themselves, and no matter what Coughlin tries something seems to go wrong.

Football is a brutally tough sport. A pass to Myers that's six inches shorter and the Giants are probably enjoying a long break after a victory. But instead, the Giants will be giving everything they have against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football for their first victory.

It's difficult to imagine any real positive turnarounds at this point. But hopefully one of the greatest coaches the Giants have ever had can re-establish a winning attitude that Giants fans have become comfortably used to. No matter what, the fans must stand by their coach that's fought through thick and thin for them.