New York Giants Coach Tom Coughlin had a chance Monday to respond to Rex Ryan's verbal jabs at the Giants' franchise. During an appearance on WFAN radio with Mike Francesa Coughlin, though, chose the high road. He said only that the issue will "be settled on the field."
Ryan, coach of the New York Jets, of course proclaimed in his new book that the Jets are the 'big brother" between the two New York franchises.
"Some people like to say the Giants are the big brother team and the Jets are the little brother team. … I have news for you: We are the better team. We are the big brother. ...
"When people ask me what it’s like to share New York with the Giants, my response is always I am not sharing it with them – they are sharing it with me. … It seems clear that right now we are the better team and we are going to remain the better team for the next 10 years. Whether you like it or not, those are the facts and that’s what is going to happen."
Here was Coughlin's response when Francesa asked him about Ryan's claim that the Jets were top dog between the teams.
"Haha no I’m staying away from that. That wouldn’t be something I would comment on. I’ve been told what his new book [Rex Ryan's Book: Play Like You Mean It] has stated, but my comments would remain within myself. We’ve had a couple of guys speak out and I just firmly believe that [talk] is all well and dandy, but it’s going to be how you perform and how our teams play. It will certainly be settled on the field."
Play the game, don't talk about it. The perfect response, and typical Coughlin style.