Coughlin disbands Leadership Council, but is still looking for leaders

People often ask what it was that allowed the Giants to win the Super Bowl a few years back. Yes, David Tyree’s catch and Plaxico Burress’ touchdown grab and the defensive line pressuring Tom Brady had a lot to do with it. But many point to the formation of a Giants Leadership Council as a bigger move than any of them. It allowed the players to at least feel they had a voice with Tom Coughlin, and it allowed Coughlin to connect more closely to the players.

Now, after a three-year run, the council is no more. Coughlin decided against forming it this season, he said today, in stead relying on the three captains – Justin Tuck, Eli Manning and Chase Blackburn – to act of liaisons between the coach and the players.

“At this point in time I feel good about that,” Coughlin said. “If that wants to be brought up by the captains or by me in one of our meetings, that would be fine. I did not feel that the Leadership Council a year ago was as effective as it has been in the past.”

That might be a topic for discussion, especially after Antrel Rolle ripped the leadership he saw during the Sunday night game.

“I felt like in a situation like that something should have been done to a higher extent,” Rolle said to WFAN on Tuesday. “I don’t feel like there was enough done at all taking place in that game, especially a game of that magnitude.”

Coughlin said he is pleased with the captains, at least from an effort standpoint.

“What this years captains have done is an outstanding job of trying to be good leaders,” he said. “When the game is on we’re all involved in our jobs, so exactly what’s taking place there …? But there is strength in leadership in all three of our captains and I count on those guys to be the communicators with our team. I’m sure as the relationships get stronger between the new guys who are here and the guys who have been here, I think some of those things have been worked out.”

Coughlin said he spoke with Rolle about his comments on Tuesday afternoon.

“It was a good conversation and I think he better understands the circumstance,” Coughlin said. “I think once the conversations have been accomplished between me and the players, it is understood that whatever those issues are, they should be discussed internally.”

Coughlin said he thinks Rolle can be a leader on the team. But with one tweak to the style he showed yesterday.

“Do it the right way,” Coughlin said. “We are always looking for guys who are strong and who will lend to the leadership process. You cannot do it just as a captain, you have to have an outstanding group around you. Before you can be a great leader, you have to be a great follower. Yes, no question about that. However, it all has to be done in a very positive and good way.”