New York Giants cornerback Terrell Thomas is back with the team after tearing his ACL in successive seasons. He's got plenty to worry about in a loaded division, so we were surprised to hear his answer when asked on "NFL AM" what quarterback in the NFC East made him the most nervous to face.
The first name out of his mouth: newly signedPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Dennis Dixon. (Michael Vick came right after that.) Somewhere, Robert Griffin III and Tony Romo should be saying: "Dennis Dixon, really?"
Because of his injuries, Thomas knows his career is season-to-season at this point. He believes the same is true for his coach Tom Coughlin. Thomas actually thought Coughlin would retire after 2012.
"I thought it was this season, but I think he has one more in him," Thomas said Tuesday. "We have a great nucleus of guys and I don't think he wants to give that up. That passion is still burning in him. ... He has everybody in there all day every day in the offseason. So I think he wants to go out on top. Hopefully we can get it right and bring a Super Bowl home in Giants Stadium."
In reaction to Thomas' comments, Giants owner John Mara told NFL.com's Ian Rapoport he has not broached a retirement timeline with Coughlin.
"No, I haven't had that discussion with him yet," Mara said. "I don't see him going to Florida to play shuffleboard any time soon. I think he's still got a lot of fire left in him and he's still a great coach. Hopefully he's going to be around for many more years."
It's important to note Coughlin has given no public indication about wanting to retire. The best indication that Coughlin is close to the end is that he keeps signing one-year extensions with the Giants. Coughlin and the team aren't ready to commit too long-term. Still, it's hard to imagine Coughlin walking away with Eli Manning in his prime.
"No, I haven't had that discussion with him yet. I don't see him going to Florida to play shuffleboard any time soon. I think he's still got a lot of fire left in him and he's still a great coach. Hopefully he's going to be around for many more years."
It's entirely possible that Thomas is off base here when it comes to Coughlin. It's even more possible that he's off base in his assessment of NFC East quarterbacks.
Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.
