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Parcells: I Still Have A Lot Of Faith In Coughlin And The Giants

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Bill Parcells has Tom Coughlin's back.

Speaking to the "TBD in the AM" show on CBS Sports Radio on Monday, the Hall of Fame coach said Coughlin's résumé speaks for itself and if anyone should be given the benefit of the doubt in the face of Big Blue's awful five-game losing streak that has all but destroyed their playoff chances this season, it's the same man who has guided the franchise to two Super Bowl victories.

"You know, I'm a Giant at heart. That's really what I grew up with. I love the Giants, so it saddens me they are not winning, but I do have a lot of faith in Tom. I think he's a terrific coach. I think his record is pretty darn good," said Parcells, who led the Giants to the first two of their four Super Bowl wins before going on to successful coaching runs with the Patriots, Jets and Cowboys.

Parcells said it pains him to see the Giants with a 3-7 record.

"It's a difficult situation and sometimes you just can't dig out of it," Parcells said. "I thought they were close yesterday. Maybe it could have gotten them back a little into contention, but they had the opportunities and just didn't take advantage of them."

The Giants' defense had been shredded over the four previous games, but played well during Sunday's 16-10 loss to San Francisco. However, Eli Manning threw five interceptions and Big blue struggled to get the running game going, despite the return of starting back Rashad Jennings.

"When you do the things that they've been doing, giving up a lot of points, turning the ball over ... you know, you are not going to win in the NFL. It doesn't make any difference then who is coaching," said Parcells, who was the first coach in NFL history to lead four different teams to the playoffs. "The team is not very good and everybody is upset and that's just what happens."

The timing of the losing streak likely will lead to rampant speculation about Coughlin's future, especially since the Giants started 0-6 last season before finishing 7-9, and likely will miss the playoffs for the third straight season since winning the franchise's fourth Super Bowl title in 2011.

Parcells said even though many fans and media members are calling for change, he remains steadfast in his belief in Coughlin.

"I have a lot of faith in Tom and I have a lot of faith in the Giants organization. And I have a very strong rooting interest for them, so you are asking the wrong guy," Parcells said.

The Giants host the Cowboys next Sunday.

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