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Terrell Thomas Thinks 2013 Could Be Giants Coach Tom Coughlin's Swan Song

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Just how close is Tom Coughlin to retirement?

Defensive back Terrell Thomas told the NFL Network he thought his coach would call it a career after the 2012 season.

"I thought it was this season," Thomas said Tuesday during an appearance on "NFL AM." "But I think he has one more in him."

Wait, just one more? 2013?

Coughlin hasn't publicly stated his intentions, though he has mentioned in the past that he may be open to coaching past 70. The 66-year-old signed a two-year contract extension in June that runs through the 2014 season.

"We have a great nucleus of guys, and I don't think he wants to give that up," said Thomas, who recently re-signed with Big Blue and is coming off his third ACL surgery. He hasn't played for the Giants since the 2010 season.

"That passion is still burning in him," Thomas said of Coughlin. "He's in that facility all day every day. He's going crazy not being able to coach and watch film. He lives and breathes football. He has everybody in there all day, every day, in the offseason."

Last year, Coughlin told the Florida Times-Union that he wouldn't entertain any thought of the R-word: "I'm not mentally, not physically, ready. I feel I have good energy. I'm excited every day. The competitiveness, the nature of the business, is something that I'm still excited about. I don't wander down that path. I don't think about retirement. I enjoy the situation I'm in."

Revered for bringing two titles to New York, Coughlin is expected to be given latitude in choosing when he's ready to step down.

"I think he wants to go out on top," said Thomas. "Hopefully we can get it right and bring a Super Bowl home in Giants Stadium."

MetLife Stadium, home of the Giants and Jets, will host next year's Super Bowl in East Rutherford, N.J.

Thomas later took to Twitter, saying he was merely expressing his opinion.

"I said on NFLAM that TC has another year left in him. It was just my opinion, obviously his energy level is greater than that of people half his age #NYG," he tweeted.

When do you think Coughlin will ride into the sunset? Be heard in the comments...

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