A shakeup among the Colts football decision makers is “all but assumed after Sunday," when the team "likely will be eliminated from playoff contention,” according to Stephen Holder of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR. The fate of coach Chuck Pagano “seems sealed,” as his “difficult contract negotiations last offseason left him without a deal beyond 2015 and increased the friction between him and the front office.” However, GM Ryan Grigson’s situation “is fluid,” and it will be Owner Jim Irsay’s call. Sources said that details on Irsay's plans “have been hard to nail down,” and there has been “nothing but silence” out of Colts HQ. But various pieces of "circumstantial evidence" suggest an "inevitable dismissal of Grigson is premature” (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 12/30). CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora tweeted, “Should the Colts make sweeping changes, GM Ryan Grigson is still very highly thought of by Eagles brass in evaluating capacity” (TWITTER.com, 12/30).
GIANT DECISION: In N.Y., Ralph Vacchiano cites a source as saying that there have "already been several high-level discussions in the Giants’ front office" about coach Tom Coughlin’s future this week. Pressure "is building" for Giants President & CEO John Mara "to make the coaching change he never wanted to make." A source added that it is believed that team Chair & Exec VP Steve Tisch "favors a change, too." Most people inside the organization "believe Mara will eventually agree, if he hasn’t already." That is why this week has "felt to so many like the end of the Coughlin era -- moreso than ever before" (N.Y DAILY NEWS, 12/31). SNY's Eamon McAnaney said, “You know John Mara, in his heart of hearts, wants to hold on for an 8-8, 9-7 year so Tom Coughlin can ride off into the sunset” ("Loud Mouths," SNY, 12/30). In N.Y., Mark Cannizzaro writes with Sunday very likely the end of Coughlin's 12-year tenure, every Giants fan "should celebrate Coughlin." Cannizzaro: "Turn a meaningless December season finale against the Eagles into an appreciation for what he has brought to you. Cheer him, chant his name, celebrate him for what he has done for the Giants. Send him off with as good a feeling that a proud man on his way out can have" (N.Y. POST, 12/31). SNY's Sal Licata said, "It’s just time for a change there with the Giants. ... They should be thankful for everything Coughlin gave them, but it is time” (“Daily News Live,” SNY, 12/30).
