Coughlin: A is not A.

I'm a little late in posting this, but in Coach Coughlin's world, that must mean I'm early.

The three players were late for a meeting, a common cause of fines in the NFL. But the twist is that Coughlin's definition of "late" differs from most coaches. He previously told players his meetings start five minutes early; Emmons, Green and Cousin apparently were early but not early enough.

Foxsports.com reported Sunday that star defensive end Michael Strahan was similarly not quite early enough for a meeting last week and was fined, leading to a spirited talk with Coughlin, and that Strahan, too, plans to appeal.

Strahan and Coughlin refused to comment on Strahan's reported fine. Coughlin seemed upset by a series of questions yesterday about his on-time policy and eventually walked out of his news conference after one last question about Strahan's situation.

Coach, it's very simple. Early is not late. Freedom is not slavery. War is not peace. And A is not the opposite of A.

If you want them there at 12:55, tell them to be there at 12:55. Don't tell them to be there at 1:00 and then fine them for showing up at 12:58.

You obviously wanted to set the tone of being a hardass. But what you've done is set the tone of unreasonableness. Expect players to now appeal every one of your decisions they don't like to the players' union.

And I wouldn't blame them. You caused it.