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The 2013 NFL playoffs begin this weekend, and the New York Giants won’t be in them.

One year after winning the fourth Super Bowl in franchise history, the Giants posted a 9-7 record. That was identical to what they did a season ago, but this time not good enough to get into the postseason tournament.

Don’t expect the Giants to blow up the ship and rebuild, however. That is simply not their style.

Head coach Tom Coughlin said this week there will be no changes to the coaching staff -- unless, of course, coaches find other opportunities. Assistant offensive line coach Matt Ruhle left to become head coach at Temple. Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell might get some nibbles for head-coaching jobs, although right now no one seems to be knocking at his door.

General manager Jerry Reese said, “We don’t get paid here for the Giants to go 9-7,” but also said he did not anticipate wholesale changes to the roster.

“I don’t think we’re that far off, to be honest with you,” Reese said. “This team will look different next year, but I think we’ll have a good core of players coming back and I think we can see what we can do in free agency in the offseason.”

The Giants have a looooong list of free agents on which to make decisions. Among them, defensive end Osi Umenyiora has already said he expects to move on. Victor Cruz is a restricted free agent and is currently negotiating a new deal with the team.

Other players who can be free agents include offensive tackle Will Beatty, safety Kenny Phillips, middle linebacker Chase Blackburn, tight end Martellus Bennett and wide receiver Domenik Hixon.

The Giants also have to make decisions on several veteran players who are entering the final year of their contract. Leading that category are cornerback Corey Webster, owed $7 million next season, and right tackle David Diehl, owed $4.1 million.

“Our goal is to win a championship every year and when you don’t win it, it’s an opportunity lost as far as I’m concerned,” Reese said. “We felt like there were some talented players on the roster, but it really doesn’t matter because we didn’t come together as a team at the right team. We could’ve closed the division out a couple times and we didn’t get the job done. That’s really disappointing because we had plenty of chances.”

Ed Valentine covers the Giants for Big Blue View