The New York Giants open the NFL preseason against the Buffalo Bills in Canton, Ohio, 8-3-14

Just moments after Tom Coughlin, right, shook hands with Bills coach Doug Marrone he was showered with intense boos.

((John Munson/The Star-Ledger))

CANTON, Ohio -- The spontaneous outward display of dislike for Giants coach Tom Coughlin that occurred following Sunday night's Hall of Fame Game wasn't supposed to happen. It doesn't even begin to make sense.

Really, there seems to be no logical reason that Coughlin was vociferously booed the way he was while trying to do his postgame interview after the Giants beat the Bills, 17-13, in a meaningless exhibition opener.

What, Bills fans (it had to be them, right?) still harbor hard feelings from Super Bowl XXV 24 years ago, when Coughlin was merely a wide receivers coach? Or maybe they were that upset with a preseason loss?

I know Buffalo likes their Bills and is on edge about the possibility of East Coast highfalutin like Donald Trump or Bon Jovi moving their beloved team. But taking their anger out on Coughlin following a joyous weekend during which one of their own, wide receiver Andre Reed, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame just doesn't make sense.

"Seven and nine, Coughlin. Deal with it," a fan yelled at one point, referring to the Giants record last season.

It was all part of a rather strange, flash-mob-like scene that unfolded immediately after Sunday's game. A seemingly jovial crowd all of a sudden turned bitter when the Giants moved the portable background they use for coach and player interviews onto the field. When Coughlin appeared, the boos rained down. They continued for several minutes, even as Coughlin went through his traditional postgame press conference.

Listen for yourself. It's all mighty strange. Booing for booing's sake.

Once Coughlin was done speaking, the boos ceased. Order was restored.

The Bills fans' staunch disapproval of Coughlin is made even stranger based on Coughlin's past: He grew up in Waterloo, N.Y., and starred at Syracuse. He's a two-time Super Bowl-winning coach. Giants fans weren't booing him.

So, Bills fans, why? Someone please provide a reason, other than the amazing resemblance between Coughlin and Bon Jovi.