Thursday, January 14, 2010

Fewell New Giants Defensive Coordinator

The Giants have confirmed it. It's done.

Perry Fewell, 47, former Buffalo defensive coordinator and interim coach, agreed to terms a few minutes ago to become the defensive coordinator of the Giants.

"I am ecstatic to come to work for the New York Giants," Fewell said. "It’s a good football team with good defensive players, and it is a franchise known for defense."

It wasn't exactly a long search, as former DC Bill Sheridan was just fired a week and a half ago. But the last few hours were interesting as Fewell weighed offers from both the Giants and the Bears. In the end, Fewell went with his old boss, Tom Coughlin, for whom he served as secondary coach in Jacksonville from 1998-2002.

Coughlin left no doubt that Fewell will have to roll up his sleeves immediately to fix a unit that bordered on an embarrassment to the franchise.

"I expect Perry to bring the same qualities that I expect from myself," said Coughlin. "I want him to be firm, fair, honest and demanding. My expectation is that he will solidify and unify our defense and be an outstanding teacher. I want energy, enthusiasm, toughness and to make the necessary corrections and game adjustments. Perry is a teacher and a leader and I thought he did an outstanding job of displaying great leadership as the interim head coach of Buffalo this season."

In Fewell, the Giants get a coordinator who will stick with the 4-3 front and probably run Cover-2 in the back. But Fewell does have a reputation for changing things up, and he's not afraid to blitz. His run defense wasn't good this year, but his pass defense wound up with 28 interceptions, second highest in the league. His defenses, though not statistically overwhelming, were known for their takeaway potential, which is something Coughlin liked.

"His defenses have consistently done a good job taking the ball away," Coughlin said.

Fewell said working under the demanding Coughlin those five years developed attributes that would come in handy as he advanced his coaching career.

"I was a young coach, and he helped develop my philosophy of the game, the discipline, the know-how, the toughness that it takes and the attention to detail," Fewell said. "Being prepared. That is what he instilled."

Now, Coughlin expects Fewell to instill a fire in a defense that too often seemed to lack the enthusiasm and the will to succeed.

So that's that. Now the Giants can concentrate on getting a defensive line coach. And don't be surprised to see a few more defensive coaches go, as I'm sure Fewell will have a few ideas of his own for his staff.

EP

11 comments:

  1. Welcome aboard Perry, you got some work to do.....

    Chris B.

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  2. M favorite quote in the Chicago article...this is exactly what the G-Men need and what we didn't see most of this season:

    "They need someone to hold them accountable every play on the field, including in practice," Bowen said. "When I say Perry is a yeller and a screamer, he's a guy who demands accountability on every play. He wants players in the proper position, using the proper leverage and playing within the system of the defense on every play. He's not afraid to call players out in meetings.

    "If you don't play within the scheme of the defense, you don't play."

    Chris B.

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  3. Not sure how I feel about this. The worse part is we have to wait eight months before we even get a real look at the D under real game conditions. Going to be long offseason....

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  4. More and more I'm convinced the Giants should draft a DT and an offensive lineman with the first two picks. Safety's are needed but so is a kicker but I think LB is not a top 5 priority. If they could get a stud MLB I can't fault it but there is some talent and potential already on the roster at all three linebacker positions and I'm not talking about Blackburn.

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  5. Ok I said a lot of harsh comments on this board about Fewell but I take them back and am fully on board!

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  6. I wish Fewell well. I hope he brings pride and aggressiveness back to the defense. Good luck.

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  7. So Ern,

    Does the hire put your switch to the 3-4 to rest?

    Chris B.

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  8. I wonder if we can get a Pepper for a DLine coach! Anyone else hear this rumor that Bill Cowher is biding his time for TC to either get fired or retire, as he is only interested in coaching for the Big Blue? Ernie, do you know anything about this, have any insight? I am a big TC supporter, but Bill Cowher is Bill Cowher!

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  9. @CE718, ernie posted part of the interview yesterday

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  10. I guess it would help if I kept reading the site, huh? Blaming this one on a busy Friday morning.

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  11. Well at least we know the Cover 2 defense can win a Superbowl, as it did with Tampa Bay and Indianapolis. let's hope we have a good draft.

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