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Anybody old enough to remember when Tom Brookshier and Pat Summerall were a broadcast team? I am. Great stuff, and I remember being upset when they broke it up to team Summerall with John Madden.
Brookshier, who sounded like a guy you'd like to sit down with for a beer, was also a great Eagles defensive back. But that never seemed to get in the way of many Giants fans' opinions of him. Outstanding guy.
EP
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Interesting Comments
A lot of interesting comments on Chris Palmer's reported decision to go the UFL route to an NFL coordinator or head coaching job. I can understand his decision to coach the Sentinels, if that's what ends up happening. Word is, he feels the best way up the ladder is to go outside the NFL and work his way back in.
It's not a novel idea, having been tried with some success before. Jim Haslett, Mike Shanahan's new defensive coordinator in Washington, came there via his head coaching stint in the UFL. And I remember that other alternative league, the XFL, that led a talent-challenged Tommy Maddox back into the big league.
The largest pool of alternative talent, of course, came from the USFL. But then, they originally promoted themselves as a competitor to the NFL with an attempt to sign away legitimate draft talent. These other leagues were strictly for the lower weight classes -- the outright washouts and borderline rookie free agent-type guys.
Whatever the case, don't be too quick to look down the nose at Palmer and others like him. As a general manager once told me, as long as you're playing -- or in this case coaching -- any experience is good, even if it's not in an NFL organization.
EP
It's not a novel idea, having been tried with some success before. Jim Haslett, Mike Shanahan's new defensive coordinator in Washington, came there via his head coaching stint in the UFL. And I remember that other alternative league, the XFL, that led a talent-challenged Tommy Maddox back into the big league.
The largest pool of alternative talent, of course, came from the USFL. But then, they originally promoted themselves as a competitor to the NFL with an attempt to sign away legitimate draft talent. These other leagues were strictly for the lower weight classes -- the outright washouts and borderline rookie free agent-type guys.
Whatever the case, don't be too quick to look down the nose at Palmer and others like him. As a general manager once told me, as long as you're playing -- or in this case coaching -- any experience is good, even if it's not in an NFL organization.
EP
Friday, January 29, 2010
Senior Bowl Summary
Here's a good summary of the week's practices at the Senior Bowl. This one highlights some defensive tackle names we'll undoubtedly be talking about as the draft draws closer. Interesting perspective on the value of the whole week, too.
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So Long, Chris
Looks like Tom Coughlin will have a staff spot to fill after all, though it wasn't his decision to create the opening. Quarterbacks coach Chris Palmer, a man who largely contributed to the maturation of Eli Manning over the past three seasons, announced his retirement today.Several reports said he's moving out of the NFL to become head coach of the UFL's Sentinels. The Sentinels, originally based in New York, are slated to move to Hartford, Ct., which is where Palmer resides. They recently fired head coach Ted Cottrell.
"Chris did an outstanding job coaching Eli," Coughlin said. "He has been Eli’s coach and confidant in the years that he’s been here. Eli and Chris had a very good working relationship. I believe Eli has established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the National Football League, and I see nothing but continued improvement in the future.
"Chris was very well thought of here. Ownership thinks highly of Chris and so do I. We wish him well going forward."
Palmer, who ends a 38-year coaching career, came to the Giants when Kevin Gilbride was elevated to offensive coordinator in the wake of John Hufnagle's firing in 2006. He brought some of the more innovative passing drills to the organization.
"I really enjoyed working with Coach Palmer," Manning said. "Over the last three years we've had some great success and I've improved as a quarterback. He's a terrific coach when it comes to technique. He's great not only on the field but also in the meeting room. I'm really sorry to see him go."
Palmer and Manning grew close as Manning's success soared, from winning the Super Bowl to this year, as he completed his first 4,000-yard passing season.
"It was very rewarding to me to work with Eli, because you had a player who grew every year," Palmer said. "We won the Super Bowl. He was a guy that you looked forward to coming to work with every day, because he was going to challenge you and he was going to look for ways to get better. We hit it off from day one."
Palmer spent two seasons as head coach of the expansion Cleveland Browns. Other than that, he made his name as an offensive coordinator and a developer of quarterbacks, listing among his success stories the Cowboys' Tony Romo, and the Texans' David Carr, with whom he would reunite with the Giants. He was also Coughlin's offensive coordinator for his two runs to the AFC Championship game in Jacksonville, where he worked with Mark Brunell. He also helped Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe to one of his most successful years.
"I think Chris was an excellent addition to our staff," Coughlin said. "I hired Chris to be my offensive coordinator in Jacksonville. Because of my knowledge of his unique abilities as a quarterback coach I wanted him here and I wanted him to be able to work with Eli. He came in and we had a historic year here in 2007 (winning Super Bowl XLII). Eli had a great playoff run and Chris was a part of that."
No word on a replacement yet. Wonder if former Seahawks quarterback and recently-fired Redskins head coach Jim Zorn would be interested. He had a pretty good relationship with his players.
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My Guy, Mike
The Giants probably won't use either the franchise or transition tag on anyone this year, but my guy Mike from the Star-Ledger got a hold of this year's values. Here's the link.
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First Order Of Business
In keeping with our literary theme from yesterday, today I'd like to discuss "Little Women." Were they really little? How tall were they? Did they travel around in a clown car?
After you've thoroughly exhausted that discussion, I'd like to ask a football question, if I may. Yesterday, Perry Fewell said he's been studying tapes of last year's game to evaluate his players' physical skills. I ask you, what should his next step involve? Is it really necessary to find the holes in Bill Sheridan's schemes and discover why things went so horribly wrong last year, or would he be better served by going straight to developing his own schemes based on what he's seen on tape?
Aside from adding new players through free agency and the draft, how would you suggest Fewell fix this squad?
The floor is open.
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After you've thoroughly exhausted that discussion, I'd like to ask a football question, if I may. Yesterday, Perry Fewell said he's been studying tapes of last year's game to evaluate his players' physical skills. I ask you, what should his next step involve? Is it really necessary to find the holes in Bill Sheridan's schemes and discover why things went so horribly wrong last year, or would he be better served by going straight to developing his own schemes based on what he's seen on tape?
Aside from adding new players through free agency and the draft, how would you suggest Fewell fix this squad?
The floor is open.
EP
Thursday, January 28, 2010
An Aside
Guess I'm in the whole world's minority here, but the passing of J.D. Salinger at 91 means little to me. I never liked "Catcher in the Rye." Thought it was stupid and boring. Somehow, I don't feel I've lost part of my adolescence today.
I'm just sayin'. Glad the guy lived a long life, though.
EP
I'm just sayin'. Glad the guy lived a long life, though.
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Coughlin and Fewell Interviews
Here's the link to the Tom Coughlin interview on WFAN. And here's the one to the Perry Fewell interview on the same station.
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Coughlin On Radio
Just finished listening to Tom Coughlin's interview on WFAN. He touched on all the obvious points -- the disappointment with how the season ended, the need to restore a disgraced defense, etc. I'm sure they'll post the audio, and when they do I'll post it here so you can listen to the whole 20-minute segment.
Here's a couple of points that we've heard before, but bear repeating.
* He wasn't disappointed with the effort against Minnesota in the season-ending, 44-7 loss, but was with the lack of physicality they showed against Carolina in the 41-9 loss the week before. And he blamed both sides of the ball for the losses, not just a defense that appeared to quit.
* He still has trust in the locker room veterans that brought the Giants to a Super Bowl win in '07, but is "befuddled" and has questions about them in light of this year's downfall. "We're looking at everything now," Coughlin said. "We're gonna take it all apart and put it all back together, but it's going to be a total, total analysis."
* There are going to be changes, although Coughlin said he doesn't plan on cleaning out the whole locker room. "There's still a core group of players here who are very, very talented, and our expectation level is going to be very, very high," he said. "I'm counting on this group to come back swinging, just like we're doing behind the scenes in the offices as we try to get ready."
* Coughlin said "We've lost our identity and we've got to regain it," starting with physical toughness on both sides of the line.
* Safety Kenny Phillips appears to be on track toward coming back next season from knee surgery.
* His new defensive coordinator is "an emotional guy," Coughlin said. "He's very positive and an outgoing guy. He always has a smile on his face. I think the players will be energized by him."
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Here's a couple of points that we've heard before, but bear repeating.
* He wasn't disappointed with the effort against Minnesota in the season-ending, 44-7 loss, but was with the lack of physicality they showed against Carolina in the 41-9 loss the week before. And he blamed both sides of the ball for the losses, not just a defense that appeared to quit.
* He still has trust in the locker room veterans that brought the Giants to a Super Bowl win in '07, but is "befuddled" and has questions about them in light of this year's downfall. "We're looking at everything now," Coughlin said. "We're gonna take it all apart and put it all back together, but it's going to be a total, total analysis."
* There are going to be changes, although Coughlin said he doesn't plan on cleaning out the whole locker room. "There's still a core group of players here who are very, very talented, and our expectation level is going to be very, very high," he said. "I'm counting on this group to come back swinging, just like we're doing behind the scenes in the offices as we try to get ready."
* Coughlin said "We've lost our identity and we've got to regain it," starting with physical toughness on both sides of the line.
* Safety Kenny Phillips appears to be on track toward coming back next season from knee surgery.
* His new defensive coordinator is "an emotional guy," Coughlin said. "He's very positive and an outgoing guy. He always has a smile on his face. I think the players will be energized by him."
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AP Question
Perry Fewell said he had no idea what kind of contribution Antonio Pierce might make, if any, next season. That's because he has no information on how Pierce's injured neck is progressing. 
"I don't know the status of his injury right now," Fewell said. "We'll have to wait and see how that plays out, so I can't speak to that."
Pierce was, obviously, one of the leaders of the defense. Perhaps the only real leader. And when he went down before the Denver game, there was a huge leadership void on the field.
Fewell said he'd be looking for someone to step up and fill that. Who that might be, he had no idea.
"As you go into minicamps and training camps, each year that person evolves," Fewell said. "That's what I expect after we go into OTAs and training camp. That person changes every year because the nature of your team changes. If we want to be a winning defense, I expect somebody to rise to the top."
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"I don't know the status of his injury right now," Fewell said. "We'll have to wait and see how that plays out, so I can't speak to that."Pierce was, obviously, one of the leaders of the defense. Perhaps the only real leader. And when he went down before the Denver game, there was a huge leadership void on the field.
Fewell said he'd be looking for someone to step up and fill that. Who that might be, he had no idea.
"As you go into minicamps and training camps, each year that person evolves," Fewell said. "That's what I expect after we go into OTAs and training camp. That person changes every year because the nature of your team changes. If we want to be a winning defense, I expect somebody to rise to the top."
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Fewell's Style
All this talk about playing the Cover-2 as a staple sounded like a lot of nothing while talking to Perry Fewell today. He didn't sound like a read-and-react coach at all, but rather someone who wanted his defense to play fast and aggressive, with an eye toward the turnover.
For all of Buffalo's problems last season, turnovers was not one of them. The pass defense finished with 28 interceptions, second in the league, as opposed to the Giants' 13 that placed them 22nd in the league. Fewell said that was a combination of fast play and extra homework by his players.
"Turnovers are an opportunity," Fewell said. "If the ball's on the turf, it's our opportunity to grasp that ball. And if the ball's in the air, it's our opportunity to intercept the football. So creating turnovers is about opportunity.
"Looking at some of our defensive personnel, our front four had the ability to rush the passer very well. We had to seize the moment, and I thought we did a really good job of doing that in Buffalo last year. Really, the players bought into the system and studied. They did extra work when the meetings were over. If we can bring that mentality to the table, we can increase our turnovers with the Giants."
The Bills also scored two touchdowns off interceptions.
"I want to be fundamentally sound and multiple in what we do," Fewell said. "I want to be aggressive. I want our players to play fast and have fun playing the game.
"Definitely create turnovers. I believe you score on defense."
How well the players pick up that defense will determine just how fast they play. Fewell claims his schemes are not complicated in general. But it's not a free-wheeling scheme, either.
"They'll grasp the defense relatively quickly," Fewell said. "Will they be able to execute all the little things? The little details? That's what will take time."
That will be the interesting part. The Giants' defense has historically been one that prefers the physical, aggressive schemes. When asked to fall into the more passive coverages, such as the Cover-2 or zone blitzes, they have had problems. It will be interesting to see how Fewell balances those with the personnel that obviously struggled when placed in a reactive mode.
We're still more than a month away from the players' formal introduction to Fewell's philosophies, however.
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For all of Buffalo's problems last season, turnovers was not one of them. The pass defense finished with 28 interceptions, second in the league, as opposed to the Giants' 13 that placed them 22nd in the league. Fewell said that was a combination of fast play and extra homework by his players.
"Turnovers are an opportunity," Fewell said. "If the ball's on the turf, it's our opportunity to grasp that ball. And if the ball's in the air, it's our opportunity to intercept the football. So creating turnovers is about opportunity.
"Looking at some of our defensive personnel, our front four had the ability to rush the passer very well. We had to seize the moment, and I thought we did a really good job of doing that in Buffalo last year. Really, the players bought into the system and studied. They did extra work when the meetings were over. If we can bring that mentality to the table, we can increase our turnovers with the Giants."
The Bills also scored two touchdowns off interceptions.
"I want to be fundamentally sound and multiple in what we do," Fewell said. "I want to be aggressive. I want our players to play fast and have fun playing the game.
"Definitely create turnovers. I believe you score on defense."
How well the players pick up that defense will determine just how fast they play. Fewell claims his schemes are not complicated in general. But it's not a free-wheeling scheme, either.
"They'll grasp the defense relatively quickly," Fewell said. "Will they be able to execute all the little things? The little details? That's what will take time."
That will be the interesting part. The Giants' defense has historically been one that prefers the physical, aggressive schemes. When asked to fall into the more passive coverages, such as the Cover-2 or zone blitzes, they have had problems. It will be interesting to see how Fewell balances those with the personnel that obviously struggled when placed in a reactive mode.
We're still more than a month away from the players' formal introduction to Fewell's philosophies, however.
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Up Or Down
Last year, there was a question of whether Bill Sheridan should call his game from the press box or the sideline. Upon urgings of his players, he called it from the sideline.
We all know how that worked out.
Perry Fewell said he hasn't decided his future location. But he did say that when he called plays from the sideline -- he retained his defensive coordinator's job while serving as Buffalo's interim head coach -- he found himself getting wrapped up in the emotions of the game.
"I get pretty excited on the sideline," Fewell said. "I'm probably a little bit more controlled when I called it from the press box. When I called it from the sidelines, sometimes you can get caught up in the ballgame. You chest-bump a player or you slap somebody on the heinie or something like that, and then you've got to go back and gather your thoughts again.
"Up in the press box, you're emotions are a little more controlled. It depends on how those emotions are running."
Fewell wouldn't commit either way.
"I can go either way," Fewell said. "It's a matter of just being in that moment."
Those moments came few and far between for his predecessor, Sheridan, who was basically viewed as emotionless. Don't think the players will have the same problem with Fewell, who is known as a yeller who has no problem getting on players for obvious mistakes.
"I am who I am," Fewell said. "And I coach how I coach."
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We all know how that worked out.
Perry Fewell said he hasn't decided his future location. But he did say that when he called plays from the sideline -- he retained his defensive coordinator's job while serving as Buffalo's interim head coach -- he found himself getting wrapped up in the emotions of the game.
"I get pretty excited on the sideline," Fewell said. "I'm probably a little bit more controlled when I called it from the press box. When I called it from the sidelines, sometimes you can get caught up in the ballgame. You chest-bump a player or you slap somebody on the heinie or something like that, and then you've got to go back and gather your thoughts again.
"Up in the press box, you're emotions are a little more controlled. It depends on how those emotions are running."
Fewell wouldn't commit either way.
"I can go either way," Fewell said. "It's a matter of just being in that moment."
Those moments came few and far between for his predecessor, Sheridan, who was basically viewed as emotionless. Don't think the players will have the same problem with Fewell, who is known as a yeller who has no problem getting on players for obvious mistakes.
"I am who I am," Fewell said. "And I coach how I coach."
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Talent Up Front
New defensive coordinator Perry Fewell just addressed the media and, predictably, spoke in a lot of generalities and few specifics. But the one thing he did way was that the strength of the Giants' defense remains up front.
That's not exactly a big surprise, considering Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora reside there. But it did indicate that he might just think he can get by with the front and save the bulk of whatever rebuilding has to be done for the back seven.
"I think I have some talent here," Fewell said, cautioning that he has watched tape only to familiarize with his players' skills and not to evaluate scheme or the causes of last season's downfall. "I think the strength, as I look at it right now, looks like our defensive front. If we can stay healthy in the secondary and at linebacker, I think we have talent."
Of course, one of his biggest decisions up front will involve Umenyiora, the pass rusher who was demoted after the Denver game to part-time status because of his deficiencies against the run. Fewell has come away with positive impressions of him so far, and it sounds like he'd love to reinstate him to three-down status.
My guess is that he'll have new defensive line coach Robert Nunn coach Umenyiora hard on ru
n defense to get him on the field as much as possible. But Umenyiora and the rotation Fewell decides to use will have much to do with that.
"I can't speak to what happened a year ago," Fewell said. "When I look at Osi, I see a football player. And when you're a football player, obviously you want that player to be on the field all the time.
"But in today's game, we substitute players so they can stay healthy and play the entire year. So I see Osi as a football player."
I would imagine that several long talks are coming up between Umenyiora and Fewell, as there will be with other components of the defense. Fewell said he's only met a few of his players -- he wouldn't specify who -- but has come away with positive impressions.
"I've had a chance to meet several of the defensive linemen," Fewell said. "I've had a favorable impression of all the men I've met. Very professional. Good-looking, strong men. They play the game excited. That's my impression."
He also said he'd like Tuck to be around from Day 1 of the offseason program to add leadership and better work himself into Fewell's new system, which he promised will be an aggressive one focused on creating turnovers. But that will depend on how quickly he progresses from recent shoulder surgery. "Will he be available?" Fewell said. "It depends. It's up to the doctors, and we'll have to do the right thing by Justin."
His next job will be getting past first impressions and discovering why that front four, and the other two, failed so miserably in 2009.
But at least he starts off on a positive note.
"I can't speak to scheme right now," Fewell said. "I can speak to talent level, and I see a talented group of men who can play football, who are football players. As I evaluate the numbers of athletes in that position, I haven't been with very many teams that have that many talented athletes at that defensive line position. That's why I say it's the strength of our team."
They didn't play like that in 2009.
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That's not exactly a big surprise, considering Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora reside there. But it did indicate that he might just think he can get by with the front and save the bulk of whatever rebuilding has to be done for the back seven.
"I think I have some talent here," Fewell said, cautioning that he has watched tape only to familiarize with his players' skills and not to evaluate scheme or the causes of last season's downfall. "I think the strength, as I look at it right now, looks like our defensive front. If we can stay healthy in the secondary and at linebacker, I think we have talent."
Of course, one of his biggest decisions up front will involve Umenyiora, the pass rusher who was demoted after the Denver game to part-time status because of his deficiencies against the run. Fewell has come away with positive impressions of him so far, and it sounds like he'd love to reinstate him to three-down status.
My guess is that he'll have new defensive line coach Robert Nunn coach Umenyiora hard on ru
n defense to get him on the field as much as possible. But Umenyiora and the rotation Fewell decides to use will have much to do with that."I can't speak to what happened a year ago," Fewell said. "When I look at Osi, I see a football player. And when you're a football player, obviously you want that player to be on the field all the time.
"But in today's game, we substitute players so they can stay healthy and play the entire year. So I see Osi as a football player."
I would imagine that several long talks are coming up between Umenyiora and Fewell, as there will be with other components of the defense. Fewell said he's only met a few of his players -- he wouldn't specify who -- but has come away with positive impressions.
"I've had a chance to meet several of the defensive linemen," Fewell said. "I've had a favorable impression of all the men I've met. Very professional. Good-looking, strong men. They play the game excited. That's my impression."
He also said he'd like Tuck to be around from Day 1 of the offseason program to add leadership and better work himself into Fewell's new system, which he promised will be an aggressive one focused on creating turnovers. But that will depend on how quickly he progresses from recent shoulder surgery. "Will he be available?" Fewell said. "It depends. It's up to the doctors, and we'll have to do the right thing by Justin."
His next job will be getting past first impressions and discovering why that front four, and the other two, failed so miserably in 2009.
But at least he starts off on a positive note.
"I can't speak to scheme right now," Fewell said. "I can speak to talent level, and I see a talented group of men who can play football, who are football players. As I evaluate the numbers of athletes in that position, I haven't been with very many teams that have that many talented athletes at that defensive line position. That's why I say it's the strength of our team."
They didn't play like that in 2009.
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Fewell-ing Up
Just a heads up here. We're getting a conference call with defensive coordinator Perry Fewell around mid-day, so we'll have the fruits of that call as soon as possible.
Not much news otherwise. Unless Coughlin makes a surprise firing of, oh, say, a particular special teams coach, it looks like the rest of the staff from last season will return intact. Of course, there's still that lingering question in Oakland as it relates to offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride's potential to succeed Tom Cable out there. But Cable is still employed, and opinions now lean toward Al Davis keeping his current head coach.
You never know with old Al, though.
Oh, and before anyone trashes new defensive line coach Robert Nunn over a horrible single season in Tampa Bay, as one commenter did this morning, remember the whole body of work with Green Bay, Washington, and Miami. It's not bad. A guy's track record has to count for something.
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Not much news otherwise. Unless Coughlin makes a surprise firing of, oh, say, a particular special teams coach, it looks like the rest of the staff from last season will return intact. Of course, there's still that lingering question in Oakland as it relates to offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride's potential to succeed Tom Cable out there. But Cable is still employed, and opinions now lean toward Al Davis keeping his current head coach.
You never know with old Al, though.
Oh, and before anyone trashes new defensive line coach Robert Nunn over a horrible single season in Tampa Bay, as one commenter did this morning, remember the whole body of work with Green Bay, Washington, and Miami. It's not bad. A guy's track record has to count for something.
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Wednesday, January 27, 2010
All-Decade Question
The NFL released the names of 12 players selected to the All-Decade team who will be playing in the Pro Bowl. The rest of the 53-man roster will be released in Sunday's pre-game show at 5:30 p.m.
So the question is, does anyone not think DE Michael Strahan will NOT have a spot on that team? I don't see how he'd miss, considering he was probably the most dominant defensive end from 2000-2009, having ended his career after the Super Bowl win in '07. He certainly did it long enough.
Opinions?
The 12 announced members are San Diego tight end Antonio Gates, Steelers and Jets guard Alan Faneca, Seattle and Minnesota guard Steve Hutchinson, Jets and Titans center Kevin Mawae, Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers, Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware, Redskins and Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey, Eagles and Broncos safety Brian Dawkins, Raiders punter Shane Lechler, Eagles kicker David Akers, and Browns returner Josh Cribbs.
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So the question is, does anyone not think DE Michael Strahan will NOT have a spot on that team? I don't see how he'd miss, considering he was probably the most dominant defensive end from 2000-2009, having ended his career after the Super Bowl win in '07. He certainly did it long enough.
Opinions?
The 12 announced members are San Diego tight end Antonio Gates, Steelers and Jets guard Alan Faneca, Seattle and Minnesota guard Steve Hutchinson, Jets and Titans center Kevin Mawae, Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers, Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware, Redskins and Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey, Eagles and Broncos safety Brian Dawkins, Raiders punter Shane Lechler, Eagles kicker David Akers, and Browns returner Josh Cribbs.
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D-Line Coach Hired
Robert Nunn has been hired to coach the Giants' defensive line, succeeding the fired Mike Waufle as the team's only coaching vacancy.
Nunn has 22 years of coaching experience, the last 10 coming in the NFL. He was most recently the defensive line coach in Tampa Bay in 2009.
"Robert Nunn has been in professional football for 10 years and he has coached some outstanding players at every stop along the way," coach Tom Coughlin said. "He is a guy who did an outstanding job on the board with the X’s and O’s in the interview process. More than that, he is a guy who, by virtue of how he presented himself, I feel very strongly will bring the best out of the players that he coaches. He will provide structure. He will gain their trust. He will prove to the players the techniques that are important. When that happens and they buy into it, I think the results will come back for us. He will coach a very important position on our team, one that we will rely on heavily to bring us back to the level of championship play."
Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell, who worked together with Coughlin to hire Nunn, was enthusiastic about his new assistant.
"We’re very excited to have Robert Nunn join our football staff," Fewell said. "He comes highly recommended from some of the other coaches throughout the league. He’s coached in championship games; he was the D-line coach for Green Bay when the Giants played the Packers in the NFC Championship Game. He has worked with a number of excellent players – Jason Taylor, Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, Bruce Smith – and he has 10 years of experience.
"I look for him to bring to our defensive line fundamentals, technique, toughness, energy and to bring us together as a group to help make us a good defensive line unit."
And, presumably, to keep at arm's length from the players he coaches. It was reported that Waufle's ultimate downfall was that he became too close with the players, and might have sided with Osi Umenyiora when the pass-rushing defensive end was demoted after the Denver game because of his inability to stop the run.
Nunn's forte appears to be coaching against the run, considering two of his Green Bay charges in 2008 -- Johnny Jolly and Ryan Pickett -- ranked among the team's top five tacklers that year, with Jolly setting a career-high with 82 stops. One of his major tasks undoubtedly will be turning Umenyiora around on the edge, and shoring up the porous middle.
In Nunn's first of four seasons with the Packers, 2005, that defense went from 25th in the league the year before to No. 7. That said, he almost parellels the Giants' defense as he comes off a down year. The Bucs' run defense finished last in the league, allowing 158.2 yards per game. The Bucs also finished 27th overall.
Nunn has also spent time with Miami and Washington.
And, of course, he has that quasi-military background Coughlin loves in his assistants, having served successively as Georgia Military Academy's defensive coordinator, head coach, and athletic director for nine years. In his eight years as head coach, he compiled a 66-19 record.
"I am usually impressed by people who came through the ranks, that didn’t have great jobs," Coughlin said. "He was the defensive coordinator, head coach and athletic director at Georgia Military. Because of that and some of the recruiting associations he made, he got an opportunity to go into professional football and he’s done an outstanding job."
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Nunn has 22 years of coaching experience, the last 10 coming in the NFL. He was most recently the defensive line coach in Tampa Bay in 2009.
"Robert Nunn has been in professional football for 10 years and he has coached some outstanding players at every stop along the way," coach Tom Coughlin said. "He is a guy who did an outstanding job on the board with the X’s and O’s in the interview process. More than that, he is a guy who, by virtue of how he presented himself, I feel very strongly will bring the best out of the players that he coaches. He will provide structure. He will gain their trust. He will prove to the players the techniques that are important. When that happens and they buy into it, I think the results will come back for us. He will coach a very important position on our team, one that we will rely on heavily to bring us back to the level of championship play."
Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell, who worked together with Coughlin to hire Nunn, was enthusiastic about his new assistant.
"We’re very excited to have Robert Nunn join our football staff," Fewell said. "He comes highly recommended from some of the other coaches throughout the league. He’s coached in championship games; he was the D-line coach for Green Bay when the Giants played the Packers in the NFC Championship Game. He has worked with a number of excellent players – Jason Taylor, Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, Bruce Smith – and he has 10 years of experience.
"I look for him to bring to our defensive line fundamentals, technique, toughness, energy and to bring us together as a group to help make us a good defensive line unit."
And, presumably, to keep at arm's length from the players he coaches. It was reported that Waufle's ultimate downfall was that he became too close with the players, and might have sided with Osi Umenyiora when the pass-rushing defensive end was demoted after the Denver game because of his inability to stop the run.
Nunn's forte appears to be coaching against the run, considering two of his Green Bay charges in 2008 -- Johnny Jolly and Ryan Pickett -- ranked among the team's top five tacklers that year, with Jolly setting a career-high with 82 stops. One of his major tasks undoubtedly will be turning Umenyiora around on the edge, and shoring up the porous middle.
In Nunn's first of four seasons with the Packers, 2005, that defense went from 25th in the league the year before to No. 7. That said, he almost parellels the Giants' defense as he comes off a down year. The Bucs' run defense finished last in the league, allowing 158.2 yards per game. The Bucs also finished 27th overall.
Nunn has also spent time with Miami and Washington.
And, of course, he has that quasi-military background Coughlin loves in his assistants, having served successively as Georgia Military Academy's defensive coordinator, head coach, and athletic director for nine years. In his eight years as head coach, he compiled a 66-19 record.
"I am usually impressed by people who came through the ranks, that didn’t have great jobs," Coughlin said. "He was the defensive coordinator, head coach and athletic director at Georgia Military. Because of that and some of the recruiting associations he made, he got an opportunity to go into professional football and he’s done an outstanding job."
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More Quotes From Senior Bowl
Here's another compilation of scouts quotes from the Senior Bowl. Interesting -- and not particularly positive -- stuff on USC safety Taylor Mays, a choice of some of you.
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Pro Bowl O'Hara
Center Shaun O'Hara is at the Pro Bowl right now, but here's a video piece he did for Giants.com reviewing the offensive line's season. Think it's worth a look.
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Throwing Out A Name
Here's a name you might want to watch out for on draft day, just because his stock appears to be soaring right now during Senior Bowl practices: Mike Iupati.
The 6-foot-6, 325-pound interior offensive lineman from Idaho is opening eyes and apparently soaring up the draft board. Best of all, he'll probably be there when the Giants pick at No. 15. As I said yesterday, it's way too early to start divining the draft, but I have a feeling this guy's name might end up being in that cluster of candidates, especially considering the offensive line is entering a transitional stage.
Iupati is currently regarded as the best guard in the draft. He's quick, has 35-inch arms, and reportedly has a nasty streak about him. Might be worth keeping an eye on him through the combine and private workouts.
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The 6-foot-6, 325-pound interior offensive lineman from Idaho is opening eyes and apparently soaring up the draft board. Best of all, he'll probably be there when the Giants pick at No. 15. As I said yesterday, it's way too early to start divining the draft, but I have a feeling this guy's name might end up being in that cluster of candidates, especially considering the offensive line is entering a transitional stage.
Iupati is currently regarded as the best guard in the draft. He's quick, has 35-inch arms, and reportedly has a nasty streak about him. Might be worth keeping an eye on him through the combine and private workouts.
EP
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