The New York Giants have announced that Perry Fewell will replace Bill Sheridan as the Giants signal caller on defense next season. The change was to be expected. Two days after the season ended, co-owner John Mara met with the media and said that the status quo was "unacceptable". Understandably so, because the Giants defense was awful this season. They gave up an average 26.7 points per game, 3rd worst in the NFL. They also gave up 40 points 5 times, one of which on a Sunday Night at home against Philadelphia which i witnessed in person (Yes, Desean Jackson is still running!)
A change was necessary after Sheridan struggled as a first year defensive coordinator. At the time I was not in favor of the move, but I trusted Tom Coughlin's judgment of the matter. I did not feel at the time that someone with no prior coordinator experience should be calling signals for a top NFL team. I also felt that job should have gone to defensive line coach Mike Waufle, who was also fired by the Giants after this past season. Coughlin comes from an offensive background, having won a Super Bowl with the Giants as a wide recievers coach with Bill Parcells. Coughlin's decision now on Fewell will be a big determination of his next few years with the Giants.
But I think Coughlin made the right choice in Fewell. He has coordinator experience, having been calling the plays with the Bills the past 4 seasons. The Bills have been effective at limiting their opponents in the passing game, something the Giants new nothing about in 2009. I believe that Fewell will bring some much needed enthusiasm to a team that seemed to lose their mojo after former coordinator Steve Spagnuolo left after the 2008 season to become the St. Louis Rams head coach.
The players did not seem to embrace what Bill Sheridan brought this past season, exemplified by the fact that Pro-Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora walked out during training camp. The blame can also be put on the players for their lack of discipline and their commitment to the game plan. Blame can also be on the fact that they lost star safety Kenny Phillips, who the Giants had huge hopes for this year.
Fewell takes over a team that Coughlin said "Needs to re-establish their identity". The team that won the Super Bowl 2 years ago was remembered for having a ferocious pass rush. Now they need to reestablish that next year. I believe Fewell will bring some much needed enthusiasm and teaching skills, something I saw none of from Sheridan last year. During offensive possessions, more often than not he was standing alone with his arms folded not talking to anyone. I believe Fewell will be in the face of his players, holding accountability and shouting encouragement and praise when needed.
The Giants also have some personnel decisions to make on defense. During the Super Bowl run in 2007, the Giants were deep at defensive back. They had players like Sam Madison and R.W. McQuarters who played a huge factor in helping the Giants win the Super Bowl. During the past 2 season, General Manager Jerry Reese slowly began transitioning his depth from secondary to defensive line. In doing so, the Giants thought they could keep their pass rushers fresh late in games. This turned out to backfire on them, with the loss of Kenny Phillips and Aaron Ross last year. I would expect the Giants in this offseason to add depth to the secondary and cut some waste that they spent up front on Chris Canty and Rocky Bernard. What they do might be limited based on the NFL collective bargaining agreement, but I expect them to do something.
I will have more on the Giants as we get closer to the NFL Draft in April. Comments...
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