Quick take on the Waufle firing
by Ed Valentine on Jan 6, 2010 6:19 PM EST
in New York Giants News
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PrintThere is a great deal of surprise being expressed over this afternoon's firing by the New York Giants of defensive line coach Mike Waufle.
Mike Garafolo, Ernie Palladino and Ralph Vacchiano have all expressed varying degrees of surprise that Waufle was the first assistant coach kicked to the curb following the dismissal of defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan.
Allow me to be contrarian here for a minute. When I think about it, this move is not surprising at all. In fact, it is the perfect "the status quo is unacceptable" decision by head coach Tom Coughlin.
As many of the reports I have read today have indicated, Waufle is tremendously popular with both current and former players he has worked with. He is also good at his job -- good enough that some thought he deserved consideration to be Sheridan's replacement instead of being kicked out along with him.
That is why this move makes sense. It is less of a slap at Waufle, who is a good coach, than it is at the players who let him down. Now Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck and the rest of the Giants defensive lineman have to look themselves in the mirror and accept that their performance -- or lack thereof -- has sent a coach they loved playing for to the unemployment line.
If they are upset about it, so be it. I think Coughlin wants them that way. The fact that Waufle does not have a job this evening is not his fault. It is theirs.
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Great news
Pepper Johnson might be our Giants DC.
how come no one has mentioned mike zimmer as D coordinator candidate?
he is a coaching free agent and has been linked to the skins but for some reason not to the giants. why?
by Ahmad Bradshaw on Jan 6, 2010 6:38 PM EST up reply actions
not a bad idea
Wouldn’t mind that at all and someone did mention it somewhere in the 1,000 post about defenses we have going but noone in the media that i’m aware of.
In football, you can always maim a person if you wanted to. -L.T.
he may know football...
so does Harry Carson.
Neither are coaches…or have been in the league as a position coach teaching the game.
Banks knows how to be a media guy…I doubt that he can be a coach.
Pepper has been a position coach with Belicheck the past 10 years.
N8 !
by FreeBradshaw on Jan 7, 2010 12:42 AM EST up reply actions
Wow I never would have thought of that
It makes ton of sense now. The onus is on the players now, even more than it was before.
Never assume skill at bouncing a ball makes you smarter than the guy who built the court.
When there's a WILL there's a WAY
The Giants stunk in 2003 and 2004...
….because they waited too long to send the message that ‘the status quo’ was unacceptable. Sometimes that message is more important than the coaches who fall victim to it.
The Giants were complacent this year, due to their record last year, the Free Agent signings, and their unpreparedness for the injuries. They most certainly weren’t complacent in 2007.
On another note, WHY DOES NOBODY HOLD AP AND OSI ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE INEPTITUDE OF THE COACHING STAFF?!?!?!
If I recall correctly, these two, among others, were the ones who insisted on keeping the same defensive system in place, as evident by their votes of confidence in Bill Sheridan when meeting with Coughlin and Reese last year. They are also the ones who insisted on Sheridan coaching from the sidelines. How about the General Manager manages, the coaches coach, and the players play and keep their mouths shut. Maybe it’s just me but if they wanted to play for Spags for another year they should have signed with St. Louis.
Nice points
I think what happened was TC lightened up a bit in 07, leadership council, . .. etc and all and started taking more imput for players and it worked and he continued it through 08 and into 09 but guess what it did’nt work. In fact it failed miserably this year nobody had answers for the coach so Admiral Tom needs to come back, I don’t want to here these guys complaining about changing system and were coaches sit, they had their chance it worked wonderfully briefly but now it’s back to good ol fashion diciplinarian Tom.
TC did not seem right at times this year becasue this was really the first time his more laid back style did not work since he implemented it. Now he knows this might be his last chance so he’s going to do things his way. Lets hope it works!
do we even know who comprised the vaunted leadership council?
It would be interesting, IMO, to compare this group from 2007 to 2009. Strahan’s and Toowamer’s absence is obvious and was undoubtedly felt by the organization in terms of what they brought to the table as veterans, but I wonder if role players like Sam Madison and RW were ever a part of the council. Clearly leadership was lacking this year in a secondary where Corey Webster is the most tenured professional. There was a lot of talk this season, including from Webster himself, about him stepping into a greater leadership role, but it sure wasn’t visible on the field.
by Step up and make big plays on Jan 6, 2010 9:26 PM EST up reply actions
All I know is they had like 10 guys
and I do think Osi was one. I just think the whole player friendly thing worked wonders but has run it’s corse now it’s time for TC to turn back into General Patton.
We have to wait....
Till the offseason. Osi might be traded/cut. I doubt it though since $3.1 mill isn’t bad if he’s an OK DE
how come no one has mentioned mike zimmer as a D coordinator candidate?
he is a coaching free agent and has been linked to the skins but for some reason not to the giants. why?
he is clearly an elite DC, and he uses the 4-3 so im confused why his name has not come up
sure...
why not?
Dunno why he wouldn’t remain in Cincy..and he’s rumored first in Wash.
He should be on the list at least…
N8 !
Hire Fewell and you might get Bob Sanders who did wonders for us in Buffalo this year. Just a thought.
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Bob Sanders was the DL coach in Buffalo in 2009. He did a great job improving our DL play and was the Green Bay Packers DC a couple years ago. If you hire Perry Fewell or Dick Jauron a good bet on your next DL coach is Sanders who is out of a job right now.
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by MattRichWarren on Jan 7, 2010 9:17 AM EST up reply actions
I think
he was thinking of the player Bob Sanders.
I was thinking that at first too.
This’ll be interesting.
Never assume skill at bouncing a ball makes you smarter than the guy who built the court.
When there's a WILL there's a WAY
Whoops. Sorry. :-) Yes Bob Sanders the DL coach and former Packers DC, not the Colts oft-injured safety.
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by MattRichWarren on Jan 8, 2010 1:43 PM EST up reply actions
Not happy
Although Ed as a strange way to calm my blood pressure and stop me from seeing red(maybe you can teach my wifey Ed??) But I really like this guy alot and kind of wanted him to stay, really didn’t see this… is no one suprised by this? Hopefully it fixes our problems but it feels more like he was made the scape goat for Reese’s horrible spending spree on defensive front… All injured at one point and none of them did jack on top of that Tuck was playing with a torn labrum all year… I give this a big WTF and feel horrible for the guy… I won’t be suprised to see him succeed else where.. Good luck Wauffle thanks for your hard work here…
God I hope they know what their doing.. I cant go through another loss with the defense giving up 40+ pts…
In football, you can always maim a person if you wanted to. -L.T.
I do think a guy like Wauffle
is payingfor JR’s offseason blunders. I don’t what to make of this firing, I just hope TC and JR have some sort of plan in mind.
Bottom Line
We invested a boatload of cash in the D-Line and they were pitiful… They need a GIANT fire lit under the a** and if firing their beloved position coach provides a little warmth, than so be it.
Next question is
when does the Special Teams coach get fired?
He’s logically next. Bobby April anyone?
Never assume skill at bouncing a ball makes you smarter than the guy who built the court.
When there's a WILL there's a WAY
He should have been out the door before Sheridan....
it’s pathetic, aside from our weak legged kickers…our coverage stinks and eventually we’re gonna get hixon killed back there.
"If you don't know what you're doing... just rush the quarterback" - LT
Adam Schefter is reporting
Romeo Crennel is probabbly going to the KC Chiefs, he also said so is C. Weis too.
I guess the Giants have no interest in Romeo.
yeah, i figured that was the plan all along
didn’t know about weis but i figured crennel was going.
I’m actually really buying into the Pepper Johnson idea…not sure if Coughlin will but i guess we’ll see.
"If you don't know what you're doing... just rush the quarterback" - LT
I guess so...
you’d think they’d all realize the main reason there were all successful was cuz of Belichek in the first place..probably Parcells too.
I’m sure Belicheck laughs at it….
N8 !
I'm surprised...
At the least that Waufle was the first to go. I think he’s the best of the bunch, and if he’s gone (he at least has had a long record of success), the rest of the defensive coaches should already be packing. And I sure agree that our “special teams” have been anything but special for quite some time, so a change there IS expected. Waufle won’t stay unemployed, though some of the other coaches may.
Sheridan gets canned when the team is leaving for the offseason
But Management waits a couple days to cut loose a player favorite,Coincidence I think not
they wanted the players gone before cutting loose a friend
I totally agree he was a good coach and should prosper elsewhere but
its real hard to coach your friends and get results.
the message is loud and clear, we tried it your way and it didnt work
The boss is pissed and shit rolls downhill
I think if you want to play here next year, your gonna show up for you offseason workouts
15 minutes early
I dont think there were many tears shed for for BS firing
They canned the wrong guy...
they shoud have shit-canned the LB and DB coaches – the two units that sucked the last 3 years. Webster and Phillips were the only ones worth a dump… nobody else can tackle or cover.
"Is everyone in my life freakin' bananas?" - Tony Soprano
The run D was a problem.
and yea, Wauffle was probably the one that least deserved it based on the body of work…but this was more of a message sent then anything.
No one is safe on the defense..
If Spagnuolo was the DC..and everything that happened this year happened with the defense? He should’ve been shit canned too, no matter his 2007.
N8 !
by FreeBradshaw on Jan 7, 2010 12:21 AM EST up reply actions
Am I the only one
who got an image of Ed stroking a cat like a villain from a cheesy movie or TV show?
I thought
Wauffle should’ve got hired instead of sherridan in the first place. I’m surprised he’s been let go. If the players are to blame, that sure is a cutthroat way to get the point across to them, by firing someone who didn deserve it.
"Control the clock, dont keep making the same dumb mistakes, and dont turn over the rock because you cant win without the rock."
and to free bradshaw...
very good point! If spags was here, this sh*t definitely would not have happenned. so then, is the line play a direct reflection of sherridan and not so much wauffle? Maybe coughlin knew that and was letting wauffle go early on so he go get another job. maybe he’ll move across the hall to the jets
"Control the clock, dont keep making the same dumb mistakes, and dont turn over the rock because you cant win without the rock."
that actually wasn't my point.
I was saying..basically take Spags and put him in for Sheridan this season.
If everything turned out exactly the same…getting blown out in all these games..the defense sucking ass….I think Spags would’ve been gone too…to send a message that no one cares that the players like a coach, they failed him anyway so liking him is irrelevant to success.
No one of the defense is safe..and IMO no one should be spared. Why they’re dragging it out…I dunno.
N8 !
by FreeBradshaw on Jan 7, 2010 12:54 AM EST up reply actions
"Awful Wauffle, Awful Waffle..."
With all due respect to the Wauffle apologists, the D line stunk this year and he should be held accoutable. Of course there were injuries, but think of that as an opportunity for him to prove himself and a superior coach, and not just a reflection of the players. He may or may not be a bad coach, but at least we know he’s not a superior one. Additionally, this provides evidence that the Giants will be installing a new defensive system, and nice bargaining chip for any potential D Coordinators is that they will be able to give input on hiring their own guys. Wait for the rest of the coaches to kick the bucket, and no hirings until D Coordinator is in place.
Yeah, BUT....
If your brilliant new defensive coordinator decides to send your defensive linemen 20 yards down field because he thinks they’re just “large cornerbacks” and half the team doesn’t know where they’re supposed to be with his new schemes, you’re not going to look good regardless. A new defensive system isn’t Wauffle’s call. The guy has coached linemen who’ve been good, who’ve made stops, rushed passers, and actually tackled in the past. He’s not responsible for Sheridan’s gameplans nor for player injuries. I understand Ed’s point, but if you’re getting rid of him, there isn’t anyone on the defensive side that should stay – he was the best of the bunch, and I wish him well elsewhere.
I'm utterly confused
The defensive line has been on a decline since last year. Yes, most of you will say they did a ‘great’ job earlier this year. Really, 250+ yards versus the Cowchips, and then they did a good job versus KC, Oakland and Tampa? Come on, this unit has been doing poorly for over 20 games. The D Line was so bad it was unreal.
If anyone is surprised over this then you’re in massive denial.
Decline
Yes, and sometimes that is not the fault of the line coach. Robbins and Bernard just got old. Tuck got hurt. Osi did not play well against the run. Canty got hurt. I doubt you can say most of those things were Waufle’s fault. Sometimes you have a good coach and players don’t produce. Sometimes you have a crappy coach (ahem, Wade Phillips) and your team still goes to the playoffs because the players do their jobs.
SORRY WAUFFLE BUT I GOTTA DO IT.......
PEPPER PEPPER PEPPER PEPPER PEPPER PEPPER PEPPER PEPPER AND MORE PEPPER!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!
Reese out
I think Reese should be fired. Terrible job in evaluating talent—especially free agents. Bring in a new GM who will tell TC that he has one more year to shape up his team.
yes..
cuz Reese knew that all these guys were gonna be injured all year….
N8 !
by FreeBradshaw on Jan 7, 2010 11:32 AM EST up reply actions
firing reese
would be amazingly stupid. He’s built a good team, one that won the superbowl
You play to win the game!
by Simms-McConkey on Jan 7, 2010 1:55 PM EST up reply actions
Giants should hire Bo Pellini as DC. He will light some fire into these players. But he probably will not be leaving Nebraska for a few years. The Giants also need an OC with cojones.
this is the sign of a big hire
imo, when a team goes for a big fish… if they land him.. he will want to bring on his own assistants..
so to a certain extent.. i believe that this means the giants will land a seasoned DC who will end up bringing in one of his own men
Good move
Any D-Line coach with freaks like Tuck and Osi should be able to put on a better performance than the one we saw this year
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