New York Giants News and Notes: 1.7.09
by Jim Schmiedeberg on Jan 7, 2010 7:00 AM EST
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54 comments
The NY Post says the Giants may look across the hall at Giants Stadium for their new defensive coordinator. They are reportedly interested in Jets LB coach Bob Sutton. Sutton and Tom Coughlin have history together, they were on the same staff at Syracuse.
A few nuggets from Mike Garafolo at NJ.com:
Osi Umenyiora said "somebody had to be held accountable" for the defense’s poor play and so far it’s been Waufle and Sheridan. But it might continue – perhaps with linebackers coach Jim Herrmann, who was hired by the Giants last year partly because of his connection with Sheridan. Safeties coach David Merritt, only remaining defensive assistant from Coughlin’s first staff with the Giants in 2004, has done a good job with inferior talent over the past couple of seasons but the safeties didn’t play well this past season.
I am a firm believer that it is time for the Giants to move on from Jeff Feagles, and Mike also had the following:
Jeff Feagles is an unrestricted free agent and has not announced his intentions for next season, but someone who recently spoke with the 43-year-old Feagles said he’s currently planning to return for a 23rd NFL season.
Ralph Vacchiano threw a name out there I hadn't even thought of for defensive coordinator: Number 52
Pepper Johnson, the former Giants linebacker and current Patriots defensive line coach, is not only a possible candidate, he would also be "very interested" in the job, according to two people familiar with his thinking. He has never been a defensive coordinator, but he has won two Super Bowl rings as a player and three as a Patriots assistant.
Pepper would probably be a very good choice, for all the reasons Ralph states in the article.
More after the jump........
The Giants continue to stockpile warm bodies for next season. Ed told you about K Sam Swank being signed yesterday, (love that name by the way). Here is the info on the two other players the Giants picked up yesterday:
The Giants today signed two players to their roster for the 2010 season: defensive back Courtney Brown and fullback Jerome Johnson.
Brown, a 6-1, 205-pound corner/safety, has the most professional experience, having played 17 games with one start for the Dallas Cowboys in 2007 and ‘08. He was selected as a cornerback by the Cowboys on the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft, the 212th overall pick. The Cowboys moved him to safety at the start of training camp. Brown made his NFL debut on Nov. 11 of that season against the Giants in Giants Stadium and recorded his first tackle on special teams the following week vs. Washington. He played in eight games that season and had two tackles on defense and four on special teams.
In 2008, Brown played in nine games, including a Thanksgiving Day start vs. Seattle. He had six tackles on defense and three on special teams. Brown was waived on Sept. 5.
In 41 games with 31 starts at Cal Poly, Brown posted 111 tackles and intercepted 10 passes. The California native was born on Feb. 10, 1984.
Johnson, 6-feet and 260 pounds, was signed as a rookie free agent by the St. Louis Rams on April 30, 2009. He played in all four preseason games and had three receptions for 16 yards, with a long of 16, and a two-yard run. Johnson was waived by the Rams on Sept. 5.
Johnson played linebacker at the University of Nevada-Reno and was converted to a fullback by the Rams. He had 35 tackles as a senior. Johnson played at Dorsey High School in Los Angeles. He was born on Jan. 19, 1985.
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Another Rams FB
Maybe he becomes a starter and gets passes thrown to him… then all the Hedger Haters (patent pending on the name) out there on BBV can start a campaign against Jerome Johnson.
What I like so far
is that there were some positions like kicker, fullback and a few others where there was zero competition for a job last training camp. The Giants are obviously setting up a scenario where that will not be the case when training camp starts this summer, and I love that.
I like it too
It’s only January and they’re already creating competition for this summer. The message’s are being sent out by additions and subtractions!
I agree..I find it very impressive the they are signing up some competition already..
While still mulling over the coaching problems..they are attacking it from both ends of the equation..That is a very good thing.
no pun intended, but I suspect the organization is just hedging its bets...
…at the FB position. We’ll have to wait and see if MH rebounds from surgery and recovers his old form…
by Step up and make big plays on Jan 7, 2010 8:05 AM EST reply actions
Pepper Johnson as DC?
A couple things instantly jump out at you. He brings credibility as a winner, whether as a player and or being in NE. He brings tradition, and by that i mean to this team, not another team. Bringing back his history to this team will mean that much more when conveying his message, thus players can’t do nothing but respect that because he’s been there, done that.
Now, one thing that doesn’t jump out at you is his philosophy, or non-existent record as a DC? Is he truly a 3-4 guy from his playing days and being under BB for this many years? Or, does he have the flexibility to be what may be wanted? All signs point to a very good hiring with all things considered, except philosophy!
BTW, if Pepper is on the list, please do not have any contact with him, or anyone associated with him until the Patriots are out of the playoffs. If the Patriots suspect anything, they wouldn’t be shy about bringing up tampering charges!
I like him for all the reasons you stated, plus I feel he can run a 4-3 defense..
They have already installed some competition where there was none last camp..but they need to quickly resolve the make-up of the staff before signing two many more players…The DC position needs to be filled asap, because he’ll need and want to assess and provide input from a coaching perspective and a player perspective..You gotta be careful about firing coaches and signing or cutting players without a DC installed and having a chance to assess things..I think what they are doing is addressing the obvious which is very a good aggressive approach and yes they can’t go near Peppers if he is their choice or potential choice until NE is out of the playoffs, which won’t be long now that Welker is out.
Thats the hard part, being patient
As quickly we want to get the DC hired so he can get a headstart on evaluations, there are still 12 teams playing with potential hires amongst them. We need to make sure this hire is the right one and not another BS’esque year in the making. That would be another year wasted!
Agree about being careful
about tampering but remember we’re not the Jets BB and the Pats respect the G-men and are not in same division
by Landeta on Jan 7, 2010 10:21 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Pepper
would be my choice. History. Respect. Credibility. Defense. Bring him on!
We didn't even have a chance for the "perfect season", but we did have the perfect ending.
Pepper was the one who had the negative reaction ...
to the “read and react” the Giants installed after Belichick left in 1991, so the attitude, aggressiveness, pride and tradition are all there.
The big question is, how will he be at creative opponent game-planning and in-game adjustments ? How do they guage that for any candidate who hasn’t yet been a DC ?
I think he has played long enough and now coached long enough to be a successful DC.
He has played for and has been working for a defensive genious and no doubt has been deeply involved in game-planning..I don’t see that being a problem.
Banks hated read and react too
its funny hearing him go off on it
Yea it’s tough to guage how good of a DC a position coach will make. It worked with Spags not so much with BS.
Obviously I love Pepper and he’s put his time in and has been groomed in a great system. What would alleve my concerns a bit would be if he’s well respected around the league as potential DC and regared by many football people as bright young coach not just the Pats. Spags was the guy Reid wanted to take over for JJ so you knew they saw something
by Landeta on Jan 7, 2010 10:57 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I love Pepper but....
he may be a great coach. He may be ready to step up and be a great DC. But really I don’t think the Giants can afford to take a chance on another first year coordinator. I know my nerves and my heart can’t handle another season like the one that just recently ended so painfully. So while I would love to see Pepper on a Giants sideline again, I still think that Dick Jauron would be the best choice at this point in time. I’m willing to bet Mara will want to go with experience over potential too.
by Big Blue Phatty on Jan 7, 2010 10:48 AM EST reply actions
thing is...
Spags was a first year coordinator too wasn’t he? Pretty sure John Fox was too.
Also, Tim Lewis WAS a former DC……..
Experience is a good thing, and I thought Jauron was a good choice too (he doesn’t seem to want to be here tho..), but it doesn’t mean they won’t be a dud.
I think you’re right on the experience thing this time tho. That’s probably why Perry Fewel was the first interview. Young, experienced and worked with Coughlin before….
N8 !
by FreeBradshaw on Jan 7, 2010 10:52 AM EST up reply actions
good point
You’re right about Spags and Fox being first timers who who worked out really good(man what I would do to have either of them back). Tim Lewis brings up about the same feelings for me that I currently have about Sheridan.. I actually believe that Perry “I Pity Da” Fewel would be a great choice as well. Either way we go with this I just really hope we don’t even consider changing to the highly stupid 3-4 defense.
by Big Blue Phatty on Jan 7, 2010 11:03 AM EST up reply actions
the thing that 'scares' me about Pepper....
is that he’s in all likelihood a 3-4 guy, being under Belicheck for 10 years, as well as playing on all those great Giants defense that have the 3-4.
I mean, it is entirely possible to use the personnel who we got and make a hybrid 4-3/3-4 for the time being.
The only problem with the 3-4, is that it would take time..probably a few years, to find the right players that fit it (and of course..good players helps).
Its possible to make a defense that transitions to it over time I’d think.
I’d like to eventually switch to it…I mean, the only way the Giants could ever get a “next LT” is by going back to the 3-4….
N8 !
by FreeBradshaw on Jan 7, 2010 11:07 AM EST up reply actions
Thats all keep thinking
Pepper has been around the 3-4 his whole career and i would find it hard to believe that he would have any 4-3 principles? Thats really my only suspicion, even greater than the thought of him being a rookie DC. At the very least, we don’t have the time for a transition to a 3-4. Two years with drafting and FA’s?
Yeah, that highly stupid 3-4 defense......
that worked so well for us in the ’80’s and early ’90’s that 6 out of the 8 teams in the playoffs use. Child, please!
If it weren’t for the current personnel, I’d be ok with the change. We just lack a NT, which a stud is hard, and expensive, to find, and the LB corps to really make it work. Boley, Sintim & Kiwi would possibly work and I think Blackburn would thrive in the 3-4, but let’s be realistic and know how long the adjustment period would be.
Other than that, some of the best defenses in history have run the 3-4, including the Big Blue Wrecking Crew of the ’80’s.
Bleeding Blue since 1962
ummm....i disagree
thats all well and good that we used to be great with the 3-4. But not anymore my friend. Our linebackers are terrible. I like Blackburn but I never really see him as anything better than our best back-up LB. Boley I think will be better at full health and actually going through training camp. Sintim shows promise but is still very raw. So if we don’t even have what I feel are good enough linebackers for the 4-3, where are we gonna get all the linebackers for a 3-4? I’m not opposed to having some 3-4 formations at certain times on defense, but having it as our main defense would just be ridiculous. This team is not ready to go into a transition period, they are trying to get back on the winning track immediately.
by Big Blue Phatty on Jan 7, 2010 11:39 AM EST up reply actions
the idea is..
that Sintim is a 3-4 LB…he was one in college. ILB and OLB actually..so he could solve one
Kiwi, played LB for the Giants, and did pretty well. He’d have to cover less of an area as a 3-4 guy, so he could be the other OLB.
Boley could work as a ILB too. Goff is pretty big and could be an ILB.
Osi could be a pass rush specialist from the outside.
Really, the LB unit, it wouldn’t be out of the question for the 3-4 to be better suited for these guys, so it could be fine or even good…
The Biggest problems are Justin Tuck and the NT position (tho, I’d throw Osi in here too…who the hell knows if he could be any good in the 3-4).
Tuck is DE…not a DT..he’s s situational DT.
Tuck MAY be good as a 3-4 DT…but only if they had a GREAT NT and another very good 3-4 DE.., which..Chris Canty is a pretty good one.
….it COULD work. If the new DC wants to run it..sees the potential for it..and well…maybe brings along his version of Bart Scott and that Leonhard dude on teh Jets..it could work.
N8 !
by FreeBradshaw on Jan 7, 2010 11:46 AM EST up reply actions
only thing
canty likes the idea of being a DT in a 4-3…
dallas would beg to differ about him being a productive NT…
Rob Ryan is an interesting name...
they have a FA ILB, D’Qwell Jackson…one of the best 3-4 ILB’s in all of football.
If they could lure him away..with Rob Ryan…
..maybe even Shaun Rogers to play NT (and of course draft a backup somewhere..Big Baby gets hurt a lot..)
..it could most definitely work.
..but that’s a lot to expect..and to do.
But an overhaul is needed..and ALL OF THIS..is an overhaul.
N8 !
by FreeBradshaw on Jan 7, 2010 11:48 AM EST up reply actions
Could trade up a few spots in the 1st and nab Dan Williams as a NT or...
…take Terrence Cody as a NT.
Either guy would be a great option if we actually wen to to a 3-4.
I'd rather Dan Williams...
Mount Cody could be Ted Washington..yea.
I’d rather a dude get fat over his NFL career..then BE as big as Cody now.
Dan Williams can be 375 one day…I’d rather he be 330 and learn instead of worry about keeping his weight down.
N8 !
by FreeBradshaw on Jan 8, 2010 12:58 PM EST up reply actions
Jauron has to be ruled out..I didn't like that "last resort" jazz..Who wants that?
Both Fox and Spags were rookie DCs and were very successful..They succeeded because they learned from the best..We have the same equation here with Pepper only better because A) He bleeds Blue and B) He has been learning from one of the best defensive minds in the game C) He wants to be here D) He is an animated guy who won’t accept failure..
He can’t interview yet until the Pats are finished, so I wouldn’t read to much into the Fewel interview, they can’t interview Sutton either yet..I don’t like either of those guys..Rex Ryan has built the Jets defense not Sutton..and the defenses that Fewel fielded for Coughlin were not good at all..Niether is the Bills defense…and Tim lewis I don’t see him doing anything close to what needs to be done..I would love to see Pepper come in and takeover for the reasons I stated above..He is Fox+Spags+Desire+Tough+Giant..To me it is a no brainer.
I'll disagree with you on Fewell Bobbi..
Fewell was the DB’s coach in JAX when he was on Coughlin’s staff there. Remember Donovan Darius and Carnell Lake (FA from Pittsburgh) …pretty much the best safety tandem in the game, or up there, during Fewell’s tenure there.
Also, this season, Jairus Byrd seems like the steal of the draft, with his 9 INT’s.
The guy knows how to teach in the secondary…these are just a couple examples of the excellent players on Fewell’s watch.
I know, the pass rush is the big problem, but I think after the injuries work themselves out..the pass rush may just fix itself (hopefully…JR and TC don’t think that…fix it anyway…)
N8 !
by FreeBradshaw on Jan 7, 2010 11:22 AM EST up reply actions
Fox+Spags?! Really?!
Saying that Pepper is- and I mean no disrespect at all, as I have said before I love Pepper- but saying that he is Fox+Spags is mighty high praise for a man who has never called the plays on defense. Both Fox and Spags were special in the fact that they were able to come in as first timers and be successful. I’m not saying that Pepper couldn’t be just as good as either of them either. I’m just saying that I find it highly unlikely for the Giants to hire another first timer this time around after the horror we witnessed with Sheridan this past year.
by Big Blue Phatty on Jan 7, 2010 11:24 AM EST up reply actions
it seems to go in cycles tho...
yea, its probably unrealistic to think he’ll be Fox or Spags….
I do think he could have the defense at least mediocre tho…I mean, I dunno how anyone can deny that the players are here, the talent..really is here still.
Make some additions, have coaches that the players actually learn from.
N8 !
by FreeBradshaw on Jan 7, 2010 11:35 AM EST up reply actions
What I meant BB is..
Pepper has all of the success characteristics of a Fox and Spags plus he played the game, he is a Giant, always will be, he wants to be here and he is has been under Bill Bs wing as a coach…He’s no Sheridan..Bill B. wouldn’t have him on his staff if he wasn’t as good a coach as he was a player with the Giants..Fox and Spags learned from great defensive minds but you have to factor in Peppers playing experience above and beyond that and I feel he could be better than Fox and better than Spags, they got a shot, why not Peppers?..and I’ll tell ya he isn’t going to be a LB coach much longer somebody will want him, including the Pats…I hope they bring him back home.
Now, Free is right about Fewels expertise in building awesome secondaries..So if he came in we could probably be assured that our secondary would be great..What about the rest of the defense?..We’d have a great secondary and same same ‘ol crappy DL and LB play..Buffalo and Jacksonville had great secondaries…Where’s the rings??..Pepper has 5 of them.
I understand your logic
But do you really feel that our defensive line is in that much disrepair? They had a very down year this year – we were all witness to that. However some of that can be attributed to injuries and really stupid play-calling that had a distinct lack of blitzing. Not all but some. I still think we have the talent to be one of the better D lines in the NFL. That is if Tuck, Canty, Cofield, and Osi can perform at the level that they have shown in the past. Cofield was probably our best DL this year, and I think is showing great promise for the future. Can Pepper be the answer for our under-performing defense? Perhaps. I don’t think so, but then again who knows. I’ve been wrong in the past many times about such things. Hell a year ago I was actually happy that Sheridan got the job because I thought that the consistency would be good for our defense. Man was I ever wrong…..
by Big Blue Phatty on Jan 7, 2010 11:58 AM EST up reply actions
For all parties involved that may have a doubt about Pepper as a rookie DC
Think of it this way. Prior to Spags coming here, he was moreless penciled in to be JJ’s successor in Philly. Well, it didn’t turn out that way. But, to keep continuity, they went in-house and hired Sean McDermott. McDermott served a decade under JJ and even though he wasn’t thought of as the main man, he has done well in his first year as their DC.
Now with the Giants and Pepper, of course this wouldn’t be in-house, but, Pepper has been under BB for a decade. Regardless of his philosophy, it’s the idea of him learning from BB for a decade as did McDermott did under JJ. McDermott got his first shot, and who’s to say that Pepper can’t duplicate some of that success? We’ll never know until he actually gets it.
EXACTLY!!..Plus he played for Parcells..The guy has a great resume..a proven winner.
He’ll be the spark that lights the fire..Sheridan didn’t even have a book of matches.
I hear you BB..
I think we as fans and more importantly the organization believed Sheridan would be a perfect bridge from Spags..Everyone was wrong..I just have this feeling that bringing Pepper in will fix what needs fixing and inspire the defense..He is smart, he played the game, he’s a Giant..I might be in the minority here, but I think any of the other candidates would be a risk above and beyond Pepper..He also has ties with Coughlin, the organization and the fans..and obviously he has the work ethic or Bill B. wouldn’t have him on his staff.
I most certainly
am up for anyone who can bring some inspired play back to our defense. I never saw a less inspired and effortless group than what we had on the field this year. Unacceptable, as Mara said.
by Big Blue Phatty on Jan 7, 2010 1:48 PM EST up reply actions
for sure
Now that is definitely something we call all agree upon!!!
by Big Blue Phatty on Jan 7, 2010 11:44 AM EST up reply actions
If we could get JF back we wouldn't be having this conversation..However
I don’t think he is very happy not getting an extension in Carolina..It would be great and I have said this before if we could convince him to be a DC/AHC, with a promise to take over when TC eventually retires..That probably is a pipe-dream, but you never know..Plus he hasn’t done any Coors-Light Commercials, which tells me he hasn’t reached the “Coaching Bone-yard”..I don’t want anyone coming in from the Coors-light bone-yard for coaches.
It's not SALT - it's PEPPER!!!!
I’d love to see Pepper Johnson get the role.
That guy was so intense and dedicated. This would make my offseason.
No matter what happens or who we hire....
Just never having to see “Bad Bad” CC Brown in a Giants uniform again will do my heart good
by Big Blue Phatty on Jan 7, 2010 12:02 PM EST reply actions
About pepper.
well.. id love the idea of him coming.. but taking a risk on him?
well.. id love the idea of him coming.. but taking a risk on him?ill save that verdict after i check the stats/history of him at NE
NEpats
always had 1 of the best Dlines during BBelichik’s tenure as the HC. Seymour, Wilfork, Warren are considered some of the best 3-4 Dlineman in all of NFL.
by mclaren_is_the_best on Jan 7, 2010 1:05 PM EST up reply actions
Pepper Johnson
One thing for sure, pepper won’t be scared to get into someone face if they not getting the job done on the field
The Pats are always in good position if nothing else...
…esp. in goaline. And keep in mind that aside from Mayo who do they have in their back 7 who is any better than our guys…answer is no one at all!HEY WHERE WERE ALL YOU GUYS WHEN I POSTED ABOUT PEPPER JOHNSON?
And I was there earlier.
Johnson
Crennel
Fewell
1/6 4:09 AM
I’d want a gold star, but amid the welter of postings, I’m sure someone posted Pepper’s name as Dc earlier that that. It’s easy for some postings to be overlooked, forgotten, etc.amid the welter submitted. I’m surprised no one but a Steeler fan commented on the stats proving (?) Rivers is the best QB in the NFl, Romo # 3. IMO, the methodology is flawed. Why should YACs be factored in as part of a QB evaluation?
George..looks like we're putting on a full-court press for Crennel..I like that..
And I agree and always felt the same about YACs being credited to QBs..I’ve always reconciled my thought on that by concluding that the QB made the perfect read, but still wonder how or why a QB gets credited for 90 yards, when his pass went for 5?…and the receiver did all the work…
Anyway, I would love to get Crennel or Johnson for DC..In fact, Crennel would overtake Pepper in my view because of his experience.
Honestly, did you mean front 7, or actually the back?
Front 7, i think Wilfork is a pile to move. “Fat pile” as FreeBradshaw would say! lol
Back 7, S Brandon Merriweather would be a nice addition. Just my opinion!
AND NO OLD ASS RETREADS EITHER!
AGGRESSION AT PICKING A COACH WITH A FUTURE WHO WON’T JUST LAST THE 2YR. AT MOST COUGHLIN ERA WOULD BE REAL SMART!
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