Might the Giants raid the Jets coaching staff to find a new defensive coordinator?
Perhaps. The National Football Post reports that Jets linebackers coach Bob Sutton has been targeted as the replacement for Bill Sheridan, who was fired one day after the Giants completed an 8-8 season.
Sutton, the former head coach at Army, has been with the Jets for the past 10 years. He was their defensive coordinator from 2006-08 and has worked for four different head coaches with the Jets, a sign that he’s a valued member of the staff.
Rex Ryan, when he took over this season, retained Sutton, who has done a solid job developing Jets linebackers. Still, Sutton last year hardly distinguished himself running the defense for Eric Mangini.
Sutton, 58, worked with Tom Coughlin on the Syracuse staff in 1974. If the Giants indeed are interested they’ll have to wait to speak with Sutton, as the Jets have an AFC wild-card playoff game on Saturday in Cincinnati.
The first interview for the opening will go to Perry Fewell, who has strong ties to Coughlin. Fewell, 47, was the defensive backs coach in Jacksonville under Coughlin from 1998-2002 and will reportedly meet with his former boss tomorrow. Fewell in November took over as interim head coach in Buffalo after Dick Jauron was fired.
Jauron — another former Coughlin assistant — will also be considered by the Giants. Fewell is also a strong candidate for the Bears defensive coordinator job.
Another possibility is someone familiar to Giants fans: Romeo Crennel. He worked with Coughlin on Bill Parcells’ Giants staff and was head coach of the Browns.
The Giants also could be in the market for a new offensive coordinator, as Kevin Gilbride is again a serious candidate in Oakland — some say the No. 1 candidate — if Tom Cable is fired. Quarterbacks coach Chris Palmer was an offensive coordinator for Coughlin in Jacksonville and would be a logical choice to move into that role once again.
Gilbride’s contract with the Giants does not extend into next season.