NFL

Giants’ Fewell, Panthers’ Fox could swap jobs

Reports out of Carolina indicate Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell is a very strong candidate for the Panthers’ head-coaching vacancy, perhaps the favorite to replace John Fox, who was fired after nine seasons.

That could make for a fascinating scenario: Could Fox replace Fewell with the Giants?

Stranger things have happened. Fewell has attracted interest from three teams looking for head coaches in addition to the Panthers — the Browns, 49ers and Broncos. Some of this in terest might be based on the NFL’s Rooney Rule, which stipulates a minority candidate must be interviewed be fore anyone is hired.

GRADE THE GIANTS

According to the Charlotte Observer, Fewell met yesterday with Panthers executives Marty Hurney and Danny Morrison. Fewell is a North Carolina native, born in Gastonia and raised in Cramerton.

The Panthers have four candidates for the job, all are defensive coordinators: Fewell, Ron Rivera (Chargers), Rob Ryan (Browns) and Greg Manusky (49ers).

Fewell is scheduled to meet Sunday with the Broncos. If he leaves and the Giants are in the market for a new defensive coordinator it is unlikely Tom Coughlin will promote from within, given how poorly that went with Bill Sheridan in 2009.

Fox certainly will be considered for head-coaching openings around the league but he might get shut out. Accepting a coordinator position might be his only way to stay in the league in 2011. He ran the Giants defense from 1997-2001 and continues to have great support in the Giants’ upper management and ownership. Given that Coughlin will be 65 by the start of this coming season, Fox could view this is a chance to put in his time and perhaps replace Coughlin after he retires.

paul.schwartz@nypost.com