Giants Hire Steve Spagnuolo as New Defensive Coordinator and Tim Walton as Cornerbacks Coach

 Posted by
Jan 152015
 
Steve Spagnuolo, Baltimore Ravens (January 3, 2015)

Steve Spagnuolo – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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The New York Giants have hired Steve Spagnuolo as the team’s new defensive coordinator. Spagnuolo replaces Perry Fewell who was fired by the Giants on January 7th. Spagnulo was an assistant head coach and defensive backs coach for the Baltimore Ravens in 2014. He was the Giants’ defensive coordinator in 2007-08 before becoming the head coach of the St. Louis Rams in 2009.

The Giants’ defense was ranked 7th (2007) and 5th (2008) the two years Spagnuolo was with the team.

“We spoke to a lot of very good candidates,” said Head Coach Tom Coughlin. “The energy, enthusiasm and strong personality that we saw before in Steve Spagnuolo, all of that was very evident again. His desire to be a Giant again was very, very obvious.

“Steve has so much enthusiasm in front of the room. His defense has changed since he was last here. He worked in Baltimore with John Harbaugh and Dean Pees, and they are outstanding defensive coaches. He has studied defenses. Steve visited colleges and talked to college coaches, including Urban Meyer (coach of national champion Ohio State) to learn how to defend the spread offenses that have become so popular.”

“Maria (his wife) and I are very happy to be returning to the Giants,” Spagnuolo said. “This is both new and familiar at the same time. I was hoping to take the next step, God willing, and be a coordinator again. I’m ecstatic that it’s with Tom Coughlin. Tom is the highest character guy I know. The feeling I have is one of excitement. We’re going to work our butts off, and hopefully we will do great things together.”

Spagnuolo fondly remembers the 2007 season that resulted in an NFL Championship for the Giants.

“That really was a special time,” Spagnuolo said. “What I remember most are the relationships we made with the players and coaches and everyone else in the organization. We’ve always felt like the Giants are a big part of our lives.”

Spagnuolo’s coaching bio:

  • 2014: Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Backs Coach, Baltimore Ravens
  • 2013: Senior Defensive Assistant, Baltimore Ravens
  • 2012: Defensive Coordinator, New Orleans Saints
  • 2009-2011: Head Coach, St. Louis Rams
  • 2007-2008: Defensive Coordinator, New York Giants
  • 2004-2006: Linebackers Coach, Philadelphia Eagles
  • 2001-2003: Defensive Backs Coach, Philadelphia Eagles
  • 1999-2000: Defensive Assistant/Quality Control Coach, Philadelphia Eagles
  • 1998: Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach, Frankfurt Galaxy
  • 1996-1997: Defensive Backs Coach, Bowling Green State University
  • 1994-1995: Defensive Backs Coach, Rutgers University
  • 1994: Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach, University of Maine
  • 1993: Defensive Backs Coach, University of Maine
  • 1992: Defensive Line/Special Teams Coach, Barcelona Dragons
  • 1990-1991: Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach, University of Connecticut
  • 1987-1989: Defensive Backs Coach, University of Connecticut
  • 1984-1986: Defensive Line/Special Teams Coach, Lafayette College
  • 1983: Player Personnel Department Intern, Washington Redskins
  • 1981-1982: Graduate Assistant, University of Massachusetts

Spagnuolo was one of four candidates interviewed for the position. The others were Washington Redskins Defensive Backs Coach Raheem Morris, ex-Buffalo Bills Defensive Line Coach Pepper Johnson, and ex-Oakland Raiders Head Coach Dennis Allen.

The Giants also confirmed that they have hired Tim Walton as the team’s new cornerbacks coach, replacing Peter Giunta who was also fired on January 7th. Walton was the defensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams under Head Coach Jeff Fisher in 2013. He was replaced by Gregg Williams in 2014.

Walton’s coaching bio:

  • 2013: Defensive Coordinator, St. Louis Rams
  • 2009-2012: Defensive Backs Coach, Detroit Lions
  • 2008: Defensive Coordinator, University of Memphis
  • 2007: Defensive Coordinator, University of Miami
  • 2004-2006: Defensive Backs Coach, University of Miami
  • 2003: Defensive Backs Coach, Louisiana State University
  • 2002: Defensive Backs Coach, Syracuse University
  • 2000-2001: Defensive Backs Coach, University of Memphis
  • 1999: Defensive Backs Coach, Bowling Green State University
  • 1996-1998: Running Backs Coach, Bowling Green State University
  • 1995: Graduate Assistant, Bowling Green State University

A complete listing of the team’s staff is available in the New York Giants Coaching Staff section of the website.

Article on New York Giants Defensive Coordinator Candidate Pepper Johnson: Frustrated Pepper Johnson denied again as Tom Coughlin, Giants look elsewhere for a new defensive coordinator  by Ralph Vacchiano of The New York Daily News

Article on Former Giants Head Coach Bill Parcells: Giants were seconds away from bringing Bill Parcells back in 1997 by Dan Salomone of Giants.com

Report: Giants Pass on Pepper Johnson for Defensive Coordinator

 Posted by
Jan 152015
 
Pepper Johnson, New England Patriots (November 27, 2011)

Pepper Johnson and Bill Belichick – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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According to The New York Post, Pepper Johnson has been informed by the New York Giants that he is no longer being considered to fill the team’s defensive coordinator vacancy. Johnson, who was the defensive line coach for the Buffalo Bills in 2014, interviewed with the Giants on Monday.

Johnson was a linebacker for the Giants from 1986-1992, earning two Super Bowl rings under then Head Coach Bill Parcells and then Defensive Coordinator Bill Belichick. For 14 seasons, Johnson was on Belichick’s coaching staff in New England.

Johnson’s complete coaching bio:

  • 2014: Defensive Line Coach, Buffalo Bills
  • 2012-2013: Linebackers Coach, New England Patriots
  • 2004-2011: Defensive Line Coach, New England Patriots
  • 2001-2003: Inside Linebackers Coach, New England Patriots
  • 2000: Assistant Linebackers Coach, New England Patriots

Earlier press reports have also said that Washington Redskins Defensive Backs Coach Raheem Morris is also no longer a candidate for the Giants’ defensive coordinator vacancy. Morris interviewed with the Giants last Friday.

The only two other candidates who are publicly known to have interview for the position are ex-Oakland Raiders Head Coach Dennis Allen and Baltimore Ravens Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Backs Coach Steve Spagnuolo.

To follow the latest developments on the coaching search, please check out our Twitter feed.

Article on General Manager Jerry Reese: How did Jerry Reese decide to draft Odell Beckham Jr.? by Michael Eisen of Giants.com

Article on the New York Giants Organization: The Giants’ people are no longer in demand by Dan Graziano of ESPN.com

Giants No Longer Interested in Raheem Morris?; Steve Spagnuolo to Interview This Week?

 Posted by
Jan 132015
 
Raheem Morris, Washington Redskins (October 12, 2014)

Raheem Morris – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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The local NBC affiliate in Washington, DC is reporting that the New York Giants are no longer interested in Raheem Morris as potentially the team’s next defensive coordinator. Morris, who has been the defensive backs coach for the Washington Redskins for the last three seasons, interviewed with the Giants on Friday.

Meanwhile, Pepper Johnson interviewed with the Giants for the same position on Monday. Johnson was the defensive line coach for the Buffalo Bills in 2014.

The Giants are also believed to be interested in Steve Spagnuolo, who was an assistant head coach and defensive backs coach for the Baltimore Ravens in 2014 and who served as the Giants’ defensive coordinator in 2007-2008. While NJ.com is reporting that the Giants have not yet officially asked the Ravens permission to interview Spagnuolo, Newsday is saying the Giants have in fact already done so. Newsday, The New York Post, and ESPN are reporting that the Giants are expected to interview Spagnuolo this week.

The New York Post is also reporting that a previous ESPN report that the Giants might consider their current Safeties Coach David Merritt for the defensive coordinator position is not true. Merritt has been on the Giants’ staff since 2004.

Article on New York Giants Defensive Coordinator Candidates: Odds for Giants next defensive coordinator: Steve Spagnuolo the heavy favorite by Jordan Raanan for NJ.com

Pepper Johnson Will Interview for Giants Defensive Coordinator Position Next Week

 Posted by
Jan 102015
 
Pepper Johnson, New England Patriots (November 27, 2011)

Pepper Johnson and Bill Belichick – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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Pepper Johnson Will Interview for Giants Defensive Coordinator Position Next Week: According to multiple press reports, Thomas “Pepper” Johnson will interview for the vacant New York Giants defensive coordinator position sometime next week. The 50-year old Johnson is currently the defensive line coach for the Buffalo Bills. He was a linebacker for the Giants from 1986-1992, earning two Super Bowl rings under then Head Coach Bill Parcells and then Defensive Coordinator Bill Belichick. For 14 seasons, Johnson was on Belichick’s coaching staff in New England.

Johnson’s complete coaching bio:

  • 2014: Defensive Line Coach, Buffalo Bills
  • 2012-2013: Linebackers Coach, New England Patriots
  • 2004-2011: Defensive Line Coach, New England Patriots
  • 2001-2003: Inside Linebackers Coach, New England Patriots
  • 2000: Assistant Linebackers Coach, New England Patriots

Since Johnson is still under contract with the Bills, the Giants had to request permission to speak with him. According to press reports, the Bills have done so.

The Giants have already interviewed Washington Redskins Defensive Backs Coach Raheem Morris for the position on Friday. For more information on Morris, see One Barber is a big fan of Giants D-coordinator candidate Morris by Paul Schwartz of The New York Post.

RB Rashad Jennings on WFAN Radio: The audio of New York Giants running back Rashad Jennings interview on WFAN Radio on Friday is available at CBS New York.

Article on Head Coach Tom Coughlin: You can trust Tom Coughlin not to make a selfish hire by Dan Graziano of ESPN.com

Article on Former Giants Safety Will Hill: Giants ‘party‘ casualty Will Hill: I would’ve cut me, too by Steve Serby of The New York Post

Article on Possible New York Giants Defensive Coordinator Candidate Steve Spagnuolo: Former NY Giants give Steve Spagnuolo endorsement on potential return to Big Blue by Ralph Vacchiano of The New York Daily News

Notes: The Giants finished 10th in the NFL in total offense with an average of 367.2 yards a game.

The Giants scored at least 24 points in each of their final six games, their longest such streak in 51 years. They scored 24 or more points in eight consecutive in 1963.

In 2014, the Giants outscored their opponents by 41 points in the first half (211-170) but were outscored by 61 points in the second half (230-169).

The Giants were 1-8 when they rushed for less than 100 yards.

QB Eli Manning completed a career-high 379 passes in 2014 and is one of five quarterbacks with at least 300 completions in each of the last six seasons. The others are Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Joe Flacco, and Philip Rivers.

Manning completed a career-high and franchise-record 63.1 percent of his passes this season (379 of 601).

Manning has completed 3,308 passes in his career, moving him into 13th place in NFL history.

PK Josh Brown now owns the Giants records for both single season and career field goal percentage. In 2014, Brown hit 24-of-26 attempts (one of the misses was a block). In his two seasons with the Giants, Brown has succeeded on 47-of-52 field goal attempts, a 90.4 percentage.

In the Giants’ last four games, WR Odell Beckham totaled 130, 143, 148 and 185 yards to become the first player in franchise history with four consecutive 100-yard games.

The Giants had at least one sack in all 16 games for the first time since 2007.

Giants Sign QB Ricky Stanzi and PK Chris Boswell

 Posted by
Jan 072015
 
Ricky Stanzi, Jacksonville Jaguars (August 28, 2014)

Ricky Stanzi – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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The New York Giants have signed quarterback Ricky Stanzi and place kicker Chris Boswell to reserve/future contracts. Stanzi and Boswell are the 13th and 14th players signed by the Giants to future/reserve contracts since the 2014 regular-season ended.

Stanzi was originally drafted in the 5th round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs waived him in August 2013 and he has since spent time with the Jaguars and Texans. He has never thrown a pass in a regular-season game. Stanzi has very good size and is a good athlete with a strong arm. Stanzi has inconsistent pocket toughness and accuracy. He will make some risky throws. Stanzi is not really a scrambling threat.

Boswell was originally signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2014 NFL Draft and spent time on the team’s practice squad. Boswell has experience both place kicking and punting. Boswell has a strong leg, which also aids him on kickoffs. He needs to improve his overall consistency.

Because of these moves, we have updated the Transactions and Roster sections of the website.

LB Mark Herzlich on ESPN Radio: The audio of Wednesday’s ESPN Radio interview with LB Mark Herzlich is available at ESPN.com.

Articles on New York Giants Defensive Coordinator Candidates: