GIANTS ADD FEWELL TO THE DEFENSE

Perry Fewell, 47, has been named defensive coordinator of the New York Giants.  Formerly a defensive backs coach in Jacksonville and Chicago, Fewell was most recently defensive coordinator and interim head coach of the Buffalo Bills.
It became obvious early on that Bill Sheridan was not a players coach.  He seemed to not want to be around the players, getting their input, or communicating directly with them. If you remember, he originally wanted to sit in the coaches booth and communicate through his assistants on the sideline.  This should have been the first hint that his tenure might be a short one.  The scheme, execution, and communication were surely lacking this year, and to have the guy at the top not want to get involved on every level certainly spelled disaster.
What I like most about the hire is that although Tom Coughlin, 62, reached into his past for a coach, he didn't go the obvious route.  The names originally thrown about were Romeo Crennel, also 62, and Dick Jauron, 59, who was Tom's defensive coordinator in Jacksonville.  The fact that he went with the younger guy on the tree, a guy he knows and has worked with before, but at 47 has the ability and the drive to improve.  A guy who can relate to the players more, while still being disciplined and a detail oriented guy as we all know Tom would demand.  Some quotes by ex-players say it all: "Perry can relate to the players.  He knows it's business, but does it in a way that makes it player friendly."  "He's a guy that demands accountability on every play.  If you don't play within the scheme of the defense, you don't play."  Sounds like Tom's kind of guy!
The other aspect of Fewell is that he is not tied to a system as most of the older coaches in the league seem to be.  We saw Dom Capers Green Bay Packers get destroyed against the Cardinals last week. The number 2 defense in the league lit up for over 50 points.  No adjustments, no answers, no new scheme or look to throw at a team that had 3 weeks to watch film.  Stubbornness is unproductive in the NFL, and it will embarrass you at every turn.  Although Fewell is thought to be a cover 2 guy, he changes his defense weekly to exploit the other team.  This is also what makes it fun for the players, nothing better than a new wrinkle to keep practice fun, and to throw it at the opposition at the most inopportune time.
He will bring fresh ideas, be a players coach, and demand excellence from every unit, but most importantly he will be involved on every level.

I believe it was a great hire.  The offensive coaching staff seems to be staying in place, but it is early still, and I think Tom might take a little larger role in game planning and implementing new ideas.  I think it was tough not knowing if the receivers were going to be able to perform, or at what level last year.
They have a better handle now on what they have in terms of weapons, and can have some fun deploying them.

Draft will be interesting.  We choose #15 as of now, a great position to move up from, or get the guy you want.  But I will address that at a later date.

Some food for thought....If Tom does not get an extension next year, or if he decides to retire in a year or two, the GIANTS will have the pleasure of being able to interview both John Gruden, and Bill Cowher for the head spot.  Pretty intriguing!