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New York Giants fire defensive coordinator Perry Fewell

Dec 14, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin (left) and defensive coordinator Perry Fewell (right) coach against the Washington Redskins during the second quarter of a game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin (left) and defensive coordinator Perry Fewell (right) coach against the Washington Redskins during the second quarter of a game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Giants have parted ways with defensive coordinator Perry Fewell.

After another failed campaign, it appears the New York Giants are starting from scratch on defense. Perry Fewell, who headed up one of the league’s worst defensive units, has been fired by the Giants as they prepare to start from scratch on that side of the ball.

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The 2014 NFL season was Fewell’s fifth with the Giants and it was arguably the team’s worst on defense. The defense allowed the fourth-most yards per game in the league, led by an especially porous run defense, which allowed over 135 yards/game en route to a 6-10 team record.

Fewell was defensive coordinator for the 2011 Giants team that won its second Super Bowl in five years. His defense proved instrumental in holding each of its playoff opponents to 20 or fewer points.

He served previously as the defensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills, finishing his time in Buffalo as interim head coach after the dismissal of Dick Jauron. He went 3-4 in the latter part of his season atop the coaching staff. Fewell had interviewed for the head coaching position in Buffalo after his interim year, but the team went with Chan Gailey, opening the door for Fewell to work under Tom Coughlin with the Giants.

This seems like fortunate timing for all parties involved. The Giants need to re-establish their identity and fortify their front seven once more, among other concerns, while Fewell will have more opportunities to helm a defense elsewhere. He now has ten years of experience as a defensive coordinator and his name could shoot to the top of a few team’s wish list.

A team like the San Francisco 49ers could bring in an offensively inclined head coach who might want to bring Fewell on board to run a defense that will need less tutelage. Given the talent at hand, it’s not hard to imagine that Fewell could quickly turn that unit back into a top ten squad.

Fewell could also find a home with a team like the Atlanta Falcons, who will be looking for a new staff whenever they hire a new head coach.

Regardless of what he does or where he goes, Perry Fewell will find employment again. The New York Giants meanwhile, have plenty of work to do. They aren’t in the basement of their division thanks to the Washington Redskins, but they’re close and this offseason will be critical in turning that around. That much starts with the hire of a new defensive coordinator.

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