Pat Shurmur will call plays for the New York Giants, and James Bettcher has an interview for the defensive coordinator position.
Pat Shurmur has wasted no time in deciding how he is going to run the New York Giants after being hired on Jan. 22 as the head coach. Mike Garafolo reported on the NFL Network that Shurmur is expected to call his own plays, regardless of who he hires as offensive coordinator.
Pat Shurmur is the new head coach of the Giants and looks like he will be calling plays.
What does it mean for Eli Manning's future?
?: @MikeGarafolo // #TheAftermath pic.twitter.com/3BQzWhzDYJ
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) January 23, 2018
This brings back some unpleasant memories, as Ben McAdoo called plays for most of his 28-game tenure as the head coach, however, Shurmur has a better resume than McAdoo.
McAdoo only had two years of playcalling experience before becoming the head coach, spending two years as the team’s offensive coordinator. However, Shurmur has spent seven seasons as an offensive coordinator between the Eagles, Vikings, and Rams, as well as serving as the Browns head coach for two seasons, and interim head coach of the Eagles for the final game of the 2015 season.
Shurmur has prior head coaching experience and thus has a better understanding of what is required of a head coach. He also has a reputation as a quarterback guru, which should help Eli Manning and Davis Webb.
Bettcher to interview for DC
Shurmur and the Giants have also begun the process of filling out their coaching staff, as NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that James Bettcher has an interview scheduled with the Giants.
Former #AZCardinals DC James Bettcher is sxheduled to meet with the #Titans and the #Giants for their vacant coordinator jobs today here in Mobile, sources say. A top candidate for both.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 23, 2018
Bettcher has spent the previous three seasons as defensive coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals, where he maintained a high-level defense. The Cardinals finished in the top six in yards against in all three of his years there, finishing fifth in 2015, second in 2016, and sixth in 2017. They were seventh in points allowed in 2015.
Bettcher would have a chance to take over a defense with solid pieces already in place, led by Landon Collins and the perpetually underrated Damon Harrison.
Jack Del Rio is also reported to be a favorite for the defensive coordinator job.
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