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Pepper Johnson Had Potential As Defensive Coordinator Candidate For New York Giants

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By @mturnerny

Pepper Johnson New York Giants

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After parting ways with Perry Fewell, the New York Giants began their search for a new defensive coordinator. Among the men they interviewed, Buffalo Bills defensive line coach Pepper Johnson was one of the most interesting. Like current Giants offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo, he had no previous coordinator experience at the time of the interview — but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be successful.

Originally selected by the Giants in the second round of the 1986 NFL Draft, Johnson was given a shot to come home as a DC. He’s spent his time in the NFL as a linebacker and defensive line coach for the New England Patriots, in addition to coaching last season in Buffalo. Both the Patriots and Bills have underrated defenses. Is that all due to Johnson? No, but he should receive some recognition for his work with the teams.

Last season, three of the four starting linemen in Buffalo recorded at least 10 sacks. The other had 5.5. It helps that he has Mario Williams leading the way, but he’s turned this Bills’ unit into one of the best in the league. Similar to McAdoo, who was the QB coach with the Green Bay Packers, he shows tremendous promise as a coordinator despite no experience as one. He was never the favorite to win the job with New York; they were just doing their due diligence when interviewing every qualified coach.

Eli Manning had one of his best seasons as a pro under McAdoo, and that was without Victor Cruz for half and their starting running back injured. Going forward, McAdoo appears to be a very good offensive coordinator and that head coach Tom Coughlin made the right decision to trust a man with no experience. Johnson could have been the new McAdoo — possibly. Obviously, now that the Giants have informed him they are moving in another direction we’ll never know, but the possibility was there.

The decision to move on from Johnson actually says more about Coughlin than Johnson. Right now, Coughlin is on his very last chance. It’s playoffs in 2015 or it’s Coughlin looking for a job — or retirement. The McAdoo system, although it had to work out its kinks, is working. Whether Johnson’s system would have worked well enough in its first year is something we’ll never know. Coughlin couldn’t risk bringing in another coordinator with no experience; he needs someone he knows can get the job done. So while it’s unfortunate Johnson won’t be the Giants defensive coordinator next season — and I believe he would have been a great coach — inexperience is just something New York doesn’t have the luxury to afford.

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