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Ralph Vacchiano
NFC East Reporter
The players in the New York Giants locker room seemed to love Wink Martindale. Opponents routinely complained about how difficult it was to prepare to play against his scheme. Fans loved his aggressive, blitzing style and the way he got production out of an undermanned roster.
He won’t be easy to replace.
But the Giants will have to replace him now that the 60-year-old Martindale has decided to resign from his job with the team, according to a source. He had not officially done so as of Monday morning, the source said, but the team knows it’s coming. He’s under contract for a year, but “He’s not staying,” the source insisted. “It’s over.”
The reason for the split was increasing tension between Martindale and Giants head coach Brian Daboll, which FOX Sports NFL insider Jay Glazer first revealed in December. It only got worse late in the season, the source said, making it nearly impossible the two could continue working together for another year.
Not everyone in the Giants’ front office is thrilled with the split. There was some internal hope the two could work things out, one team source said. They liked how hard the defense played, the source added, even though it was statistically the fourth-worst in the NFL this year.
But the split is inevitable, which means the search for Martindale’s replacement will soon be on. So here’s a look at some of the candidates Daboll might consider. And considering the head coach might be on the hot seat himself next season, who he picks to be his defensive coordinator will be one of the most crucial decisions he ever makes:
Antonio Pierce: If the Las Vegas Raiders don’t give their interim head coach the permanent job, the former Giants linebacker could vault to the top of this list. He is revered inside the organization, known as one of the best leaders and smartest players they’ve had in the last 20-plus years. And while he’s never been a defensive…
Source link : https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/9-candidates-to-replace-wink-martindale-as-giants-defensive-coordinator
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Publish date : 2024-01-09 17:58:34
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