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Sullivan hired as new QB Coach

Josh in the City : 12/31/2014 4:02 pm
According to Ralph:
The Giants have hired Mike Sullivan as their new QBs coach.
Let's bring back the whole gang  
Josh in the City : 12/31/2014 4:03 pm : link
Sullivan first, Spags next?
Woot!  
Bold Ruler : Mod : 12/31/2014 4:05 pm : link
Sounds good to me!
The Last Hurrah!  
GiantsBRFan : 12/31/2014 4:05 pm : link
.
Very good initial move.....  
Simms11 : 12/31/2014 4:05 pm : link
Eli thrived under Sully.
O.K.  
mitch300 : 12/31/2014 4:05 pm : link
my memory sucks. Did Eli excel under him, and why did he leave.
He went to Tampa  
NYerInMA : 12/31/2014 4:06 pm : link
To be Schiano's OC if I remember correctly.
RE: O.K.  
Simms11 : 12/31/2014 4:07 pm : link
In comment 12065607 mitch300 said:
Quote:
my memory sucks. Did Eli excel under him, and why did he leave.


Yes and he went to Tampa Bay to be the OC there.
RE: O.K.  
Josh in the City : 12/31/2014 4:07 pm : link
In comment 12065607 mitch300 said:
Quote:
my memory sucks. Did Eli excel under him, and why did he leave.


He had his best season ever under Sullivan in 2011.
That's great.  
yatqb : 12/31/2014 4:08 pm : link
He was terrific with Eli in the past. Hopefully he works well with McAdoo.
Great  
mitch300 : 12/31/2014 4:09 pm : link
news. Now all we need to hear is that Quinn is not coming back.
Agree yatqb. Very smart move as Eli had some of his best years under  
TheMick7 : 12/31/2014 4:10 pm : link
him. Seamless & it gives Sully time to study McAdoo's offense!
If Eli remembers  
old man : 12/31/2014 4:13 pm : link
the good things DL taught him, which he will, as someone said, 'seamless' transition.
Sullivan was  
TMS : 12/31/2014 4:17 pm : link
always highly regarded here and considered a possible HC in waiting. He is back at the bottom but he is good at that job. Good move. Fewell would be a great AC as well but DC is over his head.
Nice  
figgy2989 : 12/31/2014 4:17 pm : link
Getting the band back together...hopefully Spags isn't too far behind.
"I can't wait to get started."  
Vin R : 12/31/2014 4:18 pm : link
.
I thought they might hire a "McAdoo guy"  
Ben in Tampa : 12/31/2014 4:21 pm : link
Someone with a WCO/New System background. Anyways, welcome back, I always liked Coach Sullivan.
RE: I thought they might hire a  
AnishPatel : 12/31/2014 4:22 pm : link
In comment 12065647 Ben in Tampa said:
Quote:
Someone with a WCO/New System background. Anyways, welcome back, I always liked Coach Sullivan.


Me too, that's surprising. I figured we would get someone with a WCO background. But I like Sully so good for him.
Surprising but good move  
GloryDayz : 12/31/2014 4:29 pm : link
Players like him and played well for him at WR & QB.

I remember even Plax had only great things to say about him.
Yea, well  
fatboy : 12/31/2014 4:37 pm : link
this makes me happy.
Here...  
Eric from BBI : Admin : 12/31/2014 4:38 pm : link
is article with quotes from Sullivan, Eli, and Coughlin...
Giants Bring Back Mike Sullivan as Quarterbacks Coach - ( New Window )
RE: RE: I thought they might hire a  
Jolly_Blue_Giant : 12/31/2014 4:41 pm : link
In comment 12065651 AnishPatel said:
Quote:
In comment 12065647 Ben in Tampa said:


Quote:


Someone with a WCO/New System background. Anyways, welcome back, I always liked Coach Sullivan.



Me too, that's surprising. I figured we would get someone with a WCO background. But I like Sully so good for him.


Giants are super loyal and will always give preferential treatment to guys who did well here previously. Spags hopefully is next.
It thought they'd get a West Coat guy too  
Optimus-NY : 12/31/2014 4:41 pm : link
Interesting. Sully is a guy who players spoke about in a very positive light, so he's got a strong connection with them from that standpoint. Sully was also here as QB coach in 2011 when Eli had his best season, so he has that going for him. Time for Sully to hit the books and learn McAdoo's offense. This also is another internal candidate to replace TC should the time come in the next 1 to 3 years; which is increasingly more likely. That's two relatively young guys on staff now who are realistic in-house candidates to ascend to the HC spot as opposed to what they had before. We all know that the Giants think highly of Sully. This just confirms it.
RE: Agree yatqb. Very smart move as Eli had some of his best years under  
yatqb : 12/31/2014 4:42 pm : link
In comment 12065622 TheMick7 said:
Quote:
him. Seamless & it gives Sully time to study McAdoo's offense!


Yup, Mick. And TC knows him and knows he can rely upon him.
...  
Eric from BBI : Admin : 12/31/2014 4:45 pm : link
Jordan Raanan ‏@JordanRaanan 50s51 seconds ago

The #Giants just spent a full year teaching/altering Eli's footwork and now re-hired the coach that helped refine old footwork. Just saying.
I call bullshit on that one  
Jon from PA : 12/31/2014 4:46 pm : link
Eric .
wow  
mdc1 : 12/31/2014 4:46 pm : link
talk about stepping backwards. this team and Sullivan.
Good post Eric  
Optimus-NY : 12/31/2014 4:47 pm : link
That part of it does have me scratching my head.
Maybe sully will be the new of someday when McAdoo is H C  
GiantBlue : 12/31/2014 4:54 pm : link
Logical progression.
Just means that now Sully will help Eli  
NYerInMA : 12/31/2014 4:54 pm : link
refine his new footwork!
Ugh....  
GiantBlue : 12/31/2014 4:55 pm : link
Offensive coordinator
What happened to Sully?  
Dye Job : 12/31/2014 4:59 pm : link
I let him go.
Hard to imagine that Sully can't adapt to Eli's new footwork  
yatqb : 12/31/2014 5:00 pm : link
as opposed to the other way around.
Love bringing Sullivan back  
Emil : 12/31/2014 5:04 pm : link
Not worried at all about the new footwork vs old footwork. MacAdoo is the OC and if his scheme requires the QB to operate with a certain foot forward, that's what Sullivan is going to do. Plus Eli is 34, has successfully run two different offenses and I think we can all assume that Eli is going to go with what worked for him in 2014.

The most important thing for a veteran like Eli is to have a guy he is comfortable with, who knows him, what his strengths and weaknesses are, and how he likes to play the position. Sullivan is all those things. Also, regardless of the offensive scheme, the Giants are trying to turn into the same type of offensive identity they had in 2011. Three WRs who can make you pay, and a QB who likes to challenge DBs. Lots of reasons to like having Sullivan here in 2015.
Good footwork is good footwork.  
Ira : 12/31/2014 5:04 pm : link
Does it matter whether it's a West Coast offense or not?
Raanan was the guy who said he would trade Eli for Foles  
JCin332 : 12/31/2014 5:08 pm : link
at the beginning of the season..
Raanan  
Emil : 12/31/2014 5:10 pm : link
Does not impress me. I actually wonder how much of the game he understands and how informed he actually is when compared to other writers.
i don't understand the footwork comments  
GiantsFan84 : 12/31/2014 5:10 pm : link
they are two different offenses, of course there will be different footwork being taught.

by all accounts Sullivan is a very bright guy who has worked with different positions. i'm sure he can teach the right techniques
Great comments by Coughlin  
Emil : 12/31/2014 5:11 pm : link
Heck, how could you not hire this guy.

Mike has been with us a long time and hes a quality, quality person with a wonderful family, and he is versatile, Coughlin said. Hes a West Point grad. Hes smart. Hes disciplined. He does it all. Hes a worker. He has an outstanding work ethic and hes a very positive guy. Hes a very positive and uplifting guy.
RE: What happened to Sully?  
GmanND : 12/31/2014 5:11 pm : link
In comment 12065724 Dye Job said:
Quote:
I let him go.


Don't disturb my friend, he's dead tired...
First thing he needs to do is get Eli off the Discount Double Diet  
ghost718 : 12/31/2014 5:13 pm : link
He's looking a little skinny back there these days.

With this offensive line,all I will say is they better get that man some Five Guys.
Did sullivan do any coaching  
mdc1 : 12/31/2014 5:15 pm : link
this past season? I do not see much since being released from Tampa Bay.
RE: First thing he needs to do is get Eli off the Discount Double Diet  
Emil : 12/31/2014 5:17 pm : link
In comment 12065773 ghost718 said:
Quote:
He's looking a little skinny back there these days.

With this offensive line,all I will say is they better get that man some Five Guys.


Actually thought Eli looked the most athletic I had seen him in quite awhile. At age 34, I don't want him to change a thing.
RE: First thing he needs to do is get Eli off the Discount Double Diet  
mdc1 : 12/31/2014 5:17 pm : link
In comment 12065773 ghost718 said:
Quote:
He's looking a little skinny back there these days.

With this offensive line,all I will say is they better get that man some Five Guys.


Maybe the footwork he can teach him is to run for his life given our crappy oline from the previous years.
RE: Here...  
GloryDayz : 12/31/2014 5:19 pm : link
In comment 12065682 Eric from BBI said:
Quote:
is article with quotes from Sullivan, Eli, and Coughlin... Giants Bring Back Mike Sullivan as Quarterbacks Coach - ( New Window )


Says he was a consultant with the Bucs in 2014.... What exactly is that for a guy who was OC? When I think of consultants in the NFL it's usually ex-HCs or ex-GMs.
I LOVE this move  
Sonic Youth : 12/31/2014 5:23 pm : link
Eli's pocket presence/awareness was INCREDIBLE during 2011.. just take a look at the JPP blocked FG game or NFC Champ game in SF if you need proof. Eli regressed a little without Sully (mostly due to the O-line), but let's not forget how 2011 was Eli's one true HOF status season (all the way through).

This isn't tap dancing, it's the NFL, and I have a tough time believing that Sullivan won't be able to adjust to whatever McAdoo's offense need and build around the progress Eli has already made this year.

If we can sign a Guard and draft another O-lineman, and IF Cruz comes back healthy next year (biggest if), it would not surprise me to see Eli have a season where he is considered a top 5 QB without question.

One more year in an offense + an improved line talent wise + an improved line experience wise + Cruz benefitting from Beckham's presence and playing primarily in the slot with Randle (hopefully also improving) on the outside....

IF it all comes together (IF), I can see 35+ TDs, less than 12 INTs, and 4500 yards.
People forget how crappy our O-line was in 2011  
DieHard : 12/31/2014 5:36 pm : link
And Eli still had a career year, thanks in part to Sullivan. Glad he's back.
RE: ...  
BigBlueDownTheShore : 12/31/2014 5:37 pm : link
In comment 12065695 Eric from BBI said:
Quote:
Jordan Raanan ‏@JordanRaanan 50s51 seconds ago

The #Giants just spent a full year teaching/altering Eli's footwork and now re-hired the coach that helped refine old footwork. Just saying.


I had the same thoughts as well. Hopefully MaCadoo can help teach Sullivan the nuances to keep reinforcing them with Eli. Eli has started to play really well in the new offense I would hate to see more changes to his mechanics.
It's true the Giants are very loyal,  
81_Great_Dane : 12/31/2014 5:44 pm : link
and Sullivan fits the profile of a Giants/Coughlin hire -- Personally, I don't see how "wonderful family" and "West Point grad" are important qualifications for an NFL coach, but what do I know? -- but the bigger thing is, Eli likes working with him, and did great under his tutelage.

Eli has a lot of clout with things like which QB coach they hire, which receivers they keep, etc.
Don't Like Raanan,  
clatterbuck : 12/31/2014 5:48 pm : link
He's likes to stir the pot and goes out of his way to try and be controversial. Very immature as a beat reporter.
I have little use for Ranaan, but his observation isn't unfair.  
Riggies : 12/31/2014 6:04 pm : link
Sullivan did great work with Eli previously, but it would have made far more sense to hire someone whose roots weren't in the system (and thereby footwork) they worked so hard to move on from this past year.
Don't Like Raanan  
Samiam : 12/31/2014 6:05 pm : link
Just saying
RE: RE: What happened to Sully?  
JCin332 : 12/31/2014 6:14 pm : link
In comment 12065766 GmanND said:
Quote:
In comment 12065724 Dye Job said:


Quote:


I let him go.



Don't disturb my friend, he's dead tired...


Hey Sully remember I said I'd kill you last...I lied...

Smart rehire  
Torrag : 12/31/2014 6:33 pm : link
He and Eli had success working together and a nice rapport. If we can get Spags back in the fold next we are on our way.
Just saying,  
Semipro Lineman : 12/31/2014 6:41 pm : link
I think this footwork concern stuff is offbase. First, a QB coach job involves more than doing footwork drills with his QB. Other mechanics, game plan, etc, etc...

Plus while the new WCO requires different footwork than the prior one, the footwork is tied into the routes called. That's a constant for every offense.

Learning and teaching the footwork should be easy for an established nfl level coach otherwise no one would be able to coach outside of their first learned system
I wonder how this works in the context of an offense that Sullivan  
Ten Ton Hammer : 12/31/2014 6:43 pm : link
has no familiarity with. He's going to have to learn fro McAdoo before he can teach anything.
Umm... Is he bringing Ramses Barden with him?  
Mason : 12/31/2014 6:49 pm : link
He was fired by the Bucs but still paid to be a consultant for them. I guess he did a bang up job down there in Tampa. This coming season should be full of laughs.
He interviewed for the Giants OC job last year  
Mason : 12/31/2014 6:51 pm : link
what happened? Must be a change of opinion because he sure didn't improve his stock with Tampa.
RE: He interviewed for the Giants OC job last year  
Ten Ton Hammer : 12/31/2014 6:55 pm : link
In comment 12065984 Mason said:
Quote:
what happened? Must be a change of opinion because he sure didn't improve his stock with Tampa.


The point of last season was to bring in a new offensive scheme. Hiring a guy who learned from Gilbride doesn't do that. What happened is the job description changed.
RE: He interviewed for the Giants OC job last year  
GloryDayz : 12/31/2014 6:59 pm : link
In comment 12065984 Mason said:
Quote:
what happened? Must be a change of opinion because he sure didn't improve his stock with Tampa.


Different position, totally different criteria for selection.

Giants wanted a different system obviously... how do they accomplish that with an OC from the same system the wanted out?

mmmm  
giantfanboy : 12/31/2014 6:59 pm : link
are they setting up post TC coaching?

McAdoo is HC
Sullivan is OC
The fact  
BigBlueCane : 12/31/2014 7:04 pm : link
that McAdoo wasn't interviewed is telling. Coughlin is going to go out with HIS guys in position and hell with everyone else apparently.
Raanan came on the thread talking about Langsdorf leaving  
montanagiant : 12/31/2014 7:10 pm : link
You may disagree with him, but he did a good job discussing what he wrote and it was good that he explained his meaning.
Ranaan i mean  
montanagiant : 12/31/2014 7:12 pm : link
.
interesting  
GMenLTS : 12/31/2014 7:39 pm : link
Definitely wouldn't have guessed this one.
Sullivan  
Matt in SGS : 12/31/2014 9:00 pm : link
has been thought highly of in the Giants front office for years. From the outside looking in, it would seem that the Giants were looking for a way to bring him back on to the staff and Langsdorf was an obvious target to nudge out the door to find a slot for Sullivan. I get that the whole footwork part could be a concern, but I would think that McAdoo will work with Sullivan to push how he wants the offense runs and he will figure it out.

Ultimately, I still think that the Giants are going to focus in 2015 on bringing along coaches who they feel will be in position to set themselves up as a TC replacement in 2016. Keeping McAdoo, bringing back Sullivan, potentially bringing back Spags.
Matt does the QB coach work solely on fundamentals  
Bobby Humphrey's Earpad : 12/31/2014 9:21 pm : link
i.e. footwork and mechanics, or does it also include progressions, protection calls, etc.? I mean Gilbride was the QB coach for a couple of years, so it can't be that limited.
Matt: You think they "nudged" DL out?  
drkenneth : 12/31/2014 9:51 pm : link
I totally agree with the TC successor (BM/SS/MS). They needed to upgrade the staff as well.

KG/PF were never going to be HC. They needed internal candidates.
Sounds like for TC  
Jay in Toronto : 12/31/2014 9:58 pm : link
Being a West Point guy is way more important than being a West Coast guy.
in a copy cat league  
fkap : 12/31/2014 10:02 pm : link
sully was the only one who tried to institute the Giants 2 SB wins in 4 years system, and it crashed and burned.

has any Coughlin disciple gone on to succeed at better things?
Good news IMO.  
BlueLou : 1/1/2015 2:09 am : link
Wasn't it Sully who added a bunch of drills for Eli to practice awkward throws - back leg, across the body, feet immobile, whatever - and I think that practice was crucial for Eli to succeed behind the shit show O-line in 2011.

Different approach I gather than Langsdorf but maybe they can synthesize the 2 approaches?
RE: It's true the Giants are very loyal,  
Bill L : 1/1/2015 8:13 am : link
In comment 12065849 81_Great_Dane said:
Quote:
and Sullivan fits the profile of a Giants/Coughlin hire -- Personally, I don't see how "wonderful family" and "West Point grad" are important qualifications for an NFL coach, but what do I know? -- but the bigger thing is, Eli likes working with him, and did great under his tutelage.

Eli has a lot of clout with things like which QB coach they hire, which receivers they keep, etc.


I think it's because those two things bring with them an inherent assumption of the latter parts of his quote: work ethic, discipline, competence, etc. I think you see that in a lot of hirings, not in football, or not only in football, where the entirety of a person provides additional confidence in how he will perform in a job.
I hope we find out if Eli had any input into the hiring decision.  
Marty in Albany : 1/1/2015 8:26 am : link
.
eric  
wash88 : 1/1/2015 8:48 am : link
I said same last night.
Sullivan doesnt do west coast
style.. I dought he teaches footwork.
Also Eli never mastered it so maybe
Let him do whats natural...like
Rivers sidearm throws.
If its that key they should have
got a west coast coach..
KG said recently.. eli didnt need
new system just an olive. ..
IMO eli isnt mobile enough for
this system...never will excel.
They need to decide before
long term extension.
Not a joke  
wash88 : 1/1/2015 8:53 am : link
But I was wondering if Eli could
pay someone to teach him to run.
Hes not fat...cant imagine an obstical
course or track type agility couldnt
improve his movement...
Agree w Bill L  
NEJINTSFAN : 1/1/2015 9:03 am : link
Besides:

Sully- well regarded, highly successful Giants AC, successfully coaching Eli, comfort between these two men and organization as a whole-why introduce yet another new coach for Eli to deal with? Did I also mention SB ring?

TC- -highly respected NFL, HOF coach- 3 SB rings, successful college football coach, history of developing successful QBs, & offenses, in depth knowledge of league, NFL personnel, intimate knowledge and excellent relationship with his players, staff, NYG organization

Ranaan, & NYC beat writers: zero NFL experience, zero NFL or college coaching or head experience, near zero football knowledge, and zero organizational management experience- Why take seriously these thoughtless musings? Who's better to assess NYG assistant coach fit- TC, Ranaan or some pre-pubescent BBI posters? Let's get real, people!


Doesn't matter if he's highly regarded  
BigBlueCane : 1/1/2015 9:05 am : link
the question is does he mesh with the 'new' offensive philosophy.

I don't think this is an open and shut case of being a great hire.
If Eli is happy and he is  
Headhunter : 1/1/2015 9:36 am : link
it is a great hire. End of story
Silly comments  
NEJINTSFAN : 1/1/2015 9:37 am : link
McAdoo's approach also didn't "mesh" with TCs approach nor Eli's. These are professionals, not one dimensional robotrons- they adjust as needed.l and certainly TC and Eli have demonstrated that this organizatin can do so. That's why TC always emphasizes professionalism and the quality of the individual.
Delete "I and " above- iPhone typo  
NEJINTSFAN : 1/1/2015 9:40 am : link
.
McAdoo was brought in in large part *because* he didn't fit with the  
Riggies : 1/1/2015 10:18 am : link
established offensive philosophy, with the approach for the previous decade, and they were looking to make major changes.

They're not changing things that way this offseason and bringing in a QBC that has his footings so solidly in the offense they worked so hard to move away from is pretty puzzling, on the surface, even if he is tight with Eli and Coughlin likes his West Point background. Maybe Sullivan can learn new tricks, but it probably shouldn't be the Giants concern to teach him them and bet on him learning them fast enough to be able to teach/mentor/maintain the QB's effectively.

This could potentially backfire, Sean Ryan-style.
Anything could backfire  
NEJINTSFAN : 1/1/2015 11:16 am : link
McAdoo's offense sucked wind the first 8 weeks. Spags was a bust when he first joined the NYG and has been a bust ever since. My point is that I trust TC, Eli et al. far more on this decision than I do a completely clueless beat reporter and a bunch of failed, wannabe NFL Madden HCs all of whom have had ZERO NFL experience.
McAdoo's offense didn't suck  
BigBlueCane : 1/1/2015 11:18 am : link
what sucked was Coughlin's attempts at forcing his philosophy to integrate with it.
Ok  
NEJINTSFAN : 1/1/2015 11:33 am : link
So when the offense sucked it was on TC and when it worked it was McAdoo? If anything, it worked when they went Gilbride on this offense so the TF influence, if there even was one approach appeared to occur in the second half.
TC not TF  
NEJINTSFAN : 1/1/2015 11:34 am : link
Above
is it just me  
fkap : 1/1/2015 3:05 pm : link
or does our 'new' offense have a lot in common with the old: gotta run the ball a lot, even if we can't run, and a lot of long passes.

under McAdoo, we've forced in more mid range passes, but this still has a lot of Coughlin written all over it.
The idea that coaches only know how to coach one system  
Section331 : 1/1/2015 3:12 pm : link
is ridiculous. I'm pretty sure Sullivan can adapt pretty quickly to the WCO. Besides, a QB coach does a lot more than just drill footwork.
RE: The idea that coaches only know how to coach one system  
Semipro Lineman : 1/1/2015 3:24 pm : link
In comment 12066911 Section331 said:
Quote:
is ridiculous. I'm pretty sure Sullivan can adapt pretty quickly to the WCO. Besides, a QB coach does a lot more than just drill footwork.


Shhhhh!!!!!!
Don't tell the worry-nannies that. They don't want to hear that sounds like a reasonable and logical conclusion. It would break their little hearts :-(
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