NYG request interview with Patrick Graham for DC

Ian Rapoport
@RapSheet
�
5m
This is a big one. The #Giants potential DC with an interview coming soon.

Dolphins didn't have the horses on defense (nor on offense, which is why the jury is out on Chad O'Shea). And regardless, you have to think that the defense was more Flores than it was Graham.


And you have to wonder why the Dolphins would grant this....

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In comment 14773514 Anakim said:

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Dolphins didn't have the horses on defense (nor on offense, which is why the jury is out on Chad O'Shea). And regardless, you have to think that the defense was more Flores than it was Graham. And you have to wonder why the Dolphins would grant this....

Yup, them granting permission is odd unless they didn't want him.

Wonder if Pepper will get a look at LBs coach

...and his defensive schemes out of MetLife via a medieval catapult?
Just wondering.

Dolphins were 26th against the pass, 27th against the run, and 30th overall in defense.

And you'd have to think that Graham would call the plays in New York, so it could be a "promotion" of sorts

to the Giants if they wanted to keep him?

In comment 14773516 twostepgiants said:

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I think for Judge to be successful with a culture change he needs coordinators who understand the culture he is trying to implement, he needs guys who understand the NE way and not necessarily big name coordinators who have their own ideas

�Pat is a Yale guy,� Flores said. �He�s extremely bright. He is great with the fundamentals and has very strong leadership ability. I can�t say enough good things about him. We worked together in New England and I know the type of passion he has and the way he works. We have a lot of the same core values and beliefs from a defensive standpoint.�
This Is How A Yale Grad Became The Dolphins' Defensive Coordinator - ( New Window )

for a lateral move?

Why would Graham be interested in a lateral move?

In comment 14773527 Chris684 said:

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for a lateral move? Why would Graham be interested in a lateral move?

He'd get to call the defensive plays here unlike in Miami.

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In comment 14773527 Chris684 said:

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for a lateral move? Why would Graham be interested in a lateral move?

More money? Likes Judge? Maybe not working out in Miami? There are a million possible reasons.

He worked with the Giants in 2016 and 2017 and was born in Connecticut--he could see it as a homecoming of sorts.

I know he retained a couple guys already in place.

He was the dl coach here. Also, dolphins basically had zero talent on their defense last year and their performance reflected that. But then again our defense has holes too.

Future DC.

He's a smart cookie and was well thought of in NE, I liked him when he was here briefly. Most teams aren't going to deny permission if the guy wants to go, it doesn't seem odd at all to me.

In comment 14773541 Joey in VA said:

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He's a smart cookie and was well thought of in NE, I liked him when he was here briefly. Most teams aren't going to deny permission if the guy wants to go, it doesn't seem odd at all to me.

The only times I recall hearing about teams blocking a lateral move is when they want to maintain continuity or see a possible promotion for the coach in the future.

anyone remember why he left New England to join the Giants? That seems odd too.

Graham's departure is seen as a bit of a surprise; he played on the defensive line at Yale and slowly worked his way up the ladder on the Patriots staff. But with Matt Patricia firmly entrenched as defensive coordinator, Graham likely will experience faster professional growth with another team.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2016/01/29/linebackers-coach-patrick-graham-leaving-patriots/oyHEUzwuCOPTTsXhqvQtbM/story.html - ( New Window )

Flores calls the defensive plays. Graham presumably wants to call defensive plays.

Why would you keep an unhappy guy on your staff if you�re not willing to give up the play calling to make him happy?

In comment 14773550 Eric from BBI said:

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anyone remember why he left New England to join the Giants? That seems odd too.

From your article back in 2016:


Jeff Howe
✔
@jeffphowe
Graham is an outstanding coach. Thought he was the Pats' DC in waiting. Never heard players speak as highly of any other position coach.

52
10:06 PM - Jan 28, 2016

There was talk of him possibly being the next in line to take over as the defensive coordinator in New England if Matt Patricia were to land a head coaching job elsewhere. Perhaps moving out gives him a better opportunity at a defensive coordinator�s job.
https://www.bostonherald.com/2016/01/29/patriots-lose-lb-coach-patrick-graham-to-giants/ - ( New Window )

In comment 14773525 twostepgiants said:

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In comment 14773516 twostepgiants said: Quote: . I think for Judge to be successful with a culture change he needs coordinators who understand the culture he is trying to implement, he needs guys who understand the NE way and not necessarily big name coordinators who have their own ideas

Excellent analysis.

and selfless players.
Can he sneak Christian Wilkens in his luggage if he comes north? :)
Leonard, Dexter and Christian - that would be a front!

Defense was hot garbage....

I know they didn't have the horses but come on. Those first several games they were an embarrassment.

No better guys out there?

Apparently well-respected and has experience coaching both the defensive line and linebackers. Has coached in both a 4-3 and a 3-4.

In comment 14773522 an_idol_mind said:

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Dolphins were 26th against the pass, 27th against the run, and 30th overall in defense.

Ooof.

In comment 14773516 twostepgiants said:

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Why is that? What do u know about Graham?

In comment 14773572 BleedBlue said:

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Defense was hot garbage.... I know they didn't have the horses but come on. Those first several games they were an embarrassment. No better guys out there?

Miami was hideous for most of the year defensively (and offensively as well). Could be a result of bad coaching, or it could be a sign of how terrible the Dolphins were overall. I didn't see enough Miami games to know if they had the same mind-numblingly stupid errors that plagued the Giants.

In comment 14773579 an_idol_mind said:

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In comment 14773572 BleedBlue said: Quote: Defense was hot garbage.... I know they didn't have the horses but come on. Those first several games they were an embarrassment. No better guys out there? Miami was hideous for most of the year defensively (and offensively as well). Could be a result of bad coaching, or it could be a sign of how terrible the Dolphins were overall. I didn't see enough Miami games to know if they had the same mind-numblingly stupid errors that plagued the Giants.

I agree they didn't have much talent but this is a very blah hiring if it ended up happening. We shall see

Graham calls defensive plays for Miami. Flores does not.

why would Flores be letting him go? Very underwhelming.

In comment 14773572 BleedBlue said:

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Defense was hot garbage.... I know they didn't have the horses but come on. Those first several games they were an embarrassment. No better guys out there?

I�m not getting on any coach down in Miami, that roster is horrendous and yet they still managed to win 5 games. �Better� is subjective - do we want a veteran just because or do we want someone who Judge thinks will emulate his philosophy?

I have no preference for coordinators, we need to let Judge bring in who he�s comfortable with.

In comment 14773574 an_idol_mind said:

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Apparently well-respected and has experience coaching both the defensive line and linebackers. Has coached in both a 4-3 and a 3-4.

Jason Garrett and Steve Mills graduated from Princeton.

"Mills attended the Friends Academy in Locust Valley, and Princeton University where he graduated in 1981 with a B.A. in Sociology."

pissed about this potential move. So by that I�m encouraged. I should do my homework before posting. Lesson learned.

"As the defensive coordinator for the 2015 Seattle Seahawks Richards defense ranked first in points allowed for the season."

In comment 14773595 MtDizzle said:

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why would Flores be letting him go? Very underwhelming.

Well he wants do things different apparently. He just brought Chan Gailey out of retirement.

I will say, if Graham is DC. I don�t want to see friggin O�Shea as OC too

No more Bettcher. Wonder if they will interview others.

Seems like Judge is a smart guy, I�m assuming he�s not out to sabotage his own team. Must believe Graham is a good coach. Works for me.

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In comment 14773533 robbieballs2003 said:

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robbie - really? Any comments about him?

Art Stapleton
@art_stapleton
�
5m
.@ScoutKelley
And you are correct: Patrick Graham called the plays as defensive coordinator in Miami this season, not Flores.

A younger--off the radar--guy with a connection to Judge. When all is said and done I hope it's a mostly young coaching staff but sprinkled with the occasional older dude (like DB Coach DeWayne Walker from the Browns) and then cap it off with a seasoned vet (and a former head coach) like John Fox or Wade Phillips as Asst. Head Coach.

In comment 14773617 cosmicj said:

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In comment 14773533 robbieballs2003 said: Quote: . robbie - really? Any comments about him?

Not really. I was a DB so he wasn't the coach for my position but he was on the staff. He was young. He was still learning the ropes at that time but I was shocked he moved up so quickly to the NFL. He was very proud he went to Yale and would tell us stories about his games. He obviously worked his ass off to get to where he is at but I cannot give any insight into how he is as a coach now. I know he was still green when he was at Wagner and it probably isn't fair to compare who he was back then to who he is now.

In comment 14773621 Eric from BBI said:

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Art Stapleton @art_stapleton � 5m .@ScoutKelley And you are correct: Patrick Graham called the plays as defensive coordinator in Miami this season, not Flores.

Maybe Flores wants to take over play-calling (ergo the permission to interview).

Had our d line playing dominant in 2016, We were 2nd in team defense and tied for 2nd in amount of rushing yds allowed, but then you also have to take into account the melt down in 2017...

So it's a courtesy to allow for the inevitable process to move through faster? Maybe Graham has already told Flores he's not coming back. Just spitballing on my part because it's certainly curious that the Dolphins would allow a valued coach to leave for the same exact position.

In comment 14773635 Milton said:

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So it's a courtesy to allow for the inevitable process to move through faster? Maybe Graham has already told Flores he's not coming back. Just spitballing on my part because it's certainly curious that the Dolphins would allow a valued coach to leave for the same exact position.

A one-year contract? Doubt it.

In comment 14773523 Anakim said:

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And you'd have to think that Graham would call the plays in New York, so it could be a "promotion" of sorts

Never mind

2nd time he's been interested in a lateral move to coach here.

Let Judge be Judge. Let him build his staff.And let's not go nuts if he goes outside the conventional wisdom and names we're familiar with.

In comment 14773663 clatterbuck said:

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Let Judge be Judge. Let him build his staff.And let's not go nuts if he goes outside the conventional wisdom and names we're familiar with.

You are acting like he is fucking Belicheck. I like him too but let's not act like he has a track record of hiring great coaches.

I agree he has to hire the guys he wants but I don't think there isn't anything wrong with us having some serious concerns with unproven guys.

In comment 14773647 Eric from BBI said:

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In comment 14773635 Milton said: Quote: So it's a courtesy to allow for the inevitable process to move through faster? Maybe Graham has already told Flores he's not coming back. Just spitballing on my part because it's certainly curious that the Dolphins would allow a valued coach to leave for the same exact position. A one-year contract? Doubt it.

There was an article awhile ago about how more and more coaches are signing one year deals. They prefer the flexibility to the financial security. I tried to google it but couldn't find it. That being said, I agree that it's unlikely, I'm just trying to figure out reasons. The more likely reason is that Flores simply wasn't happy with Graham for reasons that have more to do with Flores than Graham (i.e., either philosophical or maybe Flores wants more control over the defensive game planning and play calling going forward).

Sounds like he and jj are the same when it comes to their belief system on D. Multiple - not just 3-4 4-3, weekly adjust to opposing teams, wants selfless, team first players. Tri state roots etc

Mara said they all recognized the need to have a diverse staff that includes at least 1 experienced coordinator - possibly with HC experience.

Jay Gruden, Norv Turner, and to a lesser extent Bill Callahan as OL coach, would all seem like good options to compliment the coaching staff with some experience if they do go with the younger up and coming DC.

In comment 14773672 Eric on Li said:

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Mara said they all recognized the need to have a diverse staff that includes at least 1 experienced coordinator - possibly with HC experience. Jay Gruden, Norv Turner, and to a lesser extent Bill Callahan as OL coach, would all seem like good options to compliment the coaching staff with some experience if they do go with the younger up and coming DC.

Don�t sleep on Jim Caldwell. I think he would be an excellent choice.

In comment 14773672 Eric on Li said:

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Mara said they all recognized the need to have a diverse staff that includes at least 1 experienced coordinator - possibly with HC experience. Jay Gruden, Norv Turner, and to a lesser extent Bill Callahan as OL coach, would all seem like good options to compliment the coaching staff with some experience if they do go with the younger up and coming DC.

If I had to pick only one assistant for Judge to hire I would choose Bill Callahan for the OL coach position. He has been one of the best OL coaches in football and he did a masterful job this season with the Skins line.

Dolphins were atrocious defensively

In comment 14773701 AnskyJK said:

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Dolphins were atrocious defensively

who was the best player on the dolphins defense? They were literally starting a practice squad and still won more games than we did.

In comment 14773701 AnskyJK said:

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Dolphins were atrocious defensively

Well they didn't have any talent so that's expected. Hell, Saleh wasn't that good until the defense got stacked and we're seeing the results now. First goal is to get talent

In comment 14773701 AnskyJK said:

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Dolphins were atrocious defensively

Did you see the talent on their defense? They opened the season with two Giants cuts Avery Moss and John Jenkins as starters on their defensive line. Their secondary was filled with UDFA's many of which would start the week they were signed off the street or practice squads. It's impressive that they weren't dead last in every statistical category.

In comment 14773703 Eric on Li said:

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In comment 14773701 AnskyJK said: Quote: Dolphins were atrocious defensively who was the best player on the dolphins defense? They were literally starting a practice squad and still won more games than we did.

The only good players on their defense were Minkah Fitzpatrick (traded), Christian Wilkins ( a rookie 1st round pick), LB Jerome Baker, and Xavien Howard(went on IR and only played 7 games).

In comment 14773625 Milton said:

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A younger--off the radar--guy with a connection to Judge. When all is said and done I hope it's a mostly young coaching staff but sprinkled with the occasional older dude (like DB Coach DeWayne Walker from the Browns) and then cap it off with a seasoned vet (and a former head coach) like John Fox or Wade Phillips as Asst. Head Coach.

Who gives a crap how old coaches are? Just get the most capable guys for the job.

I'd like a past Head Coach on the staff as an Asst. Coach/DC (or OC) to help guide our first time coach

You mean the Miami DC? uhhh.. oh boy

to see in him the kind of Coordinator/Coach he wants on this team. The man has a plan. We have to give him the lattitude to bring in his people.

I've learned to go against my initial assessment 🤷‍♂️. Ex. Daniel Jones

You've completely derailed this thread. Stop.

is zero percent that you knew Graham's race when you made that post

Just wondering...

Anyone have any intel on his time with giants? Perception from
Players?

In comment 14773846 AnskyJK said:

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Anyone have any intel on his time with giants? Perception from Players?

Well, one thing is he coached Avery Moss in New York and then brought him over to Miami, where he did a whole lotta nothing

Have to trade for him since it�s lateral move?

with the Giants. He's as much as saying I don't want to be in Miami if he agrees to interview with the Giants. They must have some kind of wink wink nod nod in place. The request to interview is just a legal formality IMO.

find it kind of odd to be conducting an "interview" with someone you've spent 4 years on a coaching staff with? What exactly are you going to learn about the coaching ability of a person in an interview that you wouldn't know after being a colleague of their's for 4 years? I get asking about a take on this teams personnel but just can't remember a previous coach or coaches around the league formally "interviewing" previous colleagues for staff positions, unless this is only being made a larger deal than a phone call since the Giants need permission to do such since its a lateral position.

In comment 14773923 cokeduplt said:

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Have to trade for him since it�s lateral move?

Doubt it.

In comment 14773966 GFAN52 said:

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In comment 14773923 cokeduplt said: Quote: Have to trade for him since it�s lateral move? Doubt it.

Why? The dolphins would just give him up to us out of the kindness of their hearts?

In comment 14773952 Steve in Greenwich said:

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find it kind of odd to be conducting an "interview" with someone you've spent 4 years on a coaching staff with? What exactly are you going to learn about the coaching ability of a person in an interview that you wouldn't know after being a colleague of their's for 4 years? I get asking about a take on this teams personnel but just can't remember a previous coach or coaches around the league formally "interviewing" previous colleagues for staff positions, unless this is only being made a larger deal than a phone call since the Giants need permission to do such since its a lateral position.

Steve...as you said at the end it's probably done just for legal reasons. See my 9:27 post above yours.

In comment 14773952 Steve in Greenwich said:

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find it kind of odd to be conducting an "interview" with someone you've spent 4 years on a coaching staff with? What exactly are you going to learn about the coaching ability of a person in an interview that you wouldn't know after being a colleague of their's for 4 years? I get asking about a take on this teams personnel but just can't remember a previous coach or coaches around the league formally "interviewing" previous colleagues for staff positions, unless this is only being made a larger deal than a phone call since the Giants need permission to do such since its a lateral position.

It's not odd to want to see people perform in a specific context no matter how well you know them. If Judge is considering multiple people for the job who he's worked with, or thinks highly of, it makes sense to talk to them and see what their thoughts are on the best plan for the personnel, how their strategies have evolved, etc. It also makes sense to compare those people and their plans to people who he hasn't worked with but have been successful.

Interview is nothing more than a little extra information making a decision. Most of the time not the most important thing, but why not have the extra info?

In comment 14773952 Steve in Greenwich said:

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find it kind of odd to be conducting an "interview" with someone you've spent 4 years on a coaching staff with? What exactly are you going to learn about the coaching ability of a person in an interview that you wouldn't know after being a colleague of their's for 4 years? I get asking about a take on this teams personnel but just can't remember a previous coach or coaches around the league formally "interviewing" previous colleagues for staff positions, unless this is only being made a larger deal than a phone call since the Giants need permission to do such since its a lateral position.

I don�t know about your experiences, but from mine, it doesn�t matter how long you may have worked for a company there is still a process to follow. People that have worked somewhere for 30 years still have to go through the interview process. Hell, it happens with our own team all the time. They don�t just hire someone without interviewing them. There are also people in the organization that don�t know anything about him. They will be involved in the interview as well.

About the qualifications of a potential DC who meets all your criteria - experience with Giants, young, experience as DC - because he couldn�t drag a defense stripped to the bone by Tank for Tua front office up to top 15 level.

If he gets the okay to interview and gets the job, don�t look a gift horse in the mouth.

In comment 14773952 Steve in Greenwich said:

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find it kind of odd to be conducting an "interview" with someone you've spent 4 years on a coaching staff with?

Besides the fact that it's normal protocol, Graham wasn't a defensive coordinator when Judge worked with him. So it makes sense to ask questions regarding what he learned from being a defensive coordinator. Being a position coach and being a coordinator require two very different skill sets.

It's difficult to take a lot away from the Dolphins defense last season. It was the least talented defensive unit in the NFL, by a lot.

On the plus side, the Dolphins defense played really hard all year.

They were also one of the least penalized defenses in the NFL.

It is weird that Miami is granting Graham permission to interview, but, if they didn't like him, I'm guessing they would have fired him with the other coaches that got fired. My guess is this is more of the Dolphins doing the right thing.

If Graham is good why would they give him to the Giants. If you're their GM, explain that to the Dolphin fans, if he does well here.

'Cause you wanted to do the "right thing" ?

Pardon the pun -I smell a fish.

In comment 14773630 aGiantGuy said:

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Had our d line playing dominant in 2016, We were 2nd in team defense and tied for 2nd in amount of rushing yds allowed, but then you also have to take into account the melt down in 2017...

To this day I will forever believe that the meltdown in 2017 happened because that entire team was too thin skinned and McAdoo had zero command over them. So everything was all good when they were winning, but literally a few tough losses strung together to start the season and everyone was ready to jump ship and point fingers. Then at that point the failure just became a self fulfilling prophecy. It was pathetic.

Remember when Coughlins Giants started 0-6 in 2013 and it didn�t even seem like anyone was panicking: but in 2017 I honestly don�t even think that team was that bad to begin with, I mean come on you don�t go 11-5 and then just become a terrible team over night. It was the same team! They just didn�t play their A game early on and on top of that had a number of 1 score losses (as opposed to the 1 score wins in 2016) but the ball bounces differently here or there who�s to say they don�t win a few more games and then they wouldn�t have had that embarrassing spiral of doom. I�ve never seen a group of professional athletes destroy their team so quickly over what could have been a temporary slump /losing streak if they had just kept their cool.

There was no strong leadership and so many guys let their egos get so hurt by some media/fans grilling them for the losses and instead of remaining unflappably and trying to right the ship they just all self destructed.

In comment 14774461 AdamBrag said:

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It's difficult to take a lot away from the Dolphins defense last season. It was the least talented defensive unit in the NFL, by a lot. On the plus side, the Dolphins defense played really hard all year. They were also one of the least penalized defenses in the NFL. It is weird that Miami is granting Graham permission to interview, but, if they didn't like him, I'm guessing they would have fired him with the other coaches that got fired. My guess is this is more of the Dolphins doing the right thing.

It�s possible that Graham wasn�t happy in Miami, but told them he�d stay and give it his all as long as they were willing to let him interview if a team from Northeast requested it.

In comment 14774469 Manny in CA said:

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If Graham is good why would they give him to the Giants. If you're their GM, explain that to the Dolphin fans, if he does well here. 'Cause you wanted to do the "right thing" ? Pardon the pun -I smell a fish.

Possible or disagreement in philosophies etc.

!!!