Steve Spagnuolo Stays With the New York Giants: Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has decided to remain with the Giants after lengthy, 2-day talks with the Washington Redskins and Redskins’ owner Dan Snyder regarding their head coaching vacancy. According to Spagnulo’s agent, Spagnuolo withdrew his name from consideration before being offered a contract by the Redskins.
“His heart was in New York City,” said Spagnuolo’s agent. “He loves the organization. He loves the team. He loves the city. At the end of the day, he couldn’t leave.”
“I appreciated Mr. Snyder giving me the opportunity to visit with him,” said Spagnuolo in a prepared statement. “I have a great deal of respect for him and the Washington Redskins organization. I was happy to have the opportunity to explore that situation, but I am equally happy to be staying in New York and look forward to continued success with the Giants.”
“I thought Steve and our defensive staff and players did an outstanding job this season,” said Head Coach Tom Coughlin. “It was the first season for that group to work together, and they challenged themselves to get better every week, and they did. Steve is a hard worker who has quickly earned the respect of the players and coaches, and he has earned the consideration he is being given. Needless to say, I am happy that he will be remaining here.”
ESPN is reporting that the Giants have given Spagnuolo a new 3-year contract worth more than $2 million per season, making him one of the highest-paid defensive coordinators in the NFL.
The Star-Ledger is reporting that when told via text message Spagnuolo had decided to return, one defensive player replied, “Wooooooohooooooo!”
“It just shows (Spagnuolo) is a real loyal person, first of all, by coming back to this team, when he could have easily been a head coach elsewhere,” said CB Aaron Ross. “That speaks tremendously about him and makes you want to play for him even more. By making this move he got more respect from the defensive unit.”
New Contract Coming for Coughlin: Giants’ President and CEO John Mara said yesterday that new contract extension for Head Coach Tom Coughlin will be coming shortly. The Star-Ledger says preliminary discussions have already been held.
“I’ve spoken to Gary and we’ll probably talk again sometime next week, but I’m not going to be sending out weekly updates,” said Mara. “I told both Tom and Gary, ‘It’s a priority for us and we’ll get this done.’ And we will.”
Strahan May Replace Umenyiora at Pro Bowl: DE Osi Umenyiora has the flu and might drop out of this weekend’s Pro Bowl. If Umenyiora drops out, DE Michael Strahan is the next alternate in line. It would be Strahan’s eighth Pro Bowl appearance.
Giants Re-Sign Seven Players from Practice Squad: According to NFLPA.org and ProFootballWeekly.com, the Giants re-signed the following seven players on February 6th. All seven finished the 2007 season on the Giants’ Practice Squad: HB Kay-Jay Harris, WR Brandon London, TE Marcus Freeman, OT Na’Shan Goddard, OT Brandon Torrey, CB Darren Barnett, and S Andrew Shanle.
Article on the Giants’ Playoff Run: Opponents Had Five Chances to Derail Giants’ Super Fortunes by Ralph Vacchiano of The Daily News