HUGE STOP FOR GIANT DEFENSE
Wink out of running for Colts job so defensive coordinator likely to be back with Big Blue
PHOENIX — Brian Daboll got a bigger win this week than his Coach of the Year award.
Giants defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale was informed on Friday that he is no longer a candidate for the Indianapolis Colts head coaching job, a source confirmed to the Daily News.
Bringing Martindale back is critical in Daboll’s effort to build on an encouraging first season.
The 2022 Giants defense ranked fifth in the NFL in third-down defense (35.1% conversion rate) and fifth in red zone defense (49.2% TD rate). Those were improvements on last season’s 16th-ranked thirddown defense (39.8%) and ninth-ranked red zone defense (52.1%).
The Giants defense blitzed opposing QBs on a league-high 44.7% of pass dropbacks this season, meaning they sent five or more rushers on nearly half of their passing snaps.
Priorities to upgrade the Giants’ defensive personnel this offseason will include corners, inside linebackers and defensive line depth to bolster Martindale’s aggressive, blitz-heavy scheme.
Daboll isn’t out of the woods yet in trying to keep his staff intact, though.
Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka was still deep in the mix for the Arizona Cardinals head coaching vacancy on Friday as a finalist alongside Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.
Daboll made a change to his staff this week, too.
The Giants parted ways unexpectedly with special teams quality control coach Nick Williams, according to sources. Williams worked three years for the Giants: two on Joe Judge’s staff as an offensive assistant and one for Daboll.
He is a good, young coach who has a bright future.