Giants to interview Pepper
Nowhere is an interesting possibility: The Giants, trying to rekindle the ferocious defenses of yesteryear, reach back and take a player off one of those great units to revitalize their defense in 2015.
It could happen, as Pepper Johnson next week will interview for the Giants’ defensive coordinator job left vacant when, last week, coach Tom Coughlin fired Perry Fewell— who had held that role since 2010.
Johnson, 50, was once part of a renowned Giants defense, playing linebacker for Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick, alongside LawrenceTaylor, HarryCarson andCarl Banks. Nowhe might get a chance to return to the Giants to run their defense.
“I would have to calm down my emotions, but I would love that opportunity,” Johnson told The Post’s Steve Serby last Wednesday.
Coughlin already has interviewed RaheemMorris, the former Buccaneers head coach and currently the Redskins’ defensive backs coach. Coughlin also is expected to reach out to his former defensive coordinator, Steve Spagnuolo, whenever the Ravens are eliminated from the playoffs. The Ravens faced the Patriots Saturday in New England. Spagnuolo, the Ravens’ defensive backs coach, ran the Giants’ defense in 2007 (winning a Super Bowl) and 2008 before leaving for an unsuccessful threeyear stay as the Rams’ head coach.
Coughlin, after announcing the dismissal of Fewell — whose defense was ranked 29th in the NFL this past season— clearly is hoping for a newenergy on defense.
“The hope always is invigoration,” Coughlin said. “You are going to stimulate.’’
Figure Johnson would be able to stimulate. He won two Super Bowls as a player and three more as a defensive assistant with the Patriots, coaching linebackers or the defensive line under Belichick, Romeo Crennel and Eric Mangini. He spent 13 years coaching with the Patriots and then, wanting to get out from under Belichick’s shadow, was the defensive line coach in Buffalo this past season.
“He has a great knowledge of defense. He’s a great teacher — I’m not telling you that that’s who they should pick— I think they should interview him,’’ Banks, who is the radio analyst for Giants games and has a strong knowledge of their personnel, told The Post lastweek.
“And I think if he gets interviewed, then they’ll have an idea whether or not he’s someone that can lead the Giants’ defense back to where it needs to be. He’ll make a good account for himself.”
Johnson’s playing career lasted from1986 to 1998. After leaving the Giants, he played for the Browns (for Belichick), Lions and Jets (for Parcells).