NY Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has a real chance of becoming a head coach this offseason
NY Giants defensive coordiantor Patrick Graham might become one of the more sought after head coaching candidates this hiring cycle, particularly if his defense continues its ascent down the stretch.
“He has a really good chance to become a head coach this time around,” an NFC personnel executive tells GMenHQ. “He has a good mind and has had success.”
But, despite his name being tossed into the rumor mill in recent weeks, Graham isn’t looking a minute beyond Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals.
“If you go back to the first time I spoke to you guys, I’m not smart enough to think ahead of today,” Graham said Thursday. “I’m trying to get better today. I need to get ready for third down vs. Arizona on Sunday. I can’t think about that.”
What will make Graham a hot commodity is the fact that he’s molded a defense that features the likes of undrafted rookie defensive end Niko Lalos, fifth-round rookie cornerback Darnay Holmes, and linebackers Cam Brown and Tae Crowder chosen in Rounds 6 and 7, respectively, into the No. 10 ranked unit in the NFL and has powered a four-game winning streak.
Regardless of who has been on the field, the Giants’ defense has been downright dominant over the past month, holding opponents to an average of just 14.2 points per game.
“He’s done a hell of a job as the year went on he started to get to know his guys a little better,” Giants defensive back Jabrill Peppers said of Graham following Sunday’s game. “What we’re good at, what our best attributes are, and putting us in the best possible positions to make plays. We just want to go out there and play hard and make those plays for them.”
If the Giants’ success continues, and this team can make the postseason and win a playoff game, Graham’s name is going to become more popular. But, it seems those conversations and even his consideration will need to wait.
Matt Lombardo is the site expert for GMenHQ, and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday for FanSided. Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL.