All quotes for this article were obtained firsthand unless otherwise sourced. That was actually a good thing because Pierce, in earning Spagnuolo's trust, became an extension of the defensive coordinator on the field. Away from the field, Spagnuolo and his wife, Maria, established their own foundation in order to help kids who may not otherwise have an opportunity to achieve their dreams. Along the way, Pierce and Spagnuolo came to trust each other so much that teammates used to joke that each man could finish the other’s sentences. Wilson is still learning how to play in the NFL, but he looked very good at the end of 2011 and Spagnuolo … They'll find out the answer to that and other questions soon enough. In fact, that Super Bowl victory came over the previously undefeated New England Patriots, whose offensive production that season ranks as the second best in NFL history. “So Jon Beason—get in there right away and digest as much as much as Spags is going to throw at you because he’s going to throw the whole gamut at you and see how much you can take.”. In 1986, Telander landed … Mathieu is the ideal Swiss Army knife of a safety for Spagnuolo’s evolving schemes. MIAMI, Fla. – Steve Spagnuolo has a tough challenge ahead going head-to-head with Kyle Shanahan. Can his body hold up?”. As the series continues, let’s examine the front seven in the base defense. Justin Tuck did a great job for us, which is why he was able to bounce around, because he picked up the front. He peeled back the curtain on coverage strategy for NFL Game Pass not too long ago, Spagnuolo explained the basics of coverage strategy for NFL Game Pass last summer. Pierce estimated that Spagnuolo’s defense is "60 percent scheme, 40 percent personnel," the latter being a key in getting favorable match-ups. With his new 4-3 scheme and a seemingly unending package of blitzes, Spagnuolo’s defense climbed to seventh in points and 17th in yards last season. New England racked up 36.8 points per game that year, but against Spagnuolo's Giants in the Super Bowl, they mustered just 14. They got married on the 9 th of July 2005 in Vatican Rome, Italy. He shared his wedding oath with his beautiful wife named Maria Spagnuolo. “I'm hoping I don't feel as handcuffed as it is typically in the NFL. Patricia Traina covers the Giants for Inside Football, the Journal Inquirer and Sports Xchange. Coughlin seemed to indicate Beason could, but he of course has to remain on the field for that to happen. Spagnuolo was one of the most conservative coaches in the NFL in 2020, deploying defenders to the box to stop the run at a rate well above expected. Christian Petersen/Getty Images Facebook New defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has already begun sifting through the Chiefs' roster to see how the players might fit into his 4-3 scheme. According to a study on his 2013 contributions in the Giants’ defense, 77 percent of Beason’s run-game tackles came within five yards of the line of scrimmage. Reid was the man responsible for giving Spagnuolo his first shot in the NFL way back in 1999, as the current Chiefs' coach had just taken the helm in Philadelphia at the time. "If I can learn it the way Spags knows it, he'll allow me to not be dictated to by what the offense is. “You have to remember that Spags has always had a guy at the ‘Mike,’ no matter where he coached,” Pierce said. “You have to get guys who have football IQ. Spagnuolo and his wife started their own foundation. The 2007 and 2008 Giants defenses had several guys who were cornerstones of the unit, such as Pierce, defensive ends Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora and Michael Strahan, and cornerback Corey Webster. Check out a portion of what the Chiefs' new defensive coordinator had to say by clicking here. Steve Spagnuolo’s philosophy and scheme are the opposite of what we have seen from the Kanas City Chiefs in recent years. Are they going to run a screen or are they going to run a guy in the flat and hit up a wide receiver? "Someone has to step up in that role.". "He challenges you to look at that and then you make the adjustments accordingly, either a check or you guys move over left to right. His scheme helped the Chiefs return to the Super Bowl for the first time in 50 years last season, and now they are back looking for a repeat. Spagnuolo’s first coaching job was at UMass in the early ’80s, where he got close to a defensive line coach Steve Telander. Spagnuolo spent eight years with the Eagles, working his way up from a defensive assistant role to the team's linebackers coach from 2004-06 and catching the eye of the New York Giants, who hired him as their defensive coordinator ahead of the 2007 campaign. With the talent starting to fall into place, the other critical element that needs to emerge on the defense is its voice. “I always said I never really played with run-stoppers. (Defensive tackle Barry) Cofield, even for his statue was a very good pass-rusher from the nose tackle position. MIAMI, Fla. – Steve Spagnuolo has a tough challenge ahead going head-to-head with Kyle Shanahan. The 2021 NFL Draft is less than a week away, The 2021 NFL Draft is just over a week awayÂ, Here's the latest look at who the experts think the Chiefs will draft on April 29. Beason, who ironically almost became the heir to Pierce in 2007, is a natural leader who has said he thrives under the pressure that comes with being the middle linebacker and quarterback of the defense. Steve Spagnuolo is a big reason why. The difference was immediate. He has also expressed excitement about commencing his collaboration with Spagnuolo, the goal being to prove to the coordinator that he can play the same role that Pierce played as far as being a leader. Chris O'Meara/Associated Press/Associated Press, Seth Wenig/Associated Press/Associated Press. He’ll trying to crack Shanahan’s scheme during Super Bowl LIV on Sunday, something defenses rarely do these days. It was there that Spagnuolo learned under Eagles' defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, a University of Missouri alum who is considered one of the top defensive minds in NFL history. “The linebackers they picked up—good move,” Pierce said. It's unclear what defensive philosophy Spagnuolo will bring to Kansas City, but his history could mean a change in how the Chiefs execute their base formation. His career began back in 1981 as a graduate assistant at the University of Massachusetts â the first of many stops that included jobs at several other schools, the World League of American Football and NFL Europe before landing his first full-time position in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1999. “You want guys who, if that quarterback is doing that zone read, can force the quarterback to make a decision right away,” Pierce said. His mission with the Giants in this, his second go-round with the team, is to repair a defensive unit that finished 29th overall in the NFL. When Pierce looks at the Giants’ current linebacker unit, which this offseason added J.T. “Spags wants guys who can penetrate because at the end of the day, if your defensive linemen are making most of the tackles, that means you’re winning because you’re playing in the opponent’s backfield, you’re making tackles for a loss, and you’re playing within two or three yards of the line of scrimmage.”. Spagnuolo was hired. “What you hope you get with Beason is that he can soak up the knowledge so much that he can spread that among his peers," Pierce said. Moving forward, many in the NY-area media report that Bettcher will bring a more aggressive scheme than well known former DC Steve Spagnuolo, which will be more “multiple” (citing personnel groupings from Pro Football Focus or NFL GSIS) and be very “aggressive”(citing his blitz and pressure statistics). Cleveland's next steps should be extending Baker Mayfield and Denzel Ward ➡️, Ranking the five best pairings entering 2021 draft, These five players could compete for playing time and contribute immediately . — Rarely does Tom Brady think about the Super Bowl following the 2007 season. The big one was the hiring of Super Bowl-winning coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who has employed a more complex coverage scheme that doesn’t put his corners in … Together, they have welcomed five children in their family. Here are five things to know about Spagnuolo. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Antonio Pierce captained Spags' Giants defenses in 2007 and 2008. That's what I look forward to the most.”. “In ’07 and ’08, the strength of our team was the front seven. Christian Petersen/Getty Images Facebook New, comments. Currently, the Giants have a pair of inexperienced draft picks, Nat Berhe and Cooper Taylor, under contract, neither of whom has started a game in the NFL. Summer of Spags: the front seven in Steve Spagnuolo’s 4-3 scheme. - Page 4. Spagnuolo has traditionally utilized a 4-3 defensive scheme. “That’s where I kind of see them going with Kennard.”. “A lot of the things we created when I was there was about creating problems for the offense,” Pierce said. 3. When he is healthy, he is still very much a solid middle linebacker. "A lot," he said. Odeyingbo could … Through their first 10 games of 2019, not much had improved. “That's what I'm most excited about,” Beason said, via Newsday’s Tom Rock. “It’s all about the weakness of the offense and where our strengths were as a defense.”. Spagnuolo was hired swiftly following the aforementioned heartbreak and immediately went to work scrapping the incumbent 3-4 scheme to install his 4-3 setup, and with grand results. Pierce estimated that Spagnuolo’s defense is "60 percent scheme, 40 percent personnel," the latter being a key in getting favorable match-ups. "Use him more for the intellectual part—minicamps, OTAs, training camp—and pray you get 16 games out of him because he will be that guy who can line guys up, he can make those checks that Spags wants to do in certain formations and sets, and downs and distances.”. “Spags loves to move his defensive linemen around. “For example, it’s third-and-three and we’re playing the Eagles. The Chiefs’ move to Steve Spagnuolo as defensive coordinator is less about scheme and more about style Wednesday’s press conference gave a look into what Spagnuolo might do in 2019. The biggest current question mark for the Giants as they head into 2015 involves their defensive secondary, where they lost veteran safety Antrel Rolle and slot cornerback Walter Thurmond III in free agency. He’s going to bring pressure. According to the Super Bowl XLII official game book, the Giants defense sacked Patriots quarterback Brady five times for minus-37 yards. Examining the scheme and personnel adjustments the defensive coordinator made in 2019, and what it's in store for the 2020 season. Steve Spagnuolo’s defenses have had success against Tom Brady. He eventually landed a head coaching job with the St. Louis Rams in 2009 and later served as the defensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints and again with the Giants from 2015-17. “I don’t know if they’re going to blow anyone away statistically or production-wise, but for what Spags probably wants to do scheme-wise, they can handle it physically.”. The named of their children are Donna, Steve, Debra, and twins Kevin and Kurt. Had safety Antrel Rolle, whom head coach Tom Coughlin said at the combine last month used to spend “countless Tuesdays” in his office trying to arrive at ways to make the team better, not left via free agency, he would have been the obvious choice to take on that role. Now all these years later, Reid and Spagnuolo are back on the same sideline together. (Defensive tackle) Fred Robbins was a very mobile guy for his size. Rarely does Tom Brady allow his mind to wander back to the Super Bowl following the 2007 season. How might Steve Spagnuolo's renovation of the Giants' defense turn Devon Kennard, Damontre Moore, and others loose on opposing quarterbacks? New defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has already begun sifting through the Chiefs' roster to see how the players might fit into his 4-3 scheme. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Spagnuolo has been a football coach for 36 years, spending time in both the collegiate and professional ranks. For that to happen, Pierce said it’s important that Beason wastes no time in permanently reserving and occupying a seat in Spagnuolo’s office, just as Pierce himself did during Spagnuolo’s first tenure with the team. Spagnuolo's scheme requires constant communication and adjustments from the players. The Chiefs have a new defensive coordinator in Steve Spagnuolo, who will likely bring a new 4-3 scheme to Kansas City’s 3-4. I know that’s one thing in talking to Spags, that he’s looking for guys—who has the football IQ?”. “Spags is a big zone-blitz guy. Spagnuolo II: An Overview of What to Expect, Tom Coughlin says you're going to see a lot of the same looks with Spags' defense but it will look different b/c of personnel #Giants. At cornerback, the Giants are solid if they can keep starters Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Prince Amukamara healthy for a 16-game season, which wasn’t the case last year. Spagnuolo was the Ravens’ secondary coach then, so again he wasn’t drawing up the scheme. “I think the worst thing when you play the zone read is if you don’t have guys on defense who can keep up with the speed of the game, then the offense has the advantage.”. The 2007 defense in particular was special, as Spagnuolo, then a first-year NFL defensive coordinator, fashioned a Megatron-like power that was largely responsible for ruining the New England Patriots’ quest for an undefeated season. Pierce had the freedom to make adjustments based on what the offense was showing while staying true to the scheme and getting the other defenders on the same page. Coughlin likes Berhe at safety, said he can play in the box or deep. Another obvious choice who is still on the team is Beason, whom, like Rolle, was voted by his peers to be a defensive co-captain last season. "That remains to be seen," TC said. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. That’s why I think it made more sense for him to get speedier linebackers.". “You can move him around, inside or outside...you can put him at defensive end...you can rush him up the middle or off the edge...you can drop him into coverage... "I was high on him when they drafted him—I thought they got a steal because he was the best linebacker they have drafted since Jessie Armstead.”. That has been the problem with Beason. (AP) Rarely does Tom Brady allow his mind to wander back to the Super Bowl following the 2007 season. “I think first of all, when you look at the linebackers they brought in, they got smaller, 230-pound guys who can run,” Pierce said. “Spags will probably use him in the same way as he did with Mathias Kiwanuka,” Pierce said, recalling how the former defensive end was used as both a strong-side linebacker and as a down lineman in certain packages. Having smaller and faster linebackers that can run from sideline-to-sideline as well as drop into coverage could very well end up being one of the missing ingredients to help the Giants better handle the read-option. It's a highly detailed system that requires all 11 players to work simultaneously to be effective. “I think he’s going to be a very productive player in this system,” said Pierce, who compared Kennard to a young Tuck as far as his versatility and ability to do multiple things in the defense. When they check, we can check. “They have all the guys—physically they can do it,” he said. He used to spend countless hours in Spagnuolo’s office discussing the X's and O's, and how to give the defense every possible advantage. “I don’t think the mental part will be an issue with Jon,” Pierce said. “We ran a lot of under-fronts so it was like we had five d-linemen on the line of scrimmage, and the majority of the time we blitzed Kiwanuka,” Pierce said. Unless otherwise noted, advanced stats are from Pro Football Focus. By … Â, 5. In fact, Coughlin told Tom Rock of Newsday that Berhe can play in the box or deep. But … Spagnuolo is the only offensive or defensive coordinator in NFL history to win a Super Bowl with two different franchises. According to Pierce, one of the 2015 Giants' emerging cornerstones poised to play a significant role on the defense is linebacker Devon Kennard, one of two fifth-round draft picks last year, the third highest-graded rookie 4-3 outside linebacker last year out of 23 rookies at his position by Pro Football Focus. Steve Spagnuolo's philosophy and scheme … That’s when Steve Spagnuolo entered the picture. He Started His Own Foundation with his Wife. He likes guys who are mobile,” Pierce said. So far this year, they have placed more of an emphasis on getting the front seven in order, where one of the goal appears to be fielding mobile, athletic guys who can also stop the run. In the meantime, the Giants’ emphasis on upgrading the front seven has taken center stage because, as Pierce noted, a strong front seen can work wonders for a defense and play into what Spagnuolo is believed to be wanting to do. We discuss what you can expect. If the Giants defense is to establish an identity and pinpoint its strengths, they are going to have to spend the next several months sorting out the personnel issues that have popped up either due to injury or free agency losses. Steve is a married man. Spagnuolo, who spent last season out of coaching, has primarily run a 4-3 defense, which would be a change from the 3-4 scheme that Sutton had run. 4. When it comes to Beason’s injury history—he has played in just 24 games since the 2011 season—Pierce believes it would be wise to be realistic. The way the defense is built, you have to recognize what’s about to happen.". Steve Spagnuolo is a big reason why. Defenses in today's NFL are infinitely complex, but the basic difference between the two schemes lies in the pass-rush. Unlike last year, when the Giants attempted to re-build the defense from the outside in, New York appears to have reversed that philosophy. Spagnuolo left the Giants after the 2008 season and had unsuccessful stints as head coach of the St. Louis Rams and the defensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints before catching on as a defensive assistant with the Baltimore Ravens in 2013 and 2014. Back in the day, Pierce was that voice. With his new 4-3 scheme and a seemingly unending package of blitzes, Spagnuolo’s defense climbed to … The Giants posted the ninth-best total defense in the NFL during his time in New York - winning the Super Bowl in 2007 â as Spagnuolo garnered recognition for his "Four Aces" scheme that utilized the Giants' plethora of pass-rushers. I asked Coughlin how he plans to use Devon Kennard this year. Chiefs coordinator designed scheme that beat Patriots in 2008 2021-02-02 - By DAVE SKRETTA KANSAS CITY, Mo. ... What can we expect in Year 2 of Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo… The next season, Spagnuolo’s 2008 defense contributed to a 12-4 record and the NFC’s top playoff seed before the Philadelphia Eagles eliminated them with a 23-11 win in the divisional round. Under new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, this is a new era in Kansas City. He rejoined Andy Reid after being a defensive assistant with him from 1999 to 2006. But the result was Brady throwing for 367 yards and three touchdowns and completing 66 per cent of … Regardless of whether Beason is there for all 16 games, Pierce believes that the more guys that step up and demonstrate that they have truly mastered every facet of that defense, the better. His wife was a hairdresser. “He gives you a lot of numbers, and he hopes that someone is going to grasp that and see that on the field,” Pierce said via phone from his California home. Kennard’s high football IQ combined with his natural athletic talents are likely the reason why Pierce believes the former USC defender will be given a lot of responsibilities in Spagnuolo's defense. Our defense had me, Butler and Sam Madison and then eventually Strahan, who had to catch up a bit because he came in a little late. Steve Spagnuolo's philosophy and scheme are the opposite of what we have seen from the Kanas City Chiefs in recent years. Steve Spagnuolo is … In looking at the current safety situation, Giants historians are quick to note that Spagnuolo’s safeties in 2007 and 2008—James Butler, Gibril Wilson and Michael Johnson—were serviceable, but not Pro Bowlers. They hit him nine times and broke up four of his pass attempts, forced and recovered one fumble, and, according to Pro Football Focus, held Brady to a season-low 5.5 yards per pass attempt in a 17-14 victory. The return of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo was one that was widely embraced by New York Giants fans, whose memories of his 2007 and 2008 defenses are highlights in head coach Tom Coughlin’s era. “Spags is looking for someone to put the onus on, someone who can be an extension of him on the field, the d-coordinator who knows [everything]. Safety is another story. However, appointing Beason as the lone voice does come with a risk. The Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator has been wading through 49ers tape for days and has come away impressed with how the 49ers head coach calls and creates offensive plays. Given the numbers the Giants currently have at safety, the team will be adding at least one more guy, perhaps on the back end of free agency just so they have enough depth to get through training camp, though Coughlin also hasn't ruled out moving cornerbacks Bennett Jackson and Chykie Brown to safety. As a result, the Giants were often in the right position to limit the damage inflicted on them by the opponent. In a 4-3, that responsibly generally resides with a team's defensive ends and the three-technique defensive tackle. Mentioned Bennett Jackson and Chykie Brown as CBs who could move to S. Despite the inexperience of Berhe and Taylor, there is optimism that both players will contribute in some way, especially in Berhe's case. The Chiefs were allowing 24 points per game on … He fits all of Steve Spagnuolo's normal thresholds (height, weight, arm length) for the position and his versatility within the scheme would be valued highly. Stephen Christopher Spagnuolo is an American football coach who is the defensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). Thomas from Jacksonville and Jonathan Casillas from New England to a group that will return Jon Beason, Jameel McClain, Devon Kennard and Mark Herzlich, he sees a common denominator in those acquisitions. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Who will be the new voice of the defense now that Antrel is gone? On the field, Spagnuolo is a long time … Spagnuolo has won two Super Bowls as defensive coordinator, one with the New York Giants and one with the Kansas City Chiefs. “But who are your mental guys? Wilson will undoubtedly be the benefactor of a great scheme implemented by Spagnuolo. In a 3-4, for example, a defense primarily relies on its outside linebackers as its edge rushers. The Kansas City Chiefs made an addition to their coaching staff on Thursday afternoon, hiring Steve Spagnuolo as the team's new defensive coordinator. One major change that Spagnuolo could potentially bring to Kansas City is a 4-3 base defense as opposed to the 3-4 scheme that the Chiefs currently utilize. “It’s the physical part—is he going to last? Last season, Steve Spagnuolo took over a defensive unit that was the primary reason the Chiefs did not reach the Super Bowl a year earlier. Pierce believes the additions of Thomas and Casillas, whom head coach Tom Coughlin, per Jordan Raanan of NJ Advance Media, said will compete for the vacant starting weak-side linebacker position, are solid. 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