Perry

Fewell

Fewell spent the last month filling in for Ron Rivera, going winless in all four games. He’s not a realistic candidate for the full-time job. The Panthers have also met with ex-Packers coach Mike McCarthy and Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy, and plan to interview Patriots OC Josh McDaniels and Baylor coach Matt Rhule.

This is Fewell’s second go-round as an interim head coach after he had the duties with the 2009 Bills. Although at one time a head-coaching candidate, Fewell’s reputation was dented by a poor end to his time as Giants defensive coordinator. Regardless of what the team claims, he will not be a candidate for the full-time gig in Carolina.

“I look at that offense kind of like the wildcat,” Fewell said. “The wildcat took us by storm and then until you can see it, understand it; then you can defend it.” Stopping the read option is especially pertinent in the NFC East, where Robert Griffin III’s Redskins dominated with it in 2012 and new Eagles coach Chip Kelly dominated with it as head coach of the Oregon Ducks.

Fewell, 51, has been the Giants’ defensive boss the past four seasons. Previously, he was with the Bills for four years. In 2009, Fewell was the interim head coach in Buffalo for the final seven games. He led the Bills to a 3-4 finish after Dick Jauron was fired. The Giants fielded the league’s No. 8 defense in 2013, finishing tenth against the pass and 14th against the run.

At very least, interviewing Fewell would satisfy the Rooney Rule in the Redskins’ coaching search. The Giants already lost OC Kevin Gilbride to retirement, and could lose another coordinator on the off chance Fewell knocks owner Dan Snyder’s socks off during his interview. The Redskins’ latest interview was with Panthers DC Sean McDermott, who met with Snyder on Saturday.

The three assistants follow DC Joe Barry out the door as coach Jay Gruden cleans house on the defensive side of the ball. Barry’s 11 was not loaded with talent, but still underachieved in 2016. Fewell has nine years of coordinating experience, but probably won’t get a 10th if he’s not keeping jobs as a position man.

Fewell was fired from the same role in Washington after the season. The Panthers had interest in Fewell, but his ties are strong with Jaguars EVP Tom Coughlin. Fewell runs an aggressive secondary that should create more turnovers. He’ll work under DC Todd Wash in Jacksonville.

Fewell’s defense ranked 29th in 2014 and the Giants missed the playoffs for the third straight season. Yet Tom Coughlin will return and it appears Fewell will as well. Injuries to MLB Jon Beason and CB Prince Amukamara were bigger problems than the scheme.

The 2014 Giants ranked in the bottom five of the NFL’s defensive rankings for the third time in Fewell’s three seasons as coordinator. Fewell has generated head-coaching interest in recent seasons, but his performance as the Giants’ DC never matched up with those inquiries. The Giants’ coaching staff is otherwise expected to return intact, with Tom Coughlin at HC and Ben McAdoo at OC.

Fewell, 52, worked under coach Tom Coughlin for 10 seasons, spending five in Jacksonville from 1998-2002 and the last five as the Giants’ defensive boss. Fewell’s Giants units were top-10 in yards allowed in 2010 and 2013, but were bottom-five the other three seasons. The G-Men were particularly bad against the run this past season, finishing 30th and surrendering a league-worst 4.9 YPC.