Big Blue View
Good morning, New York Giants fans!
The Giants have been working on that deal since before Harbaugh was fired, according to multiple team and league sources. They seemed sure that the 62-year-old Harbaugh would be available even before his Ravens lost their season finale to the Pittsburgh Steelers and missed the playoffs, which led to the Ravens firing him the next day. Once he was available, he rocketed to the top of their list.
The Giants have also let Harbaugh know that they are willing to meet his asking price (expected to be around $20 million per year), shell out millions more for what they hope will be a top coaching staff, and make whatever improvements or additions he wants throughout their program. The source said that Harbaugh’s requests so far have been “significant,” but “don’t seem to be too extensive. But he’s worth it. You don’t get a shot at a coach like this too often. Sometimes you just have to do whatever it takes.”
Building a quality staff is particularly important for a head coach who doesn’t call plays. Who are some logical coordinator candidates?
Zrebiec: Monken has other options, but he and Harbaugh have a solid relationship, so I’d think that could be in play. That would be a nice get for the Giants and the New York media. Monken is a character. Tee Martin, who has been Jackson’s quarterbacks coach and has interviewed for a few offensive coordinator openings this offseason, could get consideration.
Defensively, there are a bunch of guys with ties to Harbaugh who are available: Zach Orr, Wink Martindale, Chuck Pagano and Anthony Weaver, to name a few. Heck, maybe Harbaugh even gives Rex Ryan a call. One of Harbaugh’s closest friends in coaching is Jerry Rosburg. I’m not sure if Rosburg is looking to get back in, but if he were, he’d be an ideal fit in the assistant head coach/special teams coordinator role.
