Is Bill Sheridan being replaced as Giants defensive coordinator? Dick Jauron next?

We all know the New York Giants have been a major disappointment this season. To say their defense has been a disappointment would be an understatement. The Giants had one of the leagues best defensive units last season under then defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. The defense returned most of its key players and the Giants front office went out and spent some money to add a few more talented players. Bill Sheridan took over as defensive coordinator and many expected the positive results would carry over. After all, Sheridan was working as Giants linebacker coach under Spagnuolo.

The carry over did not happen. This Giants defense did suffer some injuries this year, but thats not a good enough excuse. There is enough top notch talent in this group to be successful despite a couple injuries. The defensive line had been one of the top groups in the league and should have provided one of the most dangerous pass rushes. Every quarterback used to have nightmares about Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora, not to mention Mathius Kiwanuka, Antonio Pierce, and others.

The defense this season has lost something. The defensive line has not been able to consistantly rush the passer. The secondary has been beaten badly on many occassions, and the linebackers have been caught in bad reads and coverage. While the defense has lost something, Bill Sheridan has lost his defense. Osi Umenyiora seems to be annoyed at his demotion to pass rushing specialist. I understand he was not having a great season, but Umenyiora is one of the most talented defensive ends in the league. Why is he only on the field in passing situations?

Many believe Sheridan will be fired after this season, his first as Giants defensive coordinator. The defense needs a new spark. It needs to get that toughness back, the fight that made them such a scary unit. Sheridan has lost that part from this team. The defense has not played with any pride or heart of late. While it may not stricly be his fault, its always the coach that gets the blame and takes the fall.

According to FootballCoachScoop.com, the Giants do plan to fire Bill Sheridan at the end of the season and replace him with Dick Jauron. Jauron has coached in the NFL since 1985 when he was hired as the defensive backs coach for the Buffalo Bills. From 1986 to 1994, Jauron worked that same position for the Green Bay Packers.  In 1995, Tom Coughlin hired Jauron has his defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He remained in that role through 1998. He then became the head coach of the Chicago Bears. Since leaving the Bears in 2003, Jauron has served as defensive coordinator and interim head coach of the Detroit Lions, and most recently head coach of the Buffalo Bills. Jauron was fired earlier this season after the Bills started the year 3-6.

This report could make sense as Jauron and Coughlin clearly know each other well from their time together in Jacksonville. The Jaguars made the playoffs three of the four years the two were together.

Giants fan, what do you think? Is Jauron the man for the job? Should they keep Sheridan? Who else would you like to see take over the defense?