When James Bettcher became the defensive coordinator for the Cardinals, he assumed that job after two season as the team’s linebackers coach. He knew all of the players, they knew him, and there wasn’t much of an overhaul in terms of system or philosophy.
And for three seasons, that continuity paid off. The Cardinals never were worse than sixth in the NFL in yards allowed (they finished as high as second in 2016), regularly among the NFL’s leaders in sacks (with a league-high 48 in 2016), and allowed 21.5 points per game during his stint there.
The expectation by many was that Bettcher would come to the Giants this season and bring all of that with him.