Did the Giants take a gamble for their defensive coordinator?
You Bettcher.
New head coach Pat Shurmur, an offensive guru, found his defensive leader in James Bettcher, who had the same role in Arizona the past three seasons. Under Bettcher, who’s a 39-year-old from Indiana, the Cardinals’ defense ranked in the top 10 each season since he replaced Todd Bowles, who took the Jets’ head-coaching gig.
While the Giants were linked to Jack Del Rio, who was cleared out of Oakland when Jon Gruden became available, the Giants went with an up-and-coming voice rather than an established NFL retread, choosing upside over experience.