Brian Daboll ‘Counterpart’ the ‘Top Choice’ to Replace Giants DC ‘Wink’ Martindale
The shakeup of the New York Giants coaching staff claimed its most high-profile victim when defensive coordinator Don ‘Wink’ Martindale resigned on Monday, January 8. Martindale’s departure had long been mooted because of an uneasy relationship with head coach Brian Daboll, who could view former “counterpart” Leslie Frazier as the “top choice” to replace the outgoing play-caller.
Frazier and Daboll coached four seasons together with the Buffalo Bills from 2018-22. The idea of Frazier being a “top replacement” for Martindale was first floated by Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post on Saturday, January 6.
The Giants already rate Frazier, according to Dan Duggan of The Athletic: “The Bills annually had top defenses under Frazier, who interviewed for the Giants’ head-coaching vacancy when Daboll got the job.” Frazier even “visited a Giants practice during the spring, which indicates a solid relationship with Daboll.”
Talk of Frazier, who sat out the 2023 season, returning will likely grow louder after Martindale opted to walk away. He was a popular assistant who did some creditable things with the Giants’ defense, but butting heads with Daboll made a split inevitable.
Martindale’s resignation was confirmed by ESPN’s Jordan Raanan. He cited Martindale’s fractured “relationship with Brian Daboll” as a “big part of the divorce.”
Going back to a coach he knows would make sense for Daboll, who needs a more convivial staff to help rebuild a 6-11 team. Landing Frazier would also be a minor coup for the Giants, since the 64-year-old is one of the most experienced and highly-regarded defensive minds in the NFL.
Leslie Frazier Would Be the Anti-‘Wink’ Martindale
There’s an obvious rapport between the two coaches, but Frazier’s scheme being polar opposite to Martindale’s system could make him the most attractive candidate for Daboll.
Frazier became known for his heavy reliance on zone coverage. Some didn’t like the soft coverage shells, but others, including The Ringer’s Steve Ruiz were impressed: “the way the bills play zone coverage is so cool. continuity plays a big role obviously. it’s like a well coached soccer team how they work together to constrict space.”
Ruiz detailed how Frazier’s units in Buffalo limited big plays: “the bills have given up 2 completions in between the numbers over 10 air yards. they make you take inefficient underneath throws or difficult ones to the perimeter. or you get sacked.”
