Eric Studesville to interview for Jets’ offensive coordinator job
Running backs coach Eric Studesville of the Denver Broncos looks on during a game against the Houston Texans at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Sept. 23, 2012, in Denver. Credit: Getty Images / Justin Edmonds
The Jets plan to interview Broncos running backs coach Eric Studesville for their offensive coordinator vacancy.
Studesville, 49, spent the past seven seasons in Denver in that position under head coaches Josh McDaniels, John Fox and Gary Kubiak. In 2010, he was the Broncos’ interim head coach for the season’s last four games — the first African-American head coach in their history — after McDaniels was fired.
Studesville also was the Giants’ running backs coach from 2001-03, when Tiki Barber rushed for more than 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons. Studesville joined the Bills’ staff in 2004, staying until 2009.
Including Barber, five of Studesville’s running backs had 1,000-yard rushing seasons (Willis McGahee three, Marshawn Lynch two, Knowshon Moreno and Fred Jackson one each).
The Jets are searching for their fifth offensive coordinator since 2011. Chan Gailey held the position the past two seasons, but on Jan. 3 the team announced Gailey’s retirement and the dismissal of five assistants.
The Jets (5-11) regressed on both sides of the ball in 2016, but their offensive struggles were particularly glaring. The unit finished 12th in rushing, 27th in passing and 30th in scoring.
The Broncos hired former Jets defensive back and Dolphins defensive coordinator Vance Joseph as coach on Wednesday. No announcements have been made about his coaching staff.
Williams to play in Pro Bowl. Leonard Williams is Pro Bowl-bound. The second-year defensive lineman originally was selected as a first alternate, but he’ll replace Raiders pass rusher Khalil Mack (injury) in the Jan. 29 game in Orlando, Florida.
Williams led the Jets with seven sacks and registered 68 tackles and two forced fumbles. He also was voted team MVP.
Defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson, a fifth alternate, was the only other Jet to be named as a backup for the AFC’s Pro Bowl team. The former first-round pick and 2013 Defensive Rookie of the Year was a Pro Bowler in 2014.
Giants sign 4 free agents. The Giants announced the signing of four free agents — safety Rahim Moore, linebacker Curtis Grant, running back Daryl Virgies and guard Martin Wallace. Moore is a former 2011 second-round pick of the Broncos who has appeared in 64 games for Denver and Houston and has nine interceptions. Wallace most recently was on the Jets’ practice squad.— TOM ROCK
