The Washington Redskins confirm that team officials met with New York Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell to interview for the head coach vacancy.
Fewell is a 29-year coaching veteran who just wrapped up his 16th NFL season. It was his fourth season as a member of Tom Coughlin's Giants coaching staff, where he won a Super Bowl in 2011.
He is the third confirmed candidate to interview with the Redskins, joining Cowboys special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia and Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell.
Fewell operated a 4-3 defensive scheme in New York.
Prior to joining the Giants, Fewell spent four seasons as the Buffalo Bills' defensive coordinator. He served as the team's interim head coach for the final seven games of the 2009 season, leading them to a 3-4 record.
In both 2008 and 2009, Fewell's Bills defense yielded only 14 touchdown passes, eight below the league average and tied for second-lowest in the NFL.
A hallmark of his units has always been an emphasis on takeaways. In 2009. the Bills were tied for fifth in the NFL with 33 takeaways. Their 28 interceptions were exceeded only by Green Bay's 30.
One of his star pupils was rookie safety Jairus Byrd, who tied for the NFL lead with nine interceptions in only 14 games, five more than any other rookie.
Another strength has been the red zone defense, which saw the 2008 Bills hold opponents to touchdowns on just 41.8 percent of red zone possessions, good for fourth in the NFL.
Fewell coached Chicago's secondary in 2005, when the Bears led the NFC with 24 interceptions and cornerback Nathan Vasher and safety Mike Brown were selected to the Pro Bowl.
He was in St. Louis for 2003-04, coaching the Rams secondary. His NFL career began in 1998 as the defensive backs coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
He does not have prior experience with Redskins general manager Bruce Allen, but Fewell has coached eight games against Washington since joining the Giants coaching staff.
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