Former Giants assistant coach Romeo Crennel retires after 50 years in coaching
Romeo Crennel began coaching as the defensive line coach at Western Kentucky back in 1970.
More than 50 years later, Crennel is calling it quits as he announced his retirement on Monday.
"Football has been my entire life and it's been a dream come true to coach for 50 years," Crennel said in a statement. "There are so many friends to thank who have helped me and supported me throughout my career. I especially want to thank the fans and owners of the New York Giants, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans for allowing me to contribute to the game that I have loved so much for so long. I'll miss everything about coaching and teaching, but the thing I'll miss the most is being around the guys every day. My goal was to put every player and coach in the best position to succeed and I consider every guy I coached or worked with a part of my family. I would also want to thank my wife Rosemary and my three daughters, Lisa, Tiffany and Kristine, for all of their support over the years. Because of their love and selflessness, I have been able to live out my dream. I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to spend more time with my grandchildren while staying around the game of football."
Following a decade at the college level, Crennel began his NFL coaching career with the Giants. He served as special teams coach from 1981-1989 before switching over to the defensive line for the next three seasons.
Crennel was a member of the Giants' first two Super Bowl Championship teams (XXI, XXV).
After his 12 seasons with the Giants, he would go on to coach for five other NFL teams: the Patriots (1993-1996, 2001-2004), Jets (1997-1999), Browns (2000, 2005-2008), Chiefs (2010-2012), and Texans (2014-2022).
On top of his two Super Bowl titles with the Giants, Crennel also won three championships with the Patriots (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX) in his four seasons as their defensive coordinator from 2001-2004. He was named the PFW Assistant Coach of the Year in 2003 after leading the Patriots to the No. 1 scoring defense in the league. Additionally, the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) awarded him with the 2020 Paul "Dr. Z" Zimmerman Award for lifetime achievement as an assistant coach.
He most recently served as senior advisor for football performance for the Texans, a position he had held since early March 2021.
The longtime NFL coach has several ties to the Giants' current coaching staff.
While Crennel was leading the New England defense in the early 2000s, Giants head coach Brian Daboll was also on Bill Belichick's coaching staff. Daboll was a defensive assistant under Crennel in 2001 before switching to wide receivers coach, a position he would hold until 2006. Then when Crennel was named the head coach of the Chiefs in 2012, he brought Daboll with him to serve as his offensive coordinator. Eagles coach Nick Sirianni is the other current NFL head coach that worked under Crennel.
Giants assistant defensive line coach Bryan Cox played under Crennel for three seasons, two with the Jets (1998-1999), when Crennel was their defensive line coach, and one with the Patriots (2001), which ended in a Super Bowl title. As did defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson, who was with the Patriots with Crennel in 1993 and 1996.
View photos from the career of former Giants assistant coach Romeo Crennel, who announced his retirement on Monday.
Assistant coach Romeo Crennel of the New York Giants on the field prior to a game from the Giants 1990 season at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
New York Giants special teams coach Romeo Crennel instructs his team during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles in East Rutherford, NJ, Dec. 4, 1989. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Assistant coaches Bill Belichick, right, Romeo Crennel and Ray Handley, left, of the New York Giants on the field prior to the Giants 39-20 win over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXI at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA on January 25, 1987.
New York Giants Phil McConkey (20), punt return specialist and wide receiver talks with Romeo Crennel, special teams coach, as the two walk off the field carrying footballs after a practice session at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Dec. 30, 1986. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants special teams coach Romeo Crennel instructs his team during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles in East Rutherford, NJ, Dec. 4, 1989. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Assistant coach Romeo Crennel of the New York Giants on the sideline during the Giants 27-7 win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on December 14, 1986.
Head coach Bill Belichick (left) and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel of the New England Patriots celebrate their win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2005 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Pats defeated the Steelers 41-27. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
New England Patriots defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel looks over his squard during their AFC Championship game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday, Jan. 27, 2002 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) puts his hands on the shoulders of defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel during Media Day festivities at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla., Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2005. The Patriots meet the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX on Sunday Feb. 6. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
New England Patriots defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel signals from the sideline during the AFC championship game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday, Jan. 23, 2005 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
New England Patriots strong safety Rodney Harrison (37) gestures as he looks over a play with defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel during stretching exercises at the start practice in Jacksonville, Fla., Wednesday morning, Feb. 2, 2005. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, left, hugs defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel after they defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 41-27 to win the AFC Championship game in Pittsburgh Sunday, Jan. 23, 2005. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
Defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel of the New England Patriots works the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2005 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Pats defeated the Steelers 41-27. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
New England Patriots defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel signals from the sideline against the Indianapolis Colts during the AFC championship game Sunday, Jan. 18, 2004, in Foxboro, Mass. The New England Patriots take on the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004 in Houston. (AP Photo/Jim Rogash)
Cleveland Browns head coach Romeo Crennel smiles during training camp Friday, July 29, 2005 in Berea, Ohio. Crennel's first head coaching job isn't an easy one. New England's former defensive coordinator opens his first training with the rebuilt but talent-starved Cleveland Browns, who have won just nine games the past two years and aren't expected to do much this season. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 1: Romeo Crennel head coach of the Cleveland Browns watches the action from the sidelines against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on September 1, 2005 in Chicago, Illinois. The Browns defeated the Bears 16-6. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Head coach Romeo Crennel of the Cleveland Browns looks on before the game against the Denver Broncos on November 6, 2008 in Cleveland. The Broncos defeated the Browns 34-30. (Joe Robbins via AP)
CLEVELAND - DECEMBER 24: Head coach Romeo Crennel of the Cleveland Browns watches the action from the sidelines against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 24, 2006 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Buccaneers defeated the Browns 22-7. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
CLEVELAND - DECEMBER 24: Head coach Romeo Crennel of the Cleveland Browns watches the action from the sidelines against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 24, 2006 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Buccaneers defeated the Browns 22-7. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 6: Head coach Romeo Crennel of the Cleveland Browns watches the action from the sidelines against the Denver Broncos at Cleveland Browns Stadium on November 6, 2008 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Broncos defeated the Browns 34-30. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
CLEVELAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Head coach Romeo Crennel of the Cleveland Browns watches the action from the sidelines against the New Orleans Saints at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 10, 2006 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Saints defeated the Browns 19-14. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Cleveland Browns head coach Romeo Crennel looks on from the sidelines during a NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cincinnati on Dec. 11, 2005. The Bengals won 23-20. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
CLEVELAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Head coach Romeo Crennel of the Cleveland Browns watches the action from the sidelines against the New Orleans Saints at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 10, 2006 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Saints defeated the Browns 19-14. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 19: Romeo Crennel head coach of the Cleveland Browns walks on the sidelines against the Washington Redskins on October 19, 2008 at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. The Redskins defeated the Browns 14-11. (AP Photo/Tom Hauck)
PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 11: Head coach Romeo Crennel of the Cleveland Browns watches the action from the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on November 11, 2007 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated Browns 31-28. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Cleveland Browns coach Romeo Crennel watches warmups before an NFL pre-season football game against the New York Jets Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
Cleveland Browns coach Romeo Crennel talks to his team on the sidelines during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Cleveland Browns head coach Romeo Crennel watches the game against the Oakland Raiders Sunday, Oct. 1, 2006, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Head Coach Romeo Crennel of the Cleveland Browns smiles during team stretching drills at the Browns 2007 training camp held in the team's covered field house due to rain at the Cleveland Browns Training and Administrative Complex in Berea, Ohio on August 5, 2007. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Cleveland Browns coach Romeo Crennel jokes with his players during practice at the NFL team's football training camp Monday, Aug. 4, 2008, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
Head coach Romeo Crennel of the Cleveland Browns watches his team warmup prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on September 18, 2005 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Browns defeated the Packers 26-24. (AP Photo/David Stluka)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, right, shakes hands with Cleveland Browns head coach Romeo Crennel after New England beat Cleveland 34-17 in a football game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007. Crennel was Belichick's former defensive coordinator in New England. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) and Steelers coach Mike Tomlin meet Cleveland Browns coach Romeo Crennel, right, on the field after the Steelers' 31-28 win in an NFL football game at Pittsburgh, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Cleveland Browns coach Romeo Crennel watches closely during football mini-camp, Friday, May 4, 2007, in Berea, Ohio. Joe Thomas and Brady Quinn joined Cleveland's rookies and free agents at mini-camp Friday. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Head Coach Romeo Crennel of the Cleveland Browns before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 24, 2005 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Steelers defeated the Browns 41-0. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 18: Head coach Romeo Crennel of the Cleveland Browns paces the sidelines against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on September 18, 2005 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Browns defeated the Packers 26-24. (AP Photo/David Stluka)
Head Coach Romeo Crennel of the Cleveland Browns on the field during training camp at the Cleveland Browns Training and Administrative Complex on August 3, 2006 in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Head Coach Romeo Crennel of the Cleveland Browns shakes hands with Brodney Pool #21 before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 24, 2005 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Steelers defeated the Browns 41-0. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Cleveland Browns coach Romeo Crennel instructs the team during practice at the team's rookie camp, Friday, April 29, 2005, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
Cleveland Browns coach Romeo Crennel, center, calls to his team as running back William Greem (31) and quarterback Charlie Frye (9) approach the line during the team's minicamp practice Monday, June 13, 2005, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel during football training camp Friday, July 30, 2010, in St. Joseph, Mo. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel checks his notes against the Detroit Lions in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Assistant coach Brian Daboll of the Kansas City Chiefs talks with coach Romeo Crennel during play against the Green Bay Packers in a pre-season game Aug. 30, 2012 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers won 24 - 3. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs' head coach Romeo Crennel walks on the sidelines during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Romeo Crennel claps as players stretch before the NFL week 9 football game against the San Diego Chargers on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012 in San Diego. The Chargers won the game 31-13. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 4: Romeo Crennel of the Kansas City Chiefs shakes hands with Jon McGraw #47 during the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 4, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chiefs defeated the Bears 10-3. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Romeo Crennel watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012.(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Romeo Crennel looks on from the sidelines in a week 1 NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Kansas City, Missouri on September 9, 2012. The Falcons defeated the Chiefs 40-24. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Romeo Crennel looks over a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Kansas City Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel watches during the first half of his team's NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Romeo Crennel, right, laughs with cornerback Brandon Flowers (24) before an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Kansas City Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel before an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Kansas City Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel looks down the bench during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Aug. 10, 2012. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Kansas City Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel watches during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Chris Ochsner)
Kansas City Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel directs a drill during NFL football practice in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, June 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
Kansas City Chiefs inside linebacker Jovan Belcher (59) talks to Chiefs defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel during the NFL week 11 football game against the New England Patriots on Monday, November 21, 2011 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The Patriots won the game 34-3. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Kansas City Chiefs interim coach Romeo Crennel is congratulated by defensive back Reshard Langford (48) and linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) following the Chiefs' 19-14 win over the Green Bay Packers in an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, left, talks to Kansas City Chiefs interim head coach Romeo Crennel after an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won the game 19-14. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel gets drenched following the Chiefs' 19-14 win over the Green Bay Packers in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Kansas City Chiefs interim coach Romeo Crennel celebrates with his team at the end of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 19-14, giving the Packers their first loss of the season. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Chiefs interim coach Romeo Crennel, right, hugs Dwayne Bowe (82) as Wallace Gilberry (92) celebrates during the closing moments of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 19-14. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Kansas City Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel celebrates with his team during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs 19-14. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel smiles during pregame warmups during the NFL week 14 football game against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, December 12, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Chargers won the game 31-0. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Kansas City Chiefs interim head coach Romeo Crennel watches his players before an NFL football game against the Green Bay PackersSunday, Dec. 18, 2011, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel talks to defensive tackle Shaun Smith (90) during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
Kansas City Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel before an NFL football game with the Green Bay Packers at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel claps during pregame warmups during the NFL week 14 football game against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, December 12, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Chargers won the game 31-0. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel (left) talks to Kansas City Chiefs head coach Todd Haley during the NFL week 14 football game against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, December 12, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Chargers won the game 31-0. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jon Baldwin (89) shakes hands with Chiefs defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel as he stretches for pre-game warm-ups before an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass. Monday, Nov. 21, 2011. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel before an NFL football game with the Buffalo Bills at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Oct. 31, 2010. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
Kansas City defensive coordinator Romero Crennel, black jacket, and defensive backs coach Emmitt Thomas, right, confer during a time out with linebacker Andy Studebaker (96), and Travis Daniels (34) in their NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley, left, and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel direct their team during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel during the first half of an NFL football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers Monday, Sept. 13, 2010, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Aug. 27, 2010. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel before a preseason NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Aug. 27, 2010. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
Houston Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel before an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Houston Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel looks on from the sideline during the NFL week 3 regular season football game against the New York Giants on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won the game 30-17. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Houston Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel looks on from the sideline during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at NRG Stadium on Sunday, December 21, 2014 in Houston, Texas. Houston won 25-13. (AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
Houston Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel looks on during an NFL voluntary minicamp at the Methodist Training Center on Wednesday May 7, 2014 in Houston, Texas. (AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
Houston Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel watches during an NFL football training camp practice Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Houston Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel on the sideline during a NFL week 3 regular season football game against the New York Giants on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won the game 30-17. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Houston Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel looks on from the sideline during the 2015 NFL week 2 regular season football game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015 in Charlotte, N.C. The Panthers won the game 24-17. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Houston Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel hides his mouth with his play chart as he talks on his headsets on the sideline during the 2015 week 10 regular season NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday, Nov. 16, 2015 in Cincinnati. The Texans won the game 10-6. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Houston Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel looks on during an NFL football training camp at the Methodist Training Center on Saturday August 1, 2015 in Houston, Texas. (AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
Houston Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel looks on during an NFL preseason football game against the Denver Broncos at NRG Stadium on Saturday, August 22, 2015 in Houston, Texas. Denver won 14-10. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Houston Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel walks to the field prior to an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, in Cincinnati. Houston won 13-9. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Houston Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel looks on from the sideline during the 2014 NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2014 in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won the game in a 32-0 shutout. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Houston Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel, center, gestures from the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Houston Texans head coach Romeo Crennel watches from the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Houston Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel watches from the sidelines in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien, left center, and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel, right center, stand on the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Monday, Oct. 20, 2014 in Pittsburgh. The Steelers won 30-23. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Houston Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel during an NFL regular season football game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018 in Denver. The Texans won, 19-17. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Houston Texans head coach Romeo Crennel, center, watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Houston Texans interim head coach Romeo Crennel watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brett Carlsen)
Houston Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel looks up from the sideline during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019 in Arlington, Tex. The Cowboys won the game 34-0. (Paul Jasienski via AP)
Houston Texans interim head coach Romeo Crennel watches during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Houston Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel watches warmups before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Houston Texans head coach Romeo Crennel on the sideline in the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts in Indianapolis, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Houston Texans interim coach Romeo Crennel points toward the bench before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
PFF praises Adoree' Jackson in CB rankings
Following the departure of James Bradberry, Adoree' Jackson now sits atop the Giants' depth chart at the cornerback position.
Jackson signed with the Giants last offseason and enjoyed a strong first year with the team. His 80.9 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus was the fourth-highest among all cornerbacks in 2021, while his 74.9 overall grade was 15th at the position.
PFF's Anthony Treash recently ranked the top 32 outside cornerbacks in the NFL, in which Jackson landed at No. 12.
"Jackson has been a brick wall on his side of the field over the past few years," writes Treash. "Among qualifying corners since 2019, he boasts the fifth-lowest target rate (12.0%), sixth-most passing stops (29) and second-fewest yards per coverage snap (0.69). Quarterbacks are largely avoiding him in coverage, and he's blowing up anything underneath him when given the opportunity. While the Tennessee Titans did cut him in the middle of that stretch, the data speaks for itself. Jackson earned a top-five coverage grade in his first season with the Giants in 2021 and will eye elite-level play in 2022 and beyond at the Meadowlands."
The Giants secondary will certainly sport a different look this year with several veterans no longer on the team.
While the unit may be on the younger side, Jackson is ready to step into a leadership role and help guide his fellow defensive backs.
"Just lead by example and like you said, understand that's the position I'm in and taking full responsibility and accepting the role that's given to me," the veteran said at the start of OTAs on his mindset as the team's No. 1 corner. "So I think that's my mindset. Obviously if you're given a role, you have to believe that you can do it and do it at the highest ability, in that aspect, just taking it a day at a time at practice and in the classroom or in the meeting room, whatever it may be, just trying to get those reps mentally and physically, so I can go out there and be prepared and do it at a high level.
View the best photos from spring practices at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
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New York Giants corner back Adoree' Jackson (22) returns an interception during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday May 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) returns an interception during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday May 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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Kayvon Thibodeaux during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday May 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday May 17, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) takes a handoff during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday May 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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WR David Sills V (84)
RB sandro platzgummer (34)
LB Tae Crowder (48)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
WR C.J. Board (18)
TE Jordan Akins (88)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
LB Tae Crowder (48)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
RB sandro platzgummer (34)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
WR Darius Slayton (86)
TE Chris Myarick (85)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
TE Ricky Seals-Jones (83)
TE Andre Miller (43)
TE Daniel Bellinger (45)
WR C.J. Board (18)
New York Giants punter Jamie Gillan (17) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday May 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants corner back Cor'Dale Flott (28) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday May 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday May 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday May 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback Adoree' Jackson (22) shakes hands with Brian Daboll after returning an interception during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday May 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Carter Coughlin (52) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday May 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll talks to his team following an organized team activity practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday May 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (17) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday May 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday May 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
CB Adoree' Jackson (22)
Jeff Feagles talks with punter Jamie Gillan (17) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday May 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
QB Daniel Jones (8)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
LB Azeez Ojulari (51)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
LB Elerson Smith (94)
RB Matt Breida (31)
TE Chris Myarick (85)2
S Julian Love (20)
LB Tae Crowder (48)
RB Sandro Platzgummer (34), RB Matt Breida (31), RB Saquon Barkley (26), DeAndre Smith Running Backs Coach, RB Antonio Williams (21), RB Jashaun Corbin (25), RB Gary Brightwell (23)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)2
Inside the Film Room: Dane Belton's speed & awareness
Dane Belton earned a 77.2 overall grade from Pro Football Focus last season, including an impressive 82.3 coverage grade.
The safety earned a selection as First-Team All-Big Ten after registering five interceptions. Belton also forced eight incompletions, which tied for the fifth-most among safeties in 2021.
The Giants selected Belton in the fourth round (No. 114 overall) in last month's NFL Draft.
Check out the video below to watch Bob Papa and Super Bowl champion Shaun O'Hara break down the film of the rookie safety.
