New York Giants' Mike Kafka betting on Charlie Bullen to rally defense

New York Giants interim head coach Mike Kafka had no choice but to part ways with defensive coordinator Shane Bowen after Big Blue blew another fourth-quarter lead in their 34-27 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday. It was the fifth time this season the Giants lost a fourth-quarter lead and eventually lost the game.

In Bowen's place, Kafka is promoting outside linebackers coach Charlie Bullen over three other more experienced coaches on the staff (inside linebackers coach John Egorugwu, defensive line coach Andre Patterson, and secondary coach/pass game coordinator Marquand Manuel).

Bullen has never served as a coordinator on any level in his coaching career. That did not prevent Kafka from promoting him.

"Charlie's going to step up for us and rally the group," Kafka told reporters on Monday. "The defensive staff will rally around Charlie and put together a great plan. I got a lot of confidence in the room and a lot of confidence in our staff to do that."

"We have a lot of experience on that defensive staff with Dre, with Marquand, and with Eggs. Those guys are going to do a great job, and they're going to be a great asset for Charlie," Kafka said. "I have a lot of faith in Charlie and the things that he's brought from the pedigree that he brings coming into this defense.

"I think he's a smart coach. I think he's detailed, he's aggressive, and his room has had a lot of production, and I think he's ready for the task, and I know he's ready for the task. And so he's going to jump in, he's meeting with the staff right now, and these guys will get rolling for him."

Bullen won't have a lot to work with, however. Injuries have ravaged this team and this defense all year. On Sunday, they were missing three starters (cornerback Paulson Adebo, outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux, safety Tyler Nubin) and former first-round pick Deonte Banks. In addition, inside linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles left the game with a neck injury, and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence apparently "battled" through pain all game.

Still, Kafka has no alternative but to soldier on. As he continues his seven-game audition for the permanent head coaching job, he's calling on everyone in the building to put their best foot forward.

"It's all hands on deck. Everyone's going to be a part of it. The players are included in this as well. And so we all got to take ownership of our individual jobs and then our collective jobs as a unit," he said.

Accountability is back in East Rutherford.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants' Mike Kafka betting on Charlie Bullen to rally defense