Jets' defense rests on Abraham's move

The Jets might hire Gunther Cunningham to facilitate John Abraham's move to linebacker.

Updated: January 13, 2004, 12:30 PM ET
By By Darrell Trimble | NFL Insider
The New York Jets are still looking for a defensive coordinator to fill the void left by the firing of Ted Cottrell, but they could be zeroing in on a candidate. The Jets called the Tennessee Titans and were granted permission to speak with Gunther Cunningham and he's scheduled to meet coach Herman Edwards on Wednesday.

The sudden interest in Cunningham shouldn't be a surprise. In five of his six seasons as a defensive coordinator in the NFL his units have ranked in the top 11 in total yards. And in his four-year stint with the Kansas City Chiefs, his defense tied for the league lead in fewest points allowed (1,050). But more importantly than those numbers is the place where he achieved them.

Jets GM Terry Bradway was in the Chiefs front office when Cunningham coached in the Show-Me State and he obviously showed him a great deal. However, he did more than field great defenses. He also worked with linebacker Derrick Thomas, who Edwards has compared to John Abraham.


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