NFL rumors: Why Eric Bieniemy might be the ideal coach for Giants mentality, according to Adrian Peterson – NJ.com

Giants general manager Dave Gettleman has a painfully simple philosophy when it comes to how Super Bowls are won.

I really believe that as much as the style of play evolves, there are basic truths, Gettleman said Tuesday. You have to run the ball, you have to stop the run, you have to rush the passer. If you are seriously deficient in any one of those three areas, it makes it tough.

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While the Giants offensive line remains a work in progress, building an offense around running back Saquon Barkley -- fresh off his second consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season to open his career -- seems to be Gettlemans vision for what the teams next head coach will install.

If that is the case, if running the football is paramount, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy -- who will interview for the Giants coaching job Saturday -- might be the ideal man for the job, according to Washington running back Adrian Peterson.

He had everything we need for that week written on the whiteboard, Peterson said, via The Athletic. "On both sides, and we used to go over it, and you were able to see it in intensive detail. Its like, man; he is really like making sure that we are dialed in, and we know exactly whats going on. So the running back group, and the fullback group we are in sync. We have no excuse to eff up.

Peterson rushed for 1,000 yards in each of his four seasons under Bieniemys tutelage from 2007-'10 and became one of the NFLs most prolific backs. Might Barkley similarly benefit from working with Bieniemy, a standout running back at the University of Colorado and nine-year pro?

Even though he rushed for 1,589 yards and 11 touchdowns in his career, Bieniemy understands the need for balance in a successful offense, as evident in the playbook hes had input in under Andy Reid built around quarterback Patrick Mahomes generational skillset.

People look at me sideways because Im a running back, and they think I always want to run the ball," Bieniemy told Yahoo! Sports. "No. I understand the importance of the passing game and I understand the importance of making sure were pushing the ball down the field.

The Chiefs only rushed for 98 rushing yards per game, but finished sixth in total offense and fifth in scoring offense en route to a 12-4 finish.

Widely viewed as one of the NFLs brightest offensive minds, a strong leader and a rising head coaching candidate, Bienemy could be the latest branch of Reids coaching tree to see success as a head coach.

John Harbaugh won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens and has a team capable of making it to Miami next month. Matt Nagy led the Chicago Bears to an NFC North championship last season. Ron Rivera guided the Carolina Panthers to a Super Bowl and multiple NFC Championship Games. Brad Childress took the Vikings to the championship round, as well.

Earlier this week, Reid offered Bieniemy a ringing endorsement as he embarked on the interview circuit.

I think he would be tremendous," Reid told reporters this week in Kansas City. "I dont know the team, but there is a team out there that could really use him. Being the leader of men that he is, youre not going to find people better than that in that category. Hes a sharp offensive mind on top of that.

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Matt Lombardo may be reached at MLombardo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattLombardoNFL