Mike Sullivan moves to Giants quarterback coach; Sean Ryan promoted to receivers coach

Giants move Sullivan to QB coach, Ryan to coach WR

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Mike Sullivan is going to get a chance to work a little more closely with Eli Manning.

The New York Giants on Friday made a couple of internal coaching moves, moving Sullivan from wide receivers coach to quarterbacks coach.

“In the words of Eli, he knows exactly what we can expect from Sully and that Mike is a grinder,” coach Tom Coughlin said of the move. “Mike is going to work extremely hard in the face of any challenge and his challenge is to continue the development of Eli.”

The Giants also announced on Friday that Sean Ryan was being promoted from offensive quality control coach and will replace Sullivan as the receivers coach.

One of Coughlin’s original hires after being selected to coach the Giants in 2004, Sullivan will replace Chris Palmer, who announced his retirement from the NFL two weeks ago to become the head coach of the New York Sentinels of the United Football League.

“This is a new challenge and a chance to grow professionally and stretch myself as a coach,” Sullivan said. “It’s exciting to move to the quarterbacks, particularly to work with Eli Manning. We’ve been together for six years and we’ve worked together to develop our knowledge of the scheme and the pass game particularly.”

Manning completed 317 of 509 attempts last season for 4,021 yards, 27 touchdowns, 14 interceptions and a passer rating of 93.1. The completions, percentage, yards, touchdowns and rating were all career highs.

Manning was happy with the appointment.

“He’s been in the system with the Giants and been working with the receivers for the past six years, so I’ve been working closely with him, trying to get on the same page with the receivers,” Manning said. “We have a good relationship and we communicate well, so I’m excited about having him in the quarterback room.”

Sullivan did a great job last season molding a group of young receivers to take over for Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer, who was not re-signed.

Steve Smith led the NFC and was second in the NFL with a Giants-record 107 receptions. Rookie Hakeem Nicks, the team’s first-round draft choice, had 47 receptions for 790 yards. His 790 yards tied for first among all NFL rookies with Minnesota’s Percy Harvin.

Second-year pro Mario Manningham had a good season with 57 receptions for 822 yards and five touchdowns.

Ryan joined the Giants in 2007 after coaching stints at six colleges, including Albany, Boston College and Columbia.

“Sean has made outstanding progress as a young coach,” Coughlin said. “Last spring, when Mike Sullivan was working with a very young receiving corps, Sean was very instrumental in working with that group as well. In truth, in training camp and all through the fall, when Sean has worked with a group on the field, it has been with wide receivers.”