Giants' Perry Fewell a head-coaching candidate?

We are nearing the midpoint of the 2012 NFL season, and already the speculation is beginning about which head coaches will be fired and which current assistant coaches will be in line to compete for those inevitable vacancies.

Which means we are back to wondering how much longer Perry Fewell will be defensive coordinator of the New York Giants.

NFL.com Wednesday listed Fewell as one of the five assistant coaches most likely to land a head-coaching job in the NFL next season.

Fewell has done an outstanding job with the Giants. Their run to the Super Bowl last season was largely the result of his punishing defensive unit. He has overcome several injuries to key personnel and his reputation around the league is rock solid. He has interviewed for head-coaching jobs in the past but those teams chose to go in a different direction. Many around the NFL believe he will not be passed over again.

AFC personnel executive: "I've never heard anything negative about him. His results speak for themselves and he deserves a head coaching opportunity."

Fewell was a hot candidate after the 2010 season, when he interviewed for several openings. Teams did not wait for Fewell and the Giants to finish their run to the Super Bowl last season, so there was not as much interest.

Do you think the 2012 season will be Fewell's swan song as Giants' defensive coordinator? If so, how much will the giants miss him?