I’m torn between Spagnuolo, who I think is the more exciting candidate, and Frazier, who ultimately might be the more effective.

Points for Spagnuolo:

• He has already presided over a ‘rebuild’ – taking apart the Giants defense from day one and completely overhauling its attitude, and doing a great job of mixing in new talent. I don’t know how much say he had in drafting guys like Tuck and Kiwanuka, but they fit his defense in a perfect “plug-and-play” way.
• He has three years under Coughlin, a no-nonsense strong-willed disciplinarian as head coach, who has shown that he can be a ‘players coach’ if the players earn his respect. He runs a meritocracy, not a collection of doghouses.
• He’s the ‘hot’ coordinator, and this may bring a new shine to the Rams in terms of their ability to attract free agents – and fans.

Points for Frazier:

• Even though he cant take full credit for it, the Vikings’ defensive transformation has been even more impressive than the Giants’. They sucked out loud on defense for a decade before Tomlin and Frazier came into the picture.
• His pedigree comes from the ‘85 Bears … adding fuel to the rivalry between us and Mike Singletary’s Niners. In the antiseptic world of professional football, we need our rivalries to be strong. Especially with our divisional opponents.
• He’s a Dungy acolyte, and has the kind of even keel that can keep the team stable through what will be a lengthy rebuilding process.

I think I lean towards Spags, but I wouldn’t be disappointed in either hire. I put them both head and shoulders above the rest. (Not a Rex Ryan believer … he’s just the latest to be riding on the Ravens’ coattails. Ask Marv Lewis and Mike Nolan how that goes.)