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Coughlin Promotes Kevin Gilbride, Jr., Sean Ryan

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ (AP/CBSNewYork) - The New York Giants have promoted Sean Ryan to quarterbacks coach and promoted Kevin Gilbride, Jr., the son of their offensive coordinator, to receivers coach.

Coach Tom Coughlin announced the moves on Thursday, less than a month after the Giants won the Super Bowl.

Ryan, 39, the receivers coach the past two seasons, replaces Mike Sullivan, who was named offensive coordinator for the Buccaneers. Gilbride, the son of offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride, spent two years as the offensive quality control coach.

"Continuity is important," Coughlin said. "It's not that I don't think there are some talented people out there. But I do think that these two are very talented. And the best approach we could possibly take would be to continue to support our players at those positions with people who are products of the system."

The Giants ranked eighth in offense in 2011, including fifth in passing yards. They scored 394 points, good enough for ninth highest in the NFL.

Ryan's biggest job will be working with Eli Manning, who set franchise records with 589 passes, 359 completions and 4,933 yards last year.

"I'm excited about Sean Ryan," Manning said. "He's a guy that's been in this system, worked his way from the ground up and spent two years with the receivers. He's a young guy who is energetic. He's driven to continue to learn.

"I know he's going to get prepared for drills. I got a chance to talk to him yesterday and will continue to talk to him when we get back for the offseason program on what I want to work on, what I need to improve on and how we can get on the same page."

Coughlin still has to fill two openings - the offensive quality control position vacated by Gilbride and the assistant offensive line position. Jack Bicknell, Jr., left that position to coach the Chiefs' offensive line.

Will Eli Manning take a step back next season working with Ryan as opposed to Sullivan? Sound off below...

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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