Mangini on Saints' radar

Former Jets head coach Eric Mangini could wind up in New Orleans.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Mangini and former Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel are two of the candidates the Saints are considering for their defensive coordinator opening.

Shortly after being reinstated by the league, Saints coach Sean Payton fired former DC Steve Spagnuolo after just one season and secondary coach Ken Flajole.

(Granted, it was a very bleak season defensively.)

The Saints (7-9) finished dead-last in total defense and run defense, and allowed an astonishing NFL single-season record of 7,042 yards in 2012.

“I personally want to thank Steve and Ken for their contributions during what was an unprecedented 2012 season," Payton said in a statement released by the team. "Philosophically we are changing our defense to a 3-4 alignment, and right now is the best time to accomplish this transition." 

Mangini -- who was 33-47 in his head coaching career with the Jets (2006-08) and Browns (2009-10) -- was a defensive assistant, defensive backs coach and a defensive coordinator with the New England Patriots from 1997-2005.