Well, they flirted.  And maybe they kissed.  But they didn’t get married.

Multiple media outlets are reporting that Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will not be the next head coach of the Redskins.  Instead, Spagnuolo will remain with the Giants for a second year.

The reports, from Mike Garafolo of the Newark Star-Ledger, David Elfin of the Washington Times, and Adam Schefter of NFL Network, are presently short on details.  We know that Spags is staying put, but we don’t know much more.

It recently was reported by Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News that the Giants were prepared to give Spagnulo a raise, more years on his contract, and the title of assistant head coach — but only if the Redskins were to offer him the job that was vacated last month by Joe Gibbs.  It appears that Spagnuolo wasn’t offered the job, and it’s unclear whether the Giants had to cough up any cash or other stuff to get him to pull his name out of the running.

Absent a collapse by the Giants in 2008, Spagnuolo is poised to be the Jason Garrett of the next hiring cycle.  And unless the Giant become the first NFC team since the 1996-97 Packers to qualify in back-to-back years for the Super Bowl, Spags might be available next year to be hired with more than one job left.

The three known candidates for the Redskins job are Jim Fassel, Steve Mariucci, and Ron Meeks.  The smart money is on Fassel. 

Then again, the smart money four days ago was on the Patriots.