Category: NFL

DeMarcus Ware shouts out Osi Umenyiora during Hall of Fame speech

Retired Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos linebacker DeMarcus Ware was honored during a pre-induction Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremony in Canton, Ohio on Saturday afternoon. When his time came, Ware took the stage and gave an impassioned speech.

Ware gave thanks to his family, his friends and many of his former teammates, including those who have passed. He also called back to his roots — Auburn High School and Troy University.

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One of the former high school and college teammates Ware singled out was retired New York Giants edge rusher Osi Umenyiora, who played alongside Ware for four seasons prior to entering the NFL. The two became extremely close friends and remain so today.

“I want to thank Osi Umenyiora,” Ware said. “And all my high school teammates for using your voices to help me get my scholarship to Troy University. The only college scholarship I got.”

Both Ware and Umenyiora were limited to scholarship from Troy, but they each made the most of the opportunity. They combined for 52.5 sacks during their two years together at the program and then it was on to the NFL.

“We’ll laugh [about] how we can’t believe we are here,” Umenyiora said in 2008, via ESPN. “If you see where we came from and the paths we took to get here, for us to both be known as some of the most feared pass-rushers in the league right now, coming from that is stupid when you think about it.”

For Ware, his football journey ended in Canton. For Umenyiora, his continues in Africa with the mission to grow the game of football across the globe and provide opportunities for those around the world who otherwise wouldn’t have it.

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Bill Parcells’ horse, Maple Leaf Mel, euthanized after collapse

Tragedy unfolded at the Saratoga Springs Raceway on Saturday during the $500,000 Test when Maple Leaf Mel, the three-year-old undefeated filly belonging to retired New York Giants head coach Bill Parcells, collapsed just inches from the finish line.

Maple Leaf Mel suffered a catastrophic injury to her right front leg and was quickly, and humanely, euthanized on the track.

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Jockey Joel Rosario was unseated during the collapse and suffered injuries to his face and gums. He was taken to a private vehicle for stitches and then transported to Albany Medical Center.

“I feel so bad for the connections of Mel. It’s hard to enjoy this one thinking about that. My condolences go out to their team. Hopefully, they’re able to get through this and God bless them,” the winning jockey, Tyler Gaffalione, said via ESPN.

Maple Leaf Mel was named after her trainer, Melanie Giddings, who has who survived Stage 4 endocervical and ovarian cancer. The filly was unbeaten in five starts before making her Grade 1 debut on Saturday.

“The health and safety of horses and jockeys competing at NYRA tracks is our highest priority and one that stands above all other considerations,” said Pat McKenna, NYRA vice president of communications. “NYRA, HISA and the New York State Gaming Commission will closely review the circumstances around this incident to ensure we are providing the safest possible environment for racing and training at Saratoga Race Course.”

Prior to the race, Maple Leaf Mel passed the required prerace veterinary inspection.

Since 2009, there have been more than 200 horse deaths at the Saratoga Springs Raceway.



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Giants’ Azeez Ojulari hopeful lifestyle changes will keep him healthy

New York Giants outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari, a second-round pick out of Georgia in 2021, is still waiting for his big NFL moment.

After an impressive debut season in which he set a franchise record for sacks (8.0) by a rookie, Ojulari has been more noted for his absence then his presence.

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Last year, a calf injury limited him to just seven games and five starts. This year, he hopes to come right out of the gate firing and stay on the field for an entire season.

On Friday, Ojulari told reporters his plan for staying healthy going forward.

“Really just more stretching,” he said. “More stretching incorporated some yoga into my routine, and those were the main two things that I really added.

“I talked to some people around, teammates and stuff, but for me, I just wanted better for myself. I just want to do whatever I can to help myself and my team.”

Ojulari still racked up 5.5 sacks in the limited time (about six full games) he did played last year. Prorated over 17 games that equates to 15.5 sacks, or, a Pro Bowl-like season.

Former Giants great and radio analyst, Carl Banks, recently said he felt Ojualri had the ability to reach that number if all fell into place this season.

Ojulari is not thinking that far ahead. He’s looking to stay healthy first and let the chips fall where they may afterwards.

“I’m just trying to do what I can for the team or whatever I can, no matter what it is, to just help the team win. However, I can be productive for the team, I’m just trying to do the best I can,” he said.

Sitting and watching and then not being 100 percent can take its toll on a player.

“Everything happened for a reason, but it sucked,” said Ojulari. “It’s in the past now and I’m focused on this year and put that behind me and (I’m) ready to go this year, for sure.”

Ojulari said he doesn’t look too much at the numbers. The Giants are trending up and he just wants to do his part to help make the team successful.

“I mean, that’s part of the way,” he said of sacks. “There’re other ways — forced fumbles, TFLs, setting the edge. It all works together.”

And he’ll have competition in getting to the quarterback this year thanks to second-year linebacker Kayvon Thibodoeaux, who recent said he was excited to finally team with Ojulari. The feeling is mutual.

“It’s very exciting because we work so hard. Every day at practice, we push each other, we battle. We just want to be great. You can see the potential when we’re out there practicing, and we just want to make sure we’re all ready to go and just ready to fight and win,” he said.



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New York Giants’ John Michael Schmitz taking things on snap at a time

When New York Giants rookie center John Michael Schmitz left the practice field on Friday there was a noticeable red stain on his otherwise white jersey.

Was it blood? If so, was it his? Was it someone else’s?

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“Could be both,” JMS said with a laugh.

Schmitz has been taking first-team reps this week and remains the favorite to start at center, but he doesn’t feel like he’s earned anything yet. It’s far too early in training camp and he’s not really interested in looking ahead.

“I mean we are just a couple of practices into fall camp. Right now, my main focus is just to continue to keep getting better each and every day and gain that trust with that o-line room and that offense to just prove that I can be out there, and I can make the calls and just be urgent with it,” he said.

“I don’t really kind of focus on (where I get my reps). My main focus is really on just taking that one thing, that you focus on every day, which could be a technique, could just a mental standpoint of it, and just keep getting better at it. That’s how I am looking at it.”

Things certainly aren’t going to come easy for Schmitz, who has drawn the short straw. He’s forced to block All-Pro nose tackle Dexter Lawrence every day, which is a nightmare for those around the league.

“Dex is a great player. All-Pro last year. Great opportunity to go against him every day in practice. Continue to perfect my craft, learn from him, and at the end of the day get better,” Schmitz said matter-of-factly.

That’s the laser focus for the rookie: get better each day. He’s taking things one snap at a time and his sole focus is the next rep.



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New York Giants’ Darren Waller among NFL’s top 50 in merchandise sales

There is only one New York Giants player listed on the most recent list of the NFLPA’s Top 50 NFL Player Sales list.

That would be tight end Darren Waller, who the Giants traded a third-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders this past offseason for. He came in at No. 32.

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The list was culled from the sales of all officially licensed NFL player products and merchandise from the period from March 1-May 31, 2023.

Waller jerseys are a hot sell these days. He switched from his traditional No. 83 to No. 12 after arriving in New Jersey to join the Giants in March.

Waller began his career wearing No. 12 in Baltimore with the Ravens in 2016 and then switched to No. 84 the next season. He took the No. 83 when he was signed off the Ravens’ practice squad by the then-Oakland Raiders in November of 2018.

The list is topped by Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and followed by Aaron Rodgers, who is now the starting quarterback of the New York Jets.

Also on the list are former Giant star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (No. 28), who is now with Baltimore, and running back Ezekiel Elliott (No. 25), who is currently a free agent after being released by the Dallas Cowboys this past offseason.

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Bears add Yannick Ngakoue to bolster league-worst pass rush – ESPN – NFL Nation

  • Courtney Cronin, ESPN Staff WriterAug 5, 2023, 06:00 AM ET

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      Courtney Cronin joined ESPN in 2017, originally covering the Minnesota Vikings before switching to the Chicago Bears in 2022. Courtney is a frequent panelist on Around the Horn and host of Best Week Ever on ESPN Radio. She also co-hosts The Chicago Bears Podcast on ESPN 1000. She previously worked at the San Jose Mercury News as a multimedia sports journalist.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Friday’s setup was nothing new for Yannick Ngakoue.

The pass-rusher answered questions at his fifth introductory news conference in five seasons about his new set of teammates, coaches and expectations.

For a pass-rusher as productive as Ngakoue, having racked up at least eight sacks in every season of his NFL career, the merry-go-round of teams — which now includes the Chicago Bears — has become the norm since the 2020 season.

Yet, something about this feels different for Ngakoue. Pointing to a tattoo of a bear on his right hand, the pass-rusher said his journey to Chicago aligns with where he is in his career. If the defensive end replicates the 9.5-sack season he had a year ago in Indianapolis, a long-term deal by the age of 30 might be attainable.

“It was a great fit,” Ngakoue said. “Going back to what this culture means here, just the history here and also, it’s a great transition — easy transition — with my position coach [Travis Smith] and my defensive coordinator [Alan Williams].”

For the Bears, getting any level of production similar to what Ngakoue generated the past four seasons would make the one-year, $10.5 million investment worth it.

Chicago’s pursuit of pass rush help is as pivotal to the team’s growth as the additions the Bears made on offense to help Justin Fields become a franchise quarterback. General manager Ryan Poles has remained steady the past few months, finding ways to add to the roster while being realistic about what the Bears can do in one offseason.

But the glaring need along the defensive line that generated 20 sacks (the fewest in the NFL) and pressured opposing quarterbacks on 22% of pass plays (second worst) could not be ignored.

The addition of DeMarcus Walker at edge rusher was not enough. The Bears hope for growth in defensive ends Trevis Gipson and Dominique Robinson, but needed to take a big swing on a player who could be dropped in, adapt and produce quickly. Ngakoue did that in Minnesota (finishing as the Vikings’ sack leader in 2020 in six games), Baltimore, Las Vegas and Indianapolis.

The Bears are eager to see if he can raise the ceiling of their entire defensive line.

“He’s full tilt when he practices, and he keeps himself in great shape,” coach Matt Eberflus said. “To be really good and effective in pass rushing, you’ve got to bring it and you’ve got to bring it every single down. You can’t take a play off and that takes being in great shape, and you’ve got to have that mentality.”

For perspective, there were 27 individual defensive linemen with more than seven sacks last season, including Ngakoue with the Colts. Chicago got 7.5 from its entire group of defensive linemen combined. The Bears were led in sacks by then-rookie safety Jaquan Brisker (4).

Chicago’s secondary won’t have to overcompensate like it did in 2022, if they have a formidable pass rush to lean on.

“That’s a huge difference,” safety Eddie Jackson said. “You know when you got that rush, the quarterback ain’t got the time to sit back there and pat the ball all day. … Just to have that pressure up front, man, it helps us a lot in the back end. We get to capitalize off of that as well.”

Of course, Ngakoue can’t do it on his own. The rotation along the defensive line — which Eberflus says the Pro Bowler will be part of more than on pass-rushing downs, despite deficiencies against the run — relies on the production of others.

That’s where Walker’s career-high seven sacks he had with Tennessee last year come into play. For Robinson, who worked with 14-year NFL veteran edge rusher Robert Mathis this offseason, growth is pivotal to the team’s success up front.

“We needed to set edges better,” Williams said. “We needed to rush the passer better. Win our one-on-ones, play with more violence in terms of when we are running our run stunts and our games to be more physical. One other thing is excellence in the details.”

The Bears’ subtractions in 2022 were part of the beginning stages of the team’s rebuild. The tone has changed this season with additions across the defense. The Bears brought in Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards to lead at linebacker. They drafted cornerbacks Tyrique Stevenson and Terell Smith to fortify the secondary.

And now they have the top free agent pass-rusher to elevate a unit from the basement of the NFL.

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Giants waive Jeff Smith, place Evan Neal in concussion protocol

After an impressive start to training camp, New York Giants right tackle Evan Neal was forced to leave Friday’s practice early.

It was initially unclear what forced Neal off the field but following the afternoon practice, it was revealed that the second-year player had suffered a concussion and was placed into protocol.

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Earlier in the day, head coach Brian Daboll praised Neal’s progress and his improved technique.

“I think Evan’s done a good job, like I said a couple of days ago. He’s improved, he’s got the right mindset and we’ll just grinding along with him,” Daboll said.

Meanwhile, the Giants also made a series of transactions on Friday, waiving wide receiver Jeff Smith with an injury designation. The veteran had suffered a knee injury earlier in the week.

If Smith clears waivers, he will revert to injured reserve.

In a corresponding roster move, the Giants signed nose tackle Donovan Jeter, who was recently released by the Chicago Bears.

The 6-foot-3, 325-pound Jeter was originally signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Michigan in 2022. He also spent some time with the Washington Commanders last season.

Jeter has appeared in one career game and recorded one tackle.



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New York Giants select QB Lamar Jackson in ESPN’s 2018 re-draft

In one of the most controversial draft picks in franchise history, the New York Giants selected running back Saquon Barkley second overall in the 2018 NFL draft.

Barkley got off to stellar start with Big Blue, earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. However, immediately after that, Barkley was hit with the injury bug prior to bouncing back in 2022.

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To this day, the debate continues over taking a running back as high as the Giants took Barkley.

ESPN recently released a re-draft of that 2018 draft and instead of taking Barkley, the Giants select quarterback Lamar Jackson.

A debate raged before the 2018 draft about whether the Giants should draft a quarterback. Ultimately, they did not, opting to take Barkley to boost their offense. But I made the easy choice to instead take the 2019 unanimous NFL MVP in Jackson. He is the most electric quarterback in the game — he leads the league in quarterback rush yards since 2018 (4,435) — and would have been unstoppable in current coach Brian Daboll’s offense.

Of course, when the Giants took Barkley, Eli Manning was still under center and they were still trying to win with their current roster — they were just a year removed from an 11-5 record under Ben McAdoo.

Like Barkley, Jackson also had a contract dispute this offseason which was resolved shortly after the Baltimore Ravens signed former Giant Odell Beckham Jr.

Jackson, of course, was selected 32nd overall that year with 28 teams passing on the future MVP, including the Ravens at 25th overall.

Meanwhile, in this re-draft scenario, Barkley falls to pick 15 and is then taken by the Arizona Cardinals.

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Wink Martindale pleased with New York Giants’ rookie cornerbacks

When the New York Giants selected Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks with the 24th overall selection in this year’s NFL draft, defensive coordinator Wink Martindale was so overjoyed he laid an uncharacteristic aggressive hug on general manager Joe Schoen.

In case you missed that exchange, here it is:

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That right there displayed how much Martindale loved the pick, knowing he needs physical outside cornerbacks to make his system run.

Banks is a 6-foot-2, 205 pound prospect that will man up against the bigger wideouts in the league. Banks began camp slowly but has been ramping things up the past week.

On Thursday, Martindale updated the media on Banks’ progress.

“I think he’s been great,” Wink said. “It’s one of those things — corners are on the island. You know what I mean? When you see, he’s on the island and this is the NFL. It’s 50/50 on the edge. He still has that mentality that if he gets knocked down nine times, he gets up 10 and doesn’t flinch. (He) listens, learns (and) Rome’s doing a great job with him, (defensive backs coach) Jerome Henderson, and I think both of those young corners have come in here and competed and they’re exciting to watch.”

“Both of those corners?”

Yes, the Giants are crowing about another rookie as well. Old Dominion’s Tre Hawkins III — a 6-foot-3, 195-pound player who the Giants found on Day 3 of the draft that has the team’s training camp buzzing.

“Oh, he’s had a great camp. He’s had a great camp,” Martindale said.

“It’s amazing to me as you go back and you think about the different guys and where they come from. It doesn’t matter where you come from once you get here because the resources and people that they have to work with at this level and the guys that are productive, you can see the confidence just build in them. I really think he’s done a nice job but he’s got a lot of things to work on, just like we all do.”

Hawkins has earned first reps early on in camp and has shown he can both post up on the line as well as cloak speedy wideouts down the field.



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Giants’ Joe Schoen says relationship with Saquon Barkley is good

The New York Giants and franchise-tagged star running back Saquon Barkley are showing no ill effects in their relationship after Barkley’s contract showdown this offseason.

“Our relationship is good,” general manager Joe Schoen said in an interview with WFAN in New York on Thursday morning.

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“The first offer we sent during the bye week, Saquon came up to my office and we had a really good conversation. I said ‘Listen, this is the first time you’re going through this. There is a business side to it…and none of it is personal.’ He understood that throughout the process. He’s been up to my office a couple times since he’s been back. He’s mature, he’s a good teammate, and he really cares about this organization.”

Barkley didn’t really have much leverage after his reps turned down several top-of-the-market offers from the Giants before the bottom fell out of the running back market.

Barkley ended up settling for a sliver over the franchise tag tender of $10.1 million for 2023. The deal was altered to pay $2 million up front in the form of a signing bonus with $910k more to be potentially made on the back end via incentives.

“With the Saquon deal, it was professional the entire time. We just couldn’t come to an agreement on a value, and that’s OK. It’s OK that the has to do what’s best for him. We understand that,” added Schoen.

“I have a lot of confidence in our process and how we come up with our value of players, and they have their process.”

In the end, Barkley just wanted to play football. He understands the business end now but his NFL career clock is ticking. No way he could hold out in his mid-20’s and expect his career path to continue without a hitch upon his return. Ask Le’Veon Bell how that works out.

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