Month: December 2023

Joe Schoen credits Saquon Barkley for keeping Giants afloat

New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen credits running back Saquon Barkley with helping keep the team afloat this season.

With the New York Giants in the middle of a disappointing season, many expected general manager Joe Schoen to move — or at the very least — take calls from potential trade partners for running back Saquon Barkley.

Instead, the Giants made it clear that they would retain Barkley. That’s something Schoen reiterated during his press conference this past Monday, stating that moving on from Barkley “didn’t make any sense.”

In recent weeks, especially during the Giants’ two-game winning streak, Barkley has been a catalyst. Both on the sidelines and on the field, he’s made a positive impact.

At one point, Barkley even recommended running a play that ultimately led to a touchdown.

“Saquon, I mean, he’s a captain. He comes to work every day. I know there were some questions a couple of weeks ago about still coming to work and the longevity and the tread on the tires and all that stuff,” Schoen said. “He comes to work every day. He does everything we ask. He’s a great teammate. He’s a captain.

“Big reason, as you’re going through adversity, I think he’s a big part of keeping the locker room together. I respect Saquon a lot and the way he’s handled himself through this entire process, and I have a lot of respect for Saquon.”

The offense, of course, runs through Barkley and without Daniel Jones and Darren Waller on the field, the Giants have leaned on Barkley heavily.

Barkley and the Giants slogged through contract negotiations this past offseason with the running back threatening a holdout over the franchise tag. However, that ended quickly as Barkley’s love for the game and respect for his teammates won out.

Barkley ultimately signed a modified version of the franchise tag.

Despite questions about loyalty in the NFL, Barkley has remained a loyal soldier to the Giants, which has come at his own personal expense. Schoen and the organization seem to recognize that and still intend to sign the back long-term.

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LOOK: Every player drafted in the NFL during Mike Elko’s time as defensive coordinator at Texas A&M

Here is every player drafted in the NFL under former Texas A&M defensive coordinator and new Aggies head coach Mike Elko.

The Mike Elko era at Texas A&M has officially begun. As changes are already in motion concerning the coaching staff and roster, Elko brings a sense of stability and hope to a program in dire need of a culture change.

Looking deeper into Mike Elko’s background, this man knows defense. He is very familiar with Texas A&M after serving as the Aggies’ defensive coordinator for four seasons (2018-2021) under then-head coach Jimbo Fisher, developing a wealth of current NFL defenders who are still producing in the league today.

In only two seasons as the head coach at Duke, Elko continued to develop top defensive talent, as several current Duke starters could make their way to College Station, including standout cornerback Chandler Rivers.

Ranging from safety Antonio Johnson to standout defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal, Elko’s coordinator days have provided the blueprint for dozens of Aggies to find their way into the NFL ranks.

Check out every former Texas A&M who was drafted during Elko’s four years in College Station.

Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers: How to watch, broadcast, lineups

The Boston Celtics will host the Philadelphia 76ers for the two Atlantic Division teams’ third meeting of the season, having split the series to date before Friday night’s contest.

The Boston Celtics will host the Philadelphia 76ers for the two Atlantic Division teams’ third meeting of the season, having split the series to date before Friday night’s contest.

If you happen to be looking for a way to watch the on-court action live on cable television or a local or national online streaming service that carries the game, keep reading while we get you up to speed on everything else you need to know about the game. Along with player injuries and likely starters for both teams, we of course will have how to watch it listed below.

Let’s begin with the players available to play.

Broncos lead the NFL with 22 takeaways through 12 weeks

The Broncos lead the NFL in takeaways (22) through 12 weeks of play. Ja’Quan McMillian (4) and Justin Simmons (4) lead the team.

The Denver Broncos’ defense has been forcing turnovers at an impressive pace during the team’s recent winning streak.

Over the last four weeks, the Broncos have totaled 15 takeaways, the most by any team during a four-game stretch since 1989. Denver also has a four-game streak of at least three takeaways, a team-high since 2000.

“It’s huge,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said of the team’s takeaways earlier this week. “If you’re looking at the league in general, with anywhere from 11 to 14 possessions per game — you take it away, you get one, they get one less. You take two away, you get two more and they get two less — just do the math. It was at that 1-5 mark that we were not really good with that. Since that mark, we’ve been really good with that. We have to keep paying attention to it, but it’s significant.”

Denver has totaled 22 takeaways this season, more than any other team.

At some point, there will be some regression. The Broncos have recovered 10 fumbles in their last four games, a historically high total. As Andrew Mason of Denver Sports pointed out on Twitter/X, two of those fumbles were muffed snaps and one was a botched reverse — some luck was involved in those turnovers.

The Broncos can continue to be aggressive, though, punching the ball out when given opportunities while continuing to force interceptions as well. Denver might not be able to keep up its historic turnover pace, but the Broncos can continue this style of play that has led to takeaways.

Commanders owner Josh Harris ‘disappointed’ with season, but remains confident in the future

Harris is disappointed but wants to finish the season on a strong note. He also knows the name is still an important topic.

Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris and one of his limited partners, Mark Ein, spoke publicly on Thursday at the Sports Business Journal’s Dealmakers conference Thursday in Washington, D.C.

It was the first time Harris had spoken publicly since some of Washington’s massive changes over the past month. Over the past month, the Commanders traded starting defensive ends Chase Young and Montez Sweat for a pair of second-day draft choices in the 2024 NFL draft, and last week, fired defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and secondary coach Brent Vieselmeyer.

Harris acknowledged the disappointing start to the 2023 season, in which Washington sits at 4-8 and last place in the NFC East.

“Clearly, all of us are disappointed by the performance on the field,” Harris said via Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. However, Harris remains optimistic about what’s ahead.

“All of us. So we’re focusing on that, and we want to finish the season strong. You got to win, and everyone wants to win. And sometimes it takes a while.”

Washington fans have been waiting long enough. However, for once, there is real change where the fans can see hope in the future. There will be a new regime in the offseason. It finally appears the Commanders will be managed like a real NFL organization, beginning with hiring a general manager, who will, in turn, hire the head coach.

Harris didn’t discuss the coaching staff but did talk about the future beyond this season.

“I have a public track record with Philly (76ers) and New Jersey (Devils), and generally, when you change a system, sometimes you have to do it,” Harris said. “But you probably take a step back before you take a step forward. That’s not always the case, but I think generally, that’s what the statistics would show. So I think it’s important to be patient.”

Fans have been upset this season that Harris hasn’t already fired Rivera. However, everyone knows changes are coming. Changes were coming regardless of what happened this season, short of a Super Bowl run.

Patience is warranted in this case. The NFL is built for teams to turn around quickly. One thing that helps teams turn around is the quarterback. Sam Howell has given Washington some exciting moments this season and there’s hope he could be the guy moving forward. Howell’s future, though, will likely be determined by the next regime.

Still, there’s hope. Fans had given up on Daniel Snyder many, many years ago. Harris and his group remain in a honeymoon period. His success, along with his group’s success, not only in sports but also in business, shows they are committed to making Washington a winner again.

Another topic for Harris on Thursday was the team’s name. While ownership ruled out a return to the former name, Harris understands it’s still an important topic for the team’s fans. And if it’s important to the fans, he will listen.

“We’re focused on winning football games for the rest of the season, fixing the stadium, and engaging with the city,” Harris said. “I know (the name) is a topic that people in Washington want to talk about. But right now, we’re focused on the things that we think are really important right now.”

Harris has maintained the same stance since purchasing the team in July. Now, with the season nearing its close, there will be more talk about another possible name change. Harris and his partners will consider another rebranding. But first, it will be about getting the right football people in place for 2024 and beyond.

Patriots’ Jabrill Peppers to Giants’ Saquon Barkley: You’re lucky we suck

NFL cameras caught New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers making an honest admission to New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley in Week 12.

The New England Patriots fell to the New York Giants, 10-7, in Week 12 but that was through no fault of Jabrill Peppers.

The veteran safety recorded three tackles (two solo, one for a loss), one QB hit, one sack, and one fumble recovered against his former team on Sunday. It wasn’t quite the statement game he had hoped for, but it was a productive day nonetheless.

Peppers had expressed excitement about taking on against his former club leading up to the game, including his good pal, running back Saquon Barkley.

There were no hard feelings, but Peppers wanted to show the Giants what they let get away. Unfortunately for him, a missed field goal with seconds remaining prevented him from coming out victorious.

As players spilled out onto the field after the final whistle, Barkley and Peppers met up. That’s when NFL cameras caught something Peppers probably prefers they didn’t.

“You lucky we (expletive), bro,” Peppers said to Barkley, who couldn’t help but to laugh.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is not going to be happy when he sees that clip but Peppers was being honest. The Giants are a terrible football team here in 2023, and New England is a bit worse.

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Giants great Tiki Barber just wants fair consideration for Hall of Fame

Tiki Barber won’t say he’s deserving of the Pro Football Hall of Fame but he would like a fair conversation about his career to be had.

This week, former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber was named a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024.

Barber, in his 12th year of eligibility, had never before gotten this far in the process. His 10-year NFL career was spent all with the Giants, and his career achievements cannot be denied. He stands among the greats of the game in several categories.

In fact, Barber stands alone in one. He is the only player in NFL history to have 10,000 rushing yards, 5,000 receiving yards and 1,000 return yards.

But numbers sometimes aren’t enough. Barber falls just short of being elite when it comes to career rushing yards. He walked away from the game fully healthy after the 2006 season. Many feel that had he stayed one more season, he’d have the required accumulated numbers plus a Super Bowl ring. Then no one could keep him out.

Barber believes getting elected to the Hall is like any other voting process – very subjective, and one needs a godfather of sorts backing his cause.

“It’s politicking. It’s ‘you vote for my guy, in five years I’ll vote for your guy.’ That’s really what it comes down to,” Barber said on the Amazin’ Conversations with Jay Horwitz podcast.

“I’ve been lucky over the last couple of years because Gary Myers, formerly of the Daily News and a good friend of mine, has kind of taken up the cause and has started advocating for me. Hopefully, it makes a little bit of a difference. … In some cases, like with Tim Brown, it took a long time to get in himself, the great wide receiver from the Oakland and LA Raiders. He had to hire a PR firm in order to just get the word out there.”

Barber’s twin brother, Ronde — a cornerback with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — was voted into the Hall last year. His election put Tiki’s name back in the mouths and minds of fans and voters.

“It’s not that these guys, including myself, aren’t deserving, it’s just that sometimes you start to slip from people’s consciousness, and in order to have a chance of getting into the Hall of Fame, you’ve got to be front of mind and be reminded about some of the good things or great things that we as former players did when we were on the gridiron,” he said.

Barber’s chances appear to be slim this season, and his window is closing. He knows how difficult it is to get in, especially nearly 17 years after he retired.

“I think for quarterbacks and coaches, championships matter, but for running backs, it’s really about getting in the room and letting them have the conversation about you,” Barber said. “I found this out last year when my brother got inducted. The only thing he wanted was to have them have the conversation about him. I’m not saying I deserve to be a Hall of Famer; it’s just talk about me, and the only way for that to happen is to get into the finals.”

The finalists will be announced later this season, and the Class of 2024 will be unveiled at the NFL Honors in Las Vegas the night before the Super Bowl in February.

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