Tag: Andre Patterson

Giants hosted veteran DL Armon Watts for workout

The New York Giants hosted veteran DL Armon Watts, who played under Andre Patterson in Minnesota, for a workout on Monday.

The New York Giants reportedly had veteran defensive lineman Armon  Watts in for a workout on Monday.

Watts (6-foot-5, 307 pounds) began his career as a sixth-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings out of Arkansas back in 2019. He played three seasons in Minnesota where his unit coach was Andre Patterson, who is currently the Giants’ defensive line coach.

After being waived by the Vikings, Watts has spent each of the last three seasons with different teams — the Chicago Bears, Pittsburgh Steelers, and the New England Patriots, who released him with an injury settlement in late August.

Watts has played in 72 NFL games, starting 22. He has 140 total tackles, seven for a loss, and 8.5 sacks in his career.

The Giants appear to be fairly set on the interior of the defensive line with Dexter Lawrence, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, rookie Elijah Chatman, D.J. Davidson, and Jordon Riley but general manager Joe Schoen is always looking for ways to upgrade the roster.

[lawrence-related id=734506,734479,734494]

‘Longshot’ undrafted rookie Elijah Chatman playing his way onto Giants’ roster

Former SMU defensive lineman Elijah Chatman is attempting to make the New York Giants’ roster as an undrafted rookie.

The New York Giants have a slew of defensive linemen in camp this summer, perhaps the best bunch they’ve had in years.

There is a dark horse among the group that could just happen to sneak onto the roster — an undrafted free agent rookie out of SMU by the name of Elijah Chatman.

The Giants signed Chatman in May after a tryout at rookie camp. He has been impressing ever since.

Chatman shone in the Giants’ 14-3 preseason win against the Detroit Lions last Thursday night, leading the team in quarterback pressures in the game.

“He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do,” head coach Brian Daboll told reporters on Monday. “Again, he’s a smaller guy, but he’s got some length in his arms. He’s got some explosiveness and quick twitch, maybe a little bit different than some of the bigger guys. I think he’s developed since he’s been here. He had that tryout. I wouldn’t say it’s unusual, but it’s hard to do. So, he’s earned some more playing time.

“We’re going to give it to him and try to see him against as good a competition as we can so we can get a good evaluation. Give him some reps against the first team, whether it’s our team or Houston, so we can get a fair evaluation of him.”

Chatman is just six feet tall and weighs 278 pounds (we know, Aaron Donald wasn’t much bigger, if at all) but possesses great strength. In fact, defensive line coach Andre Patterson believes Chatman could be the strongest player on the Giants.

Chatman has plenty of experience under his belt, having played in 60 games at SMU, where he was a two-time All-AAC selection. Daboll was asked what attracted the Giants to such an obscure player who doesn’t “fit the mold” of the position he plays.

“You always want big, fast, long, strong people. That’s what this league is,” said Daboll. “But he was a talented player in college, too, when you went back and watched him. But sometimes that’s a tougher jump to make when you lack a little bit of height or size or length or quickness. But you can find good football players anywhere, and he’s done a nice job since he’s been here.”

Chatman is not going to displace Dexter Lawrence or Rakeem Nunez-Roches but he can certainly challenge the other defensive lineman on the team for a spot.

The Giants had a feeling that Chatman would make for a tough roster decision and here he is doing just that. At the very least, he’ll be a practice squadder. At the most, he’ll be one of those hidden gems they’ll talk about for years, like Victor Cruz.

[lawrence-related id=731132,731134,731108]

Giants’ Dexter Lawrence on taking Aaron Donald’s throne: It could be me

Not only is New York Giants NT Dexter Lawrence hilariously “clever,” he may also be the league’s most dominant interior defender now.

Is New York Giants Pro Bowl defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence ready to fill the void left behind by the retirement of future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald?

The sixth-year pro out of Clemson believes he could become the league standard at interior defensive line now that Donald has left the field.

“Yeah, it could be (me),” Lawrence told reporters on Thursday when asked. “I’ve just got to keep working, working on my weaknesses and getting better with my strengths. It took me by surprise honestly. Look, 10 years is a long time, but you know you expect more things like that, but he left the game on top. A lot of respect to him for what he brought. There probably won’t be another one of him. A lot of respect.”

But first, Lawrence has to acclimate himself to a new defensive scheme, a new coordinator (Shane Bowen), and some fresh faces on defense — most notably linebacker Brian Burns, who said he and Lawrence were working well together and people should prepare for something special.

“I think it’s natural,” Lawrence said. “Right now, we’re not running games or doing any of that and still rushing well. I think it’s just natural — just understanding the game. We are two smart players playing beside each other. We work along well with each other over there. I like him a lot. He brings a different dynamic to the line.”

Incidentally, Burns called Lawrence ‘clever’ in his approach to the game recently.

“What does that mean, smart?” Lawrence said with a sarcastic laugh. “Yeah, like I said, the knowledge of the game clashes well together. So, I think that’s where that starts.”

Lawrence said the defensive units are working more in concert with one another, especially when it comes to the pass rush.

“It’s just knowledge bouncing off each other everywhere. It’s obviously a lot of talking. It’s loud in there. But it’s a lot of good work. That’s the best part about it,” he said.

Lawrence is clearly the team leader on defense but still strives to improve. That realization has not prevented him from taking to the tutelage of his unit coach, Andre Patterson.

“Coach Dre kind of shifted my mindset a little bit to work on things that I wasn’t good at,” Lawrence said. “That’s the next step into being better. Kudos to him obviously, for helping me think about things that I wasn’t necessarily – you know, you go to your natural habits to do what you can do to improve in the game. More tools is what I’m doing.”

[lawrence-related id=727965,727959,727918]

Giants make notable change to defensive hierarchy

The New York Giants have added to the role of veteran assistant Andre Patterson, who is now also working with the team’s edge rushers.

The New York Giants made a quiet and under-the-radar change to their defensive hierarchy this offseason, adding to the role of defensive line coach Andre Patterson.

The veteran assistant won’t just oversee Dexter Lawrence and the other D-linemen, but he’ll also be working with the team’s outside linebackers as defensive coordinator Shane Bowen looks to generate a more organic pass rush with his front seven.

“I’m working with those outside linebackers on pass rush,” Patterson told reporters on Thursday. “I’ve spent a lot of time with Charlie (Bullen) on the way I see things as rushers and things that I think they must do to help us get to a different level. Charlie’s done an outstanding job of taking those things and running with them. But when we get to the part of practice, our games where we’re rushing with four, then the whole group is working together at that time, which I think is a good thing.

“I’m just doing what they want me to do, you know what I mean? It wasn’t something that was asked of me before then. I do have a little history of helping those guys, so it’s been good. It’s been good for me to visit with those guys and let them see how I think it should be done. Guys that I’ve had in the past that weren’t high draft picks or whatever became Pro Bowl players as rushers in this league, so it’s been good to spend some time with those guys.”

Bullen, the former Illinois assistant whom the Giants hired to coach the outside linebackers this offseason, has welcomed Patterson’s help with open arms.

“No, that’s not awkward at all,” Bullen said. “The only goal, or at least my goal, is for all of our players to play good. Wherever and however that comes from really doesn’t matter in my opinion, as long as it’s helping the players and helping the team.

“It’s awesome. Dre’s reputation precedes him, and he’s been around some of the greats of the game, and he’s one of the greats at his craft, being a d-line coach … To be able to all work together and compile the resources together to help everybody around here, that’s what it’s all about, and I’m all for it.”

Patterson’s added oversight has also been met with approval from the players, including Kayvon Thibodeaux, who likened the veteran coach to Yoda.

“Dre is a legend. He’s like Mr. Miyagi, Yoda, knows how it all works,” he said. “Charlie comes in and, he’s the young, the energy company. When you talk about the scheme, things like that, they’ve been working hand-in-hand. When you see how it’s going to continue to unfold, I think last year the interior and the edge weren’t cohesive. Now it’s going to start to work like clockwork. That’s the maturity. That’s where I’m growing as a player and we’re growing as a defense, being able to play as a unit.”

So far, so good. Now the Giants just hope that it translates to a better pass rush in 2024.

[lawrence-related id=727725,727706,727705]

Cowboys News: Zimmer reveals his plan, Giants deny access to DL coach

Dallas Cowboys roundup of Mike Zimmer press conference, Super Bowl analytics, and coaching changes. | From @ArmyChiefW3

The idea of Mike Zimmer as the new defensive coordinator of the Cowboys is starting to sink in and has been solidified by his words at his introductory press conference. One thing that will undoubtedly accompany him to Dallas is a zero-tolerance policy. Gone are the days of the man with the backward hat and the future holds a more fundamentally sound approach. The rules of football have not changed but the defense will look different from what everyone has been accustomed to.

One custom that has long been celebrated is the Super Bowl. Behind all of the glitz and glamour the game brings, the two teams may have left behind a blueprint that can reveal the secret to their success. On social media, Cowboys fans puffed their chests out when the team denied Washington permission to speak with Cowboys assistant Al Harris. While they did lose someone else, the favor was returned by another NFC East rival. Lastly, the Dallas Cowboys lost a family member recently as former lineman Tony Hutson has passed away. All that and much more in this edition of Cowboys news and notes.

Giants deny Cowboys’ interview request for Andre Patterson

The New York Giants have denied the Dallas Cowboys a chance to interview defensive line coach Andre Patterson for a lateral move.

The Dallas Cowboys have defeated the New York Giants 13 times in their past 14 meetings, but Big Blue finally picked up a small victory on Tuesday.

The New York Post reports that the Giants rejected the Cowboys’ request to interview defensive line coach Andre Patterson for a lateral move within the NFC East.

The Cowboys’ interest in interviewing Giants defensive line coach Andre Patterson for a lateral move across the NFC East was rebuffed Tuesday, a source confirmed to The Post.

ESPN first reported that an interview request was denied, but the message might have been translated in more informal conversations before permission was sought.

Dallas’ interest in Patterson shouldn’t come as a surprise given their recent hire of defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.

Patterson served in multiple roles with the Minnesota Vikings during Zimmer’s time as head coach, including co-defensive coordinator and assistant head coach. In total, the pair spent eight seasons together from 2014 through 2021.

Although Patterson did not receive a defensive coordinator interview with the Giants — a job that ultimately went to Shane Bowen — the team did tell all candidates it was preferred that Patterson remain at his post as defensive line coach.

The Giants hired Patterson in 2022 when the regime of general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll came on board.

[lawrence-related id=724010,723993,723992]

2023 Minnesota Vikings: Stock up, Stock down

With the 2023 season coming to an end, let’s see whose stocks rose and whose stocks fell for the Minnesota Vikings heading into the offseason.

What a ride the 2023 Minnesota Vikings gave us. From starting 0-3 and potentially selling the farm to winning six of the next seven, the 2023-2024 Vikings were a roller coaster of emotions from start to finish.

With the ride ending and everyone lining up to buy their reaction photos, let us recognize that there was a lot on the line for some of the players and coaches on this team beyond the box score. Some were making a case that they belong, not only in Minnesota but in the NFL. Others were looking to make their case for more money/more responsibility beyond 2024. For some, they reached and exceeded their goals this season, causing their stock to rise significantly. Others missed their marks and may find it more difficult to sell their stocks in the upcoming off-season.

Let’s look at some stocks that rose and fell along this rollercoaster of a season for the 2023 Vikings.

11 defensive coordinator candidates Giants could consider

The New York Giants are on the hunt for a new defensive coordinator and these are 11 potential candidates they could consider.

Wink Martindale resigned as the New York Giants’ defensive coordinator on Monday after just two seasons with the team. It was a rather unceremonious end that was handled poorly by both sides.

The departure of Martindale now thrusts the Giants into a defensive coordinator search for the second time in three years.

General manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll are expected to get to work immediately but before they do, here’s a look at 11 potential candidates.

Note: Some of these candidates may currently be employed with other teams and would require termination (or resignation) before joining the Giants.

Dexter Lawrence would be heartbroken if Giants fired Wink Martindale

Dexter Lawrence is hopeful the New York Giants and DC Wink Martindale can make things work and there’s no Black Monday separation.

Change is looming. It’s the inevitable end to every season and no team is immune. Come Black Monday, there will be firings and departures league-wide, and several of those could impact the New York Giants.

There’s been increasing speculation about the futures of defensive coordinator Wink Martindale and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka. And although both expect to be back, that doesn’t mean they will be.

If the Giants were to fire Martindale or embrace some sort of mutual parting of ways, the defense would be thrust into yet another rebuild. The current personnel was compiled to specifically fit Wink’s scheme and that would need to be undone.

For Pro Bowl nose tackle Dexter Lawrence, that would be heartbreaking — from both a human standpoint and a football standpoint.

“It sucks learning a new scheme, if that is what happens,” Lawrence told reporters on Thursday. “So that probably would be the most heartbreaking thing, honestly, and him being just a good leader of men. Things like that would probably be the hardest thing to go about.”

One assistant who will almost certainly be back barring a promotion elsewhere is defensive line coach Andre Patterson, who is arguably the best in the business.

Lawrence credits Patterson with helping to take his game to the next level.

“He’s helped me craft things that I didn’t know I had or knew how to use. He helped me get into positions that usually when I get in, I get stuck or something. He’s been a big help. That’s my guy,” Lawrence said. “He’s just a coach of coaches, honestly. A ton of respect to him and how he just gets me to play and the whole d-line to play. He just knows how to relate to his players and gets us to go.”

Ultimately, Lawrence wants the combination of Martindale and Patterson to remain in place for the good of the team and his development individually.

“(Martindale) puts plays together to put me into some positions to win, and that’s kind of what his job is. Coach Dre’s job is to help me fight through those positions, to beat guys and things like that. Wink, he’s helped me a lot and he’s been scheming up things pretty well,” Lawrence said.

We’ll see if Lawrence gets his wish come Monday.

[lawrence-related id=722465,722438,722385]

Follow the Giants Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

Giants vs. Patriots: 5 things to know about Week 12

The New York Giants and New England Patriots square off on Sunday afternoon in Week 12, so here are five things fans should know.

The New York Giants (3-8) play host to the New England Patriots (2-8) this Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium in a Week 12 matchup between two of the league’s most storied franchises.

Here are five things to know before kickoff on Sunday.