Tag: Andre Patterson

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.

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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.

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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.

Report: Anthony Barr looking to visit Giants after meeting with Saints

CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reports free agent LB Anthony Barr is looking to visit the Giants after meeting with the Saints, hoping to make a decision after weighing his offers:

Anthony Barr left the New Orleans Saints without a contract on Tuesday, and he wants to continue exploring his options before making a decision on where he’ll be playing in 2023. CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reports that Barr is scheduling a visit with the New York Giants as another prospective team fit — helped by the presence of Andre Patterson, New York’s current defensive line coach.

He’s a coach Barr knows very well. They were together on the Minnesota Vikings from 2014 to 2021 when Patterson worked with the defensive line as the Vikings’ co-defensive coordinator and assistant head coach. Patterson helped draft and develop Barr and that relationship could help New York seal the deal where New Orleans was unable to reach the finish line. On the other hand, it’s just as possible the Giants offer Barr less than the Saints, leading him to circle back. It’s too soon to say one way or another.

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Giants minicamp: Notes, videos and highlights from Day 1

News, notes, highlights and a few videos from Day 1 of the New York Giants’ 2023 mandatory minicamp.

After canceling their final two practices of organized team activities (OTAs) due to poor air quality, the New York Giants were back at it on Tuesday. This time for their mandatory two-day minicamp.

Running back Saquon Barkley, who has not yet signed his franchise tender, is not permitted to take part in team-related activities and was not in attendance per NFL rules. He will not be fined for his absence.

On the schedule were press conferences with the team’s defensive assistants, head coach Brian Daboll and assistant general manager Brandon Brown. Select players also spoke with members of the media following a two-hour practice.

Here’s a look at some notes, highlights and videos from Day 1.

Giants sent reps to Wisconsin Pro Day

New York Giants defensive line coach Andre Patterson attended Wisconsin’s Pro Day and led the D-Line drills which included Keeanu Benton.

The New York Giants sent representatives to Wisconsin’s pro day on Thursday, primarily to get a look at their three top recruits including Tyler Beach, Keeanu Benton, Justin Clark, Cedric Dort Jr., Nick Herbig, Jay Shaw, John Torchio, and Andy Vujnovich.

Giants defensive line coach Andre Patterson personally worked out Benton, a possible first-round selection in the upcoming NFL draft.

“He’s just a beast,” Torchio said of Benton, per The Athletic.

“He kind of went not unnoticed, but he kind of got snubbed on the All-Big Ten and you kind of take him for granted in the middle. He might not have the best stats, but if you really watch the film, he just dominates and plugs up the middle so well. I’ve known that he’s a beast. I’m super glad that he’s blowing up and everyone else is starting to realize that.”

Tippmann, who many Giant fans would love to see in blue, unfortunately, could not participate due to injury.

The Giants currently do not have a natural center on their roster. There is still time for them to sign one in free agency but it’s seeming more and more like they’ll be targeting one — or more — in the draft.

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Giants’ Brian Daboll heaps praise on assistant Bryan Cox

Bryan Cox has stepped up in the absence of Andre Patterson and that’s no surprise to New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll.

Bryan Cox was once one of the most feared linebackers in the NFL. He excelled in the early 1990s with the Miami Dolphins and then became a favorite of Bill Parcells as member of the New York Jets.

For the last decade and a half, Cox has bounced around the league as a coach and has made a name for himself in that realm. His latest stop is with the New York Giants as their assistant defensive line coach where he is injecting his brand of fiery football into the team’s defensive front.

Cox is stepping to the forefront these days with line coach Andre Patterson dealing with some medical issues. Head coach Brian Daboll spoke about Cox’s impact on Sunday.

“I was with Bryan when he was a player, and he was one of the best leaders I’ve ever been around,” said Daboll. “As a linebacker, he was smart, tough, dependable. You know, back when we were playing at New England, he had an unbelievable hit on (former Colts wide receiver Jerome) Pathon. We were 0-2 going into a game if I’m not mistaken and heavy underdogs. Early in the game, he set the tempo. He was always there as a player. Then, I’ve been around him as he started his coaching career at different spots.

“He’s a very loyal person. He’s smart. He’s played a lot. He was a linebacker. But he was basically like a defensive lineman playing linebacker back in those days. But I thought he could add value to the staff. There were a lot of people in the room when he was interviewed, asking him questions. He’s a good teammate. A lot of good things.”

The Giants needed a lot of things heading into this new chapter, and physicality and drive were high on the list. No need to look any further for those as Cox brings enough for the whole team.

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