Tag: Anthony Barr

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.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Anthony Barr, Kareem Hunt both leave New Orleans without signing

Here’s why you don’t count your chickens before they hatch. Despite early optimism, both Anthony Barr, Kareem Hunt left New Orleans without signing:

Woof. Here’s a lesson in why you don’t count your chickens before they hatch. Despite early optimism in a report from ESPN’s Dianna Russini, both Anthony Barr and Kareem Hunt left the New Orleans Saints without signing  contracts.

To be fair to Russini, she did include a couple of exit ramps — she specified that both players needed to pass their physicals and complete workouts with the team. Additionally, they needed to reach an agreement on a deal with the Saints. If New Orleans was confident in their offers (which, if we read the tea leaves from Russini’s report, they were), the Saints probably expected both players to sign right away.

They likely shouldn’t have felt that way about it. Hunt at least made clear his intentions of getting a good deal, not just the first one put in front of him, before he ever landed in New Orleans. Now he’s off to visit the Indianapolis Colts, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. His NFL Network colleague Mike Garafolo reports that Barr “has interest from other teams” and could make additional visits of his own. We’ll see how these situations develop in the days ahead.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Report: Saints expected to sign both Anthony Barr and Kareem Hunt

ESPN’s Dianna Russini reports that the Saints are expected to sign both LB Anthony Barr and RB Kareem Hunt, pending physicals:

Not bad, Mickey Loomis: ESPN’s Dianna Russini reports that the New Orleans Saints are expected to sign both of the high-profile free agents visiting their team facility on Tuesday, pending physicals — meaning four-time Pro Bowl linebacker Anthony Barr and former NFL rushing leader Kareem Hunt could each be soon putting pens to paper.

Now, neither of these players are the same assets they once were. But they can still help a team in need like New Orleans. The Saints are perilously thin at linebacker and could use someone with 100-plus starts behind them like Barr to reinforce the depth chart behind Demario Davis and Pete Werner. The Saints don’t have any other linebackers with more than eight career starts on the roster.

At running back, there’s a clear need for more depth with Alvin Kamara suspended the first three weeks, his backup Eno Benjamin out for the year with an injury, and another reserve, Kirk Merritt, having left practice with a hamstring issue. Even if Hunt is playing behind Jamaal Williams and Kendre Miller, that’s still a nice find to tide them over until Kamara has returned from suspension.

But as Russini said, these deals could fall through if either player fails to pass a physical. Stay tuned for updates on both fronts.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Former Pro Bowl LB Anthony Barr visiting Saints as a free agent

The Saints are looking to add to a depleted linebacker corps by bringing former Pro Bowl LB Anthony Barr in for a free agent visit | @ClutchWDN

The New Orleans Saints have taken quite a few hits to the linebacker corps this offseason. Firstly, they lost Kaden Elliss in free agency to the Atlanta Falcons, and then recently placed Andrew Dowell on injured reserve for the year due to a torn ACL. Demario Davis has been limited in practice with a calf injury. This has led the Saints to have somewhat of a depleted linebacker unit, which they now may be looking to fix. They have scheduled a meeting Monday with free agent linebacker Anthony Barr, formerly of the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings. ESPN’s Dianna Russini first reported news of his visit.

The four-time Pro Bowler has been a consistent starting-level linebacker for his whole career, which included last season where he started in 10 of the 14 games he played in for Dallas. In that span, Barr had 58 combined tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 fumble recoveries, a pass deflection, a sack, 7 pressures, and only 3 missed tackles (4.9% missed tackle rate). In every season of his career aside from one, he has seen 600-plus snaps defensively, the one exception being 2020 where he was injured for all but two games.

While Barr has not necessarily been up to the level of his Pro Bowl-caliber years, he has been a quality starting linebacker both for Minnesota and Dallas. The Saints desperately need another veteran presence in the room, and bringing in Barr would most certainly make sense with the current roster construction. We’ll see if a deal materializes.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Howie Roseman says Eagles will keep their options open at linebacker position

During his presser to open up the first practice for Philadelphia’s 2023 training camp, GM Howie Roseman says Eagles“will keep their options open” at the linebacke rposition

The Eagles are always doing their due diligence on potential roster additions, and we’re wondering if any of the top remaining NFL free agents would fit in Philadelphia.

The Birds are stacked at almost every position outside of the linebacker position.

Philadelphia has Nakobe Dean and Nicholas Morrow but could look to add more depth with just Christian Ellis, Shaun Bradley, and Davion Taylor as reserves.

During his Wednesday press conference with head coach Nick Sirianni, Philadelphia’s GM said he’d address the linebacker position if necessary.

With Day 2 of the Eagles’ training camp scheduled for Thursday, we’re looking at a handful of free-agent linebackers that could fit the scheme.

55 days until Vikings season opener: Every player to wear No. 55

Za’Darius Smith is the most recent player to wear No. 55, but who else has worn the number for the Minnesota Vikings?

It’s the final countdown…

Well, sort of.

The Minnesota Vikings will kick off their 2023 regular season in 55 days at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 10.

From now until then, we will take a trip down memory lane and count each day by revisiting the players that have worn that specific jersey number.

Before his trade during the off-season, Za’Darius Smith was the most recent Viking to wear the number. Other notable players to wear the number include Anthony Barr and Scott Studwell.

With 55 days until kickoff, here’s a look at every player to wear No. 55 with the Vikings (via Pro Football Reference):

2023 NFL free agency: Ranking 9 linebacker options for Seahawks

The 2023 NFL draft is probably the best place to find Wagner’s long-term successor, but there are also some free agents worth looking at.

The Seahawks had a great linebacker. Then they decided to let him go, without so much as an offer of a pay-cut. Their loss was the Rams’ gain – and Bobby Wagner immediately recaptured his peak form and once again became the league’s best off-ball linebacker. Now, Seattle has to find a way to replace him because their own two starters couldn’t even crack the top 100 PFF grades at their position.

The 2023 NFL draft is probably the best place to find Wagner’s long-term successor, but there are also some free agents worth looking at. Here are eight nine the Seahawks could consider.

Update:

The Rams have released Bobby Wagner, just one year into the five-year deal he signed last March. Obviously that radically changes the linebacker market as well as the order of our list.

PFF names two free-agent targets for Chargers in 2023

Here’s who Pro Football Focus suggests the Los Angeles Chargers should pursue this offseason.

The free agency frenzy is two months away, but the Chargers are currently deciphering who they could target.

Pro Football Focus’ Brad Spielberger named one offensive and defensive target for each team. For Los Angeles, Spielbergers sees them looking into bolstering the offensive line and the linebacker position.

Here’s who he suggests L.A. should pursue this offseason.

Offense: OT Jawaan Taylor, Jaguars

Trey Pipkins is set to be a free agent. Pipkins had his best season as a pro. Despite dealing with a knee issue, he undoubtedly played his way into a contract extension to remain as the Chargers’ starting right tackle for the foreseeable future. He should be a priority, but in a scenario where he isn’t re-signed, Los Angeles could go the veteran route, and Taylor would make sense.

Taylor has logged over 1,000 snaps in four consecutive seasons and has earned pass-blocking grades of 72.0 or better in back-to-back campaigns, with his 2.5% pressure rate allowed in 2022 the third lowest among right tackles. With Rashawn Slater at left tackle, the Chargers could have great pass-blocking bookends on both sides of the offensive line for quarterback Justin Herbert.

Defense: LB Anthony Barr, Cowboys

With Kyle Van Noy slated to be a free agent, the Chargers could find his replacement with Barr. Barr would add the much-needed experience to Los Angeles’ linebacker corps. He brings value as a solid, weak-side linebacker that can contribute when healthy. Barr would be relied upon for run defense and coverage, but he also adds a solid pass-rush presence.

Over the last five weeks of the regular season and through the wild-card round, Barr has earned a 65.6 overall grade and 71.9 run defense grade, which ranks 27th among linebackers. The Chargers have a lot of work to do to shore up their very poor run defense, but they’ve invested a ton of resources up front in that effort and need to methodically make small additions otherwise, which is what Barr represents here.

Vikings feature hit injuring Aaron Rodgers in Anthony Barr tribute video

In a 59-second tribute video honoring Anthony Barr, the Vikings prominently featured Barr’s hit on Aaron Rodgers that broke his collarbone in 2017.

In a 59-second tribute video honoring Anthony Barr, the Minnesota Vikings prominently featured Barr’s hit on Aaron Rodgers that broke the collarbone of the Green Bay Packers quarterback in 2017.

Barr’s hit in Rodgers arrives 12 seconds into the video.

Despite a career from Barr that featured 17.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles and five interceptions, the Vikings still picked a play that didn’t result in a sack or turnover.

Barr’s hit drove Rodgers into the turf at U.S. Bank Stadium, shattering his collarbone. The injury ruined a promising season for the Packers in 2017.

Barr left the Vikings to sign with the Dallas Cowboys.

The hit and resulting injury was a big moment for the Vikings, who went on to win the division. But celebrating injuries is always a very bad look, and the Vikings just keep celebrating this one.

[lawrence-related id=16290,8075,8069,8042]

Vikings release ‘thank you’ video for Anthony Barr

Team pays tribute to Anthony Barr.

For the last eight years, Anthony Barr has led by example in a Minnesota Vikings uniform. The 2021 Walter Payton Man of the Year award nominee has given his all to both the team and community.

So it’s no surprise that people were sad to see him officially go on Wednesday, after it was announced he was signing a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys.

Even with Za’Darius Smith donning Barr’s No. 55 jersey, there was still chatter amongst fans regarding a possible reunion with the Vikings. The former four-time Pro Bowler spent all offseason up until the second week of training camp on the free agent list.

So him leaving never felt official until another team actually swooped in and snatched him up. On Thursday, the Vikings dedicated a “thank you” video to him.

The Vikings are slated to face the Cowboys in Week 11 at U.S. Bank Stadium. So this certainly isn’t the last Vikings fans have seen from the defensive standout.

Things change in the NFL on a daily basis, but admittedly, it’ll be weird watching Barr with the star in place of the horns on his helmet. What a strange game that will be.

[listicle id=65526]