Tag: Azeez Ojulari

Giants’ Azeez Ojulari optimistic lifestyle changes will keep him healthy

New York Giants LB Azeez Ojulari has made some lifestyle changes he hopes will keep him healthy and productive on the field this season.

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.

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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Giants players excited for Azeez Ojulari ahead of third season

“If you can get him 17 games, who knows how many sacks you’ll get,” Kayvon Thibodeaux said of fellow New York Giants edge rusher Azeez Ojulari.

When the New York Giants selected Georgia outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari No. 50 overall in the 2021 NFL draft, many experts felt they got a steal with someone who they believed was a first-round talent — and, maybe they are right.

Unfortunately, after a promising rookie season where Ojulari set a new Giants franchise rookie record for sacks with eight, he immediately fell victim to the Big Blue injury curse.

Year 2 for Ojulari would prove to be frustrating. Held to just seven games and five starts by a calf issue, he never got on track health-wise but still managed to log 5.5 sacks on the season.

Kayvon Thibodeaux was drafted last April to augment the pass-rush opposite Ojulari but the two were rarely on the field together. He hopes that changes this year.

“It’s going to be exciting,” said Thibodeaux this week at camp. “For him (Ojulari) on paper, you know how many sacks he had to how many plays he had, so just knowing that, I mean, if you can get him 17 games, who knows how many sacks you’ll get. Yeah, he’s definitely one of the most talented pass rushers I’ve ever played with. So yeah, I’m excited to really get it going.”

Veteran defensive lineman Leonard Williams also holds Ojulari in high regard.

“Azeez is a great player to have on the team,” Williams said. “He’s a great player to have on the field. It’s unfortunate when guys ever go through injuries and stuff like that. When he was on the field, he was very productive. I think having him out there is always a great thing. I think he’s focusing a lot on taking care of himself and taking care of his body to make sure that he is out there as much as he can be.

“I think he has a natural feel for the game and natural feel for pass rushing,” he added. “I think it’s smooth the way he pass rushes. It doesn’t seem like he has to try too hard. I think it’s great to have all four of us, and even the more additions that we added to the team, just healthy on the field when we’re called upon. We’re trying to create more bond between us all this year and work together.”

The Giants’ defense is beginning to come together, especially in the front seven.

With Williams and Pro Bowler Dexter Lawrence upfront, and with Bobby Okereke at inside linebacker and flanked by Thibodeaux and Ojulari, this group has to have Giant fans amped this summer.

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PFF ranks Giants’ defensive line among top 10 in NFL

Pro Football Focus ranks the New York Giants’ defensive line in the NFL’s top 10 but should they actually rank higher?

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The New York Giants roster is still taking shape and may be a few years away from where general manager Joe Schoen wants it to be, but there are some obvious strengths.

One of those is their defensive line, which Pro Football Focus ranks as the ninth-best in the NFL.

No player improved as much as interior defender Dexter Lawrence did in 2022, ending the campaign as the second-highest-graded player at his position (91.6).

Lawrence and Leonard Williams form arguably the best interior defender duo in the NFL. This defensive line could enter the next tier if either of their young edge defenders — Kayvon Thibodeaux or Azeez Ojulari — make a leap in 2023.

Big Blue’s defensive front is highlighted by the stellar play from the defensive tackles. The team had the second and 19th-best interior defenders according to PFF in Dexter Lawrence and Leonard Williams.

Lawrence was a monster for New York as he had by far the best season of his career in 2023 recording 35 solo tackles, 7.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. That earned him Second-Team All-Pro recognition and a 91.6 PFF grade. Williams has also been a great constant for New York recording 20.5 sacks over the past three seasons.

On the edge, the Giants have Kayvon Thibodeaux, who had a promising rookie season where he recorded 4.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a whopping 40 pressures. His sack conversion rate was low but he was constantly causing trouble which explains his high-pressure rate and 33 solo tackles (six for a loss). Expect to see the sack number go up for the 2023 first-round pick, especially with a full year of training under his belt.

On the other side, New York has Azeez Ojulari, who was riddled with injuries in 2022 forcing him to appear in just seven games. Despite missing so much time, Ojulari still recorded 5.5 sacks to add to his 8.0 from the year before.

If Ojulari can stay healthy in 2023, New York will have a scary front that will be even better than last season when you account for the signings of A’Shawn Robinson and Rakeem Nuñez-Roches.

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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’ Azeez Ojulari an honorable mention for NFL All-Underrated Team

New York Giants edge rusher Azeez Ojulari was recently named an honorable mention for Bleacher Report’s NFL All-Underrated Team.

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New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari was recently listed as an honorable mention for Bleacher Report’s NFL All-Underrated Team.

Dorance Armstrong of the Dallas Cowboys was given the nod ahead of Ojulari.

Ojulari, a second-round pick in 2021, entered the league as a talented edge rusher who was said to be very skilled but with lots of injury concerns due to his collegiate knee problems.

As a rookie, Ojulari played in all 17 games but during his sophomore year, things took a turn as he missed 10 games throughout the season.

Nevertheless, in just 24 career games, Ojulari has posted 63 tackles and 13.5 sacks. He’s been the best edge rusher for the Giants when he’s actually on the field.

In 2022, Ojulari posted 5.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in just seven appearances, demonstrating how dangerous he can be. Now, with an entire offseason to rehab and learn Wink Martindale’s elaborate pass-rush defense, Ojulari should undoubtedly be considered an underrated player headed into Year 3.

With Leonard Williams, A’Shawn Robinson, and Dexter Lawrence on the interior taking up double teams, the edge should be freed up for players like Kayvon Thibodeaux and Ojulari to feast on one-on-ones.

Expect a significant improvement from New York’s pass rush if they can stay healthy.

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Giants’ Bobby Okereke excited to play alongside these two ‘physical freaks’

New York Giants LB Bobby Okereke says he’s particularly excited to play under Wink Martindale and alongside two “physical freaks.”

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The New York Giants made a big splash early in free agency by signing veteran linebacker Bobby Okereke, helping to solidify a position that had been lacking for nearly a decade.

The four-year, $40 million contract given to Okereke was significant but it also wasn’t the only offer he had. Still, for Okereke, the decision was simple.

“I told my agent from Day 1, ‘I want to play in New York City,'” Okereke said after signing with the Giants. “New York City’s been one of my favorite cities, growing up, my whole life. And this franchise is on the rise.”

More than just recognizing that the franchise is on the rise, Okereke wanted the opportunity to play under head coach Brian Daboll and defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, who he calls one of the best in the league.

Playing alongside the likes of Kayvon Thibodeaux, Azeez Ojulari, Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence doesn’t hurt, either.

“Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari,” Okereke said on the Fireside Giants Podcast. “But both those guys are studs physical freaks, physical phenoms, and just high-motor players I’m excited to play with.”

Combined with the pass rush generated by Thibodeaux and Ojulari, Okereke stands to benefit from the dominance of Williams and Lawrence.

“Their ability to create vertical seams and penetrate, that’s going to stop an offense right there. Those guys can pass rush great. And then from a run standpoint, they’re eating up blockers or eating up pullers, really allowing me to fly sideline to sideline,” Okereke said. “So if they don’t make the tackle, which they probably will, I’ll come to clean it up. So I’m just excited to get to know my teammates better and play with them.”

The Giants may still be a little weak at inside linebacker behind Okereke, but his presence alongside those four dominant players is certain to take the defense to the next level.

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Eagles to host LSU pass rusher BJ Ojulari on a top-30 visit

The Philadelphia Eagles are scheduled to host LSU pass rusher BJ Ojulari on a top-30 predraft visit

The Eagles love pass rushers, and one of the best in the SEC is headed to the NovaCare Complex, as BJ Ojulari will be in town for a top 30 predraft visit.

Ojulari is a freak athlete out of LSU and finished second to Will Anderson in pressure rate this season among SEC pass rushers.

The brother of New York Giants defensive end Azeez Ojulari, a former second-round draft pick, B.J. Ojulari, was an All-Southeastern Conference first-team selection last season after he recorded 58 tackles, 8.5 tackles for losses, and 5.5 sacks.

That came after a 2021 season in which he led the Tigers with seven sacks and finished with 55 tackles, 11.5 tackles for losses in 12 starts.

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B.J. Ojulari: Joining Azeez on Giants would ‘be a blessing’

LSU defensive end B.J. Ojulari says it would “be a blessing” to join the New York Giants and play alongside his brother, Azeez Ojulari.

What’s better than having Azeez Ojulari rushing the quarterback for your defense? Having his younger brother, B.J., rushing the quarterback alongside him.

That is very much a possibility for the New York Giants this year should they select LSU edge rusher/defensive end B.J. Ojulari in the upcoming NFL draft.

B.J., who at 20 is two years younger than his brother, has met with the Giants and told reporters on Tuesday that meeting went “very well.”

“If I end up with him, it’s going to be a blessing to play with my brother [Azeez] again,” B.J. said. “He’s like a mentor to me. I lean on him a lot.”

B.J. is almost a carbon copy of Azeez at 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds. He likens his style to that of Philadelphia’s Hassan Reddick, a player that has intrigued the Giants in the past.

Azeez was a second-round pick out of Georgia two years ago and set a Giants’ rookie record for sacks with 8.0. He could not build on that success last year as he was hindered by a calf injury.

For the Giants to snag the younger Ojulari, they’ll likely have to do so in Round 2 as he is rated a second-round talent by several draft sites. They might not be in a position to do that, especially with the long ‘to-do’ list general manager Joe Schoen has this offseason.

The Giants may feel they have enough edge rushing power with Azeez and last year’s first-round pick, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and just might have to pass on B.J. for a more pressing roster need.

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Giants’ 7 most disappointing players of 2022

The New York Giants provided many reasons for optimism in 2022 but these seven players most certainly disappointed.

The New York Giants had a banner season under the first-year combo of general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll, going 10-8-1 overall and qualifying for the postseason for the first time since 2016.

That was satisfying for many Giant fans but the season wasn’t without its disappointments. Here are seven disappointing players from the 2022 season.

What the Eagles are saying after advancing to NFC Championship game with 38-7 win over Giants

Here’s what the Philadelphia Eagles are saying after a dominant 38-7 win over the New York Giants in the divisional round

The Eagles are set to host the NFC Championship game after a 38-7 win over the New York Giants in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs.

All-Pro quarterback Jalen Hurts was 16-24 passing for 154 yards and two passing touchdowns, while the third-year star also logged 9 carries for 34 yards and a rushing touchdown as well.

Philadelphia rushed for 268 yards on the ground as offensive coordinator Shane Steichen got back to his superb run-pass ratio on Saturday night, as the Birds ran 69 total plays, 44 of those plays coming on the ground.

With preparation for the NFC title matchup set to begin, here’s what the Eagles are saying after Saturday’s win.