Tag: Boomer Esiason

Boomer Esiason expects Giants’ Daniel Jones to have a ‘rough year’

Boomer Esiason doesn’t think the New York Giants added enough talent around QB Daniel Jones and therefor, he’ll have a “rough year.”

While many experts around the league expect New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones to take a leap forward in 2023, which is Year 2 under head coach Brian Daboll, one expert does not.

Former NFL MVP Boomer Esiason sees Jones continuing to be average — and even struggling — claiming that the team has not done enough to add weapons around him.

“You look at this list, it’s not that great compared to top 10 teams in the league,” Boomer said on his WFAN morning show about the Giants’ receiving corps. “That’s why they probably felt they had to pay Daniel Jones soon.”

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What Esiason is looking at is not clear. The Giants have a slew of very capable — and potentially explosive options — on their roster starting with tight end Darren Waller, running back Saquon Barkley and wide receivers Isaiah Hodgins and Wan’Dale Robinson.

Add in the fact they re-signed veteran wideouts Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard, finally drafted a starting center (John Michael Schmitz) and packed the roster with speed at receiver with Jalin Hyatt, Parris Campbell, Jeff Smith and Jamison Crowder.

That wasn’t enough to sway Boomer, though. He still sees Jones a player who will have to use his legs to get the Giants down the field.

“When you look at the group of players around him, you could say he’s the Lamar Jackson of the Giants,” Boomer added. “That had always been the argument around the Ravens, that they were a run-first team, they were using his legs as opposed to his arm, and now all of a sudden they add all these receivers and Lamar Jackson says he wants to throw for 6,000 yards.”

Esiason doesn’t like Jones’ chances to take that leap this year without a true “No. 1” wide receiver — an element that general manager Joe Schoen says is not necessary to win a championship (see: Kansas City Chiefs).

“I think Daniel Jones is gonna have another rough year in terms of him having to do a lot,” Boomer said. “They’re paying him to do a lot. To be able to fit another wide receiver, I don’t see it.”

Time will tell if Esiason is correct.

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Boomer Esiason: Daniel Jones ‘out of his mind’ if $45M ask is true

If QB Daniel Jones is really asking the New York Giants for $45 million annually, Boomer Esiason thinks he’s “out of his mind.”

Former NFL MVP quarterback turned media personality, Boomer Esiason, doesn’t believe current New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is worth $45 million per year.

“Forty-five million dollars? You’re out of your mind,” Boomer said on his morning radio program on WFAN in New York. “You gotta understand who you are. 15 touchdowns and five interceptions is not getting you $45 million a year. It’s just not…his worth is somewhere between $27 and $32 million a year.”

Jones, who will be an unrestricted free agent next month, reportedly is asking $45 million per year from the Giants. That number has not been verified officially but it’s not out of line for an NFL starting quarterback these days.

The Giants are said to be prioritizing re-signing Jones this offseason but want to do it strategically and sensibly as they have many other needs to address at the moment.

Esiason believes the Giants can get Jones for somewhere around $35 million per year, which is what the Minnesota Vikings are currently paying Kirk Cousins.

“It’s fair for Daniel, and it’s fair for the Giants. Whether his agents see things differently, it is what it is. But he’s not a top-10 quarterback. He’s just not,” Esiason said.

“For Daniel Jones, maybe five years from now we’re talking about a four-time Pro Bowler because he’s with this coaching staff, and then he signs another bigger contract. But the Giants need to be really smart about what they do and how they spend their money.”

The Giants have until March 7 to sign Jones to a long-term deal otherwise they would need to apply the franchise tag on him to keep him from unrestricted free agency.

This year’s franchise tag value for quarterbacks is $32.42 million for one season.

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Boomer Esiason rips ex-President Donald Trump for hosting LIV Golf, insulting 9/11 victims

“It’s an insult to all the people that died on 9/11 and how their families were affected.”

Former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason ripped ex-President Donald Trump for hosting the LIV Golf tour at his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf course this week.

LIV Golf is backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, and many have protested because of that country’s human rights violations and that 15 of the 19 hijackers from the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks were Saudi Arabian citizens.

Trump National Golf Club Bedminster is an hour’s drive from the World Trade Center.

“That is the ultimate insult to the families that are sitting here going, ‘what are we doing? We’re hosting a Saudi Arabian golf tournament with the Public Investment Fund from the government of Saudi Arabia at Trump Bedminster, right in the shadow of where these two buildings once stood?’ That’s what we’re doing here?” Esiason said on “Boomer and Gio” the WFAN morning radio show he co-hosts.

Saudi Arabia has been accused of wide-ranging human rights abuses, including politically motivated killings, torture, forced disappearances and inhumane treatment of prisoners. And members of the royal family and Saudi government were accused of involvement in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist.

Esiason wasn’t done with his criticism of Trump, the LIV Golf tour and his own employer, WFAN, as there have been commercials that have promoted the tour on the radio station.

“The former president’s hosting this garbage over there and these guys are accepting this money,” Esiason said. “It’s an insult to all the people that died on 9/11 and how their families were affected. But it’s also an insult to all the people that have died since 9/11 because of all the toxic carcinogens that they ingested while they were trying to clean this place up.”

“These guys are over there playing music, making hundreds of millions of dollars from the Saudi Arabian government, that’s what we’re doing? They can kiss my ass. I’m not watching,” Esiason added.

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Tua Tagovailoa channels Boomer Esiason for the play-action touchdown

Tua Tagovailoa looked more like Boomer Esiason on this short touchdown pass against the Minnesota Vikings.

Longtime fans of the National Football League might remember how Boomer Esiason, now an analyst with CBS, played the quarterback position. During his time in the league, the left-handed passer was known for his ball-handling skills. Esiason’s ability to sell run action set up many a touchdown pass during his NFL career.

Perhaps in the CBS Studios in New York City, a smile came across Esiason’s face when he saw Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on this touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings:

Tagovailoa subtly sells this run fake, taking the time to look back at the running back to sell the run action. He then rolls out to his left, finding Isaiah Ford for the short touchdown.

If you have not seen footage of Esiason carrying out his run fakes, let Pat Summerall and John Madden take you back to his days with the New York Jets:

Perhaps the next time you hear a comparison for Tagovailoa, Boomer Esiason will be the player he is compared.

Boomer Esiason believes Patriots should stay far away from Odell Beckham Jr.

“He’s just going to ruin your team. I mean, look at what happened with Cleveland yesterday.”

Odell Beckham Jr. has been trending over the past week due to his frustrations, and eventual departure from the Cleveland Browns.

The 29-year-old felt he wasn’t being utilized enough in Cleveland’s offense and both parties had an amicable split. So, which team is the best fit for Beckham Jr. and which team is willing to gamble on a receiver that has been trending downward over the past few years?

Many New England Patriots fans believe he could be the spark that brings this offense to the next level. While joining WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show,” Boomer Esiason has a strong belief that this isn’t the case.

“I don’t care if the Bills do or not,” Esiason said. “Good, take him. He’s just going to ruin your team. I mean, look at what happened with Cleveland yesterday. His replacement is DPJ — Donovan Peoples-Jones — Baker Mayfield hit him right down the middle of the field for a 60-yard touchdown against the Bengals.”

That team hasn’t looked that relieved and that good in the last four, five weeks. It’s something when you show up every day and you have to worry about whether one particular person is happy with his touches, with his targets, and all this other crap that he did here in New York. I say good riddance. Cleveland is better without him.”

Over the past few weeks, the Patriots’ receivers have been quiet and most of the offense has went through the running backs or tight ends. In the 24-6 win against the Carolina Panthers, the receiving core totaled 42 yards. They do need help, but it’s unclear whether Beckham Jr. is the answer.

But, with the Browns on the docket this week, it’d be an interesting time for the Patriots to take a chance with Beckham Jr. and give him a revenge game — as ESPN’s Adam Schefter eluded to.

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Boomer Esiason still believes Mac Jones can take Patriots to playoffs this season

With a 17-game regular season and Bill Belichick at coach, it isn’t impossible.

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The New England Patriots’ 35-29 overtime loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6 was deflating for a team in search of a playoff spot.

Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills are running away with the AFC East and the Patriots are now sitting with a 2-4 record. It feels like the right moment to give up playoff hope and start looking ahead to the future. But, CBS analyst Boomer Esiason isn’t quite ready to do that yet.

While joining WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show” Monday morning, he went into further detail on this.

“With a 17-game season, yes,” Esiason said. “I’m not off the bandwagon. I’m not. You guys can all quit on your team if you want. I’m not quitting on the Patriots.

“The reason I’m not doing that is because they have taken two of the best teams right to the end of the game. They’ve gone, as Bill Belichick said yesterday, toe-to-toe with one of the best offenses we’ve seen in the NFL. I’m telling you, when they start getting into other parts of their schedule against other teams that aren’t this good, they’ll rack up some wins. … This is a long, long year. I know it’s disappointing, but I’m still saying that I’m going to stick with them at this point.”

Mac Jones looked extremely impressive against the Cowboys and he was resilient even after he made a critical error.

“After Mac Jones throws the interception to Trevon Diggs that ends up in the end zone, there would have been an easy place right there to hang your head,” Esiason said. “But then he comes out, they run a double move, there’s a misplay by the safety, and he throws a touchdown pass.

“That moment there, and how that kid handled what had just transpired in the last 60 seconds, was all I need to know about whether that kid can be a pretty special quarterback. … The fact that he was able to do that at the end of the game showed me all I need to know about him as a long-term solution for the quarterback situation in New England.”

The Patriots have a long journey to the playoffs and the next challenge will be the New York Jets.

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Boomer Esiason isn’t hitting panic button on Mac Jones following loss to Saints

The former QB isn’t ready alarmed by the growing pains of New England Patriots rookie QB Mac Jones.

The New England Patriots had an alarming loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 3.

James Winston and the Saints had a suffocating loss the week prior and the expectation was that New England would carry its momentum in a home game to take walk away with a victory. Sean Payton and his pass rush had different plans.

Mac Jones, who threw for 270 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions, was flustered the entire game as he was hit 11 times. The Saints defense threw different looks at him throughout the entire game and were the first team to make him look like a rookie.

A lot of his struggles came from the Patriots’ offensive line and their inability to keep him protected, though. And for that primary reason, along with others, Boomer Esiason explains why he’s not worried about Jones.

“Everybody’s just gotta calm down,” Esiason said on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show.” “I’m telling you, these rookie quarterbacks all through the league, every single one of them struggled yesterday. Some looked so bad and so lost that they really don’t have any business being on the field, because I don’t think they can protect themselves and I don’t think their teams are good enough to support them.

“That’s not the case in New England. New England’s a good team. Losing James White is going to hurt, no doubt about it, but they’re a solid team. This league is all built to have maybe two or three super teams if they can stay healthy through 17 games. There’s probably four or five also-ran teams that are gonna be in the running for the first overall draft pick. And then the rest of the league is gonna be right smack in the middle between 7-10 and 10-7, and I think that’s right now where New England is.

“Coach Belichick is gonna have to coach his ass off, just like he did last year to get this team to seven wins. If he can do that and they can figure some of this stuff out, they’ll beat the teams they’re supposed to beat. Yesterday, that’s a good team. That’s a good, big, defensive team, and it seemed like they were one step ahead of the New England offense. … New England’s got growing pains, and that’s exactly what we’re going through.”

When it comes to the future and bouncing back, Esiason isn’t worried about Jones’ dedication.

“He’s an all-in guy, there’s no question about that,” Esiason said. “We talked about that after Week 1. We talked about that after Week 2. He knows what it takes to be great in the league, and he knows there are going to be growing pains. He also takes every loss with a heavy heart, and that’s the way you want it. That’s one of the reasons I really like him, because it means that much to him.

“He’ll be at the facility very early this morning, going over tape with Josh [McDaniels] and trying to figure out what he can do better next week. … I know that Mac will put this one behind him and he’ll immediately turn his attention to the Tampa Bay Buccaneer defense. That’s just going to be the scope of what he has to learn.

“He’s fine. He’s mentally tough enough to handle this. I can’t express enough just how difficult this is for these rookie quarterbacks with everything coming at them for the first time. Getting hit, dealing with the anxiety, picking yourself back up, learning from your losses, and trying to apply it to the next game. This is part of the maturation process of all young players, especially quarterbacks.”

Esiason makes great points and Jones clearly is going to work much harder to correct these issues and get better going forward. It’s just unfortunate that his next stop is against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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Boomer Esiason gives his take on Bill Belichick receiving Presidential Medal of Freedom

“I just couldn’t step foot in the White House right now.”

Bill Belichick has a difficult decision to make in the coming week.

The New England Patriots head coach will reportedly receive the Medal of Freedom from President Donald Trump on Thursday. This is the nation’s highest civilian honor, but a Patriots spokesperson has yet to comment on the report.

With last week’s riot at the Capitol building, it’s hard to believe anyone would want to step foot in the White House. Trump is facing potential impeachment for the second time in his term and he has less than two weeks in his position.

For these reasons, and potentially other ones, Boomer Esiason shares the fact that he wouldn’t go the the White House and accept the award.

“If it were me, given the circumstances over the last two weeks, I would not accept it,” Esiason said on WEEI’s The Greg Hill Show. “That’s just me. I don’t know about their relationship. I don’t really know how close they are. I don’t want to take any great award away from anybody, but given the political climate right now and what happened at the Capitol, and how it happened, I just couldn’t step foot in the White House right now.”

Whether or not Belichick will accept is completely unclear, but he has carried a good relationship with the president in the past.

“He’s a very good friend of mine. He’s a winner,” Trump said to Hugh Hewitt in August. “You know, if I ever had a military battle, I’d call up Belichick and say what do you think? What do you think? Give me a couple of ideas.”

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Tony Romo off Cardinals-Rams due to COVID-19 protocols

COVID-19 protocols will keep Tony Romo out of the broadcast booth for Week 17

The week has been besieged by players and coaches who will miss Week 17 of the NFL season due to COVID-19 protocols.

Now, via a CBS Sports announcement, comes news Jim Nantz won’t have Tony Romo by his side as the Arizona Cardinals meet the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday.

The culprit? COVID-19 protocols, of course.

CBS did not say whether Romo tested positive or was exposed to someone who did.

He will be replaced by Boomer Esiason, who usually is on the NFL Today panel.