Tag: Giants

Alvin Kamara’s 49-yard walk-off TD is the Saints Play of the Day

Alvin Kamara’s 49-yard walk-off touchdown against the Giants in 2018 is the Saints Play of the Day:

We’re now at 49 days until the New Orleans Saints season opener, which makes this 49-yard walk-off touchdown by Alvin Kamara our Saints play of the day. Kamara had a career day against the New York Giants, totaling 181 yards from scrimmage along with three rushing touchdowns. It was a  statement performance from the second-year pro at the time.

During this play, the Saints were up by 8 points with 2:16 left in regulation, which meant this was a crucial drive for both teams. The Saints decided to run a simple power play to Kamara on first down, likely just trying to run the clock down to two minutes as they had already passed midfield. But when you give the ball to special players, special things happen.

Set up by great blocks by fullback Zach Line and tight end Josh Hill, Kamara hit a seam with great burst and was off to the races. With one defender to beat at the second level, Kamara granted him a final stiff arm before gliding his way into the end zone to seal the game for the Saints. He and Michael Thomas kept running into the tunnel after that, making one of the defining moments in what was a special season for New Orleans.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Countdown to Kickoff: Niko Lalos is the Saints Player of Day 57

Countdown to Kickoff: Niko Lalos is the New Orleans Saints Player of Day 57. Time on the practice squad has prepared him for this opportunity

Time is flying by. There are just 57 days left until the tart of the New Orleans Saints’ 2024 regular season, which makes the current owner of the No. 57 jersey our Saints Player of the Day: Niko Lalos.

Another year on the practice squad has been good for his development. Lalos has higher goals in 2024, but what road brought him here? Let’s break it down.

  • Name (Age): Niko Lalos (27)
  • Position: Defensive end
  • Height, weight: 6-foot-5, 269 pounds
  • Relative Athletic Score: N/A
  • 2024 salary cap hit: $915,000
  • College: Dartmouth
  • Drafted: Undrafted in 2020 (New York Giants)
  • NFL experience: 2 years

Lalos spent the first couple years of his pro career with the Giants, appearing in a handful of games with Big Blue before they waived him during their 2022 training camp. He joined the Saints for the rest of the preseason that summer and spent most of the year on their practice squad, returning to New Orleans in 2023. He played well for the XFL’s Seattle Sea Dragons in 2022 before re-signing with the Saints and held his own throughout the preseason but ultimately wound up on the practice squad again. They saw enough to warrant bringing him back for 2024.

Now he’s looking to make the team outright. If Tanoh Kpassagnon misses most of the season with his Achilles injury, as is expected, that opens up a slot for someone like Lalos to climb the depth chart. But he’ll have to prove he’s a better option than rookie free agent Trajan Jeffcoat or maybe even Payton Turner. Lalos has the size the Saints covet at the position and more pro experience than other players in the competition. He just needs to put it all together with a strong summer.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Chiefs Pro Bowlers mentioned in ‘Hard Knocks Offseason with the New York Giants’ premiere

Kansas City #Chiefs Pro Bowlers mentioned in ‘Hard Knocks Offseason with the New York Giants’ premiere | @EdEastonJr

Although the Kansas City Chiefs weren’t chosen for any variations of the hit HBO series Hard Knocks this year, they are still prominently featured.

Hard Knocks Offseason with the New York Giants premiered with a detailed look into the franchise’s decisions this offseason. General Manager Joe Schoen discusses various options to help push the team forward, including possibly signing then-free agent Chris Jones, as Giants’ director of pro scouting Chris Rossetti explained.

“Chris Jones is the bell of the ball in this class—no chance of stopping Chris Jones. One-on-one, that’s the difference. Keep scoring and trying to balance. Such a great player can beat someone (who is a) future Hall of Fame player. “said Rossetti. “Game-wrecking talent makes football look easy to lose Chris when he’s dialed in; playing within the scheme, he’s unblockable. It’s hard not to imagine the good things that would come with him and DEX (Dexter Lawrence) together in the middle, one of the best defensive tackles in football.”

Jones would eventually re-sign with the Chiefs, but it is interesting to see another franchise dream of signing the All-Pro defensive lineman.

“We watch the tape. You see Chris Jones getting double-teamed every snap, and then the guy on the other side just has one block. You just imagine that’s Dex with one guy on them every time.” said Rossetti. “The possibilities and the game-wrecking capabilities are there.”

One of the standout moments from Tuesday’s premiere was Schoen’s expletive-laden rant about sticking with quarterback Daniel Jones and rebuilding the offensive line.

“Three serious injuries in two years. We need to protect ourselves. He (Daniel Jones) didn’t have much of a chance this year. That’s legit, like your off-season, the four guys, your core guys, that we’re gonna play together play less than 60 snaps together. We got f****** three practice squad guys playing for us. Like you have Pat Mahomes, He can’t f****** win it behind that.” said Schoen. “I’m not giving up like he’s in our contract for three more years, just protecting ourselves because the best predictor of the future is the past.”

The Chiefs continue to influence the rest of the NFL, and episode one could be the beginning of more mentions during the show’s weekly season.

Countdown to Kickoff: Shane Lemieux is the Saints Player of Day 66

Countdown to Kickoff: Shane Lemieux is the Saints Player of Day 66. The veteran free agent is pushing Nick Saldiveri to start at left guard:

We’ve got 66 days to go until the New Orleans Saints kick off their 2024 regular season, which makes the current owner of the No. 66 jersey our Saints Player of the Day: Shane Lemieux.

The former New York Giants draft pick signed with the Saints this spring and entered a competition to start early on at OTAs. So what are realistic expectations for him in 2024? Let’s get to know him a little better.

  • Name (Age): Shane Lemieux (27)
  • Position: Offensive guard/center
  • Height, weight: 6-foot-4, 310 pounds
  • Relative Athletic Score: 6.64
  • 2024 salary cap hit: $1,055,000
  • College: Oregon
  • Drafted: Fifth round in 2020 (New York Giants)
  • NFL experience: 5 years

Lemieux played left guard in college and for most of his career in the NFL, though he’s had a little experience at right guard and center. He started most of his rookie season at left guard with the Giants but he allowed five sacks in  nine games and was limited to a combined 147 snaps on offense over the next three years.

A big part of those absences was due to injuries. A September knee injury took Lemieux out for the entire 2021 season. In 2022, he suffered a preseason toe injury in August and wasn’t able to return until late in December, only to aggravate the same injury and miss the rest of the year. And his 2023 season ended with a torn biceps in October. Durability has been a major challenge for him.

Still, Lemieux was the primary backup for Nick Saldiveri at OTAs, though the second-year pro pulled away in front by the time minicamp came around.  Lemieux has time to win the job but he isn’t the only experienced pro in the mix. The Saints also gave Lucas Patrick a look at the left guard spot, and Olisaemeka Udoh (who has started for Klint Kubiak before) is expected to compete there, too. The hope is for Saldiveri to blow away his competition and win the job cleanly. If that comes to pass, it’ll be Lemieux or one of those other veterans backing him up.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Chargers sign safety Tony Jefferson

The Chargers added Tony Jefferson, who has 10 years of playing experience in the NFL.

The Chargers signed safety Tony Jefferson on Friday.

The signing comes after Jefferson tried out during the team’s mandatory minicamp.

Jefferson, 32, joins a safety room that includes Derwin James, Alohi Gilman, JT Woods and AJ Finley. He will be in contention for the third safety spot alongside Woods and Finley.

Jefferson retired following the 2022 season and worked with the Ravens as a scouting intern, so he is familiar with general manager Joe Hortiz, who was their director of player personnel from his playing days and working in that role.

Jefferson has a decade of experience in the league, playing for four different teams. An undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma, he signed with the Cardinals in 2013, where he spent four seasons before landing in Baltimore in 2017.

During his three years in Baltimore, Jefferson forced four turnovers and accumulated 174 tackles.

Jefferson missed the 2020 season due to a torn ACL he suffered in his final season with the Ravens. He signed with the 49ers in 2021 before being released and returning to Baltimore. His final season was with the Giants in 2022 before announcing his retirement.

For his career, Jefferson has 492 tackles, eight forced fumbles, four interceptions, and 24 passes defended in 113 games (67 starts).

Countdown to Kickoff: Jeremy Shockey is the Saints Player of Day 88

There are 88 days until the Saints kick off their 2024 season. No active player owns the No. 88 jersey, so we’re highlighting Super Bowl XLIV champ Jeremy Shockey:

There are 88 days to go until the New Orleans Saints kick off their 2024 season, and we’re counting down the days by highlighting each player to wear the corresponding jersey number. No active Saints player owns the No. 88 jersey (it was most recently worn by tight end/fullback J.P. Holtz in 2022), so we’re looking further back to feature Super Bowl XLIV champion Jeremy Shockey.

A first-round pick in the 2002 draft by the New York Giants, Shockey thrived while making the jump from Miami to the NFL. He won All-Pro recognition as a rookie while setting a Giants franchise record for receptions (74) and was named to four Pro Bowls with New York. The Saints traded their second- and fifth-round picks in the 2009 draft to acquire him in 2008, and he quickly found his way into the starting lineup.

Shockey was known for playing with an attitude and throwing his weight around as a blocker and receiver, though he didn’t see many targets in a Saints offense that was full of options; his most productive season in New Orleans was 2009, when he caught 48 passes for 569 yards and three touchdowns. But he made them count. Shockey converted a first down on 86 of his 148 career receptions, including the playoffs.

He especially stood out in Super Bowl XLIV. Shockey was targeted 4 times and caught 3 passes for 13 yards; most fans remember his go-ahead touchdown catch in the fourth quarter, but the play he might be most proud of was the famous Pierre Thomas touchdown on a screen pass where Shockey blocked two defenders to open a lane.

It’s a shame Shockey and the Saints made for such a brief combo. Injuries continued to trail him after being traded by the Giants and he never appeared in all 16 games in any of his three seasons in New Orleans. He finished his career with the Carolina Panthers in 2011 before retiring from pro football. Still, we have the stories and the highlight reel, and Shockey has a well-deserved Super Bowl ring. We’ll just have to wait and see which player picks up his No. 88 jersey next.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

New Orleans Saints game previews: Week 14 at New York Giants

The Saints will kick off against the New York Giants in Week 14 for their first game with Big Blue at MetLife Stadium since 2018. A lot has changed since then:

We’re picking up our series previewing every game on the New Orleans Saints’ schedule in 2024 with the New York Giants, who the Saints will visit after coming out of their bye week for a home game with the Los Angeles Rams. It remains to be seen if the Giants can compete with their NFC East rivals this year, but if the Saints hope to get into the playoff picture they won’t have the luxury of dropping a loss here.

The Saints haven’t played a game against the Giants at MetLife Stadium since the 2018 season, and a lot has changed for both teams. Eli Manning and Saquon Barkley aren’t in the New York backfield, while Drew Brees and Michael Thomas are no longer suiting up for New Orleans. Neither Sean Payton nor Pat Shurmur are coaching  these teams. Alvin Kamara put this game away with a 49-yard touchdown run (that kept going into through the end zone and into the stadium tunnel), but is another 33-18 road win in the cards for the Saints?

Maybe so, if last year’s result is any indication. The Saints hosted the Tommy DeVito-led Giants at the Caesars Superdome (who were riding a three-game win streak, having upset the Green Bay Packers a week earlier) and took care of business in a lopsided 24-6 win. New York was missing right tackle Evan Neal and Jones, their starting quarterback, but it’s tough to believe either of them would have made that great a difference in a game the Saints won by 18 points.

Still, we shouldn’t overlook Big Blue after their busy offseason. The Giants traded for Carolina Panthers star pass rusher Brian Burns, who has had some great games against the Saints, while signing free agents like running back Devin Singletary and offensive linemen Jon Runyan and Jermaine Eluemunor. They drafted LSU standout Malik Nabers to lead their receiving corps as well as former Minnesota safety Tyler Nubin. This is going to be a tougher matchup than the one the Saints faced last year, but they should be favored to win again. A loss would be very disappointing.

  • Game information: New Orleans Saints at New York Giants
  • Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.
  • Date: Dec. 8
  • Time: Noon CT / 1 p.m. ET
  • TV Channel: FOX

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Watch: Steph Curry and his son Canon make appearance at Giants game

Steph and Canon Curry made an appearance at the Giants’ game against the Yankees in San Francisco.

While the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics are preparing for the NBA Finals, the rest of the league is soaking up the offseason. With no games on the schedule, Steph Curry made a stop at Oracle Park to support the Golden State Warriors’ San Francisco neighbor.

Curry and his family were at the ballpark for the San Francisco Giants’ series-opening game against the red-hot New York Yankees. Along with playing catch with his son, Canon, Curry helped with the ceremonial first pitch.

Via @WardIICurry30 on Twitter:

https://x.com/WardeIICurry30/status/1797433719491604712

Curry helped Dr. Clarence B. Jones, a speechwriter for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., throw the first pitch before the Yankees and Giants took the field.

Via @MLB on Twitter:

https://x.com/MLB/status/1796729703828492686

Curry’s son Canon was caught dancing on the jumbotron at the stadium during the game. Other Warriors members, such as Brandin Podziemski, Lester Quinones and Trayce Jackson-Davis, were also at the ballpark.

Via @NBCSGiants on Twitter:

https://x.com/NBCSGiants/status/1796763574368649412

Despite the Warriors being in the building, the Yankees rolled past the Giants 6-2 behind a pair of powerful home runs and four RBIs from Aaron Judge.

This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Here’s the Eagles’ complete 2024 regular-season schedule

Here’s the Eagles’ complete 2024 regular-season schedule with dates and times

The wait is finally over. The NFL has unveiled the Eagles’ complete 2024 regular-season schedule, which will see Philadelphia play five games in prime time.

The regular-season opener against the Green Bay Packers in São Paulo, Brazil, is now just 114 days away.

Here’s the TEAM’s complete 2024 schedule:

Week Date Opponent Time (ET)
1 September 6 vs. Packers 8:15 PM* Tickets
2 September 16 vs. Falcons 8:15 PM* Tickets
3 September 22 @ Saints 1 PM Tickets
4 September 29 @ Buccaneers 1 PM Tickets
5 October 6 Bye Week Tickets
6 October 13 vs. Browns 1 PM Tickets
7 October 20 @ Giants 1 PM Tickets
8 October 27 @ Bengals 4:25 PM Tickets
9 November 3 vs. Jaguars 8:20 PM* Tickets
10 November 10 @ Cowboys 4:25 PM Tickets
11 November 14: vs. Commanders 8:15 PM* Tickets
12 November 24 @ Rams 8:20 PM* Tickets
13 December 1 @ Ravens 4:25 PM Tickets
14 December 8 vs. Panthers 1 PM Tickets
15 December 15 vs. Steelers 4:25 PM Tickets
16 December 22 @ Commanders 1 PM Tickets
17 December 29 vs. Cowboys 4:25 PM Tickets
18 January 4 or 5 vs. Giants TBD Tickets

*prime-time game

WATCH: Brock Purdy fires 1st pitch past catcher at Giants game

Check out Brock Purdy’s first pitch at tonight’s Giants game vs. the Giants.

49ers quarterback Brock Purdy was at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Tuesday to throw out the first pitch for the Giants home game vs. the Dodgers.

Purdy, whose dad Shawn was a minor league pitcher for the Giants in the mid-90s, looked like a person who’d played some baseball in his life while firing a fastball toward the catcher on the fly. It was a little high and sailed past the catcher, but the pitch was a good one as first pitches go.

This offers a stark contrast to this time last year when Purdy was rehabbing a torn UCL in his throwing elbow. Now he’s throwing fastballs off a Major League mound for a ceremonial first pitch.

His acumen on the baseball field offered a stark contrast to that of Fred Warner and Deebo Samuel — the two 49ers who threw out first pitches for the Giants on Opening Day. Neither were particularly good throws, so Purdy easily cleared the low bar set by his teammates, even if the catcher didn’t haul in the toss.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]