Tag: Jihad Ward

Studs and duds from Giants’ Week 3 loss vs. 49ers

Here’s a look at the studs and duds (and studly duds) from a 30-12 loss for the New York Giants against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 3.

The New York Giants fell to the San Francisco 49ers, 30-12, on Thursday night, dropping their record to 1-2 on the season. It was another ugly showing and the injury bug bit hard, so things look murky for the team moving forward.

There was a lot more bad than good on the night, so the next 10-plus days will be a bit rough for the Giants and their fans. National media is not going to take it easy.

Here’s a look at some studs and duds (and studly duds) from the game.

Jets’ Randall Cobb fined for dirty hit on Giants’ Bobby McCain

The NFL has fined Jets wide receiver Randall Cobb nearly $14,000 for his illegal and dirty hit on New York Giants safety Bobby McCain.

From the very instant it happened, Aiyda Ghahramani, the wife of New York Jets wide receiver Randall Cobb, knew a fine was coming.

“That was a great block, I thought,” Ghahramani said laughing. “Probably get a fine here in the mail soon.”

Although both Ghahramani and Cobb, who was laughing in the huddle with Aaron Rodgers, thought it was funny, New York Giants safety Bobby McCain had to exit the game with a concussion due to the dirty hit.

The NFL didn’t find the illegal hit, for which Cobb was penalized, nearly as funny as the Jets duo or Ghahramani. They slapped the veteran with a near-$14,000 fine for the outlawed blindside block late this week.

The hit led to an exchange between Rodgers and Giants linebacker Jihad Ward that has gone back and forth for nearly a week.

The two had to be separated during the game and that exchange was shown, in part, on HBO’s Hard Knocks. Despite video evidence, Rodgers claims Ward was lying when he said the quarterback and Cobb were laughing about the hit in the huddle.

“I think he’s making (expletive) up,” Rodgers said, via Connor Hughes of SNY.

The league office ultimately saw (and heard) what Ward did and decided to levy a fine on Cobb.

Neither Rodgers nor Ward were fined for their onfield exchange.

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Joe Schoen, Jets share something in common: Their focus on the Giants

General manager Joe Schoen says he’s entirely focused on the New York Giants and nothing else, just like the New York Jets seem to be.

The New York Jets are feeling themselves a bit, buying big into the offseason hype that after decades of failure, things will finally materialize and the 39-year-old Aaron Rodgers will lead them to the promised land.

Their newfound ego has them resembling the boastful Rex Ryan squads of old. And with that puffed-out chest comes a renewed attempt to assume control of The Big Apple.

For the Jets, that means turning their attention to big brother — the New York Giants.

In a Week 3 preseason game against the Giants, the other New York team played all of their starters, including Rodgers, and even appeared to game plan for the contest a bit. They poured every bit of intensity they had into the game, which was evident when wide receiver Randall Cobb delivered an illegal hit to safety Bobby McCain, leaving him concussed.

That dirty play led to an exchange between Rodgers and Giants linebacker Jihad Ward, which has since spilled over into the media and even HBO’s Hard Knocks.

The Jets ultimately won their Super Bowl, defeating the Giants’ reserves by a score of 32-24.

There was no banner or parade for the victory, but the Jets were celebrated on the back page of several area newspapers. It was their most meaningful victory since the last time they defeated the Giants in the preseason.

So, what’s that like for second-year general manager Joe Schoen? How does he handle the fight for the right to represent New York? The same way the Jets do: by focusing on the Giants.

“They were here last year,” Schoen said earlier this week when asked about sharing a city with the Jets. “We’re just focused on us. That’s all we can do. We’ve got to control what we can control and it’s us coming in here every day to work and trying to get better as a team. If we control our business and take care of our business, hopefully we’ll see positive results. I respect those guys over there but we’re just going to focus on what we can control.”

Meanwhile, out in Florham Park, the Jets find themselves concerned with the name of MetLife Stadium. They feel the name “JetLife Stadium” would be more appropriate.

“That’s what (Rodgers) called it? JetLife Stadium? I guess, if that’s how he’s feeling,” wide receiver Sterling Shepard said this week, via the New York Daily News. “If that’s how he feels then that’s cool. I don’t feel that way. Obviously. I mean, everybody is gonna pull for their squad, obviously. I feel like when we step on the turf that’s our home, we want to protect it. That’s what our job entails is to protect our home stadium.”

If you’re experiencing a case of deja vu it’s because we’ve all been down this road before. It was Christmas Eve in 2011 and we all know how that chapter ended.

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.

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Aaron Rodgers calls out Giants’ Jihad Ward, saying he’s ‘making (expletive) up’

The Aaron Rodgers-Jihad Ward feud rolls on.

As if one game for the Jets needed more popcorn wasn’t enough, now the Jets have two such games. First, it was Jets-Broncos following the Sean Payton-Nathaniel Hackett story and now it’s Jets-Giants thanks to the budding feud between Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Giants linebacker Jihad Ward.

On Tuesday’s episode of Hard Knocks, one of the scenes was from the Jets-Giants preseason game in which Ward shoved Rodgers after a throw and Rodgers responding “That’s (expletive), bro” and “Show some respect.”

Ward responded this week by saying the clip didn’t tell the whole story and he wasn’t happy with how he was portrayed. He also went on to say he believed the Jets, including Rodgers and wide receiver Randall Cobb, were laughing after Cobb hit Giants safety Bobby McCain, a hit that put McCain in the concussion protocol.

“They know what they did. I know what [Cobb] did, coaches know what he did, my teammates know what he did,” Ward said, via ESPN.com . “I’m the only one sticking up for [McCain].” (H/T John Breech of CBS Sports)

Rodgers responded Friday, calling out Ward for fabricating the story.

“So he thought we were laughing at his teammate? That never happened and I think he’s making (expletive) up,” Rodgers said, via the New York Post.

Rodgers and the Jets will meet the Giants at “JetLife Stadium”, as Rodgers called it, on October 29. The battle for East Rutherford just got that much spicier.

Jets’ Aaron Rodgers calls Giants’ Jihad Ward is a liar

Jets QB Aaron Rodgers says New York Giants LB Jihad Ward is a liar even though additional HBO film shows Ward’s accusations do hold water.

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers says New York Giants linebacker Jihad Ward is a lying, dog-faced pony soldier.

During last Saturday night’s preseason game between the Giants and Jets, Rodgers and Ward had to be separated by a game official. The jawing began after Ward bumped Rodgers late and the quarterback took exception to it.

After the game, both Ward and Rodgers were mum on the incident with the four-time MVP saying everyone would just have to wait for HBO’s Hard Knocks to see what happened.

When the episode did air, it showed the post-shove exchange between Rodgers and Ward.

After the episode went to air, Ward explained his version of events.

“There’s a reason why I acted like that (in) the first place,” Ward told the New York Daily News. “There’s a reason why I shoved him like I did. The reason why is because I don’t let none of my mother (expletive) teammates get knocked over, you know what I’m saying?”

Ward was angry that Jets wide receiver Randall Cobb delivered an illegal hit on Giants safety Bobby McCain resulting in a concussion. He was even more angry that Cobb and Rodgers were laughing about it.

“And Randall — what’s his name, Randall Cobb? — he knew what he did,” Ward added. “That was some cheap (expletive). But it’s like, if I see anything on the field, I gotta do what I gotta do. This ain’t no rah-rah this, that and a third. I don’t do all this internet stuff. I’m gonna let them have it.

“That was some sucker (expletive) that Randall Cobb and Aaron Rodgers did. And I’m stamping on that. I ain’t hiding from nothing. So you could laugh now, cry later … They know what they did, and they (were) laughing and all that stuff. And I was the only one that was sticking up for (McCain).”

But now Rodgers is disputing Ward’s interpretation of the incident, falt-out calling him a liar.

“I think he’s making (expletive) up,” Rodgers said, via Connor Hughes of SNY.

The problem with Rodgers calling Ward a liar is that cameras are everywhere and the quarterback was mic’d. Both of those captured Rodgers and Cobb joking and laughing in the huddle after the illegal hit, while Cobb’s wife also joked about it in the stands.

Not only did the Jets appear to play dirty and then joke about it, but they’ve lied about it repeatedly in the aftermath.

Ward sure seems like he has a legit beef here.

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Giants’ Jihad Ward explains why he shoved Aaron Rodgers

New York Giants LB Jihad Ward rips into the New York Jets, QB Aaron Rodgers and WR Randall Cobb for their “sucker (expletive)” last week.

During their final preseason game against the New York Jets last Saturday night, New York Giants linebacker Jihad Ward exchanged a few words with quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

The back-and-forth jawing appeared to begin after Ward shoved Rodgers late, which the veteran quarterback took exception to.

After the game, Ward was uncharacteristically mum when asked about the exchange. Rodgers also refused to comment, telling reporters they’d have to wait for the next episode of HBO’s Hard Knocks to see what happened.

The episode did not disappoint and showed the exchange between Rodgers and Ward . . . kind of.

The clip makes it appear as if Ward was in the wrong but as it turns out, there was much more to the entire situation that cameras didn’t catch (or producers simply chose not to air).

Following practice on Wednesday, Ward opened up about exactly what happened, what he thinks of Rodgers, and why he bumped the quarterback late to begin with.

As it turns out, Ward was responding to a cheap shot from Jets wide receiver Randall Cobb that left Giants safety Bobby McCain concussed. The undeniably illegal hit drew a flag. It also drew a laugh from Rodgers, who apparently found amusement in McCain’s serious injury.

“There’s a reason why I acted like that (in) the first place,” Ward told the New York Daily News. “There’s a reason why I shoved him like I did. The reason why is because I don’t let none of my mother (expletive) teammates get knocked over, you know what I’m saying?”

Ward called Cobb’s illegal hit, “sucker (expletive).”

“And Randall — what’s his name, Randall Cobb? — he knew what he did,” Ward continued. “That was some cheap (expletive). But it’s like, if I see anything on the field, I gotta do what I gotta do. This ain’t no rah-rah this, that and a third. I don’t do all this internet stuff. I’m gonna let them have it.

“That was some sucker (expletive) that Randall Cobb and Aaron Rodgers did. And I’m stamping on that. I ain’t hiding from nothing. So you could laugh now, cry later … They know what they did, and they (were) laughing and all that stuff. And I was the only one that was sticking up for (McCain).”

As far as Rodgers demanding respect from Ward, the veteran linebacker isn’t having it.

“I don’t praise no man,” Ward said. “I don’t be on the field . . . on some ‘Like Mike’ stuff like ‘Hey, oh my God, it’s Aaron’ — I don’t care about none of that. I don’t care who you [are]. When you’re on that field, you have no respect. So it is what it is. You don’t gotta know me. That’s fine.”

McCain told reporters he appreciates Ward standing up for him but both agreed it’s on to Dallas. They’ll worry about Rodgers and the little brother Jets come Week 8.

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See it: Jets trash-talked Giants in meaningless preseason game

The New York Jets had a lot of trash talk for the New York Giants in a meaningless preseason game that clearly meant a lot to them.

After years of mediocrity and failure, the two New York NFL franchises — the Jets and Giants — finally have some buzz surrounding them.

The Jets are now led by future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers and the Giants have been quietly building one of the league’s most interesting teams.

So when they faced each other last Saturday night in their annual preseason matchup at MetLife Stadium, two ascending powers were present.

The tensions were high. The Jets played the majority of their starters — including Rodgers for the first time — against a Giants’ lineup comprised of just three projected starters.

There were some tense moments early on when Giants linebacker Jihad ‘Haddy’ Ward decided to harass Rodgers beyond what the script called for. He pushed Rodgers, Rodgers pushed back and the sparks flew.

Rodgers, mic’d up for HBO’s Hard Knocks, played the incident up for the cameras as both players claimed not to know each other.

Ward was uncharacteristically mum when asked about the incident after the game but there’s no doubt Rodgers knows who he is. After all, Ward recorded two QB hits when the Giants dropped A-A-Ron and the Green Bay Packers in London last season.

The trash-talking didn’t end there. When the Giants challenged Pro Bowl cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner down the sideline with rookie speedster Jalin Hyatt, the 2022 Defensive Rookie of the Year spoiled the party even though Hyatt had him beat.

The Jets won the game, 32-24, but it’s clear there is something brewing between these two teams, who meet again in Week 8 of the regular season.

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Giants’ Jihad Ward uncharacteristically mum after Aaron Rodgers spat

New York Giants LB Jihad Ward was oddly silent when asked what happened between he and New York Jets QB Aaron Rodger on Saturday night.

In the first quarter of the New York Jets’ 32-24 preseason win over the New York Giants on Saturday night, a shoving match took place between Giants linebacker Jihad Ward and Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

It began when Ward appeared to hit Rodgers a little late on a pass play. Rodgers retaliated with a shove. No penalties were assessed.

After the game, Rodgers had little to say about the incident.

“I kind of bumped into him,” Rodgers told reporters. “Wait for Hard Knocks.”

When asked, the usually loquacious Ward was uncharacteristically silent about the encounter.

The two teams meet again in Week 8 this season. Perhaps this won’t be a story by then but for now, it’s heading towards the back burner.

But with buttoned lips on both sides, it looks like we really have to wait for Hard Knocks in order to see what was said during the exchange and how it might carry over into the regular season.

Ward opting for silence certainly makes it interesting.

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Giants’ Jihad Ward: ‘My goal is to disrupt’

New York Giants linebacker Jihad Ward explains his goals for 2023 in a way that only Jihad Ward could.

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When New York Giants linebacker Jihad Ward is around, you know it. You’ll hear him before you see him and then you’ll hear him some more.

Ward is loud and boisterous both on the field and off of it. His energy is limitless and that has endeared him to his Giants teammates and defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, who has admitted he wants Ward on whatever roster he’s coaching.

Martindale had that wish granted once again in 2023 as the Giants re-signed Ward to a one-year deal this past offseason. And now Ward is ready to head into the regular season with his sights set on, well… Let him tell it in a way that only he can.

“My goal is to disrupt,” Ward told the Giants Huddle Podcast. “I just want to (expletive) some (expletive) up.”

Given how demanding Martindale’s defense is and how many positions his players are expected to learn, Ward will see time at various spots. Ultimately, he wants to dominate each of them.

“The goal for me, in the long run, is to really dominate at every position,” Ward said. “That was always my goal no matter what position I’m in and I’m going to continue to pursue that goal.”

Ward says that Martindale’s scheme “made his career” and he wants to continue to reward the coordinator and the Giants.

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Giants are re-signing Jihad Ward

The New York Giants are re-signing fan-favorite defensive lineman Jihad Ward and he’s stoked about it.

In news that will come as little surprise, the New York Giants are expected to re-sign defensive lineman Jihad Ward to a one-year deal.

ESPN Jordan Raanan was the first to report the transaction, although Ward himself had previously implied a deal was coming.

The outspoken and often very loud Ward was a favorite among his teammates in 2022. He has also long been a favorite of defensive coordinator Wink Martindale.

“He’s a physical, tough guy that is the character of what you’re looking for as a defensive player,” Martindale told reporters last season. “He sets the pace, especially in the run game on setting the edges, and he (takes) it personal … and that’s what has made him who he is. And wherever I’m at, I hope I have Jihad Ward with me.”

Uncle Wink, as Ward calls him, got his wish.

In 17 games with the Giants last season (11 starts), Ward recorded a career-high 43 tackles (28 solo, 7 for a loss), 13 QB hits, 3.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, and four passes defensed.

Ward is loved in both the locker room and the stands, and has established himself as true blue across the board. He returns to where he belongs.

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