Tag: Joe Haden

Bleacher Report suggests Giants consider these 3 free agents

Bleacher Report suggested 3 free agents the Giants should consider.

It is becoming well-known that the New York Giants could use some veteran help at several positions as they enter their first year under head coach Brian Daboll.

The secondary is in flux and could use an inexpensive veteran to slide in and take some key snaps until the youngsters get their feet under them.

Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report believes the Giants could benefit from signing a veteran such as cornerback Joe Haden and/or safety Tashaun Gipson on one-year deals.

“New York should take a long look at Tashaun Gipson, who spent the last two seasons with the Chicago Bears. Gipson started all 12 games in which he appeared last season and allowed an opposing passer rating of just 76.0…Gipson should be an option who fits into New York’s budget. He played on a one-year, $2.6 million deal last season. He’s another candidate for a one-year deal and could help give New York a little stability on the back end of its defense. “

Gipson is 31 and could be a stop-gap presence in the secondary for the Giants but they seem content at safety with their young group of Xavier McKinney, Julian Love, Dane Belton and Jarren Williams at the moment.

Haden is 33 and reportedly is mulling several offers this summer. He’ll surely be on an NFL roster bypass month’s end.

“New York is expected to rely heavily on young corners like second-year man Aaron Robinson and rookie third-round pick Cordale Flott. Having a seasoned vet like Haden in a leadership role would aid their development.

Haden can still be a reliable starter as well. He had his fair share of ups and downs with the Steelers last season but was also dealing with a foot injury for much of the year. In 2020, Haden allowed an opposing passer rating of only 75.9 in coverage.”

Not the worst idea. After Adoree’ Jackson, the other five corners that are favored to win roster spots have a total of 17 NFL starts between them.

Knox also sees the Giants as being in the market for a veteran tight end. They signed free agents Ricky Seals-Jones and Jordan Akins this offseason but are relying on fourth-round pick Daniel Bellinger to develop quickly and win the job this summer.

One suggestion for the Giants is Jared Cook, who was catching passes from Justin Herbert with the Los Angeles Chargers last season.

“While Cook is undoubtedly nearing the back end of his career, he was a potent weapon for Herbert in 2021—he finished with 48 receptions, 564 yards and four touchdowns.”

Daniel Jones could sure use a reliable pair of hands at tight end. Maybe that will be Bellinger but having Cook around wouldn’t hurt.

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Joe Haden hints on social media of Browns discussions

Joe Haden may have been stirring the pot or hinting at a return (or something else) with his social media post but it has Browns fans talking:

One of the best parts of social media is that it can bring fans into the worlds of professional athletes. One of the worst parts of social media is that it can bring fans into the worlds of professional athletes.

Either way, social media helps the 24/7 news cycle that has been made possible by smartphones and constant access to information. It leads to more conversations, more thoughts and more ‘what ifs’ than ever before but, now, on a more wide-reaching scale.

Former Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden used Instagram Wednesday night and started a conversation for Cleveland Browns fans. Via his IG story, Haden seems to be hinting at a reunion with the team:

Cleveland released the then-28-year-old cornerback after seven seasons with the team. Haden latched on quickly with the rival Pittsburgh Steelers where he enjoyed five more seasons.

At 32 years old, the former first-round pick is nearing the end of his career but may still have something to give the team. With Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome II and Greedy Williams at the top of the CB depth chart, perhaps a transition to safety in returning to the Browns would make sense. John Johnson III and Grant Delpit are starters there with Ronnie Harrison returning on a one-year contract.

It is possible that Haden is just stirring the pot or had something else in mind but his post certainly has people talking.

Florida Gators announces 2022 UF Athletic Hall of Fame Class

The University of Florida announced its 2022 UF Athletic Hall of Fame class on Thursday.

The Florida Gators announced that it will induct nine athletes, coaches and administrators to its UF Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022. The inductees are chosen by the F Club Committee based on three categories: Gator Greats, Distinguished Letterwinners and Honorary Letterwinners.

This year former Gators running back and track star [autotag]Jeff Demps[/autotag], cornerback [autotag]Joe Haden[/autotag] and forward [autotag]Chandler Parsons[/autotag] headline the class. Former Florida swimmer Conor Dwyer, softball outfielder Michelle Moultrie, track star Christian Taylor, baseball catcher [autotag]Mike Zunino[/autotag], tennis player and coach Steve Beeland and former athletic director Jeremy Foley round out the class.

Demps played for the Gators from 2008 to 2012 and finished his Gators career 10th in total rushing yards at 3,592 and 11th in total touchdowns with 23. On the track, Demps won three consecutive NCAA Indoor Titles 2010-2012 in the 60-meter dash and was a two-time NCAA Outdoor National Champion in the 100m and the 4x100m relay.

Hayden was a star cornerback for the Gators from 2007 to 2009, starting all 40 games he played in. In addition to helping Florida to a national championship in 2008, he racked up 218 total tackles, eight interceptions, 3.5 sacks and 34 pass breakups that rank fifth all-time. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns with the seventh overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft.

Parsons played for Florida on the hardwood from 2007 to 2011. He became the first men’s basketball player in program history to be named SEC Player of the Year in 2011. Parsons finished his Gators career 12th on the program’s all-time scoring with 1,452 points.

The Hall of Fame banquet will occur on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, prior to the football team’s home game versus Missouri.

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How the Colts can replace CB Rock Ya-Sin

The CB position is a bigger need now. Here’s how the Colts can replace Rock Ya-Sin.

For the Indianapolis Colts, the cornerback position was a big need heading into the 2022 offseason. The position was riddled with injuries and inconsistent play last year, leaving much to be desired in the secondary.

With Xavier Rhodes now a free agent and the Colts showing no intention of resigning him, Chris Ballard needed to fill his spot this off-season.

Free-agent Brandon Facyson was added on Tuesday, showing cornerback was on top of the priority list for the front office. The Colts then turned around and dealt Rock Ya-Sin to the Raiders in exchange for Yannick Ngakoue, putting them back at square one in the secondary construction department.

Many quality free agents have already been scooped up, and without a first-round draft pick, the Colts may have to do some digging to find a leader in the secondary.

Here are some options Chris Ballard and the front office should look for in the coming weeks to replace Ya-Sin with:

4 cornerbacks the Patriots can add to replace J.C. Jackson

The options are slim, but here potential replacements for J.C. Jackson in New England.

The departure of J.C. Jackson leaves a huge hole in the New England Patriots’ defense.

Bill Belichick went from Stephon Gilmore and Jackson anchoring the secondary to Jalen Mills as the top option. Jackson joined the Los Angeles Chargers on a five-year, $82.5 million contract — money the Patriots simply don’t have to spend.

Money is currently the issue. The Patriots spent a ton on players in free agency last offseason and there isn’t much leftover, especially with the task of re-signing veterans like Devin McCourty, Matt Slater, Nick Folk and Brian Hoyer.

The Patriots’ depth at the cornerback position currently consists of Mills, Jonathan Jones, Myles Bryant, Joejuan Williams and Shaun Wade. Let’s take a dive into cheaper options at cornerback that New England can consider.

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Steelers rule out few key players vs. Chargers

The Steelers will be without a few notable players this Sunday against the Chargers, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.

The Steelers will be without a few notable players this weekend against the Chargers.

Pittsburgh ruled out All-Pro edge defender T.J. Watt, cornerback Joe Haden and guard Kevin Dotson on Friday.

All three suffered their perspective injuries last Sunday against the Lions.

Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday, is unlikely to play.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s status is currently up in the air. Roethlisberger tested positive for COVID-19 before the game against Detroit.

Head coach Mike Tomlin said that there’s still a chance Roethlisberger plays. The Steelers have until 1 p.m PT tomorrow to activate him.

If Roethlisberger doesn’t play, Mason Rudolph will get the start.

Furthermore, wide receiver Chase Claypool, who didn’t play against the Lions due to a toe injury, will play.

Chargers’ reasons for optimism vs. Steelers in Week 11

Looking at some reasons to be positive as the Los Angeles Chargers look to defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Even though the Chargers suffered a disappointing 27-20 loss to the Vikings last Sunday, there are some positives heading into their Week 11 matchup against the Steelers.

– The Steelers could be without a slew of key players, starting with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who is on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. If Roethlisberger can’t go, Mason Rudolph will get the start. Regardless of who starts, they could be without some of their supporting cast, as starting wide receiver Chase Claypool and guard Kevin Dotson’s statuses are up in the air.

– It doesn’t stop there, as the defense could be missing some crucial players of its own. Edge defender T.J. Watt is dealing with knee and hip injuries. On the back end, Minkah Fitzpatrick, who is on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, is unlikely to play. Another key member of Pittsburgh’s secondary, cornerback Joe Haden, has a foot injury.

– Despite ranking ninth in passing defense, with the injuries on the Steelers’ defense, this could lead to a bounce-back game for quarterback Justin Herbert.

– Pittsburgh’s run defense has been inconsistent. Last Sunday, in their tie to the Lions, the Steelers allowed 229 rushing yards and an average of 5.9 yards per carry. While the ground game isn’t the Chargers forte, this could ultimately lead to a big performance for running back Austin Ekeler.

– The Chargers should be getting cornerback Michael Davis and safety Nasir Adderley back. Both of them should positively impact the secondary after it endured a rough day against the Vikings’ passing attack.

Joe Haden had a definitive response to the offsides penalty that negated a Steelers touchdown

The call took away a Steelers blocked field goal and touchdown.

Just like an overwhelming majority of penalties, offsides is not a reviewable foul in the NFL. But the Pittsburgh Steelers would probably like that to change after Sunday’s Week 4 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

With Green Bay up four points and 20 seconds to go in the first half, Packers kicker Mason Crosby had his 31-yard field goal attempt blocked by Minkah Fitzpatrick and returned 75 yards for a touchdown. A potential seven-point Packers halftime lead would have flipped in the Steelers’ favor. But that momentum-swinging touchdown was called back due to an offsides penalty on Joe Haden.

The problem: It sure looked like the officials missed the call.

Gators in the NFL: Evan McPherson earns Player of the Week honors

Kyle Pitts debuted and a kicker is the hottest Gator in the NFL right now.

16 former Gators started across the NFL in Week 1, and Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson may have been the best of the bunch.

Rookies Kyle Pitts and Kadarius Toney also made their NFL debuts among others, and veterans like Joe Haden continued to add to the legacy of Gators in the NFL.

With dozens of former Florida alumni in the league, here’s who stood out the most in Week 1.