Tag: Kareem Martin

96 days till the Cardinals’ season opener vs. Bills

There haven’t been impactful players with No. 96 for a while. But We can look to Kareem Martin.

The offseason countdown to the start of the regular season continues. Today, Tuesday, is 96 days away from the Arizona Cardinals’ season opener, when they will take on the Buffalo Bills on the road on September 8.

No. 96 is currently worn by defensive lineman Naquan Jones, signed late last season. After eight games with the Tennessee Titans, Jones appeared in four for the Cardinals in 2023 collecting eight total tackles in 104 defensive snaps.

You have to back many years to get an impactful No. 96.

Linebacker Kareem Martin fits the bill, although he wasn’t a great player. He was impactful in his four seasons. He was a solid special teams player, logging over 300 special teams snaps twice, and become solid depth on the defensive line and the edge. He started 10 games in 2017, his last season with the Cardinals.

A better No. 96 was Clyde Simmons, who played for Arizona in 1994-95, when he has 17 sacks and six forced fumbles. But Martin was the last player who was fairly impactful.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

 

Lions elevated C Marcus Martin, EDGE Kareem Martin, and CB Alex Myers for Week 15

The Detroit Lions announced that they have elevated center Marcus Martin, EDGE Kareem Martin, and corner Alex Myers for their Week 15 matchup with the Tennessee Titans.

The Detroit Lions announced that they have elevated center Marcus Martin, EDGE Kareem Martin, and corner Alex Myers for their Week 15 matchup with the Tennessee Titans.

With Frank Ragnow being downgraded to out this week the Lions lacked a true center on their roster but the elevation of Marcus Martin gives them one.

Starting left guard Jonah Jackson has experience playing center in college, and former starting guard Joe Dahl has been cross-trained at center since he arrived in Detroit in 2016. Expect both of them to start at left guard and center — though it’s not entirely clear who plays where — with Marcus Martin acting as the primary backup under center.

With Everson Griffen still on the COVID-19 list, Kareem Martin will give the Lions depth on the edge. Last week the Lions started EDGE Romeo Okwara and a combination of EDGE Austin Bryant and JACK linebacker Christian Jones, with Kareem Martin filling in as a fourth option. Expect that to repeat itself again in Week 15.

After the Lions signed 11-year veteran corner Tramaine Brock earlier in the week, most expected him to be elevated to the depleted cornerbacks’ group, but the Lions opted for Myers, who they signed two and a half weeks ago, as their fourth option.

Undrafted out of Houston in 2019, Myers (5-11, 187) spent his rookie season on the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad before being released earlier this year. A physical tackler, Myers has a chance to make an impact on special teams in this game.

Lions protect same 4 players, release RB Dalyn Dawkins from practice squad

The Detroit Lions made a series of practice squad moves on Tuesday, protecting the same four players as last week and releasing running back Dalyn Dawkins.

The Detroit Lions made a series of practice squad moves on Tuesday, protecting the same four players as last week — OT Dan Skipper, EDGE Kareem Martin, DT Albert Huggins, and S Bobby Price — and releasing running back Dalyn Dawkins.

Last week, after protection, Skipper, Martin, and Price were all elevated to the game-day roster and all four protected players have been elevated at least once this season.

Skipper has been elevated twice — Week’s 10 and 14 — and has exhausted his elevation eligibility. If the Lions want him to play again this season, they will need to sign him to the active roster. That could be a possibility this week, with Tyrell Crosby’s health uncertain, and Hal Vaitai still on injured reserve — though he is eligible to be removed this week, if healthy.

Price has also been elevated twice this season — Week’s 13 and 14 — but unlike Skipper, he still has one eligibility elevation remaining. Last week, Price was elevated as a COVID-19 replacement for Everson Griffen, which does not count towards the standard elevation count. Price is a candidate for elevation this week, as C.J. Moore is still dealing with an ankle injury and his status is up in the air. Price has seen 35 special teams snaps over the last two weeks, including getting some run as a starting gunner.

With Griffen out, Martin saw 11 snaps on the edge last week. And with Griffen — who announced via Instagram that he had contracted the COVID-19 virus — likely to miss this week’s game, Martin could be elevated once again. Working against him is the fact that EDGE Julian Okwara (still on IR) has been practicing for two weeks and is a candidate to return to action soon, and EDGE Trey Flowers (also still on IR) has been moving towards a potential return as well.

The Lions are getting healthier at defensive tackle — though Da’Shawn Hand still looked limited last week — but with John Penisini the only rostered nose tackle, protecting Huggins looks like an insurance move.

After three different stints on the practice squad, the Lions quietly moved on from Dawkins last night. This gives the Lions an open spot on the practice squad — which could go to RB Kerrith Whyte, who has been on the practice squad IR since the fourth week of the season.

Another potential option is quarterback Jordan Ta’amu, who had a try out with the Lions yesterday — his second try out with Detroit this season:

Lions’ Week 14 snap counts: LBs more involved with injuries on the EDGE

Examining the Detroit Lions snap counts after their Week 14 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

The Detroit Lions entered their Week 14 matchup with the division rival Green Bay Packers with injuries at several key positions, none more so than on the EDGE.

When Lions’ interim coach Darrell Bevell took control of the roster last week, he leaned more on his EDGE rushers. But, with key EDGE players unavailable — Trey Flowers, Everson Griffen, and Julain Okwara — he, along with defensive coordinator Cory Undlin, needed to slightly alter their approach.

Bevell/Undlin turned to Austin Bryant (who was playing his first game in a month) and Kareem Martin (who was playing in his first game this season), to play the EDGE role, but several linebackers — Christian Jones, Jahlani Tavai, Reggie Ragland, and Jarrad Davis — were needed to fill in the remaining gaps.

That and more in this week’s snap count review.

Detroit Lions elevate 3 practice squad players for their Week 14 game against the Packers

The Detroit Lions have elevated three members of their practice squad for their Week 14 matchup with the Green Bay Packers: Offensive tackle Dan Skipper, defensive end Kareem Martin, and safety/gunner Bobby Price.

The Detroit Lions have elevated three members of their practice squad for their Week 14 matchup with the Green Bay Packers: Offensive tackle Dan Skipper, defensive end Kareem Martin, and safety/gunner Bobby Price.

Typically, the Lions would only be able to elevate two players under the standard elevation addendum, but with Everson Griffen being placed on the COVID-19 list, the Lions are able to elevate a third player as a replacement.

With Tyrell Crosby being ruled out and Hal Vaitai on injured reserve, the Lions have turned to Matt Nelson at right tackle. With Joe Dahl as the only remaining player with tackle experience on the active roster, Skipper is being elevated as insurance against any further injuries at the position.

With a plethora of injuries amongst the Lions EDGE rushers, Martin is being called up for depth. While Romeo Okwara is healthy, the Lions are down Trey Flowers (IR), Griffen (COVID-19), and Julian Okwara (IR).

When the Lions deploy four down defensive lineman, they will most likely hope to turn to Da’Shawn Hand and/or Austin Bryant opposite Okwara, with Martin potentially being the fourth option. But both Hand and Bryant are listed as questionable this week and neither has played in three games, meaning Martin could find himself on the field fairly quickly.

Because of this uncertainty, the Lions may rely on their linebackers to fill an EDGE role and that would mean leaning on Jahlani Tavai, Christian Jones, and Reggie Ragland at the JACK linebacker role more.

Price was elevated last week and played on 19 special teams snaps, including as a starting gunner. With C.J. Moore questionable after injuring his ankle last week, Price should help soften Moore’s workload.

Detroit Lions protect three practice squad players in Week 9, including two hybrid EDGE rushers

Detroit Lions protected three practice squad players in Week 9, including hybrid EDGE rushers Kareem Martin and linebacker Anthony Pittman. Cornerback/gunner Dee Virgin was also protected per usual.

Detroit Lions protected three practice squad players in Week 9, including hybrid EDGE rushers Kareem Martin and linebacker Anthony Pittman. Cornerback/gunner Dee Virgin was also protected per usual — he has been protected every week available this season.

The Lions have been very consistent with how they have utilized the protection designations for their practice squad players, only protecting five players over the whole season leading up to this week. In previous week’s the Lions have actually protected fewer players than the maximum allowance, as they have only focused on these specific players.

In addition to Virgin, the Lions protected quarterback David Blough and tight end Isaac Nauta every week available, until each was eventually elevated to the active roster. Running back Kerrith Whyte was protected each week available up until he landed on practice squad injured reserve in Week 5. While running back Jonathan Williams was protected in Week 1 — and will join the active roster later today.

So what changed in Week 9?

EDGE Trey Flowers was just placed on injured reserve. While Everson Griffen has completed his onboarding process and was added to the active roster Monday, the Lions likely felt they needed some extra insurance on the edge.

Martin is the player on the practice squad who is stylistically the closest to Flowers/Griffen, but Pittman has been with the team for the last 18 months and has seen time at JACK linebacker late last season.

By protecting both, the Lions will have the opportunity to see how Griffen acclimates this week in practice, while also allowing Martin and Pittman to compete for an emergency role. If coaches don’t feel Griffen is ready to fully contribute by Saturday, they can promote the winner of the emergency competition to the active roster for this week’s game.

Lions officially place Justin Coleman on IR, add DE Kareem Martin to the practice squad

Lions officially place Justin Coleman on IR, add DE Kareem Martin to practice squad, release DE Jonathan Wynn.

The Detroit Lions made a series of roster moves on Tuesday, confirming an earlier report of starting nickel corner Justin Coleman being placed on injured reserve and swapping out defensive ends on the practice squad.

Coleman injured his hamstring during the Week 1 loss to the Chicago Bears, and appears to be on an extended healing path as his stint on IR will keep him out for at least the next three weeks. That would put him on track to potentially return in Week 5, but with the Lions being on a bye that week, he won’t see playing time until Week 6 at the earliest.

The Lions did not make a corresponding move on the active roster, so at the time of this publishing, the Lions only have 52 spots on their 53 man roster filled. Expect that move to be announced in the next 24 hours.

On the practice squad, the Lions released defensive end Jonathan Wynn and signed defensive end/pass-rushing outside linebacker Kareem Martin.

Martin (6-6, 262) was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round (pick 84 overall) of the 2014 draft, and after his rookie contract expired he joined the New York Giants on a 3-year deal. After missing a majority of 2019 on injured reserve with a knee injury, the Giants released him this past offseason in a cap saving move.

Martin has failed to live up to his draft status. He played as a pass-rushing outside linebacker in both stops in the NFL, but he is too stiff to play the JACK linebacker in the Lions scheme. Expect him to follow the path of another former-Giant, Romeo Okwara, during his time in Detroit, shifting between the DDE, 5T, and 3T.

Which veteran OLBs could the Bucs have interest in?

Greg Auman of The Athletic gives the names of a few OLBs the Bucs might have interest in signing as training camp approaches.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offense is shaping up to be one of the most exciting units in the NFL heading into 2020. But with the New Orleans Saints the defending champs of the NFC South, the Bucs will have their work cut out for them as they seek a return to the postseason for the first time in over a decade.

While Tom Brady will take care of the offense, the six-time Super Bowl champion can’t do much to help out the Bucs on defense. But after a solid 2019 under defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, and the re-signing of key players like Ndamukong Suh and Jason Pierre-Paul, Tampa Bay’s defense is sitting pretty right now, too.

But, with training camp approaching, could the Bucs be in the market for some veteran insurance at outside linebacker? And if so, who are some of the names we might see suiting up for Tampa Bay?

Here is Bucs writer Greg Auman of The Athletic with his thoughts.

Matthews would be a nice signing, but his price tag may be steeper than what the Bucs are willing to dish out. Golden would be a good pick up, considering he’s coming off a 10.0 sack season with the New York Giants. His biggest year came in 2016, when he had a career-high 12.5 sacks with the Arizona Cardinals.

[lawrence-related id=36046,36040,36033,36026]

Giants release linebackers Alec Ogletree, Kareem Martin

The New York Giants released linebackers Alec Ogletree and Kareem Martin on Wednesday in what were anticipated moves.

In what were a series of predictable and inevitable moves, the New York Giants announced the release of linebackers Alec Ogletree and Kareem Martin on Wednesday.

The Giants today began what is expected to be a significant restructuring of their defense when they released linebackers Alec Ogletree and Kareem Martin.

Ogletree and Martin played two seasons for the Giants.

More to come…

Giants have several options to clear additional cap space

The New York Giants will have an abundance of salary cap space in 2020, but they also have several options to create even more.

The 2019-202 NFL season is winding down with Super Bowl LIV taking place in Miami this coming Sunday, but for front offices around the league, it’s just the beginning of the tedious offseason process.

On February 3, the day after the Super Bowl, the waiver system kicks in for the 2020 season. The Giants will have the fourth pick in any waiver situation.

That will be followed by the NFL Scouting Combine from February 25 – March 3. The league year ends at 4:00 p.m. on March 18.

Between now and then, teams will be seeking to cut loose some of their overpaid, underachieving veterans. Teams will abide by the waiver system should they want to claim any of them but more importantly, it is the last opportunity for teams to get as lean as they can before free agency begins on March 18.

What does that mean for the Giants?

Well, their salary cap situation is fairly fluid and flush. They have approximately $61 million in cap space to play with this offseason and could have more should they decide to cut a few veterans.

But who those players could be are questionable. The Giants only have four players with cap hits over $10 million: left tackle Nate Solder ($19.5 million), right guard Kevin Zeitler ($12.5 million), linebacker Alec Ogletree ($11.75 million) and wide receiver Golden Tate ($10.5 million).

Solder is locked in for 2020 due to the dead cap hit of $13 million, so he’s out. The Giants just restructured Zeitler last year. He is entering the second year of a three-year deal, plus the Giants have no intention of letting him go under any circumstances.

Ogletree is a possibility. He has a dead cap charge of just $3.5 million and the team could clear approximately $8 million by releasing him.

It doesn’t make any sense to touch Tate. He’s only in Year 2 of a four-year deal and is a valuable piece of the Giants’ offense for two reasons. First, he’s integral to the further development of quarterback Daniel Jones and second, in light of the concussions suffered by Sterling Shepard last year, Tate could be leaned on more heavily going forward.

Other candidates for release are tight end Rhett Ellison and linebacker Kareem Martin.

Ellison’s 2020 cap hit is $7.188 million with a dead cap charge of $2.188 million, which would equate to a cap savings of $5 million should they cut him. Ellison missed the final six games of the 2019 season with a concussion and was spelled by rookie Kaden Smith, who showed promise.

Martin spent most of the season on IR with a sprained knee and has had very little impact since being signed to a three-year, $15 million deal before the 2018 season as the player who would help new defensive coordinator James Bettcher install his scheme. It never really worked out. The Giants can save $4.8 million by cutting Martin.

[lawrence-related id=639585,639578,639541]