Nate Ebner – Page 6 – Syndication Server

11 best deals and biggest steals in free agency so far

Touchdown Wire’s Mark Schofield tells us why players such as Bryan Bulaga, Emmanuel Sanders, Vernon Butler are among the free agent steals.

A fascinating aspect to watching free agency unfold is seeing what teams do in terms of acquiring value on the open market. Whether forgoing the big names for second-tier players, using one-year “prove it” deals or carefully constructing contracts, teams have a few different paths to find steals on the market. Here are eleven players that for one reason or another were quite the steal for their new teams.

Bryan Bulaga, RT, Los Angeles Chargers

A season ago, quarterback Philip Rivers struggled against pressure. His Adjusted Completion Percentage of 65.3 percent was good for tenth in the league, a far cry from the 2018 campaign when Rivers ranked fifth in the league in that statistic, posting an ACP of 71.6 percent.

Part of the decline might very well be on Rivers’ shoulders himself, and the Indianapolis Colts are left to sort out the answer to that riddle. But the Chargers did need to improve their offensive line, which was in the bottom-half of ESPN’s team pass block win rate statistic.

As such, the Chargers made two big moves to bolster their OL unit this off-season. They traded for guard Trai Turner, and then they added veteran right tackle Bryan Bulaga via free-agency. Bulaga, who has been an extremely solid starter for the Green Bay Packers since being drafted in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft, gives the Chargers a rock at the right tackle spot. Last season he allowed just four sacks and only 18 hurries, and playing in a division filled with talented pass rushers off the right edge, he’ll be able to protect whomever is taking the snaps for Los Angeles, whether it is Tyrod Taylor, Cam Newton or a rookie quarterback.

Furthermore, Bulaga came in on a three-year, $30 million contract, under some of the deals paid out to Jack Conklin and Anthony Castonzo, and just a notch more than George Fant. Not bad value for a cornerstone-type tackle.

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Nate Ebner set to join the New York Giants

Former Ohio State special teams player and safety Nate Ebner is set to join the New York Giants after playing with the Patriots for 8 years.

Free agency is in full steam and several former Ohio State football players have either signed or re-signed with teams over the last couple of days. From Malcolm Jenkins rejoining the Saints, to Eli Apple agreeing on a contract with the Raiders, it’s all coming together.

The latest news comes out of the northeast. Former Buckeye Nate Ebner is leaving New England and has reportedly set to join the New York Giants according to sources close to Ian Rapoport.

Ebner has always been a special teams star, but his story is one that goes much deeper than just once upon a time playing for Ohio State. He’s also an Olympian on the U.S.A.’s rugby team and has received permission in the past from the Patriots to participate.

The #Giants are bringing in a familiar face for coach Joe Judge, as former #Patriots special teams ace Nate Ebner is set to join NYG, source said. The ex-rugby star had been with New England since 2012.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 19, 2020

By signing Ebner, the Giants know exactly what they are getting. He knows his role and excels at it. He’s all out on special teams and that’s what he’ll be in New York as well. With the pending signing, the team will be getting leadership and a work ethic like none other.

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Giants to sign former Patriots special teamer Nate Ebner

Another free agent departure.

Special teams ace Nate Ebner is signing with the New York Giants in free agency, according to a league source. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported it first.

Ebner has been an elite special teams contributor with 95 career tackles. He also contributed in New England on goal-line situations as a safety. He is a converted rugby player from Ohio State, and he played for the U.S. rugby sevens olympic team. He has also won three Super Bowls since joining New England as a sixth-round pick in 2012.

Ebner will team back up with Giants coach Joe Judge, who was the specials teams coordinator from 2015 to 2019 with the Patriots.

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Giant to sign Nate Ebner: 3 things to know

The New York Giants have agreed to terms with Nate Ebner, so here are three things to know about the special teams ace.

The New York Giants are serious about their special teams. The past several seasons under general manager Dave Gettleman they’ve slowly been building them up.

The hiring of Joe Judge as their head coach further exemplified their commitment. Now, they’ve added one of Judge’s key pieces from the Patriots in Nate Ebner.

Here are three things to know:

Three-time Super Bowl champ and former All-Pro

Ebner won three Super Bowls with the New England Patriots (XLIX, LI, LIII) and was named a second team All-Pro in 2016.

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Report: Giants expected to sign special teams ace Nate Ebner

The New York Giants are expected to sign special teams ace Nate Ebner, previously of the New England Patriots.

New York Giants head coach Joe Judge is serious about special teams and the impact the unit plays, which is why it should come as little surprise he went out and snagged Nate Ebner away from the New England Patriots.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport was the first to report the news.

The #Giants are bringing in a familiar face for coach Joe Judge, as former #Patriots special teams ace Nate Ebner is set to join NYG, source said. The ex-rugby star had been with New England since 2012.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 19, 2020

Ebner, a six-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, had spent all eight seasons of his professional career with the Patriots, winning three Super Bowl titles during that span and being named a Second Team All-Pro in 2016.

The 6-foot, 215-pound Ebner was a standout rugby player before his football career took off, having been named the MVP of the USA team at both the under-19 IRB Junior World Championship in 2007 and the under-20 IRB Junior World Championship in 2008. He also participated in the 2016 Summer Olympics.

With the Giants, Ebner will likely remain specifically refined to special teams given that he’s played just one defensive snap over the previous three years.

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Patriots free agency: Nate Ebner’s special teams leadership is vital

Nate Ebner and Matthew Slater will be instrumental in keeping the Patriots’ special teams group at an elite level.

Eight-year veteran Nate Ebner is hitting the free agency market on March 18.

He’s spent his entire NFL career with the New England Patriots and has no desire to leave in 2020. The 31 year old logged 14 games in 2019 with the Patriots, while trailing Matthew Slater and Brandon Bolden for the most special teams snaps. Ebner is a hard-nosed former rugby player who embodies the Patriots Way.

He’s earned a little less than $10 million in his NFL career and seems to be content with the team-friendly contracts he’s attained. The Patriots have around $30 million in cap space, with Tom Brady, Devin McCourty, Kyle Van Noy and Matthew Slater leading the priority list. Ebner made a career-high $2 million last season and the Patriots would likely have to forfeit around that amount to retain him.

It would be worth it.

Slater isn’t going to retire and said he wants to remain a Patriot, but it isn’t guaranteed both parties can strike a deal. The Patriots also lost special teams coordinator Joe Judge this offseason, who spent eight seasons with the team. They currently have Cam Achord as an assistant special teams coach and newly-signed Joe Houston.

If Slater were to leave this offseason, the Patriots would lack foundation and structure amongst the group. New England’s historic dynasty has relied on the foundational pieces with Robert Kraft, Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, Dante Scarnecchia, Josh McDaniels and Nick Caserio. These cornerstone individuals have set the standard for everyone coming in, and the special teams group would lack that if Slater left — considering the fact Judge is already gone.

Ebner, Brandon Bolden and recently-acquired Pro Bowl special teamer Justin Bethel would take on the leadership roles in the group. Ebner has the most experience in New England’s system within this group and would be the role model for young guys learning the Patriots’ special teams system.

The Patriots have a ton of major decisions to make this offseason, but retaining Ebner should be looked at as a priority.

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Nate Ebner says re-signing with Patriots ‘would be the best thing’

Nate Ebner hopes to continue his eight-year NFL journey in New England.

Special teams standout Nate Ebner has no desire to leave the New England Patriots in free agency.

He’s been with the team for his eight-year NFL career and he discussed his yearning to stay with reporters on Wednesday. Ebner has built a life in the Boston area and has three Super Bowl titles to his name, along with Second-Team All-Pro honors. He’s earned a little less than $10 million in his playing career, but he’s content with the current situation.

“I mean, that would be the best thing, I think, when you consider my entire career has been here,” Ebner said, via NESN. “I understand how things go. I’ve got some true friendships here.. I understand how things work — that would be great. But right now, it’s out of my hands, so we’ll see what happens and I’ll just take it as it goes. We’ll see.”

Ebner, 31, ranked third in special teams snaps behind Matthew Slater and Brandon Bolden in 2019, while logging 14 games. He’s been one of the Patriots most reliable players and he doesn’t demand much financially.

The Patriots lost special teams coordinator Joe Judge to a head-coaching position with the New York Giants. They currently have special teams assistant Cam Achord and newly signed assistant Joe Houston. Slater is also a free agent and the Patriots are in a place where they’ll need veteran leadership in the special teams group.

With Ebner’s willingness to take on team-friendly contracts, it’s likely New England can strike a deal.