Tag: number

Marquez Callaway wears new No. 1 jersey at Saints pictures day

It appears Marquez Callaway has changed back to his college number; the New Orleans Saints receiver was spotted wearing a No. 1 jersey at team photos day:

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So there’s one mystery solved — maybe. Probably. The New Orleans Saints have not updated their official online roster, but it appears second-year wide receiver Marquez Callaway will be wearing No. 1 this season. Callaway was spotted in his new jersey in a video from Tre’Quan Smith’s Instagram account, which showed the former Tennesse Volunteers star flexing a bit in front of team photographers.

We’ll know what’s what soon enough, when Callaway, Smith, and their Saints teammates take the field for their first training camp practice on July 29. But it makes sense for Callaway to make this bold move. He wore the same number in college, as did a few other players on the roster.

Speculation surrounded third-year defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson for a while, owing to his public interest in changing out of his No. 22 to pick up “the uno” as he called it, but he ultimately chose to stick with his established number, and he’s eager to see fans wearing it at games this year.

Hopefully Callaway lives up to the expectations that come with this audacious number change. There’s a lot of support building for him within the fanbase to help fill in for Michael Thomas during the All-Pro’s recovery from ankle surgery in June, but Callaway has quite a ways to go before he’s on that level. His numbers last season, while encouraging, ranked among the lowest for rookie receivers in the Sean Payton era.

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C.J. Gardner-Johnson says he won’t be changing his jersey number

Saints’ C.J. Gardner-Johnson says he won’t change his jersey number

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So there’s one mystery solved ahead of New Orleans Saints training camp. C.J. Gardner-Johnson announced Friday on Twitter that he won’t be switching up his look following the NFL’s relaxed jersey numbers rules, which follows his earlier interest in setting his No. 22 aside for the newly-available No. 1.

According to Gardner-Johnson, he now feels that he’d rather stick with his current number if has to compete with a teammate for the No. 1 jersey. It’s unclear who he would be competing with for that unique designation, with one of the obvious candidates already giving him his blessing — All-Pro return man Deonte Harris (No. 11, who wore No. 1 at Assumption College) deferred to him in a social media back-and-forth.

It’s good news for any fans who have already purchased his jersey. Gardner-Johnson also directed followers toward the online NFL Shop, where his No. 22 is officially available (though away-game white and Color Rush variants  aren’t on tap yet).

The third-year pro was a fan favorite at Florida, and it hasn’t taken long for him to endear himself to Saints fans. Gardner-Johnson is one of the better slot defenders you’ll find around the league and his habit of trash-talking opponents is, well, refreshing to see after New Orleans was antagonized by rivals like Steve Smith and Roddy White over the years. The fact he got multiple opponents ejected from games last year speaks for itself.

For now, nothing has changed on the Saints’ website roster, but they haven’t updated listings following minicamps earlier this summer. Three tryout players who were signed haven’t yet been assigned roster numbers, while Harris is still listed at No. 11 and Gardner-Johnson at No. 22. No one is listed at No. 1. We’ll have to wait until the Saints open training camp and release media rosters to clear up who is wearing what, though we know which numbers the Saints rookies have chosen. Stay tuned up for updates.

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Packers rookie Amari Rodgers explains why he picked No. 8

No. 3 wasn’t available, so the Packers rookie receiver applied a little symbolism and took the No. 8.

There is a little bit of symbolism behind Amari Rodgers’ decision to wear the No. 8 with the Green Bay Packers.

His college number – No.  3 – wasn’t available, so the rookie receiver picked the next best thing through improvisation.

“Three was retired. Eight is just a three but you just close it in. Everything came full circle,” Rodgers said from rookie minicamp on Friday. “That’s really how I saw it. Everything coming full circle. All the work I put in came full circle. Now I’m here achieving my dreams. That’s what the eight symbolizes to me.”

The Packers made Rodgers a third-round pick in the 2021 draft. The rookie now has the chance to follow in the footsteps of Randall Cobb, the former Packers receiver who Rodgers has described as a “big brother” during his football journey.

Cobb, coincidentally, wore the No. 18 in Green Bay. The whole thing really is coming full circle.

Beginning this year, the NFL is allowing players to wear a wider range of numbers, including single digits for receivers. Rodgers wore No. 3 at Clemson, but the number is retired in honor of Hall of Fame halfback Tony Canadeo in Green Bay.

The simple solution was just filling in the rest of the number and taking the only available single-digit number left in Green Bay. Currently, Rodgers is the only skill position player on the Packers roster with a single-digit number.

The rookie – who led the ACC in catches last season – could end up being a big part of what the Packers do in 2021.

Rodgers said he’s ready to handle a bunch of positions for Matt LaFleur’s team, including a variety of receiver positions and returner. His goal during rookie minicamp is to start to learn the playbook so he can go “play fast.”

The NFL dream – regardless of the number he’s wearing – is coming true.

“To be doing it for the Packers is even more of a dream. To know, it’s such a prestigious program. You know that they win. I come from a winning program too. I’m just plugging right in,” Rodgers said.

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New Packers CB Eric Stokes will wear No. 21

Stokes wore No. 27 at Georgia, but he’ll get a brand new number with the Packers.

The “G” on his helmet will look similar, but Green Bay Packers’ first-round pick Eric Stokes will be getting new digits in the NFL.

While Stokes wore No. 27 at the University of Georgia, the 29th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft will wear No. 21 with the Packers.

The No. 27 is currently held by second-year running back Patrick Taylor.

The No. 21 has been infrequently worn since the Packers traded away Ha Ha Clinton-Dix in 2018.

Natrell Jamerson held the number between 2018 and 2019, and 2019 first-round pick Darnell Savage briefly wore the number before his rookie season but had to switch back to No. 26.

The No. 21 has been worn previously by the likes of Charles Woodson, Craig Newsome, Bob Jeter and Brent Fullwood in Green Bay.

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C.J. Gardner-Johnson sets his sights on a new jersey number after NFL rules change

The NFL relaxed its rules on jersey numbers rules, so New Orleans Saints DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson set his eyes on the bold, coveted No. 1.

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The NFL’s recent rules change opened up greater eligibility for single-digit jersey numbers, allowing defensive backs, linebackers, receivers, and running backs to wear them. And C.J. Gardner-Johnson is interested in going for the bold No. 1 jersey, having secured permission from his All-Pro teammate Deonte Harris (who changed to No. 11 in the NFL after setting national records in “that uno” at Assumption College).

Gardner-Johnson expressed an interest in the jersey swap on social media, and even shared a fan’s mock-up of what he could look like in No. 1. But the change is not official; he’s still listed as No. 22 on the team’s website roster. Other players around the league have chosen to stay in their current numbers after balking at the requirement to buy out existing jerseys for sale, which can total six or seven digits’ worth of stock. But maybe it’s a check Gardner-Johnson doesn’t mind writing.

He’s already developed a reputation as one of the NFL’s elite trash talkers, continuing a legacy in the NFC South established by great chirpers like Roddy White and Steve Smith. And, for once, the Saints have one of their own. It helps that Gardner-Johnson is also one of the league’s great young nickel defensive backs, and he’s still got room to improve. Seeing him take that next step in the black and gold No. 1 jersey would be something.

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LOOK: Kwon Alexander debuts his new Saints jersey number

New Orleans Saints LB Kwon Alexander chose his new jersey number after being traded from the San Francisco 49ers, which he wore in Tampa Bay

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He’s a long shot to suit up against his old Tampa Bay Buccaneers team this week, but Kwon Alexander has already chosen his New Orleans Saints jersey number. Acquired days ago in a trade with the San Francisco 49ers, the 26-year old LSU Tigers standout is back in Louisiana and looking to make an impact with the Saints.

And he’ll be doing it in No. 58, which he wore in his first NFL stop at Tampa Bay. Alexander wore No. 56 with the 49ers, which wasn’t available in New Orleans (it was already claimed by defensive captain Demario Davis), so it makes sense for him to go back to a familiar number.

For the curious, Alexander wore No. 17 in high school at Oxford, Ala., and he used No. 25 in his first two seasons for LSU before switching to No. 4 in his junior year.

It’ll be interesting to see where Alexander fits into the Saints defense once he’s cleared by COVID-19 protocol and allowed to join them in practice next week. A career middle linebacker, he projects to be a good fit next to Davis (who plays his best at the weak side) in the Saints’ nickel defense, which they run on a majority of their snaps. But he’ll have to outplay the incumbent starter Alex Anzalone first.

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Broncos rookie McTelvin Agim will wear Derek Wolfe’s old jersey number

Broncos rookie defensive lineman McTelvin Agim will wear Derek Wolfe’s old number.

Denver Broncos third-round draft pick McTelvin Agim will wear jersey No. 95, the defensive lineman announced on his Twitter page this week. Agim chose the number because he was selected with the 95th overall pick in this year’s draft.

Agim recorded 140 tackles — including 31 tackles for losses — and 14.5 sacks in four seasons at Arkansas. He also knocked down four passes, recovered two fumbles and forced six fumbles during his time with the Razorbacks.

Derek Wolfe, who played for the Broncos from 2012-2019, previously wore jersey No. 95. Wolfe wore the number longer than any other player in franchise history, totaling 299 tackles and 33 sacks in eight seasons. He also broke up 15 passes and intercepted a pass during his time in Denver.

Wolfe, who helped the Broncos win Super Bowl 50 in 2015, signed a one-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens during NFL free agency.

To view the jersey numbers for all of Denver’s new arrivals, click here.

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Von Miller asks Broncos fans if he should switch back to No. 40

Broncos linebacker Von Miller says he is considering switching from No. 58 to No. 40.

Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller took to social media on Saturday to ask fans if he should change his number from 58 to 40.

“I’ve had thoughts about bringing back the 40.. What y’all think ?” Miller wrote on his Twitter page. More than 22,000 fans voted in the linebacker’s poll and 73.5% said he should stick with his current number.

Miller wore No. 40 in high school and at Texas A&M. He also wore that number for his rookie card photoshoot after he entered the league in 2011.

When Miller first came into the NFL, linebackers were not allowed to wear numbers in the 40s. That rule has since changed so if he’s serious, Miller would be allowed to switch to No. 40.

It’s hard to imagine Miller switching from No. 58. While wearing that number, Miller has totaled 106 sacks (the most in franchise history) and he was named the MVP of Super Bowl 50 in 2016. If he makes his decision based on the poll results, Miller will be sticking with No. 58.

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Look: Ty Montgomery debuts his signature No. 88 in black and gold

The New Orleans Saints signed Ty Montgomery, a versatile running back/wide receiver who has worn No. 88 with the Packers, Ravens, and Jets.

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The New Orleans Saints made a surprising late-spring addition last week by signing free agent running back/wide receiver Ty Montgomery, the former Green Bay Packers playmaker who most recently spent time with the Baltimore Ravens and the New York Jets.

While Montgomery’s schematic fit and path to making the roster — much less earning snaps during games — is fascinating, the real story here is which jersey number he’ll be wearing. Having initially played solely at wideout, Montgomery wore No. 88 with the Packers even after he began bulking up and handling carries between the tackles.

He held onto that number with each of his next two teams, and he’ll continue to throw off observers with it in New Orleans. Montgomery announced on his official Twitter account that he would use No. 88 now that he’s playing with the Saints, which was confirmed on the official team roster.

He included an edited photo to give fans of an idea of what he’ll look like in black and gold, which we’ve embedded below:

Jokes aside, there is a benefit to Montgomery going with such an unusual number for a running back (like his previous teams, the Saints will probably skirt around NFL jersey restrictions by designating him a “RB/WR” on filings with the league office). Defensive coordinators commonly tool their subpackages to counter opposing personnel groupings.

By letting Montgomery wear No. 88, the Saints are going to force teams to think a little harder about whether to field an extra linebacker or defensive back. That narrows the margin for error considering how quickly those decisions must be made during games. It’s a small edge, but those can’t be discounted in the hyper-competitive NFL.

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24 new Broncos players choose their jersey numbers

Two dozen new Broncos players have picked their jersey numbers.

The Denver Broncos announced Tuesday that 24 new players have picked their jersey numbers. Here’s a quick look at the numbers picked by each player — fans should note that these numbers are subject to change.

NFL Draft Class

WR Jerry Jeudy: 10
WR KJ Hamler: 13
CB Michael Ojemudia: 23
C Lloyd Cushenberry III: 79
DL McTelvin Agim: 94
TE Albert Okwuegbunam: 85
LB Justin Strnad: 40
G Netane Muti: 73
WR Tyrie Cleveland: 86
OLB Derrek Tuszka: 48

Jeudy will wear Emmanuel Sanders’ old number and Tuszka will wear Shaq Barrett’s old number. We have a feeling Hamler’s No. 13 jersey might change between now and Week 1.

Undrafted Free Agents 

DB Essang Bassey: 34
RB LeVante Bellamy: 32
S Douglas Coleman III: 35
WR Kendall Hinton: 2
WR Zimari Manning: 1
QB Riley Neal: 5
T Hunter Watts: 77

If Hinton or Manning make the team, they will have to change their jersey numbers to something between 10-19 or 80-89. Because rosters have 90 players during the offseason, usual number rules don’t apply right now.

Neal apparently got No. 5 from punter Sam Martin, who changed to No. 6. Martin can switch back to No. 5 if Neal doesn’t make the team.

New Arrivals 

DL Christian Covington: 56
RB Jeremy Cox: 39
LB Tre’ Crawford: 91
LS Wes Farnsworth: 42
NT Joel Heath: 95
OL Tyler Jones: 63
S Kahani Smith: 39

The Broncos are still hoping to start training camp on time in late July.

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