Tag: number

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.

[lawrence-related id=57863,57853,57849,57845]

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.

[mm-video type=video id=01f4aj1k5baa58xgd6ya playlist_id=01eqbyahgz6p2j3xp7 player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01f4aj1k5baa58xgd6ya/01f4aj1k5baa58xgd6ya-ded826f4b42ebf0d001440e3a85c3ec9.jpg]

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.

[listicle id=44533]

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

[jwplayer N295o0Ez-ThvAeFxT]

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.

[listicle id=39813]

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.

[vertical-gallery id=642416]

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.

[vertical-gallery id=639491]

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.

[jwplayer Yy4Q6WAG-ThvAeFxT]

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.

[lawrence-related id=33623,33611].

[vertical-gallery id=33239]

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.

[vertical-gallery id=639432]

Jameis Winston picks his new Saints jersey number

The New Orleans Saints signed free agent Jameis Winston, and the former face of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be wearing a new jersey number

[jwplayer VHxKYl2J-ThvAeFxT]

Now that Jameis Winston and the New Orleans Saints have put pens to paper, the big question remains: what jersey number would he wear? Having chosen No. 3 during his five years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, there was speculation that Winston would buy it off of Pro Bowl kicker Wil Lutz — who was eager to set a price, if Winston was interested.

Instead, Winston went in another direction, and now he’ll be wearing No. 2. That number had initially been picked by seventh-round draft pick Tommy Stevens, who wore it in college. But Winston and Stevens must have reached a compromise, because the rookie is now listed at No. 1 on the official Saints website.

Winston explained his decision during his introductory video conference call with New Orleans media, saying, “Yeah, that’s my favorite number. I couldn’t get the number two at Florida State because of Deion Sanders. I couldn’t get number two in high school because one of my receivers named Brandon Spain (had it) and now I can if it’s available.”

[vertical-gallery id=32947]

It looks like Jerry Jeudy will wear No. 10 with the Broncos

Broncos receiver Jerry Jeudy is expected to take Emmanuel Sanders’ old number.

Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy tweeted a Photoshopped image of himself wearing No. 10 on Friday, which seemingly indicates that he plans to wear that number in Denver.

Jeudy will be the first Broncos player to wear No. 10 since former receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who wore the number from 2014-2019. Before Sanders, No. 10 was previously worn by Broncos receiver Jabar Gaffney (2009-2010).

Sanders was a key member of Denver’s offense and helped the team win Super Bowl 50 following the 2015 season so Jeudy has big shoes to fill.

Jeudy was selected by the Broncos with the 15th overall pick in the first round of the NFL Draft. He was the No. 1 WR on Denver’s draft board.

Jeudy will be the Broncos’ No. 2 wide receiver behind Pro Bowler Courtland Sutton. Jeudy and Sutton will give quarterback Drew Lock two promising young receivers to work with in addition to tight end Noah Fant.

Denver also has two Pro Bowl running backs — Melvin Gordon and Phillip Lindsay — so the offense appears poised for big things in 2020.

[vertical-gallery id=638160]

Emmanuel Sanders reveals his Saints jersey number

New Orleans Saints free agent pickup Emmanuel Sanders announced his new jersey number in a post shared from his official Instagram account.

[jwplayer qgVfVTcN-ThvAeFxT]

Well, that question’s answered. When Pro Bowl wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders first signed with the New Orleans Saints as an urnestricted free agent, everything about the move made sense and was easy to explain. The veteran runs some of the best routes in the NFL and has made a living catching passes from some very bad quarterbacks, so his addition to the Saints as an accomplished number-two threat opposite Michael Thomas checked all the boxes.

The only puzzle left to solve was which number Sanders would wear on his jersey. Every number he had previously worn in the NFL or in college was already claimed by his new teammates, and while he could have easily asked to swap with one of them he also had a precedent of choosing a new designation after changing teams.

But that won’t be the case after all. Sanders announced Wednesday that he will wear No. 17 for the Saints, which was previously used by rookie free agent Emmanuel Butler (the training camp darling out of Northern Arizona who spent the 2019 season on the practice squad). Sanders included a glossy photo edited to show him celebrating a big catch in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, featuring a very crisp No. 17 on his jersey. It’s a great look:

[lawrence-related id=31140]

[vertical-gallery id=32069]