Tag: Prince Amukamara

Prince Amukamara changes jersey numbers, Saints assign No. 6 to Brett Maher

Prince Amukamara changes jersey numbers, Saints assign No. 6 to Brett Maher

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyahgz6p2j3xp7 player_id=none image=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

It almost looked like the New Orleans Saints were about to rustle some feathers at Tuesday’s training camp practice. Newly-signed kicker Brett Maher was in the building, but he needed a jersey number — and specialists like him are restricted to wearing everything from Nos. 1 through 19. Of those possibilities, all but Nos. 8 and 9 were unclaimed.

And those are, well, accounted for. Archie Manning wore No. 8 back in the day as New Orleans’ first franchise player. Drew Brees made No. 9 his signature during the team’s most successful era. Neither of those jerseys are going to be made available for a temp hire.

So as it happened, veteran cornerback Patrick Robinson retired from the NFL on the same day. His departure freed up No. 21, which was quickly picked up by Prince Amukamara, another corner. Amukamara had previously worn No. 6, which was then assigned to Maher. Did you catch all that?

We’ll see who is wearing what in the weeks ahead. Teams must begin making roster cuts after each preseason game, with the first wave of releases to be filed Tuesday, Aug. 17. That’s going to free up numbers for other players and we could see some of them swap jerseys as the regular season approaches. And if something as superficial as jersey numbers is the biggest news of the day at Saints training camp, we’ll be doing pretty well.

[listicle id=47708]

Roster locks and long shots at cornerback in Saints training camp

There has already been turnover at cornerback in Saints training camp. Previewing the roster locks, long shots, and players on the bubble:

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyahgz6p2j3xp7 player_id=none image=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

There isn’t a bigger question facing the New Orleans Saints defense than which two cornerbacks start Week 1. One of those spots could be settled if Marshon Lattimore avoids suspension following an offseason arrest in Cleveland, but that feels like a touch-and-go situation. As for the other spot, well. Right now Patrick Robinson is getting those snaps in practice but the Saints are actively exploring all options to upgrade.

So who has the best chance of sticking around? Here are our roster locks, long shots, and the players on the bubble at cornerback:

 

Saints sign free agent OL J.R. Sweezy amid 6 roster moves

The New Orleans Saints announced six roster moves on Tuesday including the waiving of two rookies and the addition of free agent J.R. Sweezy:

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyahgz6p2j3xp7 player_id=none image=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

The New Orleans Saints announced a series of roster moves following Tuesday’s training camp practice. With their roster at its full 90-man capacity, players must now be waived or designated to reserve lists in order for new additions to join up. Most of the new signings were expected, but the team also brought in a veteran offensive lineman following free agent tryouts over the weekend. Here’s what you need to know:

Report: Saints expect to sign pair of cornerbacks following free agent tryouts

The New Orleans Saints expect to sign free agent cornerbacks Prince Amukamara and KeiVarae Russell following tryouts, ESPN reports:

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyahgz6p2j3xp7 player_id=none image=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

There’s the additions to the secondary fans have been calling for. The New Orleans Saints hosted a group of free agent cornerbacks for workouts on Sunday, and ESPN’s Dan Graziano reports two of them expect to be signed, if their physicals check out: Prince Amukamara and KeiVarae Russell.

Amukamara, 32, has started 99 of the 113 regular season games he’s played in the NFL. He joined the Las Vegas Raiders for training camp last summer but didn’t make it through roster cuts, instead landing on the Arizona Cardinals practice squad for most of the 2020 season. The bulk of his career has been spent with the New York Giants (55 games) and Chicago Bears (44 games), plus a one-year stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

He should immediately compete with Patrick Robinson for No. 2 corner responsibilities in New Orleans, though younger teammates like second-team corner Ken Crawley and third-string rookie Paulson Adebo could still climb the depth chart. Amukamara has intercepted 10 passes in his career while knocking down 78 targets into his coverage, so he’s got some ball skills.

And Russell, 27, is a career special teams player who has dressed for 21 regular season games since being drafted in 2016 by the Kansas City Chiefs. K.C. waived him that same year and he landed with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he stuck around until joining the Green Bay Packers in 2020. Including two playoff games with Green Bay last year, he’s totaled 214 snaps in the kicking game against 184 reps on defense in his career. Look for him to compete for Justin Hardee Sr.’s vacant job covering punts and kickoffs.

With some vacancies to fill at the position and a few other players away from the team — Patrick Robinson and Grant Haley missed practice this week while dealing with deaths in their families — it makes sense for the Saints to bring in more help. It remains to be seen who the Saints will release to make room for these two new additions (adding Devonta Freeman put them at the 90-man capacity), but here are all of the corners currently under contract:

  • Marshon Lattimore
  • Patrick Robinson
  • P.J. Williams
  • Ken Crawley
  • Keith Washington Jr.
  • Grant Haley
  • Brian Poole
  • Paulson Adebo (rookie)
  • Lawrence Woods (rookie)

[vertical-gallery id=47328]

Saints add former Bengals, Packers CB KeiVarae Russell to free agent tryouts

KeiVarae Russell has played more snaps on special teams than defense with the Bengals and Packers, which could appeal to the Saints in free agent tryouts:

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyahgz6p2j3xp7 player_id=none image=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Don’t say the New Orleans Saints aren’t ignoring their biggest need. They just aren’t going after the biggest fish in the pond. ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported Sunday that the Saints plan to work out several free agent cornerbacks, including former Cincinnati Bengals third-round draft pick KeiVarae Russell. But Russell has played more snaps on special teams (214) than on defense (184) in his four-year career, including three games with the Green Bay Packers in 2020. So he’s probably seen as a candidate to replace Justin Hardee Sr. as the team’s top corner in the kicking game rather than a fill-in for Janoris Jenkins with the starting lineup.

That could be the vision for Prince Amukamara, though. The former New York Giants and Chicago Bears starter is also visiting New Orleans in hopes of finding a deal, having spent the 2020 season on the Arizona Cardinals practice squad. He’s on the wrong side of 30 to be a long-time answer for the Saints, but his experience working against top-tier receivers is valuable. If he’s willing to sign at the veteran’s minimum as other recent Saints free agent pickups, maybe he sticks around.

It’s unclear which other corners could be working out today; only Russell and Amukamara have been identified so far. But the Saints coaches and scouts have an opportunity to put these free agents through their paces while the players are off, with their next training camp practice scheduled for Monday (the final session before they take the field in pads on Tuesday). But keep in mind that the Saints must open a roster spot if they want to add anyone — Saturday’s Devonta Freeman signing put them at the 90-man roster limit. Hopefully they’re able to find a corner worth the effort.

[vertical-gallery id=47102]

Former Giants, Bears CB Prince Amukamara among Saints free agent visits

The New Orleans Saints hosted several free agents, including CB Prince Amukamara, RB T.J. Yeldon, OL J.R. Sweezy, and RB Devonta Freeman.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyahgz6p2j3xp7 player_id=none image=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Multiple free agent tryouts were reported by the New Orleans Saints on Saturday’s update to the daily NFL transactions wire, and some of them may have a lot to offer. You just need to look past initial positions of need and consider the wider scope of the roster as it currently stands. Let’s dig in:

Giants majesty: Azeez Ojulari the latest descendent of royalty

Azeez Ojulari is the third member of the New York Giants who is a descendant of African royalty.

Azeez Ojulari is not the first descendant of an African royal family to wear New York Giants blue. Two former first round picks, Prince Amukamara and Matthias Kiwanuka, both had prominent roots.

Amukamara’s grandfather was the king of the Awo-Omamma in Nigeria’s Imo State and Kiwanuka’s grandfather was the prime minister of Uganda. Ojulari’s grandfather was the late Nigerian Prince Twins Seven-Seven, a traveling dancer and singer who later became a skilled painter.

[vertical-gallery id=668230]

Prince Twins Seven-Seven’s grandfather was also the King of Ibadan.

Ojulari, who was born and raised in Georgia, had never been to Nigeria but wants to go there someday.

“I definitely want to go. It’s a must. It’s really big knowing what [my grandfather] meant to the country and everything he’s done. And he did it in a first-class manner,” Ojulari told the New York Post.

Ojulari recalled his relationship with his famous grandfather.

“I was running around the house one day and he told me to come here. And he told me I was going to be special one day. That he believes it, and he knows that it was going to happen,” Ojulari said. “I can’t let him down. I know he’s always looking down on me.

“We have a lot of family in Nigeria. They always call my dad and mom and let them know ‘We’re watching him. We’re following him. We see him on TV.'”

Growing up, Ojulari was teased a bit about his royally roots by his childhood friends.

“[My friends] are always like, ‘Prince Azeez. Prince Azeez is in the house!’ They’re always joking,” Ojulari said, admitting he “pretty laid back” with the situation.

As a Giant, Ojulari is seen as royalty, too. The team is glowing about getting him in the second round with the 50th overall pick.

“He’s an edge pass rusher. He’s instinctive,” Giants general manager Dave Gettleman said. “He’s very bright. He plays hard, and he’s got pass rush ability and he’s also a solid run player. We’re really thankful to get him.”

Now comes the hard part for Ojulari, who the Giants hope will put a share into their mediocre pass rush.

3 practice squad players have contracts expire without futures deal

CB Prince Amukamara, DL Stacy McGee and TE Evan Baylis all do not re-sign with the team yet.

The Arizona Cardinals have signed 20 players to contracts for 2021 on futures deals. They brought back a number of players who were on their practice squad.

However, as found on the NFL transaction report, three players who finished the season on the practice squad had their contracts simply expire.

All are veterans.

Cornerback Prince Amukamara, tight end Evan Baylis and defensive lineman Stacy McGee can now sign with a team if they want.

Practice squad players’ contracts end at the end of the season unlike those on the active roster, whose deals end when the new league year starts.

Either the Cardinals did not want to bring them back or these players simply did not want to agree to a minimum deal in January without testing the market.

McGee and Baylis both played games for the Cardinals this season. Amukamara never was elevated to the 53-man roster.

[vertical-gallery id=447986]

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

Latest show:


Previous shows:


and


Giants will square off with several former friends in Week 14

The New York Giants will come face-to-face with several former friends in Week 14 against the Arizona Cardinals.

The New York Giants (5-7) will take on the Arizona Cardinals (6-6) at MetLife Stadium in Week 14 and that means they will come face-to-face with several former friends who are now the enemy.

In fact, the Giants will square off against an edge rushing talent they had relied heavily upon a year ago and who called East Rutherford home just a few short weeks ago.

Here’s a quick look at the familiar faces New York will see this Sunday.

CB Prince Amukamara ‘is close’ to being ready to contribute

DC Vance Joseph expects Amukamara will play well once his number is called.

The Arizona Cardinals, having lost cornerback Byron Murphy to the COVID-19 reserve, could use some help at the position. That could be coming soon.

Veteran Prince Amukamara, signed to the practice squad on October 13, could be ready to contribute.

“I think Prince is close,” defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said last week. “He’s been on our practice squad about four of five weeks. He’s a very, very bright guy. He has played in games, so when his time is called, he’ll play well for us.”

He is one of four practice squad players the team has protected for Week 9.

If he is elevated to the active roster, it will be interesting to see what role he will have. Murphy’s absence leaves the Cardinals needing a slot cornerback and Amukamara has not really played in the slot in his career. Neither has starter Dre Kirkpatrick or recently signed De’Vante Bausby.

[vertical-gallery id=445367]

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

Latest show:


Previous shows:


and