Tag: Rakeem Nunez-Roches

2023 NFL free agency: 3 underrated Giants additions

The New York Giants have been building depth this offseason and these three additions have flown a bit under the radar.

New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen has been busy this offseason, fortifying his roster with another slew of underrated free agent signings.

Many are writing off most of the moves as flyers, one-year deals on players who are with either coming off injuries or down seasons.

They’re right. But that doesn’t mean Schoen hasn’t found a few gems in those so-called mundane moves. Here are three moves that could turn out to be winners for the Giants this season.

Rakeem Nunez-Roches want to help bring Giants to ‘next level’

A very energetic Rakeem Nunez-Roches wants to help bring the New York Giants to the next level and contribute to their culture.

The New York Giants introduced their new defensive lineman, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, at a press conference in East Rutherford on Friday and cleared up one issue right off the bat: what to call him.

“Nacho, big dog,” he said laughingly.

His smile was wide and appears to be contagious. The Giants’ locker room just got another personality for the fans and media to embrace.

“I’m just bringing a whole lot of energy, a whole lot of excitement, a whole lot of teamwork, just hard work and effort,” Nacho explained. “My personality is my personality. Everything I do, I work hard for. It’s just understanding how much this game means to me and how much it gives back to me. I just try to give it all I’ve got, and I don’t know how to really wear my emotions or my feelings. But it just comes out on my sleeves, and the way I talk, it’s just me.”

Nunez-Roches, who began his career in Kansas City in 2015 and played the last five seasons in Tampa Bay, will be joining a rotation that consists of Pro Bowler Dexter Lawrence and Leonard Williams. Nacho is stoked for the opportunity.

“Man, I respect their game. Those are some dogs right there. I just feel like coming here to help and contribute, bringing some great things. Stopping the run is what I do. I do that in my sleep. I just want to help those guys in that aspect. Anything I can do to help them, take the load off them, that’s what I’m here for,” he said.

Nunez-Roches has a Super Bowl ring, courtesy of his Tim with Tom Brady and the Bucs, and was interested in joining a team on the rise rather than a team full of fading stars making one last stand. He said it was a tough decision choosing between the Giants and two other teams, who he did not name.

“I’ve always wanted to be a part of a cause and not a part of a problem. I saw where the organization was at and the things they could do and the potential that was here,” he said. “So, I was like, ‘Man, I feel like I could be one of those factors that takes it to the next level.’ I’ve always wanted to be a part of that. I never liked going to all those ‘dream teams.’ I want to be part of the culture, a part of the change, a part of the shift. That was one of the biggest factors in coming here.”

The Giants certainly fit that mold. In 14 quick months, they’ve changed almost everything about their franchise. Bringing in players like Nacho is only going to speed up the process.

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Giants to sign Rakeem Nunez-Roches: 5 things to know

Here are five things to know about DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches after he agreed to a multi-year deal with the New York Giants.

The New York Giants have reportedly come to terms with former Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches on a three-year deal worth $12 million, $7.5 million of which is guaranteed.

Here are five quick things to know about the newest Giants lineman.

Giants to sign LB Bobby Okereke to shore up defense in 2023

Okereke should be expected to play a major role in the #Giants’ defense in 2023 as a tackling machine in New York’s linebacking corps

The New York Giants made their second major defensive move of the 2023 free agency period with their signing of linebacker Bobby Okereke after agreeing to terms with defensive lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches on Monday.

Okereke’s deal, which is set to run for four years with $22 million guaranteed, will prime the promising linebacker to play a huge role in New York’s defense as the team looks to compete for an NFC title next season.

Okereke was a third-round pick by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2019 draft and proved to be a key playmaker in the Hoosier City, racking up more than 400 tackles in four seasons. Though his ability to rush the passer hasn’t quite developed yet, Okereke’s ability to deploy effective coverage and rack up tackles made him a coveted free agent.

This signing won’t be the last move that the Giants make on defense in the offseason, and is a clear sign that the team is committed to building something special to help Daniel Jones and New York’s offense find success in the postseason.

With Okereke and Nunez-Roches now set to play important roles, this new-look New York defense should be ready to compete against the best offenses in the NFL in 2023.

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Bucs defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches signs with New York Giants

Nunez-Roches signed with the Bucs in 2018 and was a part of the team’s Super Bowl run.

One of the Bucs’ defensive line pieces since 2018 is leaving in free agency.

[autotag]Rakeem Nunez-Roches[/autotag], who signed with the Bucs in 2018 and was a part of the Bucs’ 2020 Super Bowl run, appeared to say goodbye to the team on Monday via his Instagram account. Shortly after, Tom Pelissero reported on Twitter that he had signed with the New York Giants.

Nunez-Roches’ departure could be the first of many for this Tampa Bay defensive line. Vita Vea and 2022 draft pick Logan Hall are currently the only two players on the defensive line under contract, so time will tell if more pieces from that area of the defense are set to leave in free agency with the Bucs’ cap situation as it is.

Giants agree to terms with DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches

The New York Giants have agreed to terms with veteran defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches.

New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen made it clear entering free agency that the team was seeking depth along the interior of their defensive line.

After a season in which Dexter Lawrence and Leonard Williams took entirely too many snaps, additional bodies were necessary. And on Day 1 of the NFL’s legal tampering period, the otherwise quiet Giants address that need.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that the Giants have agreed to terms with veteran defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches.

The 29-year-old Nunez-Roches was originally a sixth-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2015 NFL draft. After three seasons in K.C., he was waived and promptly claimed by the Indianapolis Colts. But after just a quick cup of coffee, Nunez-Roches was again waived and later signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he’s played the past five seasons.

In 102 career games (38 starts), Nunez-Roches has recorded 132 tackles (69 solo, 14 for a loss), one forced fumble, 12 QB hits, and 3.5 sacks. He earned a 56.2 overall grade from Pro Football Focus last season, including a 58.5 run defense grade and 53.4 pass rush grade.

Despite the PFF grades, Nunez-Roches is viewed as stout against the run. He’s also a notorious trash talker who is loved by his teammates and respected in the locker room. He gives 110 percent and never takes a play off.

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5 under the radar defensive free agents for the Vikings to target

The Vikings will likely have to go bargain shopping during free agency. @TheKevinFielder identifies five defensive players they could target

Do you remember the Macklemore song called Thrift Shop?

Like Macklemore, the Minnesota Vikings will do a little thrift shopping this off-season. While the Vikings will have more than $20 to spend, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mesah will still have to get creative.

The Vikings are currently $24 million over the cap, according to OverTheCap. Such a figure ranks 30th in the NFL, above the Arizona Cardinals ($56 million) and the New Orleans Saints ($30 million).

While the Vikings can make a handful of moves to get under the cap, they’ll still have to find some bargain-bin free agents to fill out their roster or get low-end starters.

For the sake of this experiment, we’ll look at five defensive free agents the Vikings can target. Determining an “under-the-radar” signing can be challenging, but we’re sticking to unrestricted free agents that won’t dominate the headlines.

8 ex-Colts chasing a ring in Super Bowl LV

Former Colts looking for glory.

While the Indianapolis Colts will be watching Super Bowl LV from the comfort of their home, there are a few familiar faces on both sidelines for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs.

In terms of players, there are a few that will catch the eye of Colts fans but the one dominating headlines is Bucs head coach Bruce Arians, who has a small but vital history with the Colts.

Here are eight former Colts chasing a ring in Super Bowl LV:

4 pending free agents in Super Bowl LV the Chargers could consider signing

Super Bowl LV could be an evaluation period for the Los Angeles Chargers.

The biggest game of the year is just days away, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set to clash with the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV.

While many around the world are gathering around to watch the contest for entertainment purposes, teams across the league are using this as a part of their evaluation process for the offseason.

Each team will have a slew of soon-to-be free agents that could draw their attention. With that, here are four players that the Los Angeles Chargers should have their eyes on:

CB Bashaud Breeland, Chiefs

The Chargers need to add more talent to the position. Whether it was a maneuvering of scheme or injuries, Casey Hayward didn’t look himself in 2020, and he’s slated to be a free agent after the upcoming season, along with Chris Harris Jr. Michael Davis is set to be a free agent. There isn’t much else on the roster that can be considered reliable when called upon.

The 28-year-old Breeland had one of his best seasons as a pro in 2020, breaking up seven passes and picking off two. Among all outside cornerbacks who saw at least 15 playoff snaps over 2019-20, Breeland’s overall grade of 82.2 ranks third, and his 84.7 coverage grade ranks second, according to Pro Football Focus.

C Austin Reiter, Chiefs

The Chargers could elect to move on from both Mike Pouncey and Dan Feeney, both of whom are slated to be free agents.

Reiter served as a swing option early on in his career before becoming a reliable starter along a line that was hampered by injuries throughout the season.

Reiter has proven to be a premiere pass-blocker, with Pro Football Focus grades of at least 78.0 in every season of significant playing time in that area. This season, Reiter didn’t allow a single pressure and wasn’t penalized at all.

Shaquil Barrett, OLB, Buccaneers

It might be a long shot, but given the fact that Melvin Ingram will be a free agent, Barrett’s a guy worth monitoring as a potential replacement.

Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2014, he spent his first five years as a rotational pass rusher for the Broncos. He finally got his chance to start with the Buccaneers in 2019, and broke out with a monstrous season, notching 19.5 sacks. Barrett followed that up with eight sacks in 2020.

Barrett is a natural outside linebacker, so he would slide perfectly into coach Brandon Staley’s 3-4 scheme. Given his most recent track record of elite play, Barrett might demand top dollar, which is why Los Angeles may elect to pass up on the opportunity.

NT Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Buccaneers

The Chargers got high production out of Linval Joseph, who was signed last offseason. However, the team could benefit from valued additions to the nose tackle spot.

Nunez-Roches was selected in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Chiefs, where he played three seasons. He signed with Tampa Bay as a free agent in 2018 and is finishing his third season with the Bucs.

Even though the production isn’t inspiring in the stat sheet, his disruption affects the game and frees up his teammates to make plays. Nunez-Roches wins in a variety of ways with his blend of power and quickness to infiltrate gaps, get upfield and find the ball.

TMZ: Bucs investigating Rakeem Nunez-Roches for dog abandonment

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are investigating a case of animal abandonment by one of their players, Rakeem Nunez-Roches.

This is certainly not the type of situation the Tampa Bay Buccaneers want to be in now that their season is officially over.

According to TMZ, the Buccaneers are investigating DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches for dog abandonment at the beginning of last month. Nunez-Roches’ Cane Corso (pit bull) was abandoned on the side of a busy road for 36 hours before an animal rescue group found the dog and took it to the shelter on December 8. Per the report, officials contacted Nunez-Roches (who is also a dog breeder) to let them know they had his dog, Jitterbug.

Here’s what the official at the shelter said about the conversation:

“[Nunez-Roches] had responded back that he would pick her up on Sunday, which I thought was odd because they played Detroit on Sunday and they had a 4:25 game, so how would he get back in time to pick her up at 7? Was football more important?”

Nunez-Roches never picked up his dog.

The Bucs released a statement on the matter, too.

“We are aware of the issue regarding Rakeem Nunez-Roches and are in the process of gathering additional information. We will refrain from further comment until we have a better understanding of the situation.”

We’ll have to wait for the investigation to conclude before drawing judgement, but if this is a case of dog abandonment, let’s hope the Bucs and authorities take the appropriate measures when it comes to issuing punishment for Nunez-Roches. Only the most callous person would strand a poor defenseless animal on the side of a busy road and not think twice about it.

There is some good news to report, though. Jitterbug has found a new forever home! Here’s hoping she has several happy years ahead of her.

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