Tag: Raymond Johnson

Jaguars announce three signings, waive two UDFAs

Jaguars announce three signings, waive two UDFAs

The Jaguars made a trio of signings Tuesday after their sixth day of training camp, bringing in linebacker Tanner Muse and defensive ends Rasheem Green and Raymond Johnson III, the club announced Tuesday afternoon.

Jacksonville waived two undrafted rookies, defensive end Andre Carter and linebacker Trey Kiser, in corresponding moves.

Muse’s signing was previously reported by NFL Network; Green’s signing was previously reported by ESPN.

Muse, 27, has played for Las Vegas, Seattle, Pittsburgh and the Los Angeles Chargers over four seasons in the NFL.

A former third-round pick by the Raiders in 2020, Muse has recorded 22 tackles and one defended pass over 33 career appearances including one start, and logged over 200 special teams snaps per year on average over the last three seasons.

Green, 27, a third-round selection by the Seahawks in 2018, has recorded 151 tackles with 19 for loss, 19 sacks, eight defended passes, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in six seasons.

He has played in 86 games and made 29 starts, spending the last two seasons with Houston and Chicago after four years with Seattle.

Johnson, 25, signed with San Francisco in February but was released by the 49ers in June.

After signing with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2021, Johnson appeared in 15 games as a rookie, producing four tackles and one sack. He has not played since, having spent time on Cincinnati and Detroit’s practice squads.

Giants still searching for returns from 2021 rookie class

The New York Giants need a lot more from their 2021 rookie class, which is littered with potential, next season.

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Shortly after the 2021 NFL draft had concluded, the New York Giants saw a wave of positive reviews for the job general manager Dave Gettleman had done. Not only had the team compiled additional future draft assets, they maximized a negative situation and appeared to find quality talent.

But the positivity would be short-lived.

Out of the gate, cornerback Aaron Robinson and edge rusher Elerson Smith endured injury issues, while wide receiver Kadarius Toney couldn’t stay on the field for a variety of reasons. Then, early in the season, cornerback Rodarius Williams suffered a torn ACL, ending his promising rookie season.

The theme of the draft class was and remains the same: Tons of potential, but no solid returns.

Nick Shook of NFL.com recently graded each NFC East draft class and although he gave the Giants a solid letter score (B-), he came to the same conclusion.

The Giants’ entire 2021 season can be summarized by Kadarius Toney’s rookie season. The first-rounder struggled to stay on the field due to multiple injuries, but when he was available, he occasionally exploded, as in his 10-catch, 189-yard performance in Week 5. He just wasn’t available enough to make a significant difference for a struggling offense that saw its coordinator fired during the season. Toney could still make this pick look like a home run, but there’s a lot of boom-or-bust potential.

The Giants nailed the selection of Azeez Ojulari, who led the team in sacks with eight and figures to be a key part of this defense for years to come. Aaron Robinson played nearly a quarter of New York’s defensive snaps and might fill a bigger role in 2022, with James Bradberry potentially headed elsewhere due to cap constraints. Elerson Smith’s season was shortened by injury, but he did force a fumble in his limited action.

Gary Brightwell spent most of his season on special teams, getting just two touches in 13 games. Rodarius Williams’ season ended due to a torn ACL suffered in Week 5. Raymond Johnson played a rotational role as an undrafted signee and will have to fight to stick with the Giants in 2022.

Of the group, Toney is obviously the most important. The Giants desperately need a game-changing playmaker to emerge and he certainly has the athletic talent, but can he stay on the field?

And for the reasons Shook alluded to, Williams and Robinson may also become extremely important pieces for the Giants in 2022.

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Giants injury report: Kadarius Toney continues to miss practice

New York Giants WR Kadarius Toney continues to miss practice with a shoulder injury, but RB Saquon Barkley returned to the field on Thursday.

The New York Giants placed three more players on the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Thursday — Darius Slayton was among them — but welcomed Nate Solder back.

After sitting out during Wednesday’s walkthrough, Saquon Barkley also returned to the field. However, he was not accompanied by Kadarius Toney, who continues to sit out with a shoulder injury.

The Giants’ full Thursday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: RB Gary Brightwell (neck), DL Austin Johnson (foot), WR Collin Johnson (hamstring), OL Billy Price (personal), WR Kadarius Toney (shoulder), WR John Ross (knee/COVID ramp up)

Limited participant: OL Ben Bredeson (ankle), DB Keion Crossen (COVID ramp up), FB Cullen Gillaspia (shin), DB Adoree’ Jackson (quad/COVID ramp up), RB Saquon Barkley (ankle), PK Graham Gano (illness), DL Raymond Johnson (illness), TE Chris Myarick (illness), TE Kyle Rudolph (ankle), OT Nate Solder (COVID ramp up)

Full participant: N/A

Giants injury report: Saquon Barkley, Kadarius Toney among nine not practicing

The New York Giants held a walkthrough practice on Wednesday and nine players were absent and five others were limited.

The New York Giants took the field for Wednesday’s walkthrough and despite the return of several players from the Reserve/COVID-19 list, they were extremely shorthanded.

In the portion of practice open to the media, more than a handful of new players were absent. Among them were kicker Graham Gano, running back Saquon Barkley and tight end Kyle Rudolph.

Wide receiver Kadarius Toney, who played in Week 16 against the Philadelphia Eagles, also appeared to be sidelined.

The Giants’ full Wednesday injury report (projected/walkthrough) can be found below:

Did not participate: RB Saquon Barkley (ankle), RB Gary Brightwell (neck), PK Graham Gano (illness), DL Austin Johnson (foot), WR Collin Johnson (hamstring), DL Raymond Johnson (illness), OL Billy Price (personal), TE Kyle Rudolph (ankle), WR Kadarius Toney (shoulder)

Limited participant: OL Ben Bredeson (ankle), DB Keion Crossen (COVID ramp up), FB Cullen Gillaspia (shin), DB Adoree’ Jackson (quad/COVID ramp up), WR John Ross (knee/COVID ramp up)

Full participant: N/A

Austin Johnson, Azeez Ojulari were highest-graded Giants in Week 13

New York Giants DT Austin Johnson and LB Azeez Ojulari earned the team’s highest PFF grades in a Week 13 loss to the Miami Dolphins.

The New York Giants hit a low point on Sunday during a 20-9 loss to the Miami Dolphins, and that’s saying something. But their offense managed just three field goals, failing to score a touchdown for the first time this season.

Their end-of-half struggles also continued, while an over-worked defense faded at times.

Understandably, their Pro Football Focus grades for Week 13 are not great. And on the offensive side of the ball, the team saw some of their lowest collective grades of 2021.

Leading the way on offense was left tackle Andrew Thomas, who earned an overall grade of 72.1. He was followed by running back Devontae Booker (70.9) and tight end Evan Engram (70.0).

Other notable offensive grades include wide receiver Kenny Golladay (66.0), guard Ben Bredeson (60.3) and running back Saquon Barkley (45.3).

The lowest-graded Giants on offense were quarterback Mike Glennon (40.9) and guard Matt Skura (40.8).

New York saw much better grades on defense, led by defensive tackle Austin Johnson (83.3). He was followed by rookie edge rusher Azeez Ojulari (82.5) and linebacker Benardrick McKinney (79.3).

Other notable defensive grades include linebacker Quincy Roche (75.8), safety Logan Ryan (65.6) and rookie cornerback Aaron Robinson (60.4).

The lowest-graded Giants on defense were cornerback James Bradberry (45.4) and defensive end Raymond Johnson (33.7).

Cornerback Jarren Williams led the special teams unit with a grade of 74.7.

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Daniel Jones, Adoree’ Jackson were highest-graded Giants in Week 2

QB Daniel Jones and CB Adoree’ Jackson earned the New York Giants’ highest offensive and defensive grades in Week 2.

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The New York Giants fell in heartbreaking fashion to the Washington Football Team on Thursday night, dropping their record to 0-2 on the season.

As the losing continues, frustration across the organization is beginning to grow. Players are griping with each other and the coaches, fans are calling for heads and somewhere, John Mara is probably throwing chairs.

But there were a few bright spots in Week 2. Namely quarterback Daniel Jones, who earned a team-high grade of 91.3 on Thursday night courtesy of Pro Football Focus.

Just behind Jones on the offensive side of the ball were tight end Kaden Smith (87.9), fullback Eli Penny (70.9) and wide receiver Sterling Shepard (68.6).

Other notable grades on offense include running back Saquon Barkley (63.3), wide receiver Darius Slayton (61.0) and right tackle Nate Solder (49.7).

The lowest-graded player on offense was center Billy Price, who checked out at 28.1, including a pass protection grade of 8.7 (no, that’s not a typo).

On the defensive side of the ball, cornerback Adoree’ Jackson led the way with an 84.3. He was followed by safety Xavier McKinney (75.5), cornerback James Bradberry (74.3) and safety Jabrill Peppers (69.8).

Other noteworthy defensive grades include linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51.6), safety Logan Ryan (51.0) and defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence (45.0).

The lowest-graded Giants defender was defensive end Raymond Johnson (29.7).

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Giants’ Leonard Williams: People are ‘sleeping on” Raymond Johnson

New York Giants DL Leonard Williams warns not to sleep on undrafted rookie Raymond Johnson III.

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When the New York Giants lost defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson to the Minnesota Vikings this offseason, it was unclear who would eventually step in and fill that void.

The team brought back Austin Johnson, signed veteran Danny Shelton and then added Raymond Johnson III after he went undrafted in April.

For the time being, Austin Johnson appears to be the starter at nose tackle with Shelton serving as his primary backup. But don’t sleep on Raymond Johnson, says defensive lineman Leonard Williams. He can line up at any position across the line and the fact that he made the team’s 53-man roster speaks volumes about his talent.

“I told him that he’s one of the sneak guys that’s going to step up this year that people are probably sleeping on. He was an undrafted guy, so he has that big work ethic and he’s being a sponge out there right now trying to soak up as much knowledge as possible. I think he’s doing a good job so far,” Williams told reporters on Friday.

“I grab him to the side every once in a while. Me and him are both transitioning inside and outside, so I think that’s the reason why he comes to me a lot because me and him are the only ones in the D-line room that kind of play a little bit of outside linebacker and D-line. We’re a little bit of a hybrid position and I’ve been able to teach him a little bit.”

Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham is also excited about Raymond Johnson’s potential, and he loves the added versatility.

“He’s explosive, he has some twitch in terms of quickness, in terms of the pass rush, he has grit and toughness about him whether he’s inside or outside. He has great demeanor,” Graham said in August. “He set himself up to have a good chance to compete, to see if he could play in this league and I’m excited about seeing what he could do.”

How much playing time Johnson receives in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos remains to be seen but with just five linemen currently on the roster, he’s going to get some sort of opportunity.

David Moa, Carter Coughlin were highest-graded Giants vs. Jets

David Moa and Carter Coughlin earned the New York Giants’ highest PFF grades in a preseason Week 1 loss to the New York Jets.

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The New York Giants dropped their first preseason game of the year, 12-7, against the New York Jets on Saturday night at MetLife Stadium.

It was the first game hosting fans since December of 2019, but the Giants provided little to cheer about. There were more negatives than positives, but it’s important to note that the team’s starters saw very little action — some not at all.

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Pro Football Focus completed their grading breakdown on Sunday morning and there were some legitimate surprises.

Linebacker Reggie Ragland, who earned our Player of the Game, was the lowest-graded Giant with a 32.6. Although he did grade out fairly well in terms of tackling and run defense, his coverage grade of 32.1 really drug him down.

Veteran defensive tackle Danny Shelton, who had a drive-changing stuff on fourth down, also graded out at just 39.1.

Some of the team’s other low grades belong to defensive end Raymond Johnson (39.7), rookie cornerback Rodarius Williams (45.5), running back Alfred Morris (45.0) and running back Corey Clement (45.1).

The team’s highest grade belonged to defensive tackle David Moa, who earned a remarkable 92.0 on 41 snaps. Linebacker Carter Coughlin checked in just behind him with a 91.8.

Also earning a 90+ was linebacker T.J. Brunson (90.4).

On the offensive side of the ball, left tackle Andrew Thomas led the way with a 76.0, followed by right tackle Matt Peart with a 73.2.

Meanwhile, wide receiver David Sills earned a 73.0 and offensive lineman Kyle Murphy a 72.2.

Other noteworthy grades include quarterback Mike Glennon (72.2), guard Will Hernandez (60.1) and edge rusher Azeez Ojulari (56.6).

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Giants fall to Jets: Winners, losers and those in between

Here are the winners, losers and those in between from the New York Giants’ preseason Week 1 loss to the New York Jets.

The New York Giants opened the 2021 preseason on Saturday night with an embarrassing 12-7 loss to the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

It was an ugly game for both teams from the jump, but the Giants appeared lightyears behind where they should be. The saving grace is that the vast majority of their starters didn’t play or played very little.

Here’s a quick look at our immediate winners and losers (and those in between) from Week 1 of the preseason.