Tag: Rob Ninkovich

These two plays angered Jonathan Kraft in Patriots loss vs Colts

According to Rob Ninkovich, Jonathan Kraft was enraged by these two plays in particular in the Patriots’ loss to the Colts.

New England Patriots president Jonathan Kraft clearly didn’t have a good time watching his team lose 10-6 to the Indianapolis Colts in Frankfurt. There were at least two plays that bothered him in particular, according to former Patriots defensive standout Rob Ninkovich.

“Jonathan gets very vocal, very vocal. He was just not happy,” Ninkovich said on “The Dan and Ninko Show.” “So, he was very mad two times. He was very mad. They didn’t have a returner on one of the punt rushes. They were trying to block the punt. So, he was pissed. He was like, ‘Why the [expletive] don’t we have a returner back there? This is stupid. The ball’s going to get pinned down there and we’re going to be on the one-yard line.’ He was so pissed. He was so pissed. …Mr. [Robert] Kraft is pretty even-keeled, though.”

It was a frustrating day for the Patriots overall, as they dropped to 2-8 on the season. They currently hold the third overall pick in the NFL draft, which has been the only silver lining in a disappointing year.

Along with the punt play, Ninkovich also noted that the younger Kraft was “pissed” about the interception that quarterback Mac Jones threw late in the game.

The loss to the Colts was frustrating for everybody involved. Now, the Patriots are stuck on the outside of postseason contention and thinking up ways to salvage what’s left of the season.

At this point, it might be better for them to look towards the inevitable future rebuild through the draft and free agency.

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Rob Ninkovich working with Broncos’ OLBs at practice

In addition to Jared Allen, the Broncos also have Rob Ninkovich doing some work with their outside linebackers.

Jared Allen isn’t the only retired pass rusher serving as a part-time guest coach with the Denver Broncos this season.

Rob Ninkovich, who started his NFL career under Sean Payton with the New Orleans Saints and later won two Super Bowls with the New England Patriots, was at a Broncos practice session earlier this week.

Payton was asked about Ninkovich after Wednesday’s practice and the coach confirmed that the former pass rusher was helping coach up Denver’s outside linebackers. Payton also expressed regret for cutting Ninkovich early in his career.

“I don’t know that I brought him here to remind us of a good player leaving the building,” Payton joked. “… We didn’t have a really good vision [for him in New Orleans]. What I mean by that is we were an even front team. I don’t know if the defensive coaches saw it the same as the scouts. It was a classic mistake that we didn’t really have a clean vision. … We released Rob. He went to Miami and came back to the Saints a year later.

“He always reminds me —  I had a meeting with him, and I told him I thought he was going to have to be a long snapper to play in this league. Then, the right team, New England  — I think [Bill] Belichick referenced this yesterday when he was talking to the media because it would’ve been this waiver wire. They had a vision. It was clearer than ours. He went on to play.

“He made an all-century team and won two Super Bowls as an outside linebacker. He came in just to spend some time with our OLBs and spend some time with [OLBs coach] Michael Wilhoite and defensive coaches. He’s done media. You hope that over sixty years, there’s only a couple of those, but he’s one that got away, and obviously played well afterwards.”

During his 11-year career in the NFL (including one season with the Saints), Ninkovich totaled 460 tackles (55 for losses), 88 quarterback hits, 46 sacks, 22 pass breakups, 14 fumble recoveries, 12 forced fumbles, five interceptions and two defensive touchdowns.

As a player, Ninkovich was one that got away for Payton. As a potential future coach prospect, perhaps Ninkovich will get his first opportunity under the coach that was the first to cut him in the NFL.

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50 days till Patriots season opener: Every player to wear No. 50 for New England

Here’s a list of every Patriots player to wear the No. 50 jersey number

There are 50 days left until the New England Patriots take the field for the first time to kick-start their 2023 regular season.

So we’re continuing our countdown series by listing every Patriots player that has ever worn the No. 50 jersey.

The number currently belongs to linebacker Raekwon McMillan, but longtime Patriots standouts like Rob Ninkovich and Mike Vrabel have also worn it.

Ninkovich is a member of the Patriots’ All-Dynasty Team after winning two Super Bowls with the franchise. Meanwhile, Vrabel has three Super Bowl wins with New England and an All-Pro nod, along with an All-Dynasty Team spot.

There are a total of 16 players that have worn No. 50 throughout franchise history, Here’s every player on that list (via Pro Football Reference):

Former Patriots look back on ridiculously stacked 2014 defense

Defensive lineups don’t get much scarier than this

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It’s easy to forget how ridiculously stacked the New England Patriots were defensively in their 2014 Super Bowl-winning season.

A Twitter post looking back on the unit got a retweet from multiple former Patriots players that were on the roster at that time, including Dont’a Hightower, Jamie Collins, Patrick Chung and James White.

Other standouts included Pro Football Hall of Famer Darrelle Revis, Vince Wilfork, Chandler Jones, Jerod Mayo, Devin McCourty, Logan Ryan, Brandon Browner and Rob Ninkovich.

It’s one of the most imposing defensive lineups on paper in franchise history. Some of the greatest players that have ever suited up in a Patriots uniform were on the roster.

It’s an incredible stroll down memory lane that former Patriots players decided to chime in on.

The Patriots went on to defeat the Seattle Seahawks at Super Bowl XLIX that season.

After Tom Brady and the offense engineered another one of their improbable comebacks, Malcolm Butler, who was an undrafted rookie cornerback at the time, secured a goal line interception on Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson to help the defense seal the victory.

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Former Patriots great Rob Ninkovich reportedly out at ESPN

Rob Ninkovich’s ESPN contract reportedly isn’t being renewed

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Former New England Patriots defensive great Rob Ninkovich is reportedly out at ESPN, according to Front Office Sports.

The two-time Super Bowl champion’s contract was set to expire this summer, and it was reported that ESPN would not be renewing it.

Ninkovich made a seamless transition into media after stepping away from football. He has appeared on a multitude of ESPN shows to break down NFL stories and match-ups.

With that experience, he should be able to take what he’s learned at ESPN and find success elsewhere, assuming he plans on continuing in his media journey. You would be hard-pressed to find someone more knowledegable than an All-Dynasty Team member for the greatest dynasty in NFL history.

When one door closes, another is sure to open for Ninkovich.

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Breaking down every Round 5 Saints draft pick since 2002

Breaking down every Round 5 Saints draft pick since 2002, from Mike Karney and Rob Ninkovich to Thomas Morstead and Kenny Stills:

We’re continuing our trek through New Orleans Saints draft history with a look at their picks in the fifth round under general manager Mickey Loomis, who has held his post since 2002 — making him the longest-tenured GM in the game.

And the Saints have a spotty track record in Round 5 under Loomis. Of the 20 players he’s picked in this round, only two of them have earned Pro Bowl recognition. Hopefully they can begin to reverse that trend:

Rob Ninkovich has concerns with Patriots’ lack of offensive identity

Rob Ninkovich has doubts about the Patriots’ 2022 offense.

Former New England Patriots linebacker Rob Ninkovich is concerned about the team’s offense heading into the 2022 season.

Much of the concern has been centered around New England not naming an offensive coordinator. Matt Patricia and Joe Judge have taken turns in trying to conduct the offense. The Patriots dedicated extensive preseason work to trying out the new offensive system. Now, they will have to test it in real time, as they prepare for the Miami Dolphins.

Ninkovich appeared on ESPN’s “Get Up!” on Tuesday with questions as to whether the offensive style will work for the 2022 season.

“Now you have a new coordinator, you have question marks on who’s calling the plays — it’s not out there, but we know — you have an offensive line that’s trying to adapt to a new system,” said Ninkovich, via Boston.com. “With those things in place when you watch this last preseason game, you kind of want things to be rolling in a good way, as opposed to playing poorly in your last preseason game.

“In the past, September, yes there’s always going to be some changes that are going to happen in the first couple weeks of the season. You’re trying to adapt your team, your roster, manipulate your roster to help yourself. But with not having an identity, I think that’s going to be their biggest obstacle, trying to figure out what are we offensively right now? What are we trying to do?”

New England does not have the benefit of being able to ease into things, either. Following the trip to Miami, they take on the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens as they make their way through the AFC North.

The new offensive system will be put to the test, as the Patriots try to keep pace with the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East. There could be some growing pains early on, as the team tries to adjust to the new system and personnel.

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Rob Ninkovich wouldn’t be surprised if Tom Brady retires following this season

Will the 44-year-old finally end his playing career in the NFL?

Tom Brady has spent over two decades in the NFL.

The 44-year-old played 20 years with the New England Patriots and he’s now in his second season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brady won six Super Bowls with the Patriots and he walked away with another Lombardi Trophy after his first season in Tampa — he’s currently making his second playoff run with the team in as many seasons.

Brady has all the accolades and records to prove he’s the greatest NFL player ever. He has the most success by any player in league history and it isn’t close. Also, at the age of 44 — Brady threw for 5,316 yards and 43 touchdowns.

These reasons lead Rob Ninkovich to believe that Brady could retire after this season.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if Tom Brady decided to walk away (this offseason) and do whatever he wants to do,” Ninkovich said Wednesday on ESPN’s “Get Up!” “Right now, Tom is in bonus time. How many 44-year-old quarterbacks have we seen throw for the amount of yards and touchdowns (he has)? He’ll be 45 in August. So, at this point right now, what else does he have to prove to anybody? What else does he have to check off the list?”

For now, Brady is focused on the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round of the playoffs.

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Rob Ninkovich rips into Bills’ coaching staff after loss to Patriots

Rob Ninkovich did not hold back on the Buffalo Bills.

Former New England Patriots linebacker and current ESPN analyst Rob Ninkovich had nothing but criticism for Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott after a brutal loss in Week 13,

The Patriots ran the football to the tune of 222 rushing yards, while relying on the defense to stop a Buffalo offense full of playmakers. Coach Bill Belichick adjusted accordingly, while on the other sideline, Buffalo could not seem to make adjustments of their own.

Appearing on ESPN’s Get Up Wednesday, Ninkovich called out McDermott for his in-game decision-making and his postgame comments where he downplayed Belichick’s impact on the game. As transcribed by Adam London of NESN.com, Ninkovich was clearly bewildered:

“Their mind is gone,” Ninkovich said on ESPN’s “Get Up.” “They’re not going to win this next game. It’s over with. What are we doing? What are we doing, head coach? C’mon. What are we paying you — I don’t know. A lot of money. These head coaches, I’ll let ya. Let’s challenge another QB sneak and see if we get the turn. Like, what are we doing? How about I question your playcalling? How about I question a lot of things you did? Yeah, let’s challenge a muddle of a first down by the Patriots to see if they didn’t get the first down. That’s a terrible challenge. The head coach messed up. Give Bill the credit. He actually told you what he was going to do all day. OK, we’ll run the ball. Can you stop us? No. Guess what? In Foxboro? One hundred to nothing.”

The Patriots and the Bills will meet again on December 26. Depending on the outcome of these next couple of weeks, it could be a big matchup, with playoff pictures coming into focus.

Buffalo will take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers on December 12 and 19th. New England has a bye week before taking on the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday, December 18. Depending on how those games go, there could be a lot on the line when the two teams meet at Gillette Stadium.

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Rob Ninkovich’s ‘playbook’ comment didn’t sit well with Cam Newton

“And that’s why I would just say what can he teach me when it’s coming at him faster than it was coming at me?”

Rob Ninkovich made a bold claim by reporting that Mac Jones was teaching Cam Newton the New England Patriots’ playbook.

It sounded difficult to believe considering Newton’s time with the Patriots in 2020 and Jones’ focus on learning the playbook himself ahead of his rookie year. Newton, in a tell-all video that was released on Friday, discussed a slew of different topics following his time with the team — including Ninkovich’s report.

Newton’s father, Cecil, asked him if Jones was teaching him.

“No,” Newton said, transcribed by NESN’s Zack Cox. “How can he teach me?”

Newton began by running through the speculation and rumors that spread through the entirety of last year and this offseason.

“Take it for what it’s worth. I didn’t play good last year. I was inaccurate. I didn’t know the playbook. They had to dumb it down. Cam and Josh weren’t meshing. Bill (Belichick) didn’t like Cam. Whatever. Whatever a pundit may say. But what can Mac teach me? That’s what I’m trying to (say). Come on now. … And I like (Jones).”

He did admit the playbook was different than what he was used to, but Jones wasn’t the one teaching him it.

“Nah. If anything, I was — I was like, ‘Josh, it’s so new to me.’ I’ve never been in a system that required me to know where the Mike (linebacker) is, to know the front, to identify certain fronts and XYZ,” Newton said. “You can’t say that that’s stupid or ‘Why wouldn’t you know that?’ because half of the NFL — I would say 30 teams out of 32 teams don’t run this philosophy. It’s in the center’s call, because they control the protection, and if you have any type of red flag or an alert, then that’s when you kind of (say), ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hey, Lucy this. Ricky to 50.’ You know what I’m saying? Something like that.

“But as far as that? No. Mac was cool, man. He was a person who was young. He was still trying to find his way. And that’s why I would just say what can he teach me when it’s coming at him faster than it was coming at me? I would always ask Mac, and we were helping each other. It’s like, ‘You straight, bro?’ And I would go to (Brian Hoyer) and be like, ‘Bro, you seeing something that I didn’t see?’ or ‘What was the Mike?’ or XYZ. And then me and Josh had a great dialogue after practice or during practice where he would tell me. But I felt heads and toes above where I was understanding (the offense) 12 months ago. Without a doubt.”

Newton, 32, is now a free agent in search of his next team.

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