Tag: Tony Jefferson

Giants free agent Tony Jefferson announces NFL retirement

New York Giants free agent Tony Jefferson has announced his retirement and will now become a scout for the Baltimore Ravens.

New York Giants free agent safety-turned-linebacker Tony Jefferson has announced his retirement.

Jefferson was a solid safety for nearly a decade in the NFL, playing for four different teams in his career.

In nine seasons, Jefferson recorded 492 tackles (34 for a loss), 9.5 sacks, 24 passes defensed, and four interceptions. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals and played the bulk of his career with them and the Baltimore Ravens.

Jefferson finished his career with the Giants. He was a mentor to the young safety core consisting of Julian Love (now gone), Xavier McKinney, and Dane Belton. His leadership and knowledge will hopefully be demonstrated on the field this season through the play of Big Blue’s young safeties.

Jefferson also logged significant snaps for the Giants and recorded 23 tackles and one pass defensed.

Jefferson will stay with the game of football and become a scout for the Ravens, a franchise he has built a home with.

Baltimore has done a great job historically in the defensive scouting department with players like Terrell Suggs, Ray Lewis, and Ed Reed being former draft picks. Now they will have an NFL veteran in the department to help make things even better.

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Former Cardinals S Tony Jefferson retires, joins Ravens as scout

Jefferson, who signed with the Cardinals 10 years ago as a UDFA, now joins the Ravens’ scouting department.

Ten years ago, the Arizona Cardinals signed safety Tony Jefferson as an undrafted rookie. He played four seasons for them, becoming a reliable starter, before leaving in free agency and playing another five seasons for the Ravens, 49ers and Giants.

He announced his retirement on Thursday and immediately moved into a scouting role.

The Ravens announced that Jefferson is back with the organization as a scout, earning the Nunn-Wooten Scouting Fellowship.

Per Adam Schefter, working as a scout and evaluating NFL talent is something Jefferson has always wanted to to.

In a way, even though they were never teammates, he is following the path former Cardinals safety and executive Adrian Wilson has followed.

Wilson was a scout after his playing career and is now an executive for the Carolina Panthers.

Jefferson had a solid career and now, hopefully, he can turn his second career into a good one.

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Former Ravens S Tony Jefferson retiring from NFL, joining Baltimore in new role

Former Baltimore Ravens safety Tony Jefferson is retiring from the NFL.

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The Baltimore Ravens have had a lot of great safeties over the course of their franchise history. Players such as Rod Woodson, Ed Reed, Eric Weddle and others come to mind, with other contributors at the position also stepping up in a big way both on and off of the field.

One of the more beloved players in team history is former Baltimore safety Tony Jefferson. On Thursday, it was reported by Adam Schefter of ESPN and later confirmed by the Ravens that Jefferson will be stepping away from playing in the NFL after nine seasons, but will be returning to Baltimore to take on a scouting role within the organization.

The veteran was paired with Weddle to form a great tandem for the Ravens.  Unfortunate injuries were a part of his story in Baltimore, but he’ll now take the next step in his football career in the team’s front office.

Current and former Ravens react to Lamar Jackson’s contract extension with Ravens

Current and former Baltimore Raven players react to the news of the contract extension that Lamar Jackson agreed to with the Ravens.

When the news of the Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson agreeing to a deal, the Twitter world went insane. Jackson and Baltimore agreed to a five-year deal worth $260 million, including $185 million in guarantees.

Multiple current and former Ravens players took to Twitter after the news was announced to express their opinions on the deal. The overall mood was excitement, as the year-long saga had finally come to a close and Jackson is staying in Baltimore long-term.

 

 

Tony Jefferson believes Lamar Jackson, Ravens should part ways

New York Giants free agent linebacker Tony Jefferson believes the Baltimore Ravens and QB Lamar Jackson should part ways.

New York Giants free agent safety/linebacker Tony Jefferson believes that Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens should part ways this offseason.

Jefferson, a nine-year veteran, spent four of the last six seasons in Baltimore before joining the San Francisco 49ers and finally the Giants in 2022.

As a Raven, Jefferson recorded 191 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 12 passes defensed as a leader of the defense. Jefferson’s time in Baltimore overlapped with the first four seasons of Jackson’s career, making him someone who has spent a lot of time around the star quarterback.

The Lousiville product has had a historic start to his career, breaking numerous records and winning an MVP. However, he has not yet been rewarded financially by the organization causing strife between the two sides.

Jackson revealed on Monday that he recently requested a trade.

Jefferson believes that this gap between Jackson and Baltimore is too big and that the two parties would benefit from going “their separate ways.”

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5 remaining Giants free agents who deserve to be re-signed or sign elsewhere

The New York Giants have 10 remaining unsigned free agents and these five deserve to be re-signed or given an opportunity elsewhere.

The first week of free agency has come and gone across the NFL, and the New York Giants have been quite busy.

In addition to re-signing several of their own in-house free agents, general manager Joe Schoen has also made a few splashes elsewhere. He’s added quality depth at positions of need and acquired tight end Darren Waller via trade.

But 10 Giants remain unsigned. They are as follows:

  • LB/S Landon Collins
  • DL Justin Ellis
  • OL Jon Feliciano
  • WR Richie James
  • LB/S Tony Jefferson
  • WR Marcus Johnson
  • CB Fabian Moreau
  • LB Jaylon Smith
  • DL Nick Williams
  • LB Oshane Ximines

There are some notable names in that group and five of them absolutely deserve to either be re-signed or signed elsewhere.

Let’s take a look at those players.

Giants’ Tony Jefferson switching from safety to linebacker

New York Giants safety Tony Jefferson, who is scheduled to become a free agent on March 15, is switching positions to linebacker.

On Tuesday, the Giants retained Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley. Now, general manager Joe Schoen will get ready for free agency, which is less than a week away.

Safety Tony Jefferson is certainly not a premier name for the Giants headed into free agency but surely someone they used often last season.

Prior to free agency, the nine-year veteran is switching positions to linebacker.

There is no doubt the league getting faster and more teams are searching for versatile players who can play all over the field.

As far as a potential return to Big Blue, the move to linebacker could improve the chances as the Giants certainly have a need at the position. Jefferson also has familiarity with Wink Martindale’s defense.

However, how Martindale sees him as a linebacker and if the Giants are interested remains to be seen.

In the defensive backfield, the Giants have Xavier McKinney and it will be interesting to see if they bring back Julian Love or Landon Collins. The Giants have also been connected to Jordan Poyer.

The move to linebacker is likely something Jefferson thought could benefit him headed to free agency. Certainly, with Jefferson being in the back nine of his career, the position change may also extend his career.

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Current, former Ravens players react to franchise tag designation for QB Lamar Jackson

Current and former Ravens players reacted to the news of Lamar Jackson being designated with the non-exclusive franchise tag

The Baltimore Ravens decided to use the franchise tag on quarterback Lamar Jackson after not being able to agree on a long-term contract as of now. The team decided on the non-exclusive tag for Jackson, which will come with a $32.4 million cap charge assuming he plays on it in 2023.

After the news was announced, both current and former Ravens players reacted to the decision. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey, offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley and safety Geno Stone each took to Twitter to share their feelings, with each of them posting emojis or GIFs that have clear messages.

 

 

Former Baltimore players also got in on the action as well, with Tony Jefferson and Robert Griffin III chiming in.

 

Things will now get interesting for the Ravens. Hopefully things will get sorted out between the front office and Jackson, and some sort of resolution is reached, as Baltimore can’t fully progress with their offseason as long as no concrete end is in sight for the situation.

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Giants waive Tae Crowder two weeks after ‘free me’ tweet

Two weeks after he tweeted “free me,” the New York Giants have waived linebacker Tae Crowder, the former Mr. Irrelevant.

Tae Crowder is officially a free man.

Two weeks after Crowder, who was upset with his playing time, tweeted, ‘free me,” the New York Giants have obliged.

The Giants announced on Tuesday that Crowder has been waived. The former Mr. Irrelevant was a healthy scratch in Week 15 against the Washington Commanders, replaced by a duo of Tony Jefferson and Landon Collins.

In 41 career games (31 starts) for the Giants, Crowder recorded 232 tackles (124 solo, nine for a loss), six QB hits, 2.0 sacks, eight passes defensed, and two interceptions.

The Giants’ interior linebackers have not played especially well this season, including Jaylon Smith and rookie Micah McFadden, which has opened the door for both Jefferson and Collins.

The safeties played well in that role on Sunday and expectations are that Collins will be signed from the practice squad to the active roster.

Crowder, meanwhile, is subject to the waiver system. If he clears, he will become an unrestricted free agent who is able to sign with any team.

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Tony Jefferson, Daniel Jones were highest-graded Giants in Week 15

A look at Pro Football Focus’ highest- and lowest-graded New York Giants from their 20-12 win over the Washington Commanders in Week 15.

The New York Giants hung on to defeat the Washington Commanders, 20-12, on Sunday Night Football. The victory improved their record to 8-5-1 on the season and inched them closer to a playoff berth.

The game itself wasn’t perfect, but it was more complete in clutch moments than previous games this season. Players on offense, defense, and special teams stepped up big.

Here’s a look at the highest and lowest grades for offense, defense, and special teams courtesy of Pro Football Focus.

Note: We’re only including players who saw 15+ snaps in the game.