The New York Giants worked out eight players over the past two days, including quarterbacks Jake Fromm and AJ McCarron.
From Monday afternoon into Tuesday afternoon, the New York Giants held a series of workouts and visits. Among those in attendance was the team’s former safety, Landon Collins.
With Daniel Jones (ankle) and Tyrod Taylor (concussion) both injured, the Giants also hosted a slew of quarterbacks on a tryout basis, just as head coach Brian Daboll said they would.
The group, led by ex-Giant Jake Fromm, also included former Alabama standout AJ McCarron and another former Giant, Brian Lewerke.
Fromm famously took over for an injured Jones and veteran Mike Glennon last season in a game that saw him run back-to-back quarterback sneaks to clear room for the punter. That decision ultimately cost head coach Joe Judge his job.
But Fromm does have familiarity with both general manager Joe Schoen and the aforementioned Daboll from their time in Buffalo. Lewerke was also in East Rutherford when that duo took over earlier this year, but was ultimately waived in mid-May.
In addition to the quarterbacks, the Giants also had wide receivers Victor Bolden and Jontre Kirklin, guard Solomon Kindley, and linebacker Ulysees Gilbert in for workouts.
None of the players were immediately signed to a contract but that may change on Wednesday. The Giants may also circle back on Collins once their forced roster shuffling comes to an end.
Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Ulysees Gilbert is determined to take advantage of the opportunities in front of him.
Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Ulysees Gilbert was having a favorable rookie season in 2019 when that all came crashing to a halt.
The Akron product, drafted by the Steelers with the third of their three sixth-round picks in the 2019 NFL Draft, suffered a back injury that abruptly put an end to his season. It was a nagging injury that had been an issue since college and got worse when he came into the league. Gilbert toughed it out for as long as he could, but when tests revealed a fractured L5 vertebra in his spinal cord, he was placed on injured reserve in November.
Head coach Mike Tomlin was asked about Gilbert’s maturation after making some good plays in training camp. “I wouldn’t necessarily characterize him as a second-year player because he missed so much time in year one,” Tomlin said in a Tuesday press conference. “Hopefully because he’s been part of the program and been in the building that there are some residual benefits from it. But in terms of play or exposure to play, he doesn’t have as much experience as some of the others in his [draft] class because of injury.”
Gilbert feels that, though his season was cut short, it still had a lot to offer.
“I grasped a lot [last year] because I had a lot of good veteran guys in front of me that helped me along the way like Mark Barron, Tyler Matakevich and [Vince] Williams,” Gilbert said in a Tuesday press conference. “I just watched how those guys played and listened to everything they said in meet rooms, as well as on the field. I looked for how I could improve my game and keep what I already had at a high level.”
Gilbert said that he saw an opportunity when the Steelers released Barron and Matakevich and didn’t address the inside linebacker position in the draft or free agency. He knows it’s ultimately up to the Steelers to decide if and where he fits in the scheme of things. But he’s determined to show them that he has what it takes.
“Whatever they want me to do, I’ll put my best foot forward,” Gilbert said. “I’m taking it day by day and thankful for any opportunity I do get, and I’ll be ready when they call my name.”
Gilbert pointed to T.J. Watt, Bud Dupree and Williams as the best guys to observe and learn from. “Watching how those guys work and how they carry themselves… it’s a blessing to have those guys in front of me to learn the ropes.”
Before his injury, Gilbert was making a name for himself on special teams. In seven games, he led the unit in snaps with 150 and posted five tackles.
Though we’re just a month away from the start of the Steelers 2020 season, it’s too soon to tell what role Gilbert will play. At best, he’ll play in a rotational role behind Devin Bush and Williams. At worst, he’ll get right back to being the special teams standout he was in 2019 while he continues to develop.
In an exclusive interview with Steelers Wire, second-year linebacker Ulysees Gilbert talks about his 2019 injury, rehab, and getting back to work.
Ulysees Gilbert’s rookie season didn’t go as he hoped. The linebacker suffered an unfortunate back injury that abruptly ended what was shaping up to be a successful first season.
The Akron product was drafted by the Steelers with the third of their three sixth-round picks in the 2019 NFL Draft. Gilbert made quite an impact in the preseason and earned a spot on the team’s 53-man roster as the fifth inside linebacker in a corps flush with 10 total LBs.
But three of them — Mark Barron, Anthony Chickillo, Tyler Matakevich — are no longer with the Steelers.
“They are great guys who played a big role in my beginnings in Pittsburgh. It’s nothing but love for them,” said Gilbert.
“I’m just excited for this year and for the chances I could have. I’m preparing for that time my name is called. Whenever that is, I’ll be ready.”
The Steelers prefer to usher in their late-round selections via special teams, so Gilbert did not log a defensive snap in 2019. But the departures of Barron, Matakevich, and Chickillo pave the way for Gilbert to play an important rotational role on defense in 2020.
Prior to his injury, Gilbert was making a name for himself on special teams. In seven games, he led the ST unit in snaps with 150 and posted five tackles. But the linebacker had been dealing with a nagging back issue since college and said things just got worse when he came into the league. Gilbert toughed it out for as long as he could, but when tests revealed a fractured L5 vertebra in his spinal cord, he was placed on injured reserve on November 5th.
“It was very disappointing and upsetting,” said Gilbert. “At the end of the day, I’m a firm believer in God, and that was his plan for me. I got some positives out of it. I’m healthier now and blessed to be in this position to come back.”
At Akron, Gilbert tied a record for most games played (51), so being unable to play was foreign to him. “It was the first time since playing football that I had an injury that cut my season short,” Gilbert explained. “Being away from football was something I wasn’t used to, but my faith and family and friends helped me push through and be positive.”
University of Akron’s Ulysees Gilbert III runs 40 yards for a touchdown after recovering a fumble by Kent State on the last play of the second quarter at InfoCision Stadium in Akron, Ohio, on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017. (Photo by Phil Masturzo/Akron Beacon Journal/TNS/Sipa USA)
In the pre-COVID-19 world, Gilbert was rehabbing with the Steelers’ strength and conditioning staff at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Now, with team facilities still closed to players, he’s back home in Ocala, Fla. continuing his therapy and training.
Gilbert is working with sports performance trainer Tony McCall. “Tony’s a great trainer,” said Gilbert. “He’s been giving us a lot of work with different workouts set up — weight room, cardio, football-associated drills, everything.”
From four days a week with McCall to the workouts Steelers conditioning coordinator Garrett Giemont sends Gilbert, he said he’s getting better and better with each day. “I feel very conditioned and in shape. I’m going to be ready when it comes time to play football.”
It’s clear that Gilbert is determined, and focused on the season that lies ahead.
Gilbert also has a hunger for growth and knowledge. He believes the key to being the best player he can is never to get too complacent. His speed, ability to cover, and move well in space turned heads in training camp last year, and he knows he can only keep improving. Gilbert said he’s working on continuing to use his hands and being more physical. He wants to get better in every aspect of his game including kickoff return coverage and blocking on special teams.
“I’m not a rookie anymore, so I can’t make rookie mistakes — it’s not accepted,” he said. “It’s all about making that second-year jump that Coach T. always talks about. I want to grow from my rookie year in every way possible and be there for anything the team needs me to do on defense and special teams,” he said.
“I’m going to do the best I can, continue to learn each day, and ask questions. I feel like I have a good head on my shoulders to make that possible. I want to be a great teammate and a great student of the game for the coaches to show them I can be a guy they can use wherever they please.”
Cast your vote to tell us who you think will have the best season of the sophomore players on defense.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have four defensive players heading into their sophomore seasons who can potentially have a big impact in 2020: Linebackers Devin Bush and Ulysees Gilbert, tackle Isaiah Buggs, and cornerback Justin Layne.
It’s easy to look at this list and choose Devin Bush. After all, as a rookie, Bush managed 109 tackles, 9 tackles for a loss, 2 interceptions, 4 pass defenses, 1 forced fumble, 4 fumble recoveries, and a defensive touchdown.
But I think serious consideration needs to be given to Gilbert. A back injury abruptly ended a promising rookie season, but what flashes he showed in the preseason and on special teams in 2019 was enough to give the Steelers confidence in his abilities as a defensive weapon.
Not only did the Steelers release Mark Barron and let Tyler Matakevich walk in free agency, but the team also did not address those vacancies in the NFL draft.
With Bush and Vince Williams in the fold, it’s likely Gilbert will be nothing more than a rotational LB. But Barron saw double the snaps that Williams did last season, and it’s likely the Steelers will expect Gilbert to step in have a similar impact.
