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USA Today
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Ottis Anderson, Tiki Barber join growing list of greats to address New York Giants
Ottis Anderson, Tiki Barber join growing list of greats to address New York Giants The New York Giants continue to utilize their rich history to energize and inspire their current roster. So far this offseason, they've wheeled out such big guns as Lawrence Taylor, Michael Strahan, Eli Manning, Justin Tuck, Victor Cruz, and Howard Cross. Over the past several practices or organized team activities (OTAs), Ottis Anders and Tiki Barber have taken turns addressing the team. Anderson, the Super Bowl XXV MVP and a folk hero for his ability to reinvent himself, stressed the theme of unity and family to the young Giants. Barber, the Giants' all-time leading rusher and a borderline Pro Football Hall of Famer, also imparted his wisdom to the team. Barber is currently a talk radio host on WFAN in New York, so his message is heard daily by millions of listeners. Asked last week about former Giants addressing the current team, head coach Brian Daboll stressed the benefit the words of wisdom provide. "It's something I thought about at the end of the season, getting ready for this upcoming season, some of the things I wanted to do. One of those was to bring some guys in, brought a number of them in," he said. "Give a good message about what it means to be a Giant for them and some different things that hopefully mean something to our players. "Obviously a lot of legends that have played the game for this organization and tremendous football players in the National Football League, and I have a good relationship with a lot of those guys throughout my time here and they're willing to come in and talk to those young guys. I think it's beneficial for them." The Giants are back on the field this week and it will be interesting to see who else speaks to the team.
USA Today
16-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
New York Giants have been among NFL's worst drafting teams in Rounds 1-3 over past decade
New York Giants have been among NFL's worst drafting teams in Rounds 1-3 over past decade How successful, or unsuccessful, have the New York Giants been in the first round of the NFL draft in recent years? Not so good according to a new poll from Daniel Kelly of FTN Fantasy. Since 2015, they rank 26th out of 32 teams. No wonder they've lost 10 or more games in seven of the past eight seasons. Like every team, they've had their hits and misses, but their misses are what the public is focused on these days. From FTN: The Q rating of the Giants' various first-rounders over the last decade is pretty high, but their fame-to-production ratio is lower than you'll find just about anywhere. Saquon Barkley was a hit in a vacuum, but a running back at second overall when guys like Denzel Ward, Quenton Nelson, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson were later in that first round is a rough look, especially when it led to them reaching for Daniel Jones at sixth overall the next year. Add in the blow-up that was Kadarius Toney in 2021, and the Giants have struggled. Saquon Barkley, although considered a future Pro Football Hall of Famer, is a miss because he didn't move the needle for the Giants as great as he was. They actually overdrafted him, which sounds ridiculous, but he is not a player you add to a rebuilding team. He is more of a final piece, as we've just seen. The Giants still had some big hits in the last decade, such as Dexter Lawrence, Andrew Thomas, and Malik Nabers, but whiffed on players such as Toney, Eli Apple, Deandre Baker, and Evan Neal. Evan Engram had issues as a Giant, but is still running routes in the NFL and having some success. The jury is still out on others, such as Kayvon Thibodeaux and Deonte Banks. Daniel Jones is the lightning rod of the group. The issue with him is that he was extended beyond his rookie deal. That compounded the mistake of drafting him sixth overall back in 2019. It set the Giants back a half-decade. The Giants have not fared much better in Day 2 in the draft according to the poll. They rank 24th over the past decade. Of the 21 players they picked on Day 2, they only have four Pro Bowls to show for their efforts. Landon Collins was one of the league's best safeties for a while in there, with three Pro Bowls and a first-team All Pro in 2016-2018. It was another case of burning hot and bright, because his carry dipped from there, but it was a heck of a stretch. The Giants also got reliable types like Sterling Shepard, Dalvin Tomlinson and Wan'Dale Robinson, but the other particularly bright spot was Xavier McKinney, who ditched the Giants at his first opportunity and then made the Pro Bowl and got DPOY votes as soon as he got to Green Bay. Last year, the Giants added what they hope to be two enduring pieces to their secondary on Day 2 in safety Tyler Nubin and slot corner Dru Phillips. They have three selection on Day 2 in this year's draft -- one in Round 2 (No. 34 overall) and two in Round 3 (Nos. 65 and 99).
Forbes
04-04-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Ronde Barber On Why Tampa Bay Buccaneers Need To Develop ‘Killer Instinct'
Ronde Barber details why the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to develop a "killer instinct" to become a ... More Super Bowl contender, while also detailing why he helped create the James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) There's no doubt in Ronde Barber's mind that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can beat the best teams in the NFL as currently constructed. The current era of the Buccaneers is actually the most successful in the franchise's near 50-year history. They've clinched five straight playoff appearances, four straight division titles and won a Super Bowl over the past five years. That's never been done before in franchise history. However, they' struggled to get over the hump in recent years since Todd Bowles took over as head coach during the 2o22 season. While the Buccaneers have been the team to beat in the NFC South, they've also suffered some playoff setbacks, losing by one possession in each of their elimination games over the past two seasons. Barber – a Buccaneers legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer – believes Tampa Bay needs more of a defensive playmaker to change the outcome of close games. He mentions how the Buccaneers don't force enough turnovers, ranking 16th in the NFL in the category last season. Bowles recently mentioned how the Buccaneers need to develop more of a 'killer instinct' next season. 'If you're in the fourth quarter and you need the ball back, you need to ball back to give your offense a chance,' says Barber in a one-on-one interview. 'You need to get off the field in three damn downs or get a takeaway or something. Create something. They really haven't shown that consistently over the years.' Barber brings up the Buccaneers' lack of forced turnovers and their lack of pressure on the quarterbacks. Tampa Bay did rank sixth in sacks last season, but the lack of timely sacks in key situations is what Barber is hammering home on. 'They don't take the ball away very often, which is annoying,' says Barber. 'Especially from a play-caller on defense perspective. They don't put a lot of pressure on the quarterback. What he's (Bowles) is trying to say, the killer instinct of enforcing your will, it's happening against them.' Barber – a key staple of the early 2000's Buccaneers defensive units – points towards how his teams 'forced their will' on you. When a key stop was needed, they made it. When they needed to force a turnover, they did it. That's something that is lacking in this version of the Buccaneers. While they remain a consistently good team, they're lacking the playmakers to make that big play to turn the tide of a game. Tampa Bay allowed the Washington Commanders to drive 51 yards down the field for the game-winning field goal in 10 plays at the end of their playoff game this past season. 'Great teams, one way or another force their will on you,' says Barber. "When we were a good defense in the 2000's, we forced our will on you. We dared you to try to beat us, running the ball, throwing the ball. We're like, 'We dare you to come try to beat us.' We're going to out execute, we're going to outwork you, etc. 'We always got stops,' Barber continues to say. 'The stats proved it right. What he's saying is they need to find a team that can force their will on their opponent. If it's in the fourth quarter and you two first downs to end the game, you want to force your will on them with your defense.' The former five-time Pro Bowl defensive back gives major props to the Baker Mayfield-led offensive unit of the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay's offense has become better in the Mayfield era compared to the last season of the Tom Brady era. The Buccaneers ranked fourth in scoring last season after ranking third in passing yards and second in passing touchdowns. By comparison, they ranked 25th in points scored and 12th in passing touchdowns during Brady's final season in 2022. However, Barber mentions that unless Mayfield and the offense is putting up points on the board, the Buccaneers aren't winning. 'Baker's really showed that he can be the guy,' says Barber. 'They've been fortunate that they have Baker Mayfield and the dynamic offense. They can go out and score points and keep them in games. Otherwise, they're not winning.' The 49-year-old Hall of Fame defensive back stresses that the Buccaneers to find an edge rusher or defensive back with the No. 19 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Adding two-time Pro Bowler Haason Reddick will only help matters, but the bottom line is this – the Buccaneers need more game-changing plays on defense in order to take the step from being a playoff team into a Super Bowl one. Barber is keeping busy these days, participating in the first-ever James Hardie Pro Football Invitational in Boca Raton, Florida. While celebrity golf tournaments are all the rage these days, this one is notable because it features a vast collection of Pro Football Hall of Fame talent that is rarely seen in one setting, especially a golf course. The James Hardie Pro Football Invitational features 38 Pro Football Hall of Famers, including Barber and his former Buccaneers teammates such as Derrick Brooks and Warren Sapp. That's not even mentioning others such as Marshall Faulk, Terrell Davis, Cris Carter, Dan Fouts, Calvin Johnson and Eric Dickerson. The football legends will tee it up on Friday and Saturday at Old Course at Broken Sound in Boca Raton, Florida. The tournament will also feature 78 PGA Tour Champions players, who will be competing for a purse of $2.2 million. Barber was actually the key figure that eventually led to the creation of the invitational among all of these Pro Football Hall of Famers. The tournament is partnered with the PGA Tour and the Buccaneers legend details the whole point of the invitational is to expand the reach of the Pro Football Hall of Fame away from just one weekend in Canton, Ohio. 'It just kind of materialized based on need and an opportunity,' says Barber. 'Especially the opportunity for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, because one of Jim Porter's (President of Pro Football Hall of Fame) initiatives is to expand the reach of the Pro Football Hall of Fame away from just that one weekend in August. This is a big step towards that.' The Buccaneers great mentions how this is the biggest collection of Pro Football Hall of Fame talent on one golf course at the same time. 'The Hall puts one (golf event) around the Hall of Fame, so there's one at Firestone's South Course the week of the Hall of Fame, when you get a whole bunch of guys who are there that are already going to be there,' says Barber. 'Aside from that, this is probably the biggest one around a golf event and obviously we want to make it bigger and better in the future.' Barber admits that while he's a good golfer himself, he isn't the best one on the course – that honors belongs to Rams legend Marshall Faulk. The Hall of Fame defensive back basically describes his former NFC rival as a silent killer on the golf course, saying that Faulk never talks trash – he just smiles while he beats you. 'The best golfer that I'm always around is Marshall Faulk,' says Barber. 'It's not even close. He is legit good. He's got a solid long game, very above average, if not really good short game. He is an unbelievable putter, he's really good. He's quiet, he kind of smiles, and lets his game do the talking for him.' Barber hopes that recent Hall of Fame inductee and Green Bay Packers legend Sterling Sharpe will join him on the golf course next year. 'Sterling Sharp, who's just getting into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year, he's not here this weekend,' says Barber. 'I'm a 100% sure he will be in the future. His game is probably on par with Marshall and he talks a lot of trash all the time. He's good at it and he knows he is good at it.' The main goal for the invitational moving forward is to continue to grow the roster of Hall of Fame talent at the tournament. 'Trust me, a bunch of the Pro Football Hall of Famers are hacks,' says Barber. 'We're not real golfers. But it's fun. I've been here for two days already and it's a great time. Can't wait for it to keep growing.'
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tennessee Titans believe Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward are 'worthy.' How will they make QB choice?
INDIANAPOLIS ― Tennessee Titans coach Brian Callahan's opinion about top NFL draft prospects Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, at least the opinion he's willing to voice publicly, hasn't changed after another month of scouting. Callahan's Titans have a need at quarterback and the No. 1 pick in April's 2025 NFL Draft. Ward ― the big-armed, self-starting passer out of Miami ― and Sanders ― the hyper-accurate and anticipatory son of a Pro Football Hall of Famer ― are the top quarterback prospects in the class. So it's hardly a surprise that Callahan spent more than half of his time in front of media Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine discussing Ward, Sanders and the quarterback class as a whole, even if his evaluations are essentially the same as they were after he first met Sanders as the East-West Shrine Bowl. "They're both good players. I think they've earned the right to be in the conversations they're in," Callahan said. "As far as where I see them and how I stack them, that's for me. But I do think they're worthy of those conversations." ESTES: What are Tennessee Titans doing with No. 1 pick? For now, keeping the NFL guessing Will Levis is the only quarterback the Titans have under contract for 2025 and beyond. As GM Mike Borgonzi says, the Titans have to add quarterbacks this offseason full stop, whether that means via the draft, via free agency or both. Preferably, Borgonzi says, both. "The places I've been, we've always had older quarterbacks mentor the younger quarterback," Borgonzi said. "It's almost like another coach in the room for them to teach them how to be a pro. Teach them all the little things about protection and how to study opponents. That would probably be a priority for us if we end up drafting a quarterback." Borgonzi has options aplenty as far as veteran passers go. There's a world where Sam Darnold, Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford, Russell Wilson, Kirk Cousins, Derek Carr, Justin Fields, Daniel Jones, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, Jameis Winston, Jimmy Garoppolo and Joe Flacco all change teams this offseason. This gives Borgonzi and Callahan more than their share of ways to draft a quarterback and develop him, play him immediately or let him compete. So the Titans are doing their diligence. Borgonzi says he believes Sanders' arm strength isn't an issue and that his skills as an anticipator more than make up for whatever physical shortcomings he might have. Callahan says he still values decision making, timing and accuracy above all other traits, but he won't pass on a superior talent for the sake of a scheme fit, a sentiment that has to sound good to Ward's supporters. Sanders isn't expected to throw during on-field quarterback workouts Saturday, and Ward hasn't made a declaration either way. Callahan said he understands why top prospects would make that decision, but if he had his way he'd like to see them throw. Still, he's looking forward to using the official meetings this week to get to know Ward and Sanders beyond their tape, and to see if the way they process the game matches up with what Callahan's seen on film. Callahan stresses the idea that the Titans don't have to have a preference until April, so they won't rush the process. There's so much scrutiny that goes into making a decision like this, and Callahan admits that some of it has to be self-scrutiny. Coaches, he says, are sometimes a little too quick to overlook flaws because they can be overconfident about being able to fix them. If the Titans end up picking a quarterback at the top of the draft, they can't only be confident in his strengths. They have to be confident in all the rest. "You can't fix every issue every player has," Callahan said. "But are there things you can work with? Whatever it is you think you can fix, can you deal with it if you can't fix it to the way you need to? That's a tricky proposition when you're talking about fixing players. You've got to guard against the overconfidence that a coach can have sometimes." MOCK DRAFT: Tennessee Titans 7-round NFL mock draft: Calling all trade partners and hulking linemen Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at nsuss@ Follow Nick on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @nicksuss. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Titans unpack QB plans, from free agents to Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward
NBC Sports
07-02-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Eli Manning says he's happy for the players who made the Hall of Fame
Eli Manning says he's feeling fine a day after learning that he was not selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025. Manning, the two-time Super Bowl MVP who made the list of finalists this year but was voted down by the Hall of Fame Selection Committee, said on PFT Live that he's happy for Antonio Gates, Eric Allen, Jared Allen and Sterling Sharpe, the four players who were chosen this year. 'I was happy for the guys that got in. I competed against Jared Allen, I sent him a text, I feel like I kind of got him in because he sacked me so many times, I helped his resume,' Manning said. 'Antonio Gates, when I was coming out, thinking about going to the Chargers, doing workouts with them, they were telling me 'We've got this guy on the practice squad who didn't play college football but he's going to be a superstar, Hall of Famer,' and I was like, Yeah, right. So happy for him.' Manning is likely to get into the Hall of Fame eventually, but he says he's feeling OK with not making it on the first ballot.
