Latest news with #Talkin'Ball
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Jaxson Dart Gets Honest on Working With Ex-Giants Coach
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Before Jaxson Dart landed on the New York Giants, he probably knew a little bit about the organization from the team's former head coach, Joe Judge. Before Judge landed his current position of Senior Analyst at Ole Miss, he had a long run in the NFL, which included a short stint as the head coach of the Giants. Last year, Judge got to work directly with Dart, who would become the team's second first-round selection. "Coach Judge was great and a huge part of the success that we had as a team last year," Dart said on 'Talkin' Ball' with Pat Leonard. "Individually, you could see the development that I made from my third year to my fourth year, the jumps and leaps that I made, I definitely contribute that to my coaches, who really pushed me. Just the player that I am, I'm going to always put the work in. I never shy away from that stuff." Jaxson Dart #2 of the Mississippi Rebels warms up before the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on November 09, 2024 in Oxford, Mississippi. Jaxson Dart #2 of the Mississippi Rebels warms up before the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on November 09, 2024 in Oxford, past NCAA season, Dart wrapped up his fourth year. After starting his college run at USC, Dart moved to Ole Miss in 2022. Last year, he completed a career-high 69 percent of his passes for 4,279 yards. Dart tossed for 29 touchdowns and turned the ball over in the air just six times. Overall, Ole Miss finished with a 10-3 record in 2024 with Dart under center. Not only did the presence of Judge for the year help Dart improve from an NCAA standpoint, but the former head coach was critical in helping Dart prepare for the pros. "We were constantly watching tape, and I was always one of those guys, where if I made a mistake, I really just wish we had a second practice in the day so I could just clean it up," Dart continued. Jaxson Dart on how Coach Judge fueled his growth: Jaxson Dart says his game jumped leaps and bounds with the help of Coach Judge last year. Film room & NFL tapes. Practice field. No shortcuts. Growth mindset. 🔒 #TalkinBall #NFLQBs — Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) July 18, 2025 "I'm always constantly just trying to learn. He was great with me, being able to sit down and talk through those things. At the same time, look through NFL situational things and watch NFL tape, which was kind of unique for me, especially in the offseason before my senior year. I feel like that helped give me a jump, and kind of got me initiated a little bit to go through the draft process and even into my rookie year." At the 2025 NFL Draft, Dart was selected 25th overall by the Giants. They double-dipped in the first round by adding Abdul Carter for the defensive side, while picking up Dart for the offense. This week, Dart reported for his first NFL training camp. While he's not expected to get a look as a starter right away, the rookie is surely preparing to become the QB of the future for the Giants in the post-Daniel Jones era. For more New York Giants and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports
USA Today
08-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2-time Super Bowl champ: New York Giants' Abdul Carter 'could be a problem' for NFL
One of the New York Giants' biggest needs this offseason (outside of quarterback) was on the defensive side of the ball. General manager Joe Schoen's solution to that need was to select Abdul Carter with the third overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Carter was a standout linebacker at Penn State before entering the draft. During his final collegiate season, he recorded 24 tackles for a loss and 12 sacks. But there's one question every team has about every rookie: Will he acclimate to the NFL and be the stud we need? For Carter, the answer to that question throughout minicamp and organized team activities (OTAs) was a resounding yes. Former NFL wide receiver and two-time Super Bowl champion Chris Hogan spoke with Pat Leonard on Talkin' Ball, and what he's hearing from around the league echoes what we've been hearing all offseason. "It's tough to come into this league and have that dramatic impact right away," Hogan said. "You're not going against college-level athletes every down now. You're going against top-tier tackles and guards. . . And the NFC East is not an easy division to play in. But from what I've heard -- and I have some guys that are still playing in the league and on the Giants currently -- he could be a problem. "You watch him on film on his college tape, he's a big body -- he's not enormous, doesn't have a huge frame -- but those guys that have that engine where they're going and they're not gonna stop, they can be problems on defense. Especially if they find unique ways to move him around and put him in different spots and create matchups for him to get creative with his pass rushing and make an impact. I'm excited about what he's going to be able to do at the NFL level." Hogan played 10 seasons in the NFL, including a short stint on the Giants' practice squad in 2011, and attended Carter's alma mater, Penn State. He was also part of the New England Patriots from 2016-2018, which is where he earned his Super Bowl rings. This isn't the first time we've heard about Carter presenting a problem for opposing offenses, and the Giants are thoroughly pleased with their rookie linebacker. Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen will move him around as needed, and Carter will provide the spark that gets this defense going. Make no mistake, this is still Dexter Lawrence's defense, but Carter is going to ignite the players with his explosiveness and talent.
CBS News
09-04-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Could Justin Simmons' ties to Vic Fangio lead to him signing with Philadelphia Eagles?
The Philadelphia Eagles have a need at safety after trading C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans, and they could fill the void in free agency by adding a veteran with experience playing under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio . That veteran could be Justin Simmons, the 31-year-old safety who played with the Atlanta Falcons last season. During an appearance on the Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams on Tuesday, Simmons was asked about how much his connection with Fangio and Eagles passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Christian Parker could play a role in where he signs in 2025. "Yeah, it really does. As honest as I can be, a lot of it, too, going back to your question about Atlanta – there was a lot of new, right? There was a new system, there was a new way to do it," Simmons said. "Going to Philly with Vic, you know exactly what you're getting out of me, and I know exactly what you're getting out of them because I've been in the system. I still have a ways to go to mastering it, but there are some things and nuances that I know that Vic likes, that I know that Christian Parker likes, and I know I can help in that area." This marks the second time this offseason that Simmons has discussed potentially playing in Philadelphia next season. In March, Simmons said on the "Talkin' Ball" podcast with New York Giants beat writer Pat Leonard that the Eagles and Washington Commanders are "high" on the list in terms of his potential landing spots in free agency. Simmons played in 16 games last season for the Falcons. He had two interceptions, seven pass deflections and 62 total tackles. Spotrac projects Simmons to earn a one-year, $5.8 million deal. Simmons played under Fangio with the Denver Broncos for three seasons while he was the team's head coach. He earned Second-Team All-Pro honors in two of those three seasons in Denver. After winning the Super Bowl, the Birds dealt Gardner-Johnson and a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Texans in March for guard Kenyon Green, a former first-round pick in 2022, and a 2026 fifth-round pick. In-house options like third-year safety Sydney Brown will get a chance to compete for the job left open after the Gardner-Johnson trade, but the Birds could also draft a player or decide to eventually sign a veteran like Simmons later this offseason. "Obviously, moving on from C.J. and what he's poured into that city is big shoes to fill, but I love what they have going on with [Reed] Blankenship and rest of the supporting cast there, so I don't know. It's interesting," Simmons said. "I'm excited to see what happens."
NBC Sports
12-03-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Justin Simmons: Playing for Eagles is "high on the list"
Safety Justin Simmons is one of the top unattached players left on our list of the top free agents in the league and he has his eye on a landing spot. During an appearance on the Talkin' Ball podcast, Simmons, who played for the Falcons in 2024, said he'd be interested in rejoining a couple of his former coaches in Philadelphia. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and defensive backs coach Christian Parker both coached Simmons with the Broncos and Simmons said he would relish the chance to play for them again with the reigning Super Bowl champs. 'There's a lot of good things about Philly,' Simmons said. 'Their offense is clearly one of the most talented in the league, that offensive line is unbelievable. But what the defense did this past season to go win that Super Bowl is crazy. You can tell the leadership there, top down, is by far one of the best in the league. To have an opportunity to go play in Philly, especially reuniting with Vic and CP, is high on the list.' The Eagles are set to trade C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Texans, but it's unclear that they're in the market for a veteran to replace him on the depth chart. Simmons also expressed interest in the Commanders, so he's got the NFC East on his mind with the new league year about to begin.
CBS News
12-03-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Sign Justin Simmons? Draft Malaki Starks? Here are options to replace C.J. Gardner-Johnson for the Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles made an unexpected move on Tuesday by reportedly trading safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans for offensive lineman Kenyon Green. The Eagles and Texans also reportedly swapped draft picks in the 2026 NFL draft in the deal, according to NFL Network. The Birds are sending a 2026 fifth-round pick to Houston and will get a sixth-round pick back. With Gardner-Johnson heading to Houston after helping the Eagles have the No. 1 ranked defense in the NFL and win the Super Bowl, who will replace the brash, trash-talking defensive back? Here are some players the Eagles could replace Gardner-Johnson with in free agency, in-house or in the upcoming NFL draft. Philadelphia Eagles free agent safety targets Justin Simmons If the Birds look to replace Gardner-Johnson in free agency, they could add a veteran safety who already has experience playing under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. Veteran safety Justin Simmons, who played with the Atlanta Falcons in 2024, is an unrestricted free agent. Simmons was linked to the Eagles in free agency in 2024 because of his ties to Fangio. Simmons played under Fangio with the Denver Broncos for three seasons while he was the team's head coach. He earned Second-Team All-Pro honors in two of those three seasons in Denver with Fangio. Simmons recently said on the "Talkin' Ball" podcast that the Eagles and Washington Commanders are "high" on the list in terms of his potential landing spots in free agency. Simmons, 31, played in 16 games last season for the Falcons. He had two interceptions, seven pass deflections and 62 total tackles. Spotrac projects Simmons to earn a one-year, $5.8 million deal. Damar Hamlin Safety Damar Hamlin could be another option for the Eagles to add with starting experience after losing Gardner-Johnson. Hamlin played and started in 14 games for the Buffalo Bills last season and had 89 tackles, two interceptions and five pass deflections. Hamlin is from McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, which is just outside Pittsburgh. He played football at the University of Pittsburgh before being drafted by the Bills. Spotrac projects Hamlin to earn a two-year, $6.1 million contract in free agency. Hamlin has had a long journey back to the NFL after he suffered cardiac arrest during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2022 season. Marcus Epps Marcus Epps left the Eagles after the team lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII, but he might be an option to return in 2025. Epps signed a two-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023, but he only played three games in the 2024 season after he tore his ACL. In the 2023 season, Epps had 66 tackles, one fumble recovery, three pass deflections and four tackles-for-loss. Spotrac projects him to earn a one-year, $1.7 million deal in free agency. In-house options to replace C.J. Gardner-Johnson The Eagles could look to their younger players on the roster to fill the void left by the Gardner-Johnson trade, as their defense will have some new faces in starting roles for the 2025 season. Safety Sydney Brown is entering his third year with the team and will likely get a chance to compete for a starting job alongside Reed Blankenship by the time training camp rolls around. Brown has mostly been a special-teams contributor in his first two seasons in Philadelphia. He missed part of the 2024 season on injured reserve after he suffered a torn ACL in the 2023 regular-season finale against the New York Giants. Backup defensive backs Tristin McCollum, Lewis Cine and Andre' Sam will also likely get to compete for roles in Fangio's defense. Could the Eagles select Malaki Starks in 2025 NFL draft? Safety has now become a position of need for the Eagles entering the 2025 NFL draft with Gardner-Johnson gone. One safety prospect to watch is Malaki Starks, who played at the University of Georgia. Will he be the next player to join the Georgia-to-Philly pipeline? In the past few years, the Eagles have selected several players from the Bulldogs' defense, starting with defensive tackle Jordan Davis in the first-round of the 2022 draft. Starks is ranked as the No. 1 safety in the draft by CBS Sports. He's projected to go in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft. In the 2024 season at Georgia, Starks started all 14 games and led the team in tackles with 77. He was a Second-Team Associated Press All-American and earned Second-Team All-SEC honors. He was also a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, which goes to the top defensive back in college football.
