Giants ‘would not leave Shedeur alone' at Shrine Bowl before things imploded: Shawne Merriman
While Shedeur Sanders may have fallen wildly far in the NFL draft, interest in him from quarterback-needy teams at the top of the draft wasn't always a question mark.
The East-West Shrine Bowl took place at the end of January — and some of the draft's top picks were still enamored with Sanders at that point in time.
'I talked to [Giants head coach] Brian Daboll and I also talked to the GM there (Joe Schoen), and I can tell you, between the Giants and the Titans, they would not leave Shedeur alone,' former NFL All-Pro Shawne Merriman said on Monday's 'Up & Adams' podcast with Kay Adams.
5 Kay Adams was joined by former NFL linebacker Shawne Merriman for Monday's episode of her podcast, 'The Up & Adams Show.'
Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams
Merriman is the founder and CEO of Lights Out Sports TV, which had the media rights to the Shrine Bowl's practices.
Merriman said that the interest in the polarizing quarterback prospect was so heavy that he was 'almost tripping over their digital people with cameras because they were in our way. They were trying to get as close as they were to Shedeur, so I knew they were very high on Shedeur.'
5 Shawne Merriman is pictured while speaking on Sirius XM at Super Bowl LIX.
Getty Images for SiriusXM
5 Shawne Merriman played eight seasons in the NFL, including six with the Chargers.
Getty Images
While he was blown away by the interest the Giants and Titans were showing in Sanders, clearly something went awry between then and the draft.
'I don't know what happened from the East-West Shrine Bowl and to the draft,' Merriman said. 'But whatever happened, caused everybody to slip or look past or not want to draft Shedeur. Because I can tell you right now that everybody was there to see him even though he wasn't practicing … the Giants — speaking of Brian Daboll and the GM there — and the Titans were very high on him and that was supposed to be their pick, so I'm not sure what happened at that point.'
The Shrine Bowl is an annual game bringing together college football stars to compete in front of NFL scouts and, although he was invited and attended to meet with teams, Sanders elected not to actually play.
5 Giants coach Brian Daboll
Thomas Salus-Imagn Images
5 Shedeur Sanders fell all the way to the fifth round of the NFL Draft.
Cris Tiller / USA TODAY NETWORK
Merriman believes that this, paired with his lack of participation at the combine and his reported poor meetings, could have been the difference in him being drafted first or third overall, compared to 144th — where he wound up being selected.
In a Giants meeting specifically, Sanders reportedly failed to identify errors in a mock playbook the team used in the pre-draft interview process. That led to the quarterback being 'pissed,' and Big Blue not appreciating his mistake nor his reaction afterward.
'I don't know exactly because I'm not in those meetings, but I can tell you that they wanted to draft Shedeur at that time — the Titans or the Giants,' Merriman said. 'He was going there 100 percent just based on what I've seen and just the conversations that were happening [at the Shrine Bowl], so I know that he was supposed to go to one of those two teams in the first round.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
31 minutes ago
- USA Today
Watch: Tennessee Titans rookies take on Nashville Hot Chicken challenge
Watch: Tennessee Titans rookies take on Nashville Hot Chicken challenge With the NFL being in the midst of the dead period between the offseason workout program and training camp, this is a time when rookies and new acquisitions can become familiar with their new cities. For the new faces of the Tennessee Titans, Nashville is an incredible city full of nightlife and delicious food, and of course, Nashville Hot Chicken. The origins of this tasty cuisine are shrouded in betrayal and revenge, yet the spicy delicacy has become famous worldwide and is now, like a meat and three, a must-have when visiting the city. Recently, Hattie B's in Nashville welcomed some new faces and hosted some rookies for a hot chicken challenge. Were these young players up for the challenge? Watch and see. Being cheered on by Cam Ward, Xavier Restrepo, and a chorus of other rookies, Femi Oladejo and David Gbenda took part in the battle, diving into the fiery mixture of peppers and seasoning. Oladejo ultimately pulled out the victory after eating 16 wings, but Gbenda held his own with a respectable 15. While not a traditional football activity, these rookies hanging out and growing together off the field is an excellent sign for the future of the Titans. Even in this hot chicken challenge, the competitive nature of this class comes across loud and clear, speaking volumes about the cultural change being undertaken by the organization this offseason.
Newsweek
39 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Bill Belichick's Future With North Carolina Made Crystal Clear By Insider
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. When Bill Belichick decided to make the jump from the NFL to college football with the North Carolina Tar Heels, it shocked the football world. Immediately, the Tar Heels were viewed as a team to watch. They have one of the best football head coaches in the history of the sport. However, things have not gone smoothly thus far. Belichick has been in the media a lot. He hasn't been the media because of himself though. Rather, it has been his 24-year-old girlfriend, who has kept his name coming up in a negative light from a media perspective. Head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels coaches at Kenan Stadium on April 12, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels coaches at Kenan Stadium on April 12, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Photo byThroughout his coaching career, Belichick has never liked those who bring distractions to the team. That has changed this year when it comes to his relationship. Read more: Ohio State Buckeyes QB Julian Sayin Already Creating Huge Hype Due to the loud noise surrounding Belichick and Jordon Hudson, there have been rumblings about the legendary head coach either resigning or being fired. Those rumors have received a crystal clear update from one college football insider. According to Stewart Mandel of The Athletic, Belichick will not be going anywhere. He will remain North Carolina's head coach and is focused on his first season in the college ranks. "To be clear, he's not going to resign," Mandel wrote. "He doesn't need to resign. Anyone suggesting otherwise is going out of their way to manufacture a hot take." Now that Mandel's report has been made, the rumors can be put to bed. Belichick isn't going anywhere and the program is not trying to force him out. He will be the lead man for the Tar Heels moving forward. During his NFL head coaching career, Belichick compiled an impressive resume. He went 302-165, which is good for a 64.7 percent win rate. In addition, Belichick won six Super Bowls. Read more: Deion Sanders Offers Major Update Amid Health Scare News North Carolina will now hope that Belichick can overcome the outside noise and lead the program to a national championship in the near future. He has become one of the hottest coaches to play for in the nation with players knowing that he can help them reach the NFL level. It's unfortunate that there has been so much negativity surrounding him ahead of his first college season. He's living his dream of coaching college football. Hopefully, things calm down around him and he can do his job at a high level in 2025. Belichick and the Tar Heels will kick off their 2025 season with a home matchup against the TCU Horned Frogs on Sept. 1. For more North Carolina Tar Heels, Bill Belichick, and college football news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
Rafael Devers, Red Sox set to square off in weekend series in San Francisco
The Boston Red Sox just said goodbye to Rafael Devers, but will get reacquainted with their former designated hitter this weekend in San Francisco. Last Sunday's trade that sent Devers from the Red Sox to the Giants was bizarre enough, but it will take another wild turn this weekend when Boston faces Devers and his new team for a three-game series in San Fran. After donning red socks for 1,053 games, Devers will now play his former team just five days after their relationship ended in a messy divorce. Devers initially signed with the Red Sox as a 16-year-old international free-agent in 2013. He made his Major League debut in 2017 and helped the team win a World Series in 2018, when he started to emerge as a big bat in the heart of the order. In 2023, he signed a 10-year, $313.5 million contract extension that made him the face of the franchise. But the relationship soured over the offseason and throughout Spring Training even before the team brought in veteran third baseman Alex Bregman. Devers was hurt by his move from third to DH, and the relationship deteriorated from there. While Devers raked at the plate as Boston's designated hitter, he refused to play the field when the team was in need. He wouldn't try his hand at first base after Triston Casas suffered a season-ending injury, which prompted a visit from principal owner John Henry while the team was in Kansas City. The Red Sox drew a line and decided to move on from their highest-paid player when it was clear the two sides couldn't see eye-to-eye on what was best for the team. Devers was traded to the Giants for four players, with San Francisco taking on the remaining $250-plus million remaining on his contract. When the Red Sox and Giants square off at Oracle Park on Friday night, it will be Devers' fourth game with San Francisco. Through his first three games with his new team, Devers is 3-for-11 with a double, an RBI, and two walks. He's also struck out four times. The Giants are 1-2 with Devers, with their lone win a 2-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday. Red Sox on facing Rafael Devers While fans were shocked by the Devers trade, the team has done its best to move on quickly. Boston manager Alex Cora has been stressing how the team needs to turn the page since he first reacted to the deal on Monday, but did admit Friday's game will be a little odd. "Obviously different. And it's so recent, right? He's gonna do everything possible to kick our ass, and we're gonna do everything possible to do the same," Cora told reporters ahead of the series. "So that's the business of it. The only thing is it's so recent that it's gonna feel awkward. But I think both teams have a job to do. Let's play the game and try to win." "It will be a little weird for sure, seeing him in those colors, just because he's been here for such a long time, such a big part of this franchise," said Boston shortstop Trevor Story. "Once the game starts, I'm sure he'll tell you the same -- it's about winning. He wants to win for his team and we want to win for ours. Once the first pitch is thrown, it's all about competition at that point." Devers is obviously hoping to make some big swings and sweep his former team, and may be willing to try something new for his new organization this weekend. Will Devers play first base against the Red Sox? While Devers wouldn't play first base for Boston, he said he's willing to play anywhere in his San Francisco introduction on Tuesday. He was out taking grounders at the position after talking with reporters as a Giant for the first time, and was back at it again ahead of Thursday's game. There's been some rumblings that Devers might play some first against Boston, which would really stick it to his old team. But Devers has never played at the position in the Majors, and he'll likely remain at DH for the Giants will he get acclimated to the new spot. Devers staying at designated hitter will give Red Sox fans a chance to see old friend Dom Smith, who has been filling in at first for the Giants along with Wilmer Flores.
