Latest news with #cornerback
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Giants Coach Hints at Cornerback Competition
Giants Coach Hints at Cornerback Competition originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The New York Giants spent the offseason giving the defense a facelift. In the opening days of free agency, they signed corner Paulson Adebo and safety Jevon Holland to three-year deals, remodeling a secondary that couldn't generate turnovers in 2024. Advertisement In the NFL Draft, New York doubled down on defense, drafting edge rusher Abdul Carter with the No. 3 pick and defensive tackle Darius Alexander in the third round. In turn, general manager Joe Schoen's defense is nearly complete. His defensive line is among the league's elite and his secondary is capable of taking advantage of that prowess. The Giants' biggest question on defense now resides at that second boundary corner spot, where Deonte Banks will hope to make up ground in Year 3. However, his job isn't necessarily security, as head coach Brian Daboll hinted at a cornerback competition while speaking at minicamp. 'I would say that we'll find out who the starters are at the end of training camp,' Daboll told reporters on Wednesday. 'Guys are getting different reps against different people, not just in that spot, in different areas as well. And we'll give everybody an opportunity to earn their role.' Banks' main competition looks to be Cor'Dale Flott, who New York has asked to play both perimeter and slot corner in recent seasons. Neither played particularly well in 2024 – Banks struggled mightily at times – but both stand to benefit from the offseason additions. Advertisement Holland's coverage skills add another layer of security over the top, Adebo allows them to take on opposing teams' second option, and the pass rush should put them in positions to win. 'I'd say there's a number of spots open, I'm not going to get into specific stuff,' he added. 'We think a lot of Deonte, we think a lot of Flott. They both produced for us in a number of different ways and they both deserve an opportunity to compete.' That opportunity starts in late July when training gives the staff an opportunity to get an extended look at its roster battles. Banks' effort questions stained his season, and his struggles against top receivers were a significant hurdle. Flott offers a lower ceiling, but seemingly a higher floor, although Banks' draft capital likely provides a leg up in this competition. Daboll insisted the decision will be merit-based, Advertisement 'Again, there's open competition in a lot of spots and we'll give everybody an opportunity to earn the role,' he said. 'Whoever earns it will be the ones that play.' Related: Ducks Fly Together: Kayvon Praises Giants' Chemistry Related: 3 Questions Will Define Giants' Defense This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Should the Ravens have an interest in Jaire Alexander after the Packers release him?
The Ravens are always doing their due diligence on elite talent, and one of the top cornerbacks in the league is set to hit the open market. Ian Rapoport reports that Green Bay is preparing to release Jaire Alexander on Monday. Alexander has missed at least 10 games in three of his last four seasons, but he's still one of the best in the NFL when healthy. Alexander played just seven games in 2024, marking the second straight season in which he missed at least 10 games due to injury. The former Pro Bowler also played just four games in 2021. This spring, general manager Brian Gutekunst told the media that Alexander's absences have been "tough on the player [and] tough on the organization," which signed the cornerback to an $84 million extension in 2022. Advertisement Designating him a post-June 1 release would save more than $17 million against the 2025 salary cap. The Ravens' cornerback group includes Marlon Humphrey, Chidobe Awuzie, Nate Wiggins, T.J. Tampa, and Jalyn Armour-Davis, among others. Baltimore selected two cornerbacks in April's draft (Bilhal Kone, Robert Longerbeam). The addition of Alexander could allow Marlon Humphrey to remain in the slot comfortably. This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Packers are releasing CB Jaire Alexander
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Who are the best defenders in the NFL?
Who are the best defenders in the NFL? | Football 301 Yahoo Sports NFL analyst Nate Tice, fantasy analyst Matt Harmon and NFL writer Charles McDonald discuss their choices for the top players on the defensive side of the ball - and why two players in particular stand out. Hear the full conversation on 'Football 301' - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , YouTube or wherever you listen. View more Video Transcript Playing cornerback is so, so hard. Advertisement I think they have the toughest job in the NFL like covering these, uh, especially nowadays were number one receivers travel all over the place, like you just don't get a lot of guys like Pater Tan who tracks the number one wide receiver, who, you know, maybe doesn't go into the slot all the time, but when he does, he can be just as, you know, uh, much of a force of racing player as he is on the outside. He's a man coverage on 40% of the snaps. Johnson's 21%. Patrick Pierson is his year is 23%. This is lockdown. This is like, this is what it looks like. This is Revis Island. This is what these dudes look like, size. Advertisement He's an unbelievable tackler. Only one missed tackle last year, 45 or 46 tackle attempts, lowest missed tackle rate among any defender in the entire NFL and he's a corner. And just looking back at his combine, it was honestly crazier than I remember. 62208. Uh, 1.57, 10 yard, 441 40, 40 inch vertical, almost 11 ft on the broad jump. I mean, long arms too, right? Yeah, long arms 2, 32.5. So that's like offensive, yeah, it's pedigree and was coached by Nick Saban. And he was the 2nd quarter selected. Figure that one out. Figure that one out. But you had Micah Parsons at #1, so did I. But why did you have Parsons at 1? Advertisement After Micah came back from injury last year, dude, he was feral, like absolutely feral, and every single snap, he was dedicating his entire life force to try and get a win for the Cowboys. And what that looks. is someone who is basically unblockable and has quarterbacks like running for their lives every single snap. I think this year, if you need to pick up back where he left off, I, I think this could potentially be a career year for him, uh, and I just don't think he really has any holes in his game. He had 11 sacks from week 10 to week 18. He had 11 sacks in one half of a season. I, I don't know if anyone knows needs. Advertisement this, but 11 times 2 is 22. So you basically at a 20 sack rate, he had 8 pressures when he was double teamed. Next highest, highest was Next highest was 4. He's a force of nature, so I totally agree with you. Anybody that criticizes him for being like online too much or like doing a podcast, like, well, is he really putting the work in? Like, I mean, shut the hell up. Like, yeah, like watch him play for 2 seconds.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Michigan State Spartans Extend Offer to 3-Star Cornerback Recruit Amarion Queen To Deepen Defensive Secondary
Michigan State Spartans Extend Offer to 3-Star Cornerback Recruit Amarion Queen To Deepen Defensive Secondary originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The class of 2026 recruiting class for the Michigan State Spartans is heavy on offense with only four of its 12 recruits playing on the defensive side of the ball. Advertisement Looking to shift that trend, the Spartans extended an offer to a cornerback from Stuart, Fla. Michigan State's secondary coach Blue King/Lansing State Journal/USA TODAY NETWORK Amarion Queen, the 3-star cornerback from Martin County High School, posted to X with the news of the Spartans' interest after his conversation with secondary coach Blue Adams. Initially, Queen was committed to USF, but just recently reopened his commitment on June 7. Michigan State is one of the two top teams eyeing the cornerback. According to 247Sports Composite rankings, he's the No. 120 cornerback overall and No. 170 out of Florida. While these spots might not be impressive, Michigan State's defensive class of recruits is only slowly piecing together. Head coach Jonathan Smith's recruiting resume is also just starting to grow without suffering any decommitments. Advertisement Outside of cornerback, Queen also plays wide receiver at Martin County. He totaled 413 yards on 18 catches with five touchdowns. On the defensive end, he totaled 22 tackles, five pass break-ups, and three interceptions. Queen would be joining the other 3-star secondaries, K.J. Deriso, Eliyjah Caldwell-Hardy, and Brayden Thomas. Per Michigan State Spartans On SI, a group of four to five secondary defenders is Michigan State's goal with this recruiting class. It will be crucial for Smith and Adams to schedule a visit for Queen in East Lansing. Currently, the Spartans are up against Purdue, the other likely home for the cornerback. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
Washington Post
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Sauce Gardner says new Jets coaches trying to get 'perfection' out of him is what he needs
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Sauce Gardner is trying to cook up an even better version of himself this season for the New York Jets . And the star cornerback's new defensive coordinator is pushing him to get there. 'It's so many things that I feel like Sauce can do,' Steve Wilks said during the Jets' three-day minicamp this week. 'Again, the word 'consistent.' He's been a Pro Bowl player. How consistent can he be to take it to another level? And that's one of the things that I challenged him Day 1 when we had our conversation.'
