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New York Times
8 minutes ago
- New York Times
Whose Steelers' stock is up and down after 10 practices? Ramsey, Metcalf and more
Ten practices into training camp, GM Omar Khan's busy offseason is already paying dividends. Two of the Steelers' top performers are trade acquisitions: DB Jalen Ramsey and WR DK Metcalf. Had the Steelers dealt Minkah Fitzpatrick for just Ramsey, they may have won that trade. Ramsey has been that instinctive, that athletic and that versatile while playing in the nickel, free safety and outside corner. He'll help the Steelers bring more nickel pressures, lock down tight ends, disguise coverages and get back to playing more man-to-man defenses. This looks like a defense much more capable of, for instance, defending the Bengals' many receiving threats, and Ramsey's arrival is a huge reason why. Advertisement Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers' quick release and Metcalf's massive frame have led to numerous successful slants. That appears to be a big part of the playbook. Let's look at who else's stock is up and whose is down, with plenty of training camp still to come… DT Derrick Harmon: The first-round pick has been thrown right into the mix as a starter in the base defense and sub packages. He's been as-advertised. His physicality has helped bottle up runs during padded practices. His quick hips and strong hands have made him a pass-rush threat, capable of being an impact player in passing situations. TE Darnell Washington as a receiving threat: The massive tight end has always been a dominant blocker, but the Steelers haven't taken advantage of his pass-catching ability enough. That could be changing, as Washington has made a number of outstanding catches during camp. That stood out when the Steelers were struggling Sunday during goal-line drills; the lone touchdown came when Aaron Rodgers put the ball up high where only Washington could catch it. WR Scotty Miller: The Steelers kept five wide receivers last year. The top five coming into camp were DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Robert Woods and Ben Skowronek. However, when Rodgers has struggled and needed to find a completion, Miller has often been the player stepping up. Stylistically, Miller's crisp route running and shifty playing style would marry well with Rodgers, who wants to play with timing and anticipation. I wonder if Miller can lap Woods or if the Steelers may consider keeping six WRs to get Miller onto the roster. Depth DBs (Brandin Echols, James Pierre): By adding high-end talent atop the depth chart like Ramsey and Darius Slay, the Steelers have strengthened the group as a whole. Echols is making his case to be the first CB off the bench and has the versatility to play in the nickel, creating a bit of a competition with Beanie Bishop for playing time. (They should both make the team.) Meanwhile, Pierre sits on the roster bubble because of all those upgrades. However, he intercepted Mason Rudolph to end the two-minute drill during Friday Night Lights and picked off two more passes the next day during one-on-one periods. Pierre's excellent gunning ability could help his cause. Advertisement RB Kenneth Gainwell: Gainwell caught the Steelers' eye last year, when the former Eagles running back beat Pittsburgh in the flat repeatedly. OC Arthur Smith has taken full advantage of Gainwell's diverse skill set, lining him up as a receiver and throwing him the ball out of the backfield. He'll be another chess piece in an offense that likes wildcards. I've also been struck by Gainwell's feel for outsize-zone runs, where he has good patience and the quick-twitch necessary to hit holes when they form. He could be carving out a large role in the offense. No. 1 defense talk: Multiple Steelers players, including Cameron Heyward and DeShon Elliott, haven't been afraid to say this year's team could be the NFL's No. 1 defense. It's a star-studded lineup full of All-Pros and Pro Bowlers. Especially with Ramsey playing closer to the line of scrimmage, they've made life miserable for the Steelers' offense. There's a ton of talent and depth on that side of the ball. ILBs who can cover: Tomlin said he believes the Steelers now have the cornerbacks to play man coverage against anyone. To do so, the inside linebackers are also part of that conversation. Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson have both been excellent in coverage. Wilson competing against Gainwell during one-on-one passing drills has been must-watch. Defensive schematic changes: Beyond the personnel changes, the Steelers have also evolved their defensive philosophy, specifically with more Cover 4. When the Steelers have played quarters coverage, they're capping verticals with corners and safeties to force Rodgers to check the ball down underneath. It also seems the communication issues that plagued this team last year have been remedied to a degree by some of these coverage tweaks. OT Broderick Jones: A groin injury robbed Jones of valuable developmental time in camp. He was better in one-on-one pass-rush drills in pads on Sunday. But overall he's missed a lot of camp, and until he consistently shows progress, it's worth wondering how much he'll improve in Year 3. Maybe as he gets healthier and has the chance to play in pads more often, the 20 pounds he lost will make a difference. Advertisement The WR2 contenders: Roman Wilson looks the part after a strong offseason — however, he's still not on the same page with Rodgers. The two most noticeable reps were incompletions in which Rodgers and Wilson didn't come close to connecting. Meanwhile, Calvin Austin III has missed the last two days with an injury. The chemistry with receivers not named Metcalf needs to improve considerably. DeMarvin Leal: With a tweener body type, Leal has never been able to carve out his niche on defense. He's been playing mostly as an outside linebacker in camp, but the Steelers already have four locks in T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig and Jack Sawyer. I could see Leal landing on the outside looking in after cut-down day. Needed improvements in run game: Through three practices in pads, the offense has struggled to find anywhere to run the ball. Maybe the Steelers' remade defensive front is just that good. But as Sunday's goal-line period showed, even when they only need a yard, it's been tough sledding. Vertical passing game: Metcalf has been one of the NFL's best deep threats throughouth his career. So far in team settings (seven-on-seven and 11-on-11), Rodgers and Metcalf haven't been able to take the top off the defense at all. The optimistic way to look at this is that the defense is doing a better job of staying on top of verticals (in part because of coverage changes). But if opponents know that they don't have to worry about the go ball, it's going to make short, quick passes more challenging to convert.
New York Times
10 minutes ago
- New York Times
New York Knicks mailbag: Giannis watch and could Ben Simmons be a serious option?
The NBA calendar is smack dab in the middle of its most dull period. But, of course, the Knicks remain busy. Last week, the franchise signed Mikal Bridges to a four-year, $150 million extension, keeping New York's core that made the Eastern Conference finals this past season intact for the next few years. New Knicks head coach Mike Brown recently added former Sacramento Kings assistants Riccardo Fois and Charles Allen to his staff and is also eying current Charlotte Hornets assistant coach Chris Jent, per league sources. As for the roster, after signing Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele this offseason, the Knicks still have room to sign a veteran's minimum player and a player on a rookie deal. As we wait to see if New York inks extensions with Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson, let's answer reader questions on the offseason so far and the upcoming season. This is Part 1 of a two-part mailbag. Did the Mikal extension have any connection/correlation with the Giannis (Antetokounmpo) situation in Milwaukee? — @aaron24_8__2 It is my understanding that Leon Rose and company have been monitoring Giannis Antetokounmpo's situation in Milwaukee very closely, even before the offseason started. Many around the league believe the Knicks are interested in star hunting, and while that opportunity hasn't popped up yet, I certainly believe it's in the cards if the right situation presents itself. Advertisement As for the Bridges extension, I don't think it's a coincidence that New York waited this long into the summer to get it done. The Giannis situation has lingered (and is continuing to somewhat linger), but people I've talked to are fairly confident Antetokounmpo will start next season with Milwaukee. I also don't think it's a coincidence that the Knicks signed Bridges to an extension before Aug. 6. A player who signs an extension can't be traded for six months. If Bridges signed his extension on Aug. 6 or later, he wouldn't be eligible to get moved until next summer, as six months from Aug. 6 would take us past the expected February trade deadline. The fact that Bridges signed before then makes him eligible to be traded, if the Knicks choose to do that, before the deadline. I don't believe New York did this because it is without a doubt trading Bridges. I believe Rose and company did this to give themselves some flexibility in the event something — like Giannis wanting out — becomes a possibility. Is Ben Simmons really a serious option the Knicks are considering? They certainly need another playmaker, but I don't know about Ben. — @2lowtech Simmons has been talked about around the Knicks, per league sources, with their minimum roster slot. If you're asking me what I think of the fit, I wouldn't be a fan of the signing. Yes, he'd add some much-needed size to the backcourt. Yes, a defensive lineup of Simmons, Bridges and Anunoby would be intriguing for small portions of a game. However, I'm not a fan of having to have a tailor-made offense for a backup point guard. Simmons' inability to shoot — or even look at the basket — makes it so that Brown couldn't successfully play him with non-shooters like Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson. Giving significant minutes to a guard or wing who isn't willingly looking to score isn't something I'd sign up for. Advertisement New York needs to embrace its five-out spacing this season more than it did last year, and adding someone like Simmons to the rotation makes it trickier to do that. How realistic does it look that the Knicks will offer Mitchell Robinson an extension/new deal with the second apron? — @HerlihyRobert To me, the Robinson situation has more to do with New York's uncertainty about whether the oft-injured big man can stay healthy. As things stand now, Robinson is extension-eligible. Until he signs an extension, he'll play next season on a $12.9 million expiring contract. There are a couple of ways to look at this situation. Let's start from the Knicks' perspective. Would New York like Robinson back beyond next season? I'm sure it would for the right price. I'm just not sure the Knicks are even willing to give out a contract similar to the one Robinson is currently finishing due to the fact that he hasn't been available for a large part of the last three seasons. The team has to consider its financial situation going forward, and not everyone on the roster can get paid. Furthermore, other teams around the NBA respect Robinson as a player but are frightened by his size and injury history. It might make sense in the Knicks' mind, if they do want to bring him back after this season, to allow him to test the open market next year. It would give them an opportunity — though risky because he'd be an unrestricted free agent — to see what his value is to other teams and potentially get him for cheaper than they would now by signing him to an extension. I get why New York would want to wait. On the flip side, I could also see why Robinson would want to test the open market (even if I'd prefer the security given his injury history). He told us multiple times last season that he's invested more time and money into his body. If he believes he can get through the bulk of a season again without any major injury, that's a positive for him. In addition, Robinson was just one of New York's three most impactful players during a postseason run the franchise hasn't seen in 25 years. If he can do what he did this last postseason over the bulk of next year, that will bode well for him as it pertains to his next contract. Advertisement How this situation plays out will be interesting to monitor over the next 12 months. Who's the backup PG next season? Kolek? Or someone else? — @NewYork4Everr I don't think the Knicks' backup point guard for next season is on the roster yet. I'd be a bit surprised if New York started the year with Tyler Kolek playing behind Jalen Brunson. I'm not sure Kolek's ready for such a big role, considering the Knicks have such lofty expectations for next season. Miles McBride is best utilized as an off-ball guard, in my opinion. However, I wouldn't be stunned if he took on backup point-guard duties next year. I'm expecting New York to use its veteran's minimum spot on the point guard position, with names like Simmons, Malcolm Brogdon, Delon Wright and Monté Morris worth monitoring. (Photo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jalen Brunson: Evan Bernstein / Getty Images)
New York Times
10 minutes ago
- New York Times
Why 2020 No. 3 pick Jeff Okudah and the Vikings are the perfect fit for each other
EAGAN, Minn. — Over the winter, Jeff Okudah contacted Adam Stewart, a physical therapist and athletic trainer at Ohio State. Okudah's fifth NFL season was wrapping up, and he didn't know how much longer he wanted to dedicate himself to a dream that had scarred his body and mind. Okudah had rehabbed a torn labrum in college with Stewart. Deep conversations formed a relationship that they'd both worked to maintain. Advertisement 'He is one of the most cerebral people I have ever been around,' Stewart said recently. 'He is a guy who really thinks through everything that's being said, and everything that he says.' Contemplating his future after playing 77 snaps for the Houston Texans in 2024 had led Okudah back to Stewart. He asked if Stewart could concoct a letter of recommendation for an MBA program. Of course, Stewart agreed. He typed up a draft and saved it on his computer. That's where it remains. As it turns out, Okudah wasn't ready yet for Stewart to hit send. He wasn't ready to let go of the game that has given him solace from so much trauma. Okudah, 26, still believes. And perhaps just as important is that he's found a team in the Minnesota Vikings and a defensive coordinator in Brian Flores who still believe in him. 'We're going to have him in a role we feel pretty strongly about,' coach Kevin O'Connell said last week. 'To see him take it and run with it early on — he's had a phenomenal camp.' Flores smirked wryly at the mention of Okudah on Saturday. In 2020, when the Detroit Lions selected Okudah with the No. 3 pick, Flores' Miami Dolphins were focused on quarterbacks. They would select Tua Tagovailoa at No. 5, but during the pre-draft process, Flores watched the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Okudah. The defensive coordinator has remained intrigued because Okudah possesses many of the characteristics that coaches in Flores' defensive tree look for at the position: speed, length and toughness. While reimagining his defense for 2025, Flores reviewed Okudah's more recent tape with the Texans and Atlanta Falcons. What he didn't know was that Okudah had been spending time reading about his defense. 'I saw some of the articles writing about the versatility of this (Vikings) defense,' Okudah said. 'It caught my eye.' A few days into the free agency period, Minnesota's front office invited Okudah for a visit. The staffers impressed upon him that they thought he could contribute. Okudah wasn't sold by the words so much as the tone in which they were uttered. This didn't take Stewart by surprise. Some of Okudah's former coaches weren't shocked by that, either. Advertisement 'Jeff is one of those guys who plays for people,' said Greg Schiano, now the head coach at Rutgers. 'When he has a connection with a coach, he really plays for that coach.' Schiano reaped the rewards of that in Okudah's first two years at Ohio State. The two had developed a bond during Okudah's recruitment. That's how Okudah, then the No. 1 cornerback in the country from Grand Prairie, Texas, chose the Buckeyes over Florida State, Oklahoma, Georgia and Alabama. That's why Okudah played the early portion of his college career with a shredded shoulder. Their relationship was fused even further in January 2017, when Schiano informed the young freshman that Okudah's mother, Marie, had passed away after a battle with lymphoma. That news rattled Okudah to the core, evident in a letter he penned in The Players Tribune three years later. 'Dear Mom,' he wrote, 'I'm going to start by telling you something you already know: I miss you.' Football offered an outlet for his grief. Schiano never lost sight of how much Okudah was navigating inside. Neither did Jeff Hafley, who replaced Schiano as Ohio State's defensive backs coach in 2019. Hafley earned Okudah's trust by picking his brain. He didn't holler. He wouldn't berate him after a blown coverage. Instead, they dissected the nuances of the position, which Okudah has always been able to handle. Coincidentally, O'Connell, who is close friends with Hafley from their shared time with the Cleveland Browns in 2015, attended Okudah's pro day at Ohio State. 'I remember spending time with Jeff,' O'Connell said, 'and thinking to myself, 'This guy is going to be a top-five pick.'' 'Okudah owns the necessary physical and mental makeup to be a No. 1 cornerback early in his NFL career,' wrote The Athletic's Dane Brugler at the time, 'projecting as one of the best defensive prospects in the 2020 draft class.' The Lions nabbed him at No. 3. Advertisement But a groin injury torpedoed Okudah's rookie season. He tore his Achilles in the first game of his second season. In 2022, Okudah played well, holding up admirably in the first three weeks against DeVonta Smith, Terry McLaurin and Justin Jefferson. It helped that Okudah had safety help against the Vikings in Week 3, but Detroit's staff had only asked him to press Jefferson and trail him across the field. A refined role, one that he performed admirably. Rookie CB Jeff Okudah's first career interception! #OnePride 📺: #DETvsAZ on FOX📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: — NFL (@NFL) September 27, 2020 That year climaxed with an interception of Justin Fields in Chicago. Afterward, Okudah skipped joyfully off the field and then said, 'Winning these games, being able to make plays, I don't take any of that for granted. I've seen the other side of it.' He would see the other side again. An ankle injury in training camp sidelined him to open the 2023 season in Atlanta. Last year with the Texans, he aggravated his hip in Week 1 and missed the next nine games. A concussion ended his season in Week 17 and had him knocking on the door of leaving the game entirely. So why didn't he? Why is he still doing this? What is it that convinced him this time could be different? The answers to those questions are as much about the Vikings' views of him as they are about his goals for this fall. 'He's said how much he's excited about it there,' Stewart said. 'And that's one thing that can't be understated: He's smart enough to know when people have his best interest in mind, and to know who's really there to help him. He's not just going to let everybody in his circle.' Okudah is going to have to stay healthy for this story to have a spectacular finish. He's going to have to continue to marinate in a defense as complex as any in the league. If Minnesota has made anything clear to him thus far, it's that none of this will have to happen alone. Last week, he walked off the field alongside Flores. They were talking specifics: techniques, fundamentals, concepts. The nitty gritty of the game he still very much loves.
