New York Giants' Cam Skattebo explains decision to wear No. 44
The number a player wears on the football field often has some kind of meaning. Some players wear the number of a player they want to emulate, generational talents often wear the same number as their family members, highly-valued and skilled players at times request the number of a former great on the team that selected them, and still others wear a number with a different meaning altogether.
New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo chose to wear No. 44 for his family, as he revealed in a recent interview with Kay Adams.
"Obviously I wanted No. 4, but it's retired," Skattebo said on Up & Adams. "My brother wore No. 44 in high school and growing up, and I've worn it a couple times in the past, so it's kind of a family number, a generational thing for me and my family. I wear one four for me and one four for him."
Advertisement
Skattebo wore No. 4 at Arizona State, but the Giants retired No. 4 after Tuffy Leemans was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978. Skattebo didn't ask to wear it, he simply chose a different number that had meaning to him.
Another notable Giants running back, Ahmad Bradshaw, also wore No. 44.
Bradshaw was with the Giants from 2007-2012, and over those six seasons, he carried the ball 921 times for 4,232 yards and 32 touchdowns. He also had 132 receptions for 1,087 yards and three more touchdowns.
Skattebo may not be wearing the No. 4 he wanted, but No. 44 isn't so bad, either.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants' Cam Skattebo explains decision to wear No. 44
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Has Dak Prescott dropped to the bottom of the 2025 NFC East QB rankings?
Has Dak Prescott dropped to the bottom of the 2025 NFC East QB rankings? Since entering the league in 2016, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has consistently dominated the NFC East. He was the top quarterback when he was named Rookie of the Year, and led the team to the NFC's top seed. Draft classmate Carson Wentz bubbled up in 2017, but Prescott has reigned as the division's top signal caller almost every step of the way. He has a record of 33-8 against NFC East opponents, so the domination has been evident across all areas, not just statistically, as long as he's been healthy. Heading into 2025, things could be taking a different direction. Prescott had possibly his worst season before suffering another significant injury. The New York Giants drafted someone they hope will be the future franchise quarterback, while Jalen Hurts and Washington Commanders' rookie Jayden Daniels led their teams to the NFC Championship game. Will a healthy Prescott bounce back to continue his dominance, or will the younger options develop into the new stars who take the division into the future? 4. New York Giants Russell Wilson is at a point in his career where he is a year-to-year rental, not a franchise guy. His 2024 Pro Football Focus grades are all over 70, with a passing grade of 74.5 from 11 games where he threw for 2,482 yards at nearly 64% completion percentage with a 16:5 TD:INT ratio. Those aren't electric numbers, but he can keep a team competitive if everyone around him plays well. Wilson takes too many sacks and has success rate under 44%.Jameis Winston is the opposite. He can still put an offense on his back and throw a team to victory with four touchdown passes, but he could also lose said game with four interceptions. He makes for a perfect backup QB, plus is excellent in a locker room and great with the media. Winston had a better success rate than Wilson last year while taking fewer sacks and having a better QBR. The difference is that he had 13 touchdowns to 12 interceptions because that is the type of quarterback he is. The Giants traded back into the first round of the draft to select Jaxson Dart to be the future of the franchise. Dart played better each season in college, taking a significant leap after leaving USC and transferring to Ole Miss for his final two years. He had PFF grades over 90 in every category except against pressure, which was still a quality grade of 69. Head coach Brian Daboll helped develop Josh Allen into the MVP he is today, and while Dart doesn't possess his physical gifts, he is mobile enough and capable of making full field reads in college. 3. Dallas Cowboys Prescott was an All-Pro and placed second in the MVP vote a year ago, so how could the Cowboys be the third team in quarterback rankings going into 2025? In reality he was having a poor season when he suffered yet another season-ending leg injury. His PFF grades were under 68 in overall and passing, and the team had a record of 3-5 in starts by Prescott. His surroundings were an issue all year, with poor offensive line play, a lack of a running game, and his one true receiving weapon missing training camp. He was also burdened with a lame-duck coaching staff. Joe Milton is what the Cowboys have been searching for in recent years at this position. A young developmental talent with a big arm and solid mobility. Milton has an arm as good as any in the NFL, and while he isn't a scrambling quarterback, he can maneuver in the pocket and escape to make a play if necessary. He didn't play in a scheme that translates to the NFL while at Tennessee, so it may take him a while to understand the nuances of play-calling and the details of the position. If Milton ever develops, he could be an exceptional talent. Will Grier could be the backup for situations where Prescott misses a half or a game. He understands how to run an offense, but he isn't as talented as Milton, 2. Washington Commanders Jayden Daniels appears to be a franchise-changing quarterback who has a strong case to be the best in the division. As a rookie in 2024, he took a 4-13 team to a 12-5 record and a conference championship game for the first time since 1991. He didn't appear to have many weaknesses as PFF graded him 89.6 overall with a passing grade of 83 and a rushing grade of 88.2. Daniels threw for nearly a 70% completion percentage with 25 touchdown passes and an interception percentage under 2. He had over 3,500 passing yards and just under 900 rushing yards. The only knock on Daniels is that he is new, and with an offseason to watch his tape, defenses could have a better plan to impact his play. Will he be the next quarterback with a sophomore slump like Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud or take a second-season leap into the championship stratosphere? Marcus Mariota found his sweet spot in Kliff Kingsbury's offense last season. He only played in three games, but his metrics were easily the best of his career. He had a completion percentage of 77% with a touchdown rate over 9% and no turnovers. He had a PFF passing grade of over 90 and an overall grade of 88.9. He fits perfectly behind Daniels because he has the same type of mobility; Kingsbury doesn't have to change his offense. Josh Johnson only threw three passes in 2024, but he is a veteran who also fits the Daniels and Mariota mold and will serve as the emergency quarterback. 1. Philadelphia Eagles Jalen Hurts ranking first is a controversial move as he didn't throw for 3,000 yards nor 20 touchdowns, and his PFF passing grade is only 66.8. In terms of throwing the football, Hurts is third in the division, at best. His importance comes in different ways. Hurts is a game-changer in short yardage, making the Eagles nearly unstoppable. He makes clutch scrambles to extend drives and wear down defenses. His PFF rushing grade was 88.7, and he ran for 630 yards. Hurts is limited as a passer, but he knows how to operate in a Nick Sirianni offense. If he has one-on-one outside, then he will hit A.J. Brown or DeVonta Smith on a vertical route. If a defense stays back, he will take a drop off to the tight end running underneath, across the field. Hurts might need a loaded offense to succeed, but he is going to have it next season, at a minimum. He could be a back-to-back Super Bowl MVP and deserves his credit as the top guy in the NFC East going into 2025. Backup Tanner McKee has started once and has thrown the ball 45 times in two games. He threw for four scores, had zero interceptions, and had a QB rating of 117. Dorian Thompson-Robinson has five starts but has only thrown for one touchdown and 10 interceptions. Rookie Kyle McCord was drafted in the sixth round and is unlikely to be a significant contributor even if Hurts misses any games. You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or Bluesky @
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
'Feeling rejuvenated': Davante Adams fitting in well with Rams
Davante Adams lined up on the right side, ran a short slant pattern to the middle of the field, and then caught a pass from Matthew Stafford and sprinted up the middle toward the end zone. A few players later, Adams crossed the field left to right and then extended his 6-foot-1 frame while leaping high to grab a pass over the middle for another significant gain. Advertisement It's only organized team activities, conducted without pads, but Adams demonstrated on Tuesday that he has quickly immersed himself in the Rams' offense and culture since the three-time All-Pro receiver signed a free-agent contract in March. 'It's been exactly what I needed,' said Adams, a 12th-year pro. 'Feeling rejuvenated. … It feels like I've been on the team for a couple years just based on how open and receptive the guys have been to me.' Adams, 32, is expected to provide Stafford and coach Sean McVay another weapon for a team that will open the season among teams regarded as Super Bowl contenders. Adams played eight seasons with the Green Bay Packers before playing two-and-a-half seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders and half a season with the New York Jets. Advertisement Read more: Rams' Jared Verse and Braden Fiske look to run it back again Adams said the Rams' 'college-type camaraderie' and the 'vibe and the aura' in and around Rams facility in Woodland Hills makes the game fun. 'Everybody's in a good mood,' he said. 'It's not like a dark cloud is over the building. And I've experienced that quite a bit over the last few years. 'So it's a glaring difference when you come into a building like this.' Adams has brightened the outlook for a team that was already confident after finishing with a 10-7 record and advancing to the NFC divisional round last season. After releasing longtime star receiver Cooper Kupp, the Rams added Adams to a receiver corps that includes young star Puka Nacua, Tutu Atwell and Jordan Whittington. Advertisement Adams, who has played in the NFL with passers such as Aaron Rodgers, Derek Carr and Jimmy Garoppolo, sees the game 'through a quarterback lens,' McVay said. 'He's got so many experiences,' he said. Playing with Stafford will be a new one. Stafford and Adams were on opposite sides of the field for years when Stafford played for the Detroit Lions while Adams caught passes from Rodgers with the Packers. 'I've played against him a bunch, so I kind of know what he's about,' Stafford, 37, said at the start of organized team activities in May. 'Obviously, I've grown to have even more appreciation just being in the room with him and working with him. So, he's got a great career going and I'm just happy to be a part of it.' Advertisement Adams and Stafford said they are constantly communicating before, immediately after and sometimes into the night after a series of plays. 'Those are the best relationships I've had with the receivers and the most success that I've had is guys that want to talk to you on what they felt, what they were doing,' Stafford said. 'I can also say, 'Hey, this is what it looks like from my angle,' and go from there. 'But he definitely has that feeling, he has that understanding and that's a huge positive.' Said Adams: 'He makes it easy for a guy like me. … As long as he's throwing the ball, I will figure out a way to get it.' Advertisement Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said it was 'cool to watch,' Stafford and Adams, 'two vets north of 30' years old develop a connection on and off the field. 'Those two have got a lot of wisdom,' LaFleur said. 'They played a lot of good football, a lot of meaningful football, a lot of productive football. … I think it's been fun for both those guys.' Nacua and Atwell already have learned from Adams. 'From the moment he walked in,' Nacua said, 'he's been willing to offer information, to have new drills, to have a completely different mindset of somebody who's played in various offenses, very different schemes and stuff like that. Advertisement 'So it's been exciting to hear from him.' Kupp is gone, but Adams has stepped in as a veteran mentor, Atwell said. 'Just pretty much pick his brain,' Atwell said, before adding with a chuckle, 'seeing what I can steal and take and put in my bag that I can use.' The Rams will conclude organized team activities this week and then travel to Maui for a minicamp. With McVay, Stafford and a young nucleus of talented players, Adams is eager for the upcoming season. 'Just knowing how hungry this team is,' he said, 'and seeing the work that they're still putting in after having a year like last year, it just kind of confirms that I'm in the right place.' Etc. McVay was asked about the Rams' interest in signing two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander, who was released by the Packers. 'Nothing but respect for the player, but I don't know if that's a direction we would go,' McVay said. He said there was 'no news' regarding the Rams continued interest in possibly trading for Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey. … The Rams announced that they will celebrate former star defensive lineman Aaron Donald during their Nov. 23 game against Tampa Bay. The first 60,000 fans in attendance will receive a Donald bobblehead. Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
4 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
‘Feeling rejuvenated': Davante Adams fitting in well with Rams
Davante Adams lined up on the right side, ran a short slant pattern to the middle of the field, and then caught a pass from Matthew Stafford and sprinted up the middle toward the end zone. A few players later, Adams crossed the field left to right and then extended his 6-foot-1 frame while leaping high to grab a pass over the middle for another significant gain. It's only organized team activities, conducted without pads, but Adams demonstrated on Tuesday that he has quickly immersed himself in the Rams' offense and culture since the three-time All-Pro receiver signed a free-agent contract in March. 'It's been exactly what I needed,' said Adams, a 12th-year pro. 'Feeling rejuvenated. … It feels like I've been on the team for a couple years just based on how open and receptive the guys have been to me.' Adams, 32, is expected to provide Stafford and coach Sean McVay another weapon for a team that will open the season among teams regarded as Super Bowl contenders. Adams played eight seasons with the Green Bay Packers before playing two-and-a-half seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders and half a season with the New York Jets. Adams said the Rams' 'college-type camaraderie' and the 'vibe and the aura' in and around Rams facility in Woodland Hills makes the game fun. 'Everybody's in a good mood,' he said. 'It's not like a dark cloud is over the building. And I've experienced that quite a bit over the last few years. 'So it's a glaring difference when you come into a building like this.' Adams has brightened the outlook for a team that was already confident after finishing with a 10-7 record and advancing to the NFC divisional round last season. After releasing longtime star receiver Cooper Kupp, the Rams added Adams to a receiver corps that includes young star Puka Nacua, Tutu Atwell and Jordan Whittington. Adams, who has played in the NFL with passers such as Aaron Rodgers, Derek Carr and Jimmy Garoppolo, sees the game 'through a quarterback lens,' McVay said. 'He's got so many experiences,' he said. Playing with Stafford will be a new one. Stafford and Adams were on opposite sides of the field for years when Stafford played for the Detroit Lions while Adams caught passes from Rodgers with the Packers. 'I've played against him a bunch, so I kind of know what he's about,' Stafford, 37, said at the start of organized team activities in May. 'Obviously, I've grown to have even more appreciation just being in the room with him and working with him. So, he's got a great career going and I'm just happy to be a part of it.' Adams and Stafford said they are constantly communicating before, immediately after and sometimes into the night after a series of plays. 'Those are the best relationships I've had with the receivers and the most success that I've had is guys that want to talk to you on what they felt, what they were doing,' Stafford said. 'I can also say, 'Hey, this is what it looks like from my angle,' and go from there. 'But he definitely has that feeling, he has that understanding and that's a huge positive.' Said Adams: 'He makes it easy for a guy like me. … As long as he's throwing the ball, I will figure out a way to get it.' Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said it was 'cool to watch,' Stafford and Adams, 'two vets north of 30' years old develop a connection on and off the field. 'Those two have got a lot of wisdom,' LaFleur said. 'They played a lot of good football, a lot of meaningful football, a lot of productive football. … I think it's been fun for both those guys.' Nacua and Atwell already have learned from Adams. 'From the moment he walked in,' Nacua said, 'he's been willing to offer information, to have new drills, to have a completely different mindset of somebody who's played in various offenses, very different schemes and stuff like that. 'So it's been exciting to hear from him.' Kupp is gone, but Adams has stepped in as a veteran mentor, Atwell said. 'Just pretty much pick his brain,' Atwell said, before adding with a chuckle, 'seeing what I can steal and take and put in my bag that I can use.' The Rams will conclude organized team activities this week and then travel to Maui for a minicamp. With McVay, Stafford and a young nucleus of talented players, Adams is eager for the upcoming season. 'Just knowing how hungry this team is,' he said, 'and seeing the work that they're still putting in after having a year like last year, it just kind of confirms that I'm in the right place.' McVay was asked about the Rams' interest in signing two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander, who was released by the Packers. 'Nothing but respect for the player, but I don't know if that's a direction we would go,' McVay said. He said there was 'no news' regarding the Rams continued interest in possibly trading for Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey. … The Rams announced that they will celebrate former star defensive lineman Aaron Donald during their Nov. 23 game against Tampa Bay. The first 60,000 fans in attendance will receive a Donald bobblehead.
