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USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Jimmy Graham thanks New Orleans and the Saints in retirement announcement
The New Orleans Saints have had a rollercoaster of an offseason so far in 2025, with the team having five retirees over the course of a few months, including franchise legend Jimmy Graham. One of the best-accomplished tight ends in NFL history, Graham had the opportunity to really showcase his talent with the Saints over the years, with a few stops on other teams. Thankfully, he will retire a Saints player and will end his career where it started back in 2010. After his intent to retire was shared by Saints team reporter John DeShazier, Graham sent out a thoughtful message to New Orleans as a whole and fans of the team that gave him an opportunity to shine. Here's the full quote: Walking away from this game is emotional... not because it's over, but because of what it gave me. New Orleans... you didn't just take a chance on a football player. You gave an orphaned basketball player a shot when the rest of the league had doubts. The coaches, the staff, my teammates... you all became family. Every yard I ran, every touchdown I fought for, I gave you my entire spirit. This city didn't just change my became a part of who I am. Forever grateful. Graham's career in New Orleans was an extremely special one, and as it finally sets in for everyone involved, hopefully, he will find a spot in the Saints Hall of Fame and Ring of Honor, where he belongs without a shadow of a doubt. Even better, a Pro Football Hall of Fame nod would be spectacular, but that is further down the road once his eligibility opens up. A legendary player, whenever he took the field, he now steps away and pursues a multitude of other goals in life, as the team looks to pay their dues to one of the best to ever don the Black and Gold.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Steelers CB Jalen Ramsey revealed what jersey number he'll wear in Pittsburgh
Roll out the red carpet, Pittsburgh — former Dolphins superstar CB Jalen Ramsey has arrived! The Steelers shocked the NFL world with their blockbuster acquisition on Monday — and it didn't take long for Ramsey to reveal what number he'd wear in Pittsburgh: No. 5. Ramsey wore No. 20 with the Jaguars and Rams, but switched to No. 5 when the new NFL jersey rule came into effect in 2021 — which allowed more positions to wear single-digit numbers. Advertisement The Steelers will lean on Ramsey, Darius Slay Jr., and Joey Porter Jr. to carry the Black and Gold secondary — a trio of talented defensive backs that will definitely have their hands full in a competitive AFC North environment. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers' Jalen Ramsey revealed his jersey number
Boston Globe
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Don Sweeney brings attitude to drive home point of Bruins' generally unspectacular additions from wide-open NHL market
Advertisement The moves Sweeney made in the open market, at a cumulative $11.525 million salary cap hit, were generally unspectacular. He filled holes with support, plug-'n-play stick carriers. But at least there was a purpose to it all, mainly a message to the top end of the lineup, the Black and Gold headliners, the best players to get their collective heads out of the area of their anatomies commonly associated with the butt end of their sticks. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'We're trying to make sure we're driving,' mused Sweeney, who played in a Bruins era when drive and compete and pride in product defined the brand. 'It should be uncomfortable [on the players]. We missed by a wide margin. We need to do better.' Advertisement What we had here was not failure to communicate. Too often prone to Crimson-laced word salad, Sweeney was frank, blunt, honest. The fetid season of 33-39-10 clearly was still stuck far up his nose. All GMs have their way of talking to fans. All have their way of talking to the media and, by extension, delivering their message to the fans, which in turn often leads to the fans shooting the messenger. But let's save that craggy path and discussion for another day. The important question after Sweeney on Tuesday hired a rather uninspiring cast — including Tanner Jeannot, Sean Kuraly, Michael Eyssimont, Jordan Harris (ex- of Northeastern), and Viktor Arvidsson (via trade) — was how he felt the Bruins' core players would interpret those additions. Because, never lose sight of Chapter 1, Hockey 101: Every NHL team needs its best players to be its best players. No mystery there. When the big names don't deliver as expected, as was the case for everyone in a Bruins uniform last season not named David Pastrnak or Morgan Geekie, then a hard rain's a-gonna fall. And man, oh man, did it fall. Sean Kuraly will carry 64 career goals in 562 games into his second stint with the Bruins. John Tlumacki/Globe Staff So, what was the message Sweeney hoped his five-pack of hires would send to the club's core, essential, big name personnel? Regular readers of this space just knew your faithful puck chronicler had to ask. Sweeney didn't hesitate to answer. 'That we've tried to support them with infusing the energy, and hopefully physicality, and the ready-to-go mentality,' he offered. 'I referenced before, to be a harder 'out,', to be in the fight to drag people in. I think [the players] know now that we've tried to support them when they're trying to lead the charge.' Advertisement If Sweeney made the right hires, put the Jacobs family cash where his mouth is, he should be applauded for it. It not, we know the smackdown he and his boss, team president Cam Neely, will face from a fandom justifiably wondering what Arvidsson, Jeannot, Kuraly, Eyssimont, and Harris have to do with competing with that kennel of big dogs the Panthers have assembled down at the edge of Alligator Alcatraz. Collectively, those guys are a handful of support players, a mélange of middle-six and bottom-six forwards while Harris is a depth defenseman. A son of the Merrimack Valley, Harris once was a Montreal draft pick (No. 71, 2018) later sent off to Columbus as compensation for Les Glorieux signing Patrik Laine. Here's what Sweeney hopes: collectively, his new hires show up here in September with an ache in their skates, a desire to make the millionaire uber class of the Bruins lineup remember life before they moved into swishy condos at the Seaport and tricked out townhouses in Charlestown. It's fine to live in those places. It ain't so fine when their games reflect the same comfort and good life that their hard work bought them. 'These guys are all in,' said Sweeney, referring to his best, highest-compensated players. 'But you need foot soldiers to go along with them to support the endeavors that they have, both at the highest competitive level but also executing at that level.' Tuesday was about paying for a new bunch foot soldiers, the stick-carrying infantry. Sweeney believes, or at least wants to believe, understand how to work, want to keep their jobs, and they'll show up here in about 10 weeks eager to show they have something to prove. Advertisement 'I think we've done a job today,' said Sweeney, who was one of those kids nearly 40 years ago, a kid off the Harvard campus eager to blaze a trail, tap vets on the shoulder, push them to be better. 'Do we have a surprise or two with the younger players . . . who can provide some secondary scoring for us? That's what needs to play out.' Sweeney executed his plan, built out the cast, forked over the dough. He better be right. If not, then it will be buyer's remorse, and the groans in the TD Garden will grow louder than ever. Kevin Paul Dupont can be reached at
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
3 takeaways from the Steelers landing Jalen Ramsey
The never-ending speculation can finally end — Jalen Ramsey is now a Pittsburgh Steeler! After a month of Ramsey-to-Pittsburgh rumors, the Steelers pulled off the mother-of-all blockbuster trades to land the three-time All-Pro cornerback, with an added bonus in TE Jonnu Smith. Here are the three biggest takeaways from the Steelers-Dolphins trade for Jalen Ramsey: Steelers have the best defense in the NFL Oct 29, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) reacts prior to the game against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports Ramsey's arrival in Pittsburgh leaves no doubt — the Steelers have the best defense in the NFL. While losing Minkah Fitzpatrick is concerning, his lack of splash plays and impact on the defense had begun to decline over the past few seasons. The Steelers have options to replace him, including the newly acquired Ramsey in certain defensive packages. From the defensive line to the secondary, this Black and Gold defense is ready to compete with the very elite in the NFL. Ramsey in, Beanie out? Jan 4, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. (31) celebrates after intercepting a Cincinnati Bengals pass during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images The exceptional undrafted cornerback that is Beanie Bishop Jr. will need to wait one more season to solidify his breakout, as the Ramsey trade likely impacts his starting opportunity at slot corner — or will it? It remains to be seen who will take over the starting free safety reps full time, but if Juan Thornhill takes over, Beanie will play less on defense. Learning behind Darius Slay Jr. and Ramsey will do wonders for his development, however, and the young Steelers corner will serve as one of the NFL's best backup slot cornerbacks. Super Bowl or bust in 2025: Aaron Rodgers' last ride Jun 10, 2025; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) drops back to pass during minicamp at their South Side facility. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images Defenses win championships, and that's exactly what this Steelers roster is geared up to compete for. Trading for Ramsey reveals the Steelers are all in on maximizing Rodgers' likely final year in the NFL — and while there are concerns regarding Pittsburgh's offense, the defense is Super Bowl caliber. Advertisement For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers biggest takeaways from Jalen Ramsey trade with Dolphins
USA Today
30-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
3 takeaways from the Steelers landing Jalen Ramsey
The never-ending speculation can finally end — Jalen Ramsey is now a Pittsburgh Steeler! After a month of Ramsey-to-Pittsburgh rumors, the Steelers pulled off the mother-of-all blockbuster trades to land the three-time All-Pro cornerback, with an added bonus in TE Jonnu Smith. Here are the three biggest takeaways from the Steelers-Dolphins trade for Jalen Ramsey: Steelers have the best defense in the NFL Ramsey's arrival in Pittsburgh leaves no doubt — the Steelers have the best defense in the NFL. While losing Minkah Fitzpatrick is concerning, his lack of splash plays and impact on the defense had begun to decline over the past few seasons. The Steelers have options to replace him, including the newly acquired Ramsey in certain defensive packages. From the defensive line to the secondary, this Black and Gold defense is ready to compete with the very elite in the NFL. Ramsey in, Beanie out? The exceptional undrafted cornerback that is Beanie Bishop Jr. will need to wait one more season to solidify his breakout, as the Ramsey trade likely impacts his starting opportunity at slot corner — or will it? It remains to be seen who will take over the starting free safety reps full time, but if Juan Thornhill takes over, Beanie will play less on defense. Learning behind Darius Slay Jr. and Ramsey will do wonders for his development, however, and the young Steelers corner will serve as one of the NFL's best backup slot cornerbacks. Super Bowl or bust in 2025: Aaron Rodgers' last ride Defenses win championships, and that's exactly what this Steelers roster is geared up to compete for. Trading for Ramsey reveals the Steelers are all in on maximizing Rodgers' likely final year in the NFL — and while there are concerns regarding Pittsburgh's offense, the defense is Super Bowl caliber. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
