Latest news with #Giddens
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Can Colts' rookie RB DJ Giddens add a pass-catching presence out of backfield?
Can running back DJ Giddens give the Indianapolis Colts an added pass-catching presence out of the backfield? This is an element that the Colts didn't really have last season. Backup running backs Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson saw very few opportunities, in general, throughout the year. Jonathan Taylor, meanwhile, totaled just 136 receiving yards, which ranked 50th out of 58 eligible backs, and he was 37th in targets. Advertisement Having the running back position able to impact the passing game, to some degree, would provide defenses with another dimension to this Colts' offense that they would have to account for and could open up the playbook for Shane Steichen. During Giddens' time at Kansas State, first and foremost, he was a ball carrier, but he does have experience in the passing game as well. Over Giddens' final two seasons, he was targeted 72 times and totaled almost 600 receiving yards with four touchdowns. In 2024, Giddens' impressive 12.9 yards per catch ranked 11th among running backs, per PFF. As we've seen in the running game, Giddens has an impressive ability to make defenders miss, and the passing game can amplify that ability if plays are designed to get him the ball in space. Advertisement "He's going to hit his ceiling in the passing game," said Colts' area scout Tyler Hughes via the Indy Star. "He's shown enough on tape, as far as a receiver, where he can make guys miss in the open field and run some routes and catch the ball reliably." Both Hughes and Chris Ballard have acknowledged that Giddens does have to improve in pass protection--which they believe he will do--but that is going to be a prerequisite when it comes to getting more opportunities on the field in those obvious passing situations. Taylor, of course, is going to continue to get a heavy workload, and I don't think anyone expects the running back in this offense, regardless of who it is, to become a go-to target through the air. But if Giddens can help provide a more steady presence in this phase of the game, that's a new wrinkle in this Colts' offense for the 2025 season. This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: RB DJ Giddens adding pass-catching element to Colts backfield
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Indianapolis Colts' OTAs: The big question at running back
The Indianapolis Colts will begin Phase III of the offseason programs on May 28th, which means the start of voluntary Organized Team Activities (OTAs). Rather than only doing individual drills as the Colts have been doing, they will now be permitted to do 7-on-7 or 11-on-11 team drills, although no live contact is allowed. Advertisement So with this important part of the offseason schedule about to begin, I wanted to highlight one big question facing each position group. Up next are the running backs. Below you can find our previous position previews. Quarterbacks Big question at running back: Can Colts get more production from backup RB role? It was during the NFL combine when GM Chris Ballard said that the Colts need more production from the backup running back role this season. In 2024, Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson would carry the ball a combined 88 times and averaged as a duo under 4.0 yards per attempt. Jonathan Taylor is still, of course, going to handle the lion's share of the carries, but having a productive backup behind him can help lighten what's on Taylor's plate over the course of a long 17 game season. Advertisement To hopefully remedy this, the Colts signed Khalil Herbert in free agency and drafted DJ Giddens in the fifth round. A former sixth-round pick in 2021, Herbert has averaged 4.8 yards per rush on 400 carries with nine touchdowns over his career. Giddens, meanwhile, was a highly productive back at Kansas State, rushing for over 2,500 yards over the last two seasons. He was also very difficult to bring down, ranking sixth among backs in average yards after contact, 20th in missed tackles forced, and 15th in rushes of 10-plus yards. Bonus question at running back: Can someone emerge as a pass-catching presence? One other note, when it comes to the running back position, can Herbert or Giddens provide a pass-catching presence out of the backfield? This is an element that was missing in 2024 and would add another dimension to Shane Steichen's offense. Advertisement Herbert hasn't been overly active as a receiver, with his 20 receptions in 2023 at 6.7 yards per catch being his most productive season. Giddens, however, could provide more of a boost in that regard. "He's going to hit his ceiling in the passing game," said Colts' area scout Tyler Hughes via the Indy Star. "He's shown enough on tape, as far as a receiver, where he can make guys miss in the open field and run some routes and catch the ball reliably." This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Previewing Jonathan Taylor and Indianapolis Colts' RBs ahead of OTAs
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Indianapolis Colts' OTAs: The big question at running back
Indianapolis Colts' OTAs: The big question at running back With OTAs nearing for the Indianapolis Colts, let's take a look at one big question facing each position group. Up next are the running backs. The Indianapolis Colts will begin Phase III of the offseason programs on May 28th, which means the start of voluntary Organized Team Activities (OTAs). Rather than only doing individual drills as the Colts have been doing, they will now be permitted to do 7-on-7 or 11-on-11 team drills, although no live contact is allowed. So with this important part of the offseason schedule about to begin, I wanted to highlight one big question facing each position group. Up next are the running backs. Below you can find our previous position previews. Quarterbacks Big question at running back: Can Colts get more production from backup RB role? It was during the NFL combine when GM Chris Ballard said that the Colts need more production from the backup running back role this season. In 2024, Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson would carry the ball a combined 88 times and averaged as a duo under 4.0 yards per attempt. Jonathan Taylor is still, of course, going to handle the lion's share of the carries, but having a productive backup behind him can help lighten what's on Taylor's plate over the course of a long 17 game season. To hopefully remedy this, the Colts signed Khalil Herbert in free agency and drafted DJ Giddens in the fifth round. A former sixth-round pick in 2021, Herbert has averaged 4.8 yards per rush on 400 carries with nine touchdowns over his career. Giddens, meanwhile, was a highly productive back at Kansas State, rushing for over 2,500 yards over the last two seasons. He was also very difficult to bring down, ranking sixth among backs in average yards after contact, 20th in missed tackles forced, and 15th in rushes of 10-plus yards. Bonus question at running back: Can someone emerge as a pass-catching presence? One other note, when it comes to the running back position, can Herbert or Giddens provide a pass-catching presence out of the backfield? This is an element that was missing in 2024 and would add another dimension to Shane Steichen's offense. Herbert hasn't been overly active as a receiver, with his 20 receptions in 2023 at 6.7 yards per catch being his most productive season. Giddens, however, could provide more of a boost in that regard. "He's going to hit his ceiling in the passing game," said Colts' area scout Tyler Hughes via the Indy Star. "He's shown enough on tape, as far as a receiver, where he can make guys miss in the open field and run some routes and catch the ball reliably."
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man accused in North Carolina vacation town road rage shooting that left dad of 3 dead seeks release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A man accused of killing a father of three in a 2024 road-rage shooting in Lake Norman, North Carolina – a popular vacation town north of Charlotte – is seeking a reduced bond, according to court documents and local news. Terrell Eugene Giddens, 75, is accused of fatally shooting Jeffrey Michael Guida, 40, on Oct. 12, 2024, just before 5 p.m., while Guida was driving with his three daughters, ages 2, 11 and 13, in the back of a Jeep Wagoneer, according to the Catawba County Sheriff's Office. Eyewitnesses told authorities at the time that they saw both men exit their vehicles, and then the suspect allegedly shot the victim. Eyewitnesses also reported seeing the shooter fire "multiple rounds into the victim's vehicle," where the three girls were sitting. They were not injured in the deadly attack, according to the sheriff's office. Giddens allegedly drove home after the shooting, put his clothing in a trash bag and changed into new clothing, according to the Charlotte Observer. He took his kayak to the Lake Norman shore, paddled to the 17B marker and disposed of the trash bag and the rifle he allegedly used to shoot Guida. Six Illegal Migrants Charged In South Carolina Mother's Murder Defy 'Decency' In 'Civilized Society': Sheriff Now, Giddens' attorney, Robert Campbell, says Giddens "is presumed innocent" and "has significant ties to the community," in a new motion for bond modification filed in Catawba County, according to the Observer. Read On The Fox News App Giddens lived less than half a mile from the crime scene. California Judge Convicted Of Second-degree Murder For Fatally Shooting His Wife The filing states that Giddens worked for General Motors before retiring after 36 years. He was drafted into the Army in 1969 and "served active duty tours in Vietnam and Germany as a tank commander until his honorable discharge in 1971," the motion reviewed by the Observer states. Meanwhile, Guida's family is asking for support from the community to stop Giddens from being released. "The man who murdered Jeff while my children watched and then turned the AR 15 on them is AGAIN asking for bond and to be released," Jeff's wife, Karen Guida, said in a May 9 post on the family's GoFundMe page titled "Support Karen and Daughters After Tragedy." Florida Man Accused Of Killing Girlfriend, Staging Murder Scene While Their Children Slept: Police "He has already given a confession, and there were multiple witnesses," she said. "We again humbly ask for your support and if you can please come help us fill the courtroom again." Guida was originally from Lewiston, Maine. His family remembered him as a "devoted husband" and "loving father," in his obituary. "Jeff loved playing with his children, hiking, cooking, motorcycles, traveling, weightlifting, and gaming," his obituary states. Giddens is charged with first-degree murder and three counts of attempted murder. He is currently being held without bond. Fox News Digital has reached out to Campbell for article source: Man accused in North Carolina vacation town road rage shooting that left dad of 3 dead seeks release
Miami Herald
16-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Lucky lottery player wins top prize during shopping trip. ‘About passed out!'
A Virginia man scored a top prize from a lottery scratch-off ticket he purchased for $10 during a shopping trip, lottery officials said. Nelson Giddens won a top prize, worth $300,000, in the King of Crossword game, the Virginia Lottery said in a May 15 news release. 'I about passed out!' Giddens told lottery officials. He purchased his ticket at a gas station in Painter, about a 65-mile drive north from Virginia Beach, lottery officials said. The King of Crossword game, which started Jan. 10, has prizes ranging from $10 to the $300,000 top prize, according to the game's web page. The odds of winning a top prize are 1 in 979,200 and the odds of winning overall are 1 in 3.69, lottery officials said. Two of the three top prizes remain, according to the lottery.
