Latest news with #HelmetsandHeels
USA Today
22-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Rams reporter shares impact new Jaguars GM James Gladstone had in LA's drafts
James Gladstone is the new general manager of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and his impact on the LA Rams' draft process and results was 'astounding,' as Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic put it on an appearance on 1010XL's 'Helmets and Heels.' After a Super Bowl season in 2021, the Rams mustered just five wins in 2022. However, over the last two years since then, they've won 10 games in back-to-back seasons with two playoff appearances, and are again back to being among the contenders in the NFC. Playing an important role in that drastic turnaround was the Rams' success in the NFL draft during the previous two offseasons. And along with GM Les Snead, helping to lead that charge was Gladstone, the Rams' Director of Scouting Strategy. 'James Gladstone, who really is the reason the Rams overhauled their draft efforts after the 2022 season and really nailed the last two draft classes. Ten starters between the two of those draft classes and finalists each year for Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Offensive Rookie of the Year.' 'He is the reason the Rams nailed the last two draft classes.' 👀 The Athletic's @JourdanRodrigue joins Helmets and Heels to go in-depth on the Jaguars new General manager! FULL VIDEO: | #DUUUVAL @MiaOBrienTV @1010XLLauren @TayDoll1010xl — 1010 XL / 92.5 FM (@1010XL) February 21, 2025 In 2023, wide receiver Puka Nacua was an Offensive Rookie of the Year award finalist. In 2024, defensive end Jared Verse won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. In addition to those selections, the Rams also drafted numerous other starters and key contributors including Steven Avila, Kobie Turner, Byron Young, and Kamren Kinchens, among others. 'It's just been astounding to watch James traffic control and strategize them through all of these new processes with Les Snead at the helm, of course, but James Gladstone has quietly been Les Snead's right hand man for many years.' Rodrigue added. With 10 draft picks of their own this offseason, including six within the first four rounds, the Jaguars are positioned well to add some immediate high impact help, and the odds of doing that have grown with Gladstone at the helm.
USA Today
08-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Vikings reporter with insight on Jaguars' Grant Udinski and work with QBs
New Jacksonville Jaguars' offensive coordinator Grant Udinski has been a very fast riser in the coaching ranks at still just 29 years old. Recently on the 'Helmets and Heels' radio show on 1010XL, Minnesota Vikings beat reporter Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune provided some insight into Udinski and the success he's had with quarterbacks. 'He'll say this,' said Goessling about Udinski, ''I'm young, I don't have kids, I don't have a family yet, so I can be the guy, whatever hours of the day you need something, I'm here to talk with you. This is what I'm all in on and what I'm invested in.' 'That level of commitment to players is probably the thing that sticks out most about him and that's what you'll hear a lot of quarterbacks say about him. He will do whatever he possibly can to make a player better and have them more prepared for what they have to do on Sunday.' 'Grant Udinski will do whatever he possibly can to make a player better.' Vikings beat reporter Ben Goessling joins Helmets and Heels to discuss the new leader of the Jaguars offense! FULL VIDEO: | #DUUUVAL @1010XLLauren @TayDoll1010xl… — 1010 XL / 92.5 FM (@1010XL) February 7, 2025 Part of that commitment, as Goessling would also mention, was that last offseason and into training camp, Udinski and rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy would routinely have late night conversations, where Udinski answered whatever questions McCarthy had. During Udinski's time with Minnesota, he was promoted during each of the three seasons he spent with the team. And in addition to working closely with the quarterbacks, he also worked closely with head coach Kevin O'Connell. The Vikings' offense under O'Connell ranked ninth in points per game last season and veteran quarterback Sam Darnold would have a career year in Minnesota. A top priority for head coach Liam Coen, Udinski, quarterbacks coach Spencer Whipple, and pass game coordinator Shane Waldron will be getting Trevor Lawrence back on track. How to go about doing that was the main question that owner Shad Khan asked all of the head coaching candidates, and Coen's answer helped separate him from the rest. Of course, there's a lot that goes into that answer, but in part, it will include building the offense around Lawrence, as Coen mentioned, and we can glean from Coen's time with Tampa Bay that a strong run game is an important factor as well. 'How do we make Trevor Lawrence and this offense as dynamic and explosive as we can be? We've got to build it around him, we've got to make every part of this about improvement, and he will be a part of that process,' Coen said during Monday's introductory press conference. 'He's earned that right. I cannot respect his toughness and mentality and work ethic more than I do already from afar. This will all be about Trevor.'
