Latest news with #Ojulari
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Top Free Agent Signing Predicted As Best Move For Eagles
Top Free Agent Signing Predicted As Best Move For Eagles originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Despite coming off a Super Bowl victory in February, the Philadelphia Eagles had to make several changes to their roster following the win. Advertisement Coming off a season with the top overall defense in the league, the Eagles lost several key starters, including edge rusher Josh Sweat, and defensive tackle Milton Williams. Along the way, Philadelphia signed low-risk, high-reward players like Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche. Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson© Scott Galvin-Imagn Images Philadelphia didn't make many signings this offseason, but the ones they did agree to are players of key value to the team. And writer John McMullen believes that it is Ojulari that could be a player that provides an underrated and immediate impact for the organization. "Ojulari is not only the one player the Eagles gave decent money to ($3 million guaranteed and another $500K in likely incentives), the team has a clear and significant need at the position," McMullen said. "If everything works to plan, the Eagles are still going to add on the edge in the draft or trade market, and the best-case would be for Ojulari to No. 4 in the rotation, which is why Josh Uche is not on the list. Advertisement "Ojulari's contract serves as the inside lane, and it's his spot to lose." Ojulari comes to a defense in desperate need of added edge rusher help after several departures this offseason. With over 22 sacks in his first four years with the organization, he's a player who can make an immediate impact with the Eagles. Especially on a one-year "prove-it" deal. Related: Eagles Have 'Micah Parsons-Like Plan' To Address Edge Rusher Needs This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
a day ago
- General
- USA Today
HC Jonathan Gannon on injury info: 'There's not a lot of good answers all the time'
HC Jonathan Gannon on injury info: 'There's not a lot of good answers all the time' Gannon speaks about the non-linear nature of recovery time from injuries With voluntary OTAs beginning last week and ending this week prior to next week's mandatory minicamp, there are several players in varying degrees of participation that ended the 2024 season on injured reserve. The group includes edge rusher BJ Ojulari, who suffered a torn ACL early in training camp last summer; right tackle Jonah Williams, whose season was limited to six games because of two injuries to his right knee; and defensive linemen Justin Jones and Bilal Nichols. Jones played only three games because of a triceps injury, while a neck injury limited Nichols to playing six games. Prior to the Cardinals' first practice on May 28, head coach Jonathan Gannon was asked specifically about Ojulari and Williams. He said, 'I think everyone's kind of in their own category, truthfully. So I'll just put it out there. We'll talk about injuries Week 1, but I'm not going to get into everybody case by case, but everyone is working hard. 'If they're not fully ready to go, they're doing a good job in there to try to get themselves ready to go. So he (Ojulari) falls in that bucket.' Ojulari, Williams and Nichols were not on the field that day. This week, Williams was at practice Tuesday, while Nichols and Jones were not, as well as Ojulari. It is important to note that only one of three OTAs each week are open to the media, so it is not known who was on the field or who wasn't the other days. Rookie defensive lineman Walter Nolen wasn't on the field May 28, and prior to Wednesday's work, Gannon was asked if that absence was because of injury or the fact Nolen is still unsigned. Gannon said 'Neither,' and Nolen did participate that day, while also being present after the first OTA last week. When Gannon was then asked if they are moving slower with Williams because it was two injuries he suffered last season, the coach discussed what can be difficult about supplying injury information. He said, 'With all our guys, we go at the appropriate pace. Truthfully, like there's not a lot of good answers all the time for you guys from me. 'He's doing great.' What does that mean? He was doing great two days ago but then yesterday didn't have a setback -- I don't want to use that word -- but it's not linear, it doesn't just go great in a rehab. If you remember the first time we got here, the hot topic was Kyler (Murray) coming back from a knee. I've been around guys that have knees. Here's the timetable, here's what he has to do for his position, all that. It's not a linear progression of 'I'm just doing great and I'm on the timeline the doc says and the training room says and this is when I can go out and play football.' It doesn't work like that. "I trust our process on how we do things. You'll see Jonah out there today, but that's just the step we're taking for return to play. Everybody is different. What you guys see on the practice field --'Oh maybe he's getting closer' -- and he might not even be closer than a guy you don't even see out there. That's truthful." Most important, Gannon said, is that players are anxious to be back on the field as soon as possible. "So they are doing everything they can to get out there and be healthy and be with their teammates and play football," Gannon said. "I never question that. And they know from our standpoint we're not going to put them out there until they are ready to go 100 percent physically." Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Eagles Analyst Predicts Best Fit At Edge Rusher After Bryce Huff Trade
Eagles Analyst Predicts Best Fit At Edge Rusher After Bryce Huff Trade originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Despite losing several key pieces to their Super Bowl roster this offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles aren't overly concerned about their biggest perceived position of need. Advertisement Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham, and Bryce Huff's departures from the organization have seemingly left major holes along the edge of their elite defense. Philadelphia does have young players like Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith to pick up the slack, but there's no guarantee they'll be able to do all that is needed. It's why the team went bargin-bin shopping at the position in free agency. Josh Uche and Azeez Ojulari were both brought in to the team to help bolster the organization's pass rush. In the case of the former Giant in Ojulari, NBC Philadelphia's own Reuben Frank believes he can be an excellent fit for what the team needs. Advertisement "With the Eagles giving up on Bryce Huff after just 12 games and 285 snaps, I would expect the next man up behind starters Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt to be Azeez Ojulari, who has produced when he's been healthy but has rarely been healthy," Frank said. "Ojulari had 22 sacks in 46 games with the Giants, which is 0.48 sacks per game – almost half a sack per game." Health is certainly an issue for Ojulari, but he has been a very productive edge rusher for New York over his career. He'll join a defense in desperate need of quality players who can both rush the passer and play the run well. There's reason to suspect they can get that with Ojulari in 2025. And if there's anyone who can get the most out of a player like that, it's defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. Advertisement Related: Eagles Have Firepower to Repeat But One Major Concern Could Derail It All Related: Jordan Mailata Ranked NFL's Best Tackle as Eagles' Dominance Reaches New Peak This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
29-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Arizona Cardinals' defense expected to take big leap, per ESPN analyst
Arizona Cardinals' defense expected to take big leap, per ESPN analyst Bill Barnwell called last season's bad Cardinals defense "critically acclaimed." He believes they will be productive in 2025. The Arizona Cardinals put a lot of effort in their defense this offseason. They made their biggest moves in free agency on defense. They used six of their seven draft picks on defense, addressing every position. Needless to say, this group should be better in 2025. That's what ESPN's Bill Barnwell believes. In his NFC offseason superlatives analysis, he says the Cardinals are mostly likely to make a leap defensively. Barnwell called last year's Cardinals defense "critically acclaimed," as it was creative and fun to watch. The problem was that it wasn't good. The problem is the Cardinals didn't really have the juice up front. They were hoping for a breakout Year 2 from BJ Ojulari, only for the edge rusher to miss the entire season because of a torn ACL. They traded for Baron Browning in midseason, but the former Broncos edge rusher was only a part-time contributor. Gannon mixed in defensive backs as pass rushers to try to create protection problems for teams, but when Arizona rushed four front-seven players at opposing quarterbacks, its 28.6% pressure rate ranked 26th. The Cardinals got better as the season went along, but they finished 20th in points allowed per drive and 21st in EPA per play allowed. They added juice up front. They get Justin Jones and Bilal Nichols back from season-ending injuries. They signed interior defenders Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell. They brought back L.J. Collier. They re-signed Browning and gave a big contract to pass rusher Josh Sweat. Then they drafted Walter Nolen in the first round. And that doesn't include adding cornerback Will Johnson in Round 2. The Cardinals ranked ninth in EPA per play on offense a year ago, putting them ahead of seven playoff teams, including the division champion Rams. If Gannon and his new defenders can just propel the defense a tiny bit forward, Arizona should have a real shot at competing for the NFC West crown and making it back into the postseason. The Cardinals struggled to get off the field. They didn't generate pressure and didn't create turnovers. They overachieved as a group defensively. That play, especially late in the season, put pressure on the offense, which led to turnovers by quarterback Kyler Murray. How good can this defense be? That will depend on health. If Sweat is equal to last season and Ojulari plays like he was supposed to before getting hurt, and if they keep their defensive line healthy, they will be a handful. They don't need to be a top-five defense, but they could surprise the way the Cardinals' 2021 defense did before injuries in the second half. That play in 2021 is why they started 9-1. Their decline in play was why things fell apart. The offense was productive and efficient overall last season. With a better defense, this Cardinals team could be surprisingly good. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
Business Insider
13-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
NNPC to resume crude oil drilling in northern Nigeria, confirms peace with Dangote refinery
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has announced plans to resume crude oil drilling in northern Nigeria. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is resuming crude oil drilling in northern Nigeria. The site is estimated to hold over one billion barrels of crude oil and 500 billion cubic feet of natural gas. Collaboration with companies, including the resolution of disputes with Dangote Group, is expected to enhance the project's success and impact. According to the company's new Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, the Kolmani drilling project, located on the boundary between Bauchi and Gombe states, is expected to deliver significant benefits to Nigerians once completed. ' NNPC will continue oil drilling in the Kolmani field and will continue the work on the AKK gas pipeline from Ajaokuta to Kaduna to Kano. The companies working on the projects will continue, and new ones are also welcome," he said. 'The projects are critical in boosting the economy, and the impact will be felt by all Nigerians. By next month, people will begin to see. We will start work on the AKK gas pipeline and the Kalmoni. ' Oil discovery in the north In 2019, NNPC announced the discovery of hydrocarbon deposits at the Kolmani River II Well, located in the Upper Benue Trough within the Gongola Basin in the country's northeast. This marked the first major oil find in Northern Nigeria and laid the foundation for the Kolmani Integrated Development Project, a strategic initiative to harness the region's hydrocarbon potential. By 2022, the government launched commercial oil drilling in the area. Authorities said the project was expected to attract foreign investment and generate employment for local communities. The site is estimated to hold over one billion barrels of crude oil and 500 billion cubic feet of natural gas, with investment commitments already totalling $3 billion. Dangote, NNPCL resolve feud The relationship between Dangote Group and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has been tense in recent years, largely due to disagreements over issues such as the controversial Naira-for-Crude deal, which faced inconsistencies under previous NNPCL leadership. However, according to Mr. Ojulari, the rift has now been resolved. ' We, as Nigerians, must hail Dangote's courageous efforts. Whatever he is investing, he is doing it in Africa. We have addressed the feud between the NNPC and the Dangote Refinery. Very soon, people will start seeing the impact."
