Latest news with #SheldonRankins
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 98
Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 98 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Chris Rumph II joined the New Orleans Saints as a free agent this offseason. He'll be reunited with Brandon Staley, who coached him for his first three NFL seasons with the Chargers and is the new defensive coordinator for New Orleans. Advertisement A fourth-round pick out of Duke in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Chargers, Rumph had just 3 sacks, 9 QB hits, and 4 tackles for loss as a reserve in his first three years. He missed the 2024 season with an Achilles injury. Rumph is the latest to wear the number 98 for the Saints. With 98 days until the 2025-26 season opener for New Orleans, here's a look at the other notable Saints players who have worn 98 during the regular season in franchise history. Saints History of 98 Nov 17, 2019; New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (98) rushes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images • Reggie Lewis, DE (1982-84) • Milford Hodge, DE (1986) • Jim Hanna, DT (1994) • Ron Warner, DE (1998) • Willie Whitehead, DE/DT (1999-2006) Advertisement • Renaldo Wynn, DE (2007) • Sedrick Ellis, DT (2008-12) • Parys Haralson, LB (2013-14) • Mike Mohamed, LB (2015) • Sheldon Rankins, DT (2016-20) • Payton Turner (2021-24) • Chris Rumph II, Edge (present) September 26, 2010; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) is sacked by New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis (98). Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook - Imagn Images The first to wear 98 in franchise history, Lewis had his best season in 1983 with 6.5 sacks and an interception return for a touchdown. Hodge, Hanna, and Warner each played less than a season with New Orleans, combining for only nine games with the team. Whitehead was an underrated contributor for an outstanding defensive line in the early 2000s. His eight-year totals included 24.5 sacks and 40 tackles for loss. He remains the longest-tenured player to wear 98 for New Orleans. Advertisement Most view Ellis as one of the bigger draft busts in Saints history. The seventh overall choice in the 2008 NFL Draft out of USC, he was with the team for five years then out of the NFL altogether. Over that five-year span, Ellis had a combined 12.5 sacks, 30 QB hits, and 18 stops for loss. Jan. 13, 2007; New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Willie Whitehead chases down Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jeff Garcia (7). Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-Imagn Images © 2006 John David Mercer Haralson was a decent player for an otherwise awful New Orleans defense. The final two years of his eight-year career were with the Saints. Wynn and Mohammed collectively played less than a year with the Saints, combining for only 13 games. The 12th overall choice in the 2016 NFL Draft out of Louisville, Rankins had a very good five-year tenure in New Orleans. Over that time, he had a combined 19.5 sacks, 73 QB hits, and 47 tackles for loss. Nov 7, 2021; New Orleans Saints defensive end Payton Turner (98) is blocked by Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Jake Matthews (70). Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-Imagn Images Turner joins Ellis on the Saints list of historical draft busts. The 28th overall choice in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Houston, he made a miniscule impact in his four years with the Saints before signing with Dallas this offseason. Of a possible 68 games with New Orleans, Turner played in only 31 contests and had just 5 sacks, 11 QB hits, and 11 tackles for negative yardage. Advertisement With any luck, Chris Rumph II will have an impact closer to what Whitehead and Rankins did for the team rather than Turner and Ellis. Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With History Of Number 99 Related: Pro Football Focus Snubs Saints In Under-25 Rankings Related: Saints Quarterback Ranking According To Pro Football Focus Related: Most Underrated Saints Player Highlighted By PFF Related: Trevor Penning May Have A New Home On Saints Offensive Line This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
98 days until Saint's season opener: Every player to wear No. 98
98 days until Saint's season opener: Every player to wear No. 98 Everyone from Payton Turner to Sheldon Rankins and Sedrick Ellis There are 98 days remaining until the New Orleans Saints kick off their 2025 season, and we're continuing to count down the days by looking back on every player to wear that jersey number in Saints franchise history. Defensive end Chris Rumph II claimed No. 98 this spring, which previously belonged to defensive end Payton Turner. He picked it up when another former Saints first-round pick, Sheldon Rankins, left in free agency the same year Turner was drafted. It's been a popular choice for first-round defensive linemen in Saints history; Sedrick Ellis also wore it as the team's top pick back in 2008. With 98 days to go until kickoff, here's a look back at each player to use No. 98 with the Saints (via Pro Football Reference): Chris Rumph II (Present) Payton Turner (2021-2024) Sheldon Rankins (2016-2020) Mike Mohamed (2015) Parys Haralson (2013-2014) Sedrick Ellis (2008-2012) Renaldo Wynn (2007) Willie Whitehead (1999-2006) Ron Warner (1998) Jim Hanna (1994) Milford Hodge (1986) Reggie Lewis (1982-1984)
New York Times
27-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Bengals 2025 NFL Draft takeaways: Circus out, responsible adults in for Cincinnati
CINCINNATI — There were times in 2024 when the Bengals felt like a circus. Contract disputes, trade requests, hold-ins, undisciplined defense, the Jermaine Burton saga, the Sheldon Rankins free agency whiff, going 0-3 while scoring 99 points, cracked team chemistry, the parade of missed tackles, losing game after game in improbable fashion and all the way down to Joe Burrow missing the playoffs despite landing in the MVP conversation. Advertisement A theme emerged throughout the offseason and hit an undeniable crescendo over six picks this weekend. The circus has left town. Responsible adults only. The Bengals not only focused all their big spending in free agency on players where implicit knowledge of their personality and character existed inside the building, but ripped off six picks where every single one comes with strengths of maturity, leadership, responsibility and accountability. No personality risks allowed. 'I think the theme is they love football, all six of these guys,' coach Zac Taylor said. 'Some I know better than others, but that's what you took away — they just love talking football, they love being around football and they love their teammates. They made huge impacts on the programs that they were at, and by huge impact, I mean not only on the field, but talked about them off the field and the impact that they made there. That means something to us.' More specifically, that means something to them, again. The Bengals lost their way in that regard in recent years. Taking a chance here, a character risk there, betting on the culture established in the original renaissance of this franchise under Burrow to straighten out any talented wayward souls. In the process, the locker room lost its way. These three days played out like one more sweeping regripping of the culture that built runs to the Super Bowl and AFC Championships. There was Shemar Stewart's legendarily relentless play style. Demetrius Knight being known as an 'old soul' who drove Door Dash after games while at Charlotte before transferring to South Carolina, becoming a captain immediately. There was the instant connection between Dylan Fairchild and new offensive line coach Scott Peters as well as Miami's Jalen Rivers coming in for a 30 visit despite the fact 'you are not going to find anybody that says a bad word about the guy.' Then they added linebacker Barrett Carter, a noted captain, leader and green-dot linebacker at Clemson who says he 'leads with love.' Even sixth-round running back Tahj Brooks was a captain at Texas Tech. Advertisement They were all responsible, accountable, team-first ball lovers. It's hard not to go back to the game-changing draft classes of 2020 and see similar themes. The most important theme being this type of no-nonsense accountability is exactly how new coordinator Al Golden wanted to rebuild this defense. There are holes in what was always going to be a multi-year project, but resetting the foundation feels like a checked box. 'This is a group with a great hunger and urgency to be great as a unit,' Taylor said. 'As a unit, as a position group and individuals, you look across the board on every single person that is on that board in there and they all have the same characteristics and that same description. That has got me fired up.' Tahj Brooks, RB, Texas Tech, sixth round. The value of running back in this draft was just too good to pass up. Brooks had a fifth-round grade, but considering his production and elite agility, he could have gone much higher any other year. Brooks is built like a block of granite and ran for 1,500 yards and 5.2 yards per carry in each of his last two seasons, dropping in 27 touchdowns over that span. He ideally rounds out a running back room headed by Chase Brown with veterans Samaje Perine and Zack Moss also available for snaps. The first one. Stewart was a home-run swing for a team that felt designed to seek out a more sure thing up front. Cincinnati is betting on traits with an understanding that it could take time to develop his elite traits into more production than 4.5 sacks in three seasons. Missing or waiting years on Stewart to come along could cost this team a Super Bowl when you consider the window they are in and it is only exacerbated by the Bengals still going through the traits to production process with 2023 first-round pick Myles Murphy (zero sacks in 2024). Stewart will clearly play a role this year, including kicking inside if necessary to add juice to a sluggish interior pass rush, but whether or not they can get even 50 percent out of his immense upside in Year 1 could go a long way to deciding how much teeth exists in this defense. The Bengals stood behind safety Geno Stone in this draft. Despite not giving a round of ringing endorsements throughout the offseason, there was no competition added. Golden even passed on his former Notre Dame captain Xavier Watts twice. That leaves special teams maven Tycen Anderson around to dip his toe into a competition for Stone or solidify a spot as the third safety with 2024 safety Daijahn Anthony, of fourth-and-16 against the Chiefs notoriety, to hold down the back of the room. They need Stone to be a better tackler and overall player than last year, but it's fair to wonder if he can take that next step. If he doesn't, the insurance options are limited. For all the reformation of the defense for Golden over the draft and during free agency, the roster still has one notable missing piece. Where is the pass-rushing defensive tackle? The Bengals only have four defensive tackles on the roster (Kris Jenkins Jr., McKinnley Jackson, TJ Slaton and BJ Hill). Also, none of those four boasts a strength rushing the passer. That felt like a primary need of the entire offseason but not a single defensive tackle with a strength getting after the passer was added to the mix. Advertisement They prioritized run-stopping and expecting a jump from Jenkins, who struggled to a 2.9 percent win rate last year. Golden discussed a desire to kick Shemar Stewart, Joseph Ossai, Cam Sample and Myles Murphy inside if needed on passing downs, taking advantage of their size and versatility. Their usage in a sub-package will be part of the plan and a welcome adjustment, but there still seems to be a hole on the roster in terms of creating disruption up the middle on early downs. 'I think that's something you're always looking at and we just, again, at different points in the draft, hit at some other spots,' Taylor said. 'Undrafted free agency is still coming. We'll work hard to add some guys to the mix there and I think we feel good about the four guys we have in the room right now.' The Bengals were workmanlike in checking off their long list of needs in this draft. They didn't add picks with any trades, so it's not complete (DT, safety), but they checked off every box with a player that's easy to believe in. In fact, it's not out of the realm of possibility to think each of the first three picks will be starting in Week 1. This would mark the first time in franchise history that would be the case. They have cleared a path to that outcome for Stewart, Knight Jr. and Fairchild. Competition on the offensive line at both guard spots and backup tackle will be the theme of training camp and that's by design with new offensive line coach Scott Peters looking to implement a new, more athletic, aggressive, technical style up front. If competition can create stability and Golden's plan for accountability and consistency returns the defense to average, it's fair to say the Bengals roster is right where it should be with Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins in tow: Among the Super Bowl contenders. (Photo of Shemar Stewart: Randy J. Williams / Associated Press)
USA Today
10-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Texans reunite with veteran DL Sheldon Rankins on one-year deal ahead of free agency
Texans reunite with veteran DL Sheldon Rankins on one-year deal ahead of free agency Sheldon Rankins in back with the two-time AFC South champions Welcome back to H-Town, Sheldon Rankins. According to The Athletic's Dianna Russinni, the Houston Texans and Rankins have agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth up to $7 million ahead of Monday's legal tampering period. Rankins will reunite with former Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr. and head coach DeMeco Ryans as Houston looks to remain the team to be in the AFC South. Rankins, who put together one of his better seasons in the pros during the 2023 campaign in Houston, was released from the Cincinnati Bengals last month after agreeing to a two-year deal last offseason. Before hitting up the AFC North, both sides were interested in an extension last offseason, but they never could agree on an asking price. Rankins missed the final seven games of last season with Cincinnati due to a non-football illness and has made a full recovery ahead of free agency. The 30-year-old had 18 tackles and one sack in seven games played for Cincinnati. A former first-round pick out of Louisville, Rankins put together one of his best seasons as a pro in 2023 while playing on a one-year deal. As the anchor of Houston's interior pass rush, Rankins delivered, totaling a career-high six sacks, plus 37 tackles, eight for losses and 10 quarterback hits with one forced fumble. Houston also made the playoffs for the first time in four games and won its first playoff game since 2019. The Texans had planned on addressing the defensive line in both the draft and free agency. While the front seven registered a franchise record 46 sacks last season, Foley Fatukasi, Mario Edwards Jr., Kurt Hinish and Derek Barnett are all set to become free agents. With Rankins' arrival, the defensive tackle moves down the pecking order of needs for Houston, which is entering Monday's legal tampering period with just over $5 million in cap space. The Texans likely will turn toward the draft to shore up the other departed spot left by two veterans.
NBC Sports
10-03-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Sheldon Rankins agrees to one-year deal with Texans
The Texans are bringing back a familiar face for the 2025 season. Defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins has agreed to a one-year deal with the AFC South champions. Dianna Russini of reports that it is worth $7 million. Rankins spent the 2023 season with the Texans and moved on to the Bengals last year. Cincinnati released Rankins in February, which leaves him clear to agree to a deal ahead of the official start to the free agency negotiating period on Monday. Rankins was limited to seven games last season because of a hamstring injury and an illness. He played 15 games for Houston in 2023 and had 37 tackles, six sacks, and a fumble recovery for a touchdown.
