Chargers
Chargers’ DC Renaldo Hill says he has been quite impressed so far with rookie CB Asante Samuel Jr.
“When you know his background, you know he’s been brought up the right way,” Hill said, via ChargersWire.com. “He’s been coached very well, whether that’s been at high school or at the collegiate level. He’s eager to learn. He’s always in [Secondary] Coach [Derrick] Ansley’s hair and he’s asking the right questions. You know what brings the excitement out when you watch Asante. He’s an instinctive guy. I think he understands matchups. I think he’s going to excel because we’re going to allow him to see in this scheme, but he’s everything you want from a guy stepping in from day one.”
Samuel wants to pave his own way in the NFL and plans to play his way instead of trying to be someone else.
“I just want to do what I do and just be myself. I’m not trying to be Derwin James, I’m not trying to be [Rams CB] Jalen Ramsey,” Samuel said. “I’m just trying to be Asante Samuel Jr. Whatever that is, that’s what I’m going to do and just try to get one percent better every day.”
Chiefs
- After signing with the Minnesota Vikings, former Chiefs’ CB Bashaud Breeland reached out to the franchise on Twitter: “This was a tough decision when my heart was sold on KC and the brotherhood that I’ve made over the last two years. When one door closes another always opens, it’s been my life story but I will always love the Kansas City chiefs organization. I wanna thank the Hunt family and Coach Reid.”
Raiders
Raiders second-year WR Henry Ruggs is looking to move past his “frustrating” rookie season and feels he has a “fresh start” going into 2021.
“Last year is in the past,” said Ruggs, via Levi Edwards of the team’s official site. “Yes, it was frustrating at times, but like I said, that’s in the past. We build on it; it’s a fresh start now, and we’re going to work to make it better.”
Ruggs understands the areas in which he needs to improve this season.
“I can always develop in all areas,” Ruggs said. “Adding strength, adding versatility, moving around, moving to different positions, running different routes, expanding my route tree and doing different things — finding different ways to help the team out. I’m open to all of it, and I’m excited to learn and do new things for the team.”
Raiders TE Darren Waller said Ruggs’ next step must come with him believing in himself.
“It’s tough when you’re in this game, and it has so many expectations of you from outside people and the media,” Waller said. “I feel like he can can get to a place where he expects it from himself and … just prove it to himself that he is the player he is now, and he is the player he’s going to become. I feel that will take a lot of weight off his shoulders [to] just go out there and have fun.
“He’s light out there. He has a great personality, and I’m excited about what I see from him.”
- Raiders WR Hunter Renfrow added that Ruggs’ impact last season went beyond the stat sheet: “(He) opened up the field for everyone else last season. You can’t put stats on that. He is a great player.” (Vic Tafur)
- Ruggs mentioned he wants to be a bigger part of the offense next season: “Of course I am ready to assume a bigger role. Last year was just a starting point.” (Tafur)
Looking for the latest NFL Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow NFL Trade Rumors on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NFL News and Rumors for all 32 teams!
