NFL Experience NYC (New York City) Times Square All You

NFL Experience NYC The New York Jets signed the first of their nine draft picks on Monday night, inking fifth-round pick Bryce Hall to a four-year, $3.6 million deal.

The drafting of Hall was a bit of a masterstroke from general manager Joe Douglas. Projected to be taken in the second or the third round, Hall instead slipped to the Jets in the fifth round. It was an impressive steal, especially considering that following the 2018 season, Hall was projected to be a top 50 pick in the NFL Draft he decided to forego his senior season at Virginia.

Instead, an ankle injury cut short his season, and Hall’s draft stock plummeted.

Before the injury, he was a pre-season All-American. His scouting report was stellar: intelligence, ball skills, athleticism, and size. He was considered a team leader in and out of the locker room and projections had him as a starting-caliber cornerback.

On the Jets, he has the size and skill set to be a starting-caliber cornerback. If he is healthy to come training camp, he could make a bid to start opposite Pierre Desir. He has good size at 6-foot-1 and a nice wingspan. Instinctually, he has all the traits of being a press corner.

At Virginia, Hall was a starter all four years. He switched between safety and cornerback depending on the program’s needs. Over those four seasons, he made 154 tackles, four sacks, three forced fumbles, five interceptions, and 38 pass breakups in 42 games.

The Virginia coaches told NFL Draft expert Rich Cirminiello that Hall should be 100% at some point this season. Jets head coach Adam Gase knows that what Hall shows on day one might be limited while he’s recovering.

While his health is a concern, his productivity at Virginia along with his projections from a season ago gives optimism for the Jets that he can grow into a prominent role in the secondary. It certainly doesn’t hurt that he has experience playing safety as well.

What is the NFL Experience?

The National Football League, owners, and players have been releasing statements in light of the recent horrific death of George Floyd and the social injustice taking place in our country.

Kaitlin O'Toole is joined by SI's writer Conor Orr for his opinion on why he thinks these statements may not be enough.

Conor explains that for many organizations a blanket statement addressing racial inequality at this time is not enough. He breaks down why people are upset and feel there is possibly a lack of authenticity in the press issues being released. He also gives insight into how things can be done better moving forward.

Read the full transcript below:

Kaitlin O'Toole: Football league owners and players have been releasing statements in light of the recent death of George Floyd and the social injustice in our country. Joining me now to discuss this is SI's writer Conor Orr. Conor, some people are questioning these statements, the possible authenticity behind them. What more can you tell us about this?

Conor Orr: Well, I just think that, for the first time, people are looking at the content of these things, right. And when you're coming out and saying something at a time like this, what do you actually saying? I think that there's been a wide spectrum of people trying to voice their opinion on this, perhaps without listening to the more valuable perspectives. I think the NFL stood out there when something like this happens, you have to put your best foot forward. You have to be a leader. Instead, what they said amounted to, "we're sorry that everybody's upset," and I don't think that that's good enough and I think that a lot of people don't think that that's good enough.

Is NFL experience still open?

Russell Wilson used his words more forcefully and directly on Wednesday than I’d ever seen before.

During a Zoom call with local reporters, the Seahawks quarterback opted not to talk about football and focus on the current events surrounding George Floyd’s murder at the hands of the police and the ensuing nationwide protests.

“I think racism is heavier than ever,” Wilson said. “Watching someone get murdered in the street by the people that are supposed to protect – being able to see that on Instagram or Twitter or whatever – it’s appalling. It pains my heart.”

Wilson noted how his great grandparents were slaves. He discussed how his father used to tell him to keep his hands out of his pockets when they were out in public.

The quarterback’s late father also had to have a talk with him when he got his driver’s license at age 16. Wilson explains that he, too, will eventually have to teach his kids how to act if and when they get pulled over by the police. He notably has one stepson, a daughter and a third child, a son, on the way.

“The thought of having those conversations with my kids someday is a heavy thing,” Wilson said.

The presence of racism remains apparent in America, even for the uber-famous like Wilson. He shared a story shortly after the Seahawks won their first-ever Super Bowl in February of 2014. Wilson was grabbing breakfast somewhere in California when an older white gentleman told him “that’s not for you.”

Wilson thought the man was joking at first before realizing otherwise. That experience, while remarkably absurd that such obtuse beliefs still exist, pales in comparison to some of the violence that takes place at the hands of the police.

Floyd’s murder is merely the latest example, but it’s clearly the straw that broke the camel’s back given the immense response around the country.

“Not much has changed,” Wilson said. “The reality is enough. … It’s pretty heavy to watch someone get murdered like that or killed. I think ultimately, it brings a lot of pain.”

Wilson’s words on Wednesday come on the heels of his statement that was released Monday morning on social media.

Several of the quarterback’s teammates have also offered public messages, and Wilson shared that the Seahawks continue to have internal conversations on the matter in their daily virtual team meetings.

Honest dialogue and a common understanding that a problem exists in this country is a huge first step in progress. But Wilson knows it must be followed by meaningful action if a change is to be realized.

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