Sports

2021 is a season of show and prove for Daniel Jones and the Giants

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor

The time is now for Daniel Jones and the Giants. The 2021 regular season, which for the Giants begins this Sunday at MetLife Stadium hosting the Denver Broncos (4:25 p.m. kickoff), is one that will determine the course of the franchise’s immediate future and that of Jones, as the two are inextricably intertwined.

The Giants’ primary decision makers, co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch, and general manager Dave Gettleman, invested the No. 6 overall pick in 2019 in Jones, trusting he would be the long-term successor to two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning at quarterback. Since replacing Manning in the starting lineup in Week 3 of the 2019 season, the objective assessment of his play is that it has been maddeningly inconsistent in the view of fans, his coaches and aforementioned executives.

Yet, Jones is not solely responsible for the Giants’ potential fortunes or failures. Second-year head coach Joe Judge has the challenging charge of developing a roster that will execute and produce in all facets of the game to a degree that will elevate them to contenders for the NFC East division title after going 6-10 last season. The most evident concern is that Jones will be operating behind an unproven offensive line, whose starting unit was mauled by the New England Patriots in the Giants’ third and final preseason game two Sunday’s ago.

It was their only collective appearance during the preseason and an alarming revelation for a team that has made a concentrated attempt to build a consistently sturdy offensive front for the better part of the last 10 seasons. Consequently, there is a correlation to the Giants having made the playoffs just once since winning the Super Bowl in 2011 and finishing 31st in scoring (17.5 points per game) out of 32 teams in the NFL last season. Another critical factor in how the Giants upcoming season will unfold is the health and durability of running back Saquon Barkley. As in the case of Jones, the organization used a hefty asset in the form of the No. 2 overall pick in 2018 to draft the Bronx native. Barkley was sensational to start his career, becoming only the third NFL player to exceed 2,000 total yards (2,028) in his first year, breaking the league rookie record for receptions for a running back (91), setting the Giants’ single-season rookie mark for touchdowns (15) and establishing himself as the only rookie in franchise history to rush for more than 1,000 yards (1,307).

He had a strong sophomore season, topping 1,000 yards again (1,003) in 2019 and catching 52 passes despite missing three games due to a high ankle sprain. But last Sept. 20, in Week 2 versus the Chicago Bears, Barkley tore his right ACL and has

not played since. The 6-0, 230 pound force will be a visceral and tangible boost for the Giants, although when the 24-year-old Penn State product will be back had not been announced by the team as of mid-week. With an additional game added to the NFL regular season schedule this season, bringing the number to 17 teams to play, ensuring Barkley is ready for full contact and maintaining his health is paramount for the Giants after a long and grueling year of recovery. “This whole process I’ve been a team player listening to the doctors, listening to the coaches, listening to the trainers knowing that they have my best interest at heart,” said Barkley last Thursday after a Giants practice. “Whatever they feel that is best for me and best for the team, I’m willing to do.” The return of Giants running back Saquon Barkley from a On Monday, Judge stressed a decision on torn ACL should be a major boost to an offense that ranked Barkley will be made with caution and pru31st in scoring out of 32 teams in the NFL last season dence. “I know the next question coming is, ‘Where are you on Saquon?’” he said to reporters. “Look, that won’t be decided until later in the week. I want to see how he responds to a couple things physically within his body and make the best assessment going forward for him this weekend and going forward past that.” Prominent oddsmakers are giving the Giants little chance to make the playoffs. However, there are many variables that could alter their prediction as the season progresses. It’s all on the Giants to defy the odds.

(Bill Moore photo)

The Jets hope Wilson ends their long pursuit of a franchise quarterback

By VINCENT DAVIS Special to the AmNews

Sunday will be the official start of the 2021 NFL season for the New York Jets and a new beginning for the franchise with first-year, first-time head Robert Saleh and rookie quarterback Zach Wilson. It’s another reboot for the Jets in their effort to ascend to the top of the AFC East division.

Ironically, their opening game is against the Carolina Panthers on the road. The Panthers also have a new starting QB, Sam Darnold, who the Jets drafted No. 3 overall in 2018 to lead them back to prominence. It didn’t work out and Darnold was traded to the Panthers this past April for three draft picks—a sixth rounder in April’s draft, and second and fourth round picks in next year’s draft.

The Jets then selected Wilson No. 2. He was one of five quarterbacks taken in the first round. While the team isn’t expected to be a threat to the Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots or Miami Dolphins to win the AFC East, and are a longshot to be a playoff contender, major steps forward are reasonable after having the second worst record in the league last season at 2-14.

The Jets haven’t been to the playoffs since back-to-back losses in the AFC Championship Game in the 2009 and 2010 seasons led by then head coach Rex Ryan with a young Mark Sanchez at QB. Sanchez was a rookie during the Jets’ 2009 run. They haven’t played in a Super Bowl since 1969. All hopes, for now, lie on the presumptive talents of Wilson to get them there.

The 22-year-old from BYU is not the franchise savior, but someone who has the physical tools to be a Super Bowl caliber QB. At 6-3 and 210 pounds, Wilson has a gifted arm and displayed the pinpoint accuracy while passing for 7,652 yards in three years at BYU that separates the top quarterbacks from the rest of the pack.

For Wilson, and any QB, preparation is key. He’ll have to master the team’s playbook, smartly read defenses, and command the line of scrimmage. Jets general manager Joe Douglas is confident

Wilson will grow into an elite NFL quarterback. He was highly impressed with the Draper, Utah native during the draft evaluation process. “Zach really stood out,” said Douglas after selecting him. “His recall, his focus, AMNEWS his intensity, his passion, it all stood out.” In training camp and two preseason 07/01/21 0 74470 22784 7 games Wilson hasn’t disappointed. “He’s been everything we’d hoped for, scouting him at BYU,” said Douglas last week, emphasizing Wilson’s passion for the game and intelligence. “It’s been good seeing him download this information, not making the same mistake twice. Obviously, his physical skills jump out, the way he throws the ball. It’s just an effortless motion.” Only time will tell if the Jets made the right decision. But right now, optimism is the mood of the team.

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A Black man’s emotional recovery from 9/11…20 years later

By CYRIL JOSH BARKER

Amsterdam News Staff

Frederick Myers

In 2011, the AmNews interviewed Frederick Myers, a two-time survivor of both World Trade Center attacks in 1993 and 2001. This year’s 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks finds Myers living his life with resilience.

A former employee of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for 20 years, which had its headquarters in the World Trade Center, Myers worked on the 64th floor of the North Tower. While Myers was not in the building during the 1993 bombing and the 2001 plane crashes, he considers himself a survivor because during both instances, he was supposed to be in the buildings.

At 8:46 a.m. on Sept. 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the World Trade Center’s North Tower between the 93rd and 94th floors, and the tower collapsed at 10:28 a.m. Myers’ regular schedule would have had him in his office at the time. He was late for work that day. Most of his co-workers were killed that day.

“I’ve skipped over two terrorist attacks,” he said in his 2011 interview. “I can’t explain it. All survivors didn’t come out with dust and blood on their faces. My testimony is that God steered me away from death two times. I was steered away from harm’s way two times.”

Since that time, the AmNews has run Myers’ story annually to coincide with the 9/11 commemoration. Over the years, the piece has received numerous comments praising Myers for his bravery and story of surviving. There were also questions about what happened to him.

Ten years later, Myers and his now27-year-old daughter Lauren sat down with the AmNews to give readers an update on his triumphs and continued success 20 years after the 9/11 attacks.

“September 11 just fortified my relationship with my God,” Myers said. “I listen very closely to the directions to what assignment he wants me to have. What I want people to know is that we’ve got to take care of each other. We have to take care of ourselves, self-care is paramount.”

Over the past 10 years, Myers says he still doesn’t look at the news coverage of the 9/11 commemorations because of the painful memories of the co-workers he lost. He has walked through the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in Lower Manhattan.

“The pain is there but one of the things that I have learned how to do is turn the pain into action,” Myers said. “You can sit around and you can grieve, you can remember, but you need to take some action.”

Some of the action includes continuing to advise the group of young men he mentored while working for the Port Authority. He still serves as an advisor to the men who have moved through the agency and created families of their own.

Myers is currently enrolled in a doctoral program at the historically-Black Morgan State University’s Community College Leadership Program with plans to become a community college president.

“One of the things that I feel like I can do is contribute to the education of those who are coming behind me,” he said. “That’s the work I’m interested in doing. Trying to create situations where people are empowered.”

Along with being a survivor of 9/11, Myers is also a cancer survivor. In December 2020 he was diagnosed with cancer and as of July he is cancer free.

“These are life hurdles that are unexpected but you’re never going to have enough tenacity to overcome those hurdles,” Myers said. “Every hurdle is an opportunity for God to

strengthen you and to fortify you.” Myers credits his daughter Lauren for keeping him motivated. On the day of the 9/11 attacks, Lauren was in the second grade. On that day she thought her father had gone to work and when she found out what was going on she didn’t know where her father was. She eventually received a call from him confirming he was alright. One of the things that made Myers late for work on 9/11 was having to walk his daughter to the bus stop for school. Today at age 27, Lauren holds two associates degrees, a bachelor’s degree and is contemplating a masters degree. She said seeing her father on his emotional journey and success has motivated her. “If he hadn’t walked me to the bus stop, he probably would have been at the towers,” Lauren said. “It’s motivating for me to keep going, especially with my education and to overcome trauma like that in a positive way.” Lauren says she wants to work with victims of domestic violence and has interest in getting a masters degree in psychology. Part of Myers’ healing in(Bill Moore photo) cluded mental health and he says he’s better now than he was 10 years ago. He maintains his criticism that the Port Authority at the time didn’t do enough to address the mental health of people who suffered both World Trade Center attacks. Myers said the suffering of African Americans during and after 9/11 has still not been told and addressed sufficiently. “Many of the African Americans who suffered from 9/11 were in service capacity, very much like COVID,” he said. “They were the busboys, they were the cooks, they were the servers, they were maintenance people. Those folks made the World Trade Center great. The African American voice is kind of silent for a couple of people who wanted to grandstand.” Myers concluded, “My message is, keep moving forward. It doesn’t matter if you stumble, even if you fall, the gospel song says, ‘we fall down but we get up.’ I welcome any adversity, any challenge. I’ve been fortunate, I’ve been blessed.”