Last year, the New York Giants held the 255th and final selection in the NFL draft, the notorious “Mr. Irrelevant” pick. The Giants used that pick to select Georgia linebacker Tae Crowder.
Crowder was not deterred by his draft status. He made the final roster and then became a key contributor on the Giants’ ninth-ranked defense after injuries to several starters opened up playing time for the rookie.
Crowder, who also missed time due to injuries, played in 11 games, starting six and had 57 total tackles (three for a loss) with three QB hits and returned a fumble for a touchdown.
The 6-foot-2, 236-pounder is using the ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ tag as a motivation tool. Most players taken last in the draft don’t fare very well in the NFL and Crowder is only the second ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ to start an NFL game since 1967.
“It was really funny because Mr. Irrelevant was actually a thing,” Crowder said in an ESPN interview. “And this is how my whole process has been — just being an underdog and all that and having to overcome a lot of obstacles and get where I wanted to be. . . But it was great to get in that [Mr. Irrelevant] lane and embrace it. I loved it. I still do love it.”
Crowder expect to build on the moniker (“It’s my title now”) and his agent, Blake Baratz, is planning to make the most of the infamous distinction.
“There are ways to market it and maybe turn it around to be ‘Mr. Irrelevant in the past, Mr. Relevant today,'” said Baratz. “As he continues to make a name for himself, plays good football and makes the roster and becomes a leader on that young defense. I don’t think that [label] will leave him any time soon. He’ll use that in a plethora of ways if we can.”
Crowder’s status with the club won’t get any easier this year even after his fine showing as a rookie last year.
The Giants have Lorenzo Carter and Oshane Ximines returning from injury, re-signed Devante Downs and signed veterans Ifeadi Odenigbo, Ryan Anderson and Reggie Ragland via free agency, which will cut into playing time for Crowder and two other second-year linebackers — Cam Brown and Carter Coughlin.
April 26, 2021 at 09:14PM
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Giants' Tae Crowder still motivated by 'Mr. Irrelevant' label - Giants Wire
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