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Energetic Giants DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches Ready to Take New York By Storm

The New York Giants' newest defensive lineman can't wait to get started with Big Blue.
Patricia Traina|
Energetic Giants DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches Ready to Take New York By Storm
Energetic Giants DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches Ready to Take New York By Storm

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New York Giants

He’s energetic. Positive. A Joe Schoen-Brian Daboll kind of player. And he’s looking forward to bringing his energy to a football field near you.

“He” is defensive lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches, nicknamed “Nacho,” and this New York Giants free agent signing is ready to add to the Giants’ Super Bowl championship trophy case, which greeted him and his family when they first set foot in the team’s East Rutherford, New Jersey headquarters this week to officially sign his new contract.

“I’m just bringing a whole lot of energy, a whole lot of excitement, a whole lot of teamwork, just hard work and effort,” Nunez-Roches said. “My personality is my personality. Everything I do, I work hard for. It’s just understanding how much this game means to me and how much it gives back to me. I just try to give it all I’ve got, and I don’t know how to wear my emotions or feelings. But it just comes out on my sleeves, and the way I talk, it’s just me.”

Nunez-Roches knows a thing or two about winning Super Bowl championships. He did so with the Bucs in 2020, playing the role of a rotational defensive lineman in Todd Bowles’ defense.

He continued that high level of performance last season, producing two sacks and 11 quarterback pressures in 296 pass-rushing snaps. With the Giants, Nunez-Roches figures to be more of a run stopper on a unit that last year finished 27th against the run, but he’s open to doing whatever defensive coordinator Wink Martindale asks of him.

That includes providing support to fellow defensive linemen Dexter Lawrence and Leonard Williams.

“I just feel like coming here to help and contribute, bringing some great things,” Nunez-Roches said when asked what he felt he could bring to the defense. “Stopping the run is what I do. I do that in my sleep. I just want to help those guys in that aspect. Anything I can do to help them, take the load off them, that’s what I’m here for.”

Describing himself as a “chameleon,” Nunez-Roches said he’s looking forward to helping the Giants build a championship defense.

“I’ve always wanted to be a part of a cause and not a part of a problem,” he said. “I saw where the organization was at and the things they could do and the potential that was here. So, I was like, ‘Man, I feel like I could be one of those factors that takes it to the next level.’ I’ve always wanted to be a part of that. I never liked going to all those ‘dream teams.’ I want to be part of the culture, a part of the change, a part of the shift. That was one of the biggest factors in coming here.”

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Patricia Traina
PATRICIA TRAINA

Patricia Traina has covered the New York Giants for 30+ seasons, and her work has appeared in multiple media outlets, including The Athletic, Forbes, Bleacher Report, and the Sports Illustrated media group. As a credentialed New York Giants press corps member, Patricia has also covered five Super Bowls (three featuring the Giants), the annual NFL draft, and the NFL Scouting Combine. She is the author of The Big 50: The Men and Moments that Made the New York Giants. In addition to her work with New York Giants On SI, Patricia hosts the Locked On Giants podcast. Patricia is also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America.

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