Category: 2020 season

Bears’ Robert Quinn among the top 10 disruptive players in 2020

According to Next Gen Stats, Bears OLB Robert Quinn was actually more productive than the box score indicated.

The Chicago Bears signed Robert Quinn to a five-year, $70 million contract last offseason following a dominant performance, where he was among the league’s best pass rushers.

While Chicago believed they were getting that some player when they inked him to that massive deal, Quinn’s 2020 season was an utter disappointment considering the Bears paid him to be a dominant force on defense.

But according to Next Gen Stats, Quinn was actually more productive than the box score indicated. Quinn was a top-10 disruptor in 2020, despite what his two-sack total indicated.

Next Gen Stat’s metric of disruptions is the combined total of hurries, pressures or sacks, with only one counting per play.

Quinn had a disruption rate of 15% and 46 total disruptions. Although, as Bears fans know well, Quinn’s sack total was disappointing. He had a sack rate of 0.7% with just two sacks on the season.

Quinn was a top-three disruptor in 2019, which is why the Bears were willing to sign him to a five-year, $70 million deal in 2020. Good news for the Bears: He’s still a top-10 disruptor at 31 years old. Quinn has eye-popping speed off the edge, posting an average get-off of 0.8 seconds or less in each of the last five seasons. He finished with the fourth-fastest average time to hurry (any time a player gets within 1.5 yards of a QB from snap to pass) in 2020 at 2.75 seconds.

His sack total, however, is not what you’d expect for a player making $14 million per year. Quinn tied for the fewest sacks of any player who has posted a 12 percent or better pressure rate and 300-plus pass rushes in a single season during the Next Gen Stats era (since 2016), meaning his sack total should be higher than it was in 2020. That’s what Bears fans hope will happen in 2021. I know it might be a surprise to see Quinn included here, but keep in mind that sacks are not an all-encompassing stat. Quinn was still making a difference even if he wasn’t getting home often in 2020.

While Quinn proved to be effective in pressuring the quarterback, the Bears are still going to need him to do a better job of getting after the quarterback in 2021.

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Justin Shorter should see more targets in 2021

Justin Shorter didn’t see a ton of targets in his first season after transferring from Penn State, but he should be a major target in 2021.

Name: Justin Shorter

Number: 89

Position: Wide Receiver

Class: Redshirt Sophomore

Height: 6’5″

Weight: 225 lbs

Hometown: Monmouth Junction, N.J.

High School: South Brunswick

Previous School: Penn State

Twitter: @jshortz10

2020 statistics:

REC YDS AVG TD
25 268 10.7 3

Overview:

Coming out of high school, Shorter was one of the top targets nationally in the class of 2018. A five-star receiver (the top in the class, per the 247Sports Composite) and top-10 overall recruit, Shorter originally signed with Penn State, where he saw limited action as a true freshman. He appeared in four games, but he made just three catches for 20 yards, taking a redshirt. His second season in 2019, he saw action in 10 games but was limited to 12 catches for 137 yards and no touchdowns.

He elected to transfer from the Nittany Lions after the season, and his waiver for immediate eligibility with UF, his new school was approved, likely due to allegations of hazing within the Penn State program (or because the NCAA has a penchant for approving the waivers of former top recruits).

Either way, Shorter joined an absolutely stacked Gators receiving corps that included Trevon Grimes, Kadarius Toney and Jacob Copeland, not to mention world-beating tight end Kyle Pitts. As a result, he struggled to see targets once again, but he did have the best season of his career.

He finished with 23 catches for 268 yards and three touchdowns (all career highs) in 2020. Though he wasn’t exactly the dominant receiver UF hoped he would be, considering his recruiting status, he showed off some nice ball skills. He’s a huge target, very similar to Grimes, and will likely occupy a similar role to the one Grimes had next season.

Shorter and Copeland are the only returning receivers with significant playing time in 2020. No returning wideout other than those two had more than 12 catches in 2020, and Shorter should finally see the opportunity as a top target he’s been waiting for.

Video:

Jeremiah Moon looks to make his sixth year his best

Linebacker Jeremiah Moon takes advantage of the sixth year of eligibility offered by the NCAA hoping injuries won’t limit him yet again.

Name: Jeremiah Moon

Number: 7

Position: Linebacker

Class: Redshirt Senior

Height: 6’5″

Weight: 250 lbs

Hometown: Hoover, Ala.

High School: Hoover

Twitter: @jmoonvii

2020 statistics:

TOT SOLO AST SACK
14 4 10 1

Overview:

Moon originally joined the Gators under former coach Jim McElwain as a four-star recruit from high school football powerhouse Hoover in Alabama. Moon saw early action as a true freshman, appearing in the team’s first two games and notching three tackles. But he suffered a season-ending injury after that and took a medical redshirt.

He returned in 2017 to a bigger role, appearing in 10 games and starting five for a Florida squad that went 4-7. He finished with 23 tackles (one for loss) and half a sack.

He played in every game as a redshirt sophomore in 2018, but this time he only started four games. Still, he improved his production, reaching 31 tackles with a sack and tackle for loss, as well.

Moon’s redshirt junior season was cut short once again by a season-ending injury, but this time he played in nine games prior (starting eight of them). He only had 31 tackles again, but this time he managed career highs in tackles for loss (6.5) and sacks (3.5).

He entered the 2020 season with some competition at BUCK from Georgia transfer Brenton Cox Jr. Moon won the job to begin the year, and though injuries held him out of the opener against Ole Miss, he started the next four games. But another injury cut his season short, yet again, and he finished with just 14 tackles and a sack.

With three injury-shortened seasons and limited production in college, Moon made the likely wise decision to take advantage of the extra year of eligibility the NCAA is offering due to COVID-19, and he will be back for his sixth year in 2021.

Since his injury, Cox, a former five-star recruit, established himself as the BUCK starter. Moon has his work cut out to win his old job back, but he should at least be a rotational player for UF.

Video:

Mohamoud Diabate could be poised for monster junior season

Mohamoud Diabate started six games in 2020, but his production wasn’t quite where the team hoped. In 2021, that could change significantly.

Name: Mohamoud Diabate

Number: 11

Position: Linebacker

Class: Junior

Height: 6’3″

Weight: 221 lbs

Hometown: Auburn, Ala.

High School: Auburn

Twitter: @MDiabate11

2020 statistics:

TOT SOLO SACK FF INT
67 33 1.5 2 1

Overview:

Originally a four-star recruit out of Auburn, Alabama, Diabate spurned the hometown Tigers to sign with Florida in the 2019 recruiting class. He saw a lot of action as a true freshman, appearing in all 13 games for the Gators and starting one at linebacker. He notched 18 tackles and 4.5 sacks, and he secured an SEC Freshman of the Week award for a three-sack performance in the win over Vanderbilt.

He entered the 2020 season poised to play a major role, and he did, starting six of Florida’s 12 games and appearing in all of them. His total tackles skyrocketed to 67, though he only managed 1.5 sacks. Heading into 2021, he should be one of UF’s starting linebackers, likely taking the weakside spot beside starting middle linebacker Ventrell Miller.

His production as a sophomore may have been a bit of a disappointment, but he should be a centerpiece for next year’s defense.

Video:

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Bears name Allen Robinson, Darnell Mooney recipients of 2020 Piccolo Award

Every year, the Bears select a veteran and a rookie to honor with the Brian Piccolo Award, and it’s Allen Robinson and Darnell Mooney.

Courage. Loyalty. Teamwork. Dedication. A sense of humor. Those are just a few traits that describe the late Brian Piccolo.

Every year, the Bears select a veteran and a rookie that best exemplify those traits to honor with the Brian Piccolo Award. This year’s recipients are wide receivers Allen Robinson and Darnell Mooney.

Robinson and Mooney were two of the most exciting aspects of an otherwise underwhelming Bears offense last season. Mooney, a fifth-round rookie out of Tulane, exploded onto the scene, where he quickly climbed his way into the No. 2 wideout roll behind Robinson.

Robinson posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons — with questionable quarterback play. Chicago was able to retain Robinson through at least 2021 by using the franchise tag on him, where the hope is the two sides can finally lock down a long-term extension.

Piccolo is most known for his relationship with former Bears running back Gale Sayers, and their friendship was the spotlight of the film Brian’s Song, which has left many that watch it sobbing from the emotional connection felt in the film.

Piccolo passed away after embryonal cell carcinoma, an aggressive form of germ cell testicular cancer, had spread to his chest cavity. He was 26 years old. Still, Piccolo’s memory lives on through the stories told and an annual award that honors those traits that defined his character.

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Xzavier Henderson is in line to be Florida’s next blue-chip offensive player

The Gators’ young wideout has the traits to become a downfield threat, but he’s not fully baked yet and needs to develop in 2021.

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Name: Xzavier Henderson

Number: 3

Position: Wide Receiver

Class: Sophomore

Height: 6’3″

Weight: 191 lbs

Hometown: Miami, Fl.

High School: Colombus High School

2020 statistics:

REC YDS TD LNG AVG
9 148 1 43 16.4

Overview:

Henderson played in nearly every one of the Gators’ games as a true freshman, but he wasn’t prioritized for touches in an offensive system monopolized by Kadarius Toney and Kyle Pitts. The fact that he was able to get his hands on nine passes is impressive in the context of his youth and status among a crowded batch of offensive skill position players.

Henderson comes from football family. Most notably, his older brother is a cornerback who parlayed a career at Florida into a first-round draft selection by the Jacksonville Jaguars. The younger Henderson was identified quickly as a high-end prospect on the offensive end of the ball. He was offered on by a number of great programs, and in the end, his college destination was narrowed down to Florida and the then-reigning champion Clemson Tigers.

The traits make Henderson an exciting prospect for the Gators’ offense are twofold. Most obvious is his dynamic movement on the gridiron. He launches off the line of scrimmage with explosiveness and gets downfield in a blur. The whole field is available to him if he turns on the jets. More than just a track runner, Henderson is also able to cut routes. His high school tape is filled with instances of second-level separation being crated at the sideline by means of his suddenness and ability to reverse direction.

Where he could stand to improve is his contested catch ability. Henderson’s long arms and long frame are the building blocks to be a nightmare for defensive backs. However, he’s not the strongest guy and may not be willing to sacrifice some of his speed for added bulk.

The Gators’ offense is taking on a new shape in the upcoming season. They’re unlikely to get punch-drunk on wheel routes under the stewardship of Emory Jones, who will presumptively herald a run-centric offense. That’s not the kindest system for a player like Henderson, but he has the requisite skills to add more complex intermediate routes to his repertoire.

The ceiling for Henderson is an absolutely dominant downfield threat and a quarterback’s best friend. If everything clicks, he’ll be the guy the signal caller defaults to when the offensive scheme is disrupted. That’s an immensely valuable player to have in the system, but he’s not that player yet. In-game reps in 2021 will go a long way toward discerning whether can become the best version of himself.

Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3H8bn-u90nA

OLB Brenton Cox Jr. returns hoping to build off solid 2020 season

After transferring from Georgia, Brenton Cox Jr. found a good bit of success in his first season donning the Orange and Blue.

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Name: Brenton Cox Jr.

Number: 1

Position: Outside linebacker

Class: Redshirt Sophomore

Height: 6’3″

Weight: 250 lbs

Hometown: Stockbridge, Ga

High School: Stockbridge

Previous School: Georgia

Twitter: @brenton_cox_

2020 statistics:

TOT SOLO SACK FR
41 21 4 1

Overview:

Originally a five-star recruit and the No. 23 player in the country per the 247Sports Composite, Cox Jr. started his career by signing with the in-state Georgia Bulldogs. He spent one season in Athens, playing in all 13 games and totaling 20 tackles. After the season, he was reportedly dismissed from the team following an arrest for marijuana possession.

Cox entered the transfer portal and eventually landed with Georgia’s rival to the south. He joined the Gators midway through the 2019 season and had to sit out the whole year and take a redshirt, per NCAA transfer rules.

Finally cleared to play in 2020, he started all 12 games as an edge-rushing, 3-4 outside linebacker for Florida. he more than double his tackle numbers from his lone season at UGA, totaling 41, and he had four sacks and a fumble recovery, as well. He also led the team in quarterback hurries with 18.

Heading into his redshirt junior season, Cox should start again for the Gators, and they’ll hope he turns into one of the conference’s best defenders.

Ja’Quavion Fraziars is a worthy successor to the Gators’ receiving core

The Gators have a lot to figure out on offense in 2021, and Fraziars could be a significant part of the final pass catching depth chart.

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Name: Ja’Quavion Fraziars

Number: 0

Position: Wide Receiver

Class: Sophomore

Height: 6’3.5″

Hometown: Dunnellon, Fl.

High School: Dunnellon High School

2020 statistics:

REC YDS TD LNG AVG
1 4 0 4 4

Overview:

Fraziars played his freshman season with the Gators in 2020, stuffed deep in the depth chart behind the group of pass-catchers that enabled the high-flying Florida offense. He saw action in seven games but only got one touch in that time. However, his limited playing time in 2020 is hardly indicative of disinterest on the team’s part.

As a recruit, there was never much doubt that Fraziars would be a Gator. They were the first team to offer on him in late 2017 and were considered frontrunners from that time onward. Even after landing a commitment from him, the team was warding off competitors and brought Fraziars to Gainesville for three additional visits before his signing.

The Gators’ offense was gutted by the 2021 NFL draft, leaving plenty of opportunities for an up-and-coming talent to plant their flag. Fraziars isn’t first in line for a starting job, but if he earns one, it will be on his merit as a downfield bully.

“Fraziars has got great ball skills, fabulous hands,” said Florida head coach Dan Mullen during the team’s Spring practice in March. “Big, physical guy, can use his body, really physical blocker and unbelievable ball skills.”

That sentiment was echoed by a Sports Illustrated scouting report from late 2019, which emphasized over and over his vertical ability and length. They also point out the need to improve his route technique, as his tree features few crisp breaks off the vertical step. Even if his development falters, though, he can still find a niche role in Mullen’s offense as a blocker and red zone threat.

On the whole, there’s reason to be excited for Fraziars’ future with the team. With the Gators’ offense largely in flux, he’ll be given an opportunity to grab a spot for himself in the pecking order before the roster’s power vacuum is completely filled.

Video:

Kicker Chris Howard will compete to replace Evan McPherson in 2021

Kicker Chris Howard has only seen limited action during his UF career, but he could be Florida’s primary kicker in 2021.

Name: Chris Howard

Number: 71

Position: Placekicker

Class: Redshirt Junior

Height: 6’2″

Weight: 207 lbs

Hometown: Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

High School: Ponte Vedra

Twitter: @Chris_Howard17

2020 statistics:

FG% FG LNG XPM XPA PTS
100 2-2 32 7 7 13

Overview:

Rated as a five-star player and the No. 23 kicker in the 2017 class by Kohl’s Kicking, Howard turned a successful career at Ponte Vedra High School into a preferred walk-on offer from the Gators. He joined the roster in 2017, playing behind starter Eddy Piñeiro, and he redshirted the season.

He didn’t appear in a game as a redshirt freshman in 2018, though he did appear on the SEC Academic Honor Roll. He saw his first game action the following season in 2019, when he appeared in three games. He was 4 for 4 on extra-point attempts, and he averaged 55 yards on three kickoffs.

He only played in two games in 2020 as a redshirt junior, but he saw significant action in one of them as Florida’s top kicker when Evan McPherson was unavailable against Missouri. He made all five of his extra-point attempts in that game and also drilled two field goals. Howard also attempted a kickoff and converted on an extra point in UF’s win over Arkansas.

With McPherson heading to the NFL, Howard will be one of several kickers competing for the top spot in 2021, alongside Mississippi State transfer Jace Christmann and 2021 recruit Adam Mihalek, who the Gators added as a preferred walk-on.

Video:

Roquan Smith wins Bears’ 2020 Ed Block Courage Award

The Bears have named inside linebacker Roquan Smith the team’s 2020 Ed Block Courage Award winner.

The Chicago Bears have named inside linebacker Roquan Smith the team’s 2020 Ed Block Courage Award winner.

The Ed Block Courage Award is given to a player on each of the 32 NFL teams who “best exemplifies a commitment to sportsmanship and courage and serves as an inspiration in the locker room.” Recipients are voted by their teammates.

“It’s a tremendous honor for me,” Smith said. “Being voted on by my teammates, I think that speaks volumes, just having your peers vote for you and think you deserve this award. That means a lot to me just because of the brotherhood that we have.”

Past Bears winners of the Ed Block Courage Award include Allen Robinson, Zach Miller and Kyle Long.

Smith is coming off an impressive 2020 season where he totaled 139 tackles, 18 tackles-for-loss, seven pass deflections, six quarterback hits, four sacks, two interceptions, and a forced fumble. Entering the final year of his contract, Smith is primed to be a Chicago Bear for a long time.

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