Tag: 33rd team

Titans’ T’Vondre Sweat named to 2024 Midseason NFL Rookie Team

Tennessee Titans defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat was named to the 2024 Midseason NFL Rookie Defense by the 33rd Team.

Hours after it was announced that rookie tackle JC Latham was named to the 33rd Team’s 2024 Midseason Rookie team; the Titans watched another of their prized rookies also garner midseason honors. 

Titans’ rookie T’Vondre Sweat was named to the first team of the 33rd Team’s 2024 Midseason NFL Rookie Defense.


While there was never any question about whether Sweat could hold up against the run game, he saw his stock drop on draft day due to questions about his mammoth size and ability to be a three-down player. The Titans grabbed the defensive tackle in the second round and haven’t looked back. 

Sweat has been impressive throughout the early season and has quickly become a fan favorite. He is also a hulking presence in the middle of the Titans’ defense. He has been an impressive anchor for a unit that has played much better than the Titans’ dismal record would indicate. After seven games, it is clear that general manager Ran Carthon orchestrated one of the best drafts of 2024 and secured some valuable pieces for the future. 

Sweat, who is questionable for the Week 9 matchup with the New England Patriots, will have another opportunity to shine if injuries permit on Sunday. 

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Titans’ JC Latham named to 2024 Midseason NFL Rookie Team

Tennessee Titans tackle JC Latham was named to the 2024 Midseason NFL Rookie Offense by the 33rd Team.

After consecutive debilitating losses, it has been a rough few weeks for the Tennessee Titans. Between struggling offenses, special teams disasters, trades and injuries, things have looked bleak. But according to the 33rd Team, one thing should be a small cause for optimism.

Titans’ rookie JC Latham was named to the first team of the 33rd Team’s 2024 Midseason NFL Rookie Offense.


Latham started his NFL career as somewhat of a question mark after the Titans drafted him seventh overall in the 2024 NFL draft. Strictly a right tackle in college at Alabama, Latham has made a smooth transition to the left side of the offensive line. 

More importantly, he has improved every week and has become the anchor of a young unit. While there is a giant hole at right tackle, Latham and guard Peter Skoronski have become a formidable tandem on the left side, and players the coaching staff and front office can build upon moving forward. After seven games, the selection of Latham looks like a home run, Titans’ fans hope he is the first of many for general manager Ran Carthon. 

Latham and the Titans will return to the field Sunday when they return home to Nashville to take on the New England Patriots in Week 9 Action.

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NFL analyst has Will Levis near bottom of QB rankings

Where does Levis rank in the Week 1 QB power rankings?

2024 is an incredibly important season for Will Levis.

After showing promising signs in 2023, the Titans went all out this offseason to upgrade his supporting cast. Running back Tony Pollard, Wide receivers Tyler Boyd and Calvin Ridley, and a revamped offensive line should all help Levis flourish in 2024.

However, for now, at least one NFL analyst has Levis near the bottom of his QB rankings for 2024.

Dan Pizzuta of 33rd Team recently published a power ranking of all the expected starting QBs in the NFL. Pizzuta had Levis at No. 21. Regarding Levis, the analyst offered the following:

Will Levis is a mystery box quarterback. His best throws can be compared to quarterbacks much higher in these rankings, but his down-to-down consistency puts him down here.

His pocket presence might be his fatal flaw. Last season, Levis took a hit on over a quarter of his dropbacks, which was easily the highest rate in the league. Sometimes, that ends up as a cool throw with a defender in his face, but it’s often just the result of not feeling the pressure in the first place.

If an improved offensive line and receivers can help Levis get the ball out, the Titans could be onto something, but that could be a high bar to clear.

Pizzuta has a point about the pocket presence, but that should only get better as Levis gets more comfortable in the NFL.

For reference, Colts QB Anthony Richardson is ranked three spots ahead of Levis, even with fewer NFL starts.

This is the type of article that won’t matter if Levis performs like we expect him to in 2024. The ball is in Levis’ corner.

Seahawks CB Devon Witherspoon predicted as contender for Defensive Player of the Year

Seahawks CB Devon Witherspoon predicted as contender for Defensive Player of the Year

The Seattle Seahawks have a rising star in their secondary. Last spring, the Seahawks zigged when everyone thought they should zag. Instead of drafting defensive tackle Jalen Carter to help their ailing defensive line, Seattle grabbed the top cornerback prospect in the draft. Anyone who questioned or disliked the pick were immediately swayed once they saw Witherspoon in action for the first time.

It became evident he was a special, game-changing kind of player. The type the Seahawks have been missing (except for Bobby Wagner) on their defense for some time. Witherspoon may have been snubbed for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, but a much more grand prize may be on the horizon for him.

The 33rd Team has listed Witherspoon as a dark horse contender for being the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year. Something not even the legendary Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas or Kam Chancellor were awarded.

Last year in his rookie debut, Witherspoon was sublime. He recorded 79 total tackles, had three sacks, and defended 16 passes – including his lone interception, which he took back 97 yards for a touchdown on Monday Night Football.

Should Witherspoon break out further and claim the title of Defensive Player of the Year, he will join Hall of Famers Kenny Easley and Cortez Kennedy as the only Seahawks to earn such honors.

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Where does Darrelle Revis fall among the top cornerbacks in NFL history?

Darrelle Revis is a top-five defensive back in New York Jets history.

Darrelle Revis, who made three of his four All-Pro appearances as a member of the New York Jets, is one of the top defensive players in NFL history. But where does Revis stack up against the all-time great cornerbacks?

There is no denying that the man nicknamed ‘Revis Island’ for his time with the Jets was among the most dominant players of his generation.

Revis, who was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame last year, is arguably the best player in New York Jets history. He was a lockdown cornerback for the overwhelming majority of his two stints with the Jets, which spanned a total of eight years.

If it was not for his outstanding play, the Jets likely do not make consecutive AFC Championship Game appearances beginning in the 2009 season.

In writing for ‘The 33rd Team,’ Marcus Mosher ranks Revis as the fourth-best cornerback in NFL history:

“There might not be a better man-to-man cornerback in NFL history. If you wanted a defensive back that could wipe away an opposing team’s No. 1 receiver, Darrelle Revis would be your top pick. Revis didn’t have a super long career, starting “only” 142 games. Still, he was as good as it gets during his prime.”

Revis was so good as a cornerback that he would shut down parts of the field with his coverage. It allowed head coach Rex Ryan’s entire defense to operate and function at a high level.

Ahead of Revis on the ranking were Mike Haynes (third) and Rod Woodson (second).

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Deion Sanders, currently the head coach of Colorado, is the top-ranked cornerback on Mosher’s list.

 

Fantasy football: Chargers WR Quentin Johnston tabbed as ‘sleeper to consider for 2023 season’

Quentin Johnston provides great value.

With the 2023 NFL regular season just weeks away, football fans are working hard to get their fantasy football teams together.

While Vikings’ Justin Jefferson, 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey, Bengals’ Jamarr Chase and Chargers’ Austin Ekeler headline a crop of the top players, the depth players are what make a championship team.

That is why not the most well-known or highly regarded yet still talented players in fantasy are just as imperative. That includes rookie wide receiver Quentin Johnston.

Johnston was among The 33rd Team’s 11 sleepers to consider for the upcoming season.

Johnston is also a rookie wide receiver with Round 1 draft capital, which, historically, is an archetype that serves fantasy managers well.

Johnston was drafted to provide a spark to Los Angeles’ offense as he has the speed and explosiveness to stretch the field, outpace defenders in the open field, and has the size to stack defensive backs.

Johnston needs to clean up the dropped passes that have lingered from his college playing days.

Nonetheless, Kellen Moore will design looks for Justin Herbert to get Johnston the ball in space. He averaged 8.9 yards after the catch in 2022 (10th in FBS), and his 18 forced missed tackles ranked eighth this season among receivers in the Power 5 conferences. Hello, big plays.

And even with Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Joshua Palmer in front of him on the depth chart, Johnston still presents an intriguing option to get playing time early on, with room to grow into a sizable role if Allen or Williams were to go down with an injury.

I’m projecting Johnston to finish with 45-50 receptions for 650-700 yards and 4-6 touchdowns.

33rd Team says Jets have one Hall of Fame lock

Do you agree with The 33rd Team? Are there any more?

Next month, two great players in the history of the New York Jets will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Darrelle Revis and Joe Klecko will be forever immortalized in the halls of Canton, Ohio. That we know for sure. But what about the future? Do any current Jets have a shot at Canton?

The folks over at The 33rd Team took a look at the current landscape in the NFL to see which players have a shot, or even are already a lock, to make it to the Hall. The Jets landed one player in this group and it’s not hard to figure out who that is.

That player is quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is considered a lock to make the Hall of Fame. Four MVPs and a Super Bowl win make for a pretty strong case for inclusion into the Hall.

Yeah, yeah, we hear the criticisms, which have exponentially exploded since Aaron Rodgers moved to the New York Jets. Four MVP awards alone make him a Canton cinch, regardless of the alleged underachieving of his Packers teams with only one Super Bowl title.

Consider that, besides Davante Adams, Rodgers never played with a potential Hall of Fame target at a skill position.

“In the age of quarterbacks, Rodgers won four MVPs when the likes of Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Patrick Mahomes and Drew Brees were starring,” (Barry) Wilner said. “Case closed.”

No discussion is needed.

It’s only been one year for Sauce Gardner, so they likely felt it was way too early to talk about his credentials, but the early trajectory could already be heading that way. And if he stays elite, Quinnen Williams may start getting some chatter. But there’s no doubt that Aaron Rodgers will soon have his own bust in Canton.

Where did Eagles’ Nick Sirianni land in a PFF ranking of all 32 NFL head coaches for 2023?

We’re looking at where Philadelphia Eagles’ Nick Sirianni landed in a PFF ranking of all 32 NFL head coaches

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We’re a long way from when Nick Sirianni was heavily criticized for his introductory press conference after being hired by the Eagles.

A nervous Sirianni talked about coaching ball and planting seeds but was judged harshly for an underwhelming performance in front of the national and local media.

Fast forward two years and Sirianni is 23–11 (.676), 2–2 (.500) in the playoffs, and now considered one of the best head coaches in the NFL.

PFF revealed their initial 2023 NFL head coaching rankings, and Sirianni landed behind former Eagles head coach Doug Pederson at No. 8.

8. NICK SIRIANNI, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
We’ll keep the Eagles conversation going with their current head coach, Nick Sirianni. I was skeptical of Philadelphia’s choice to move on from Pederson for Sirianni when they did, but Sirianni has proven, as Pederson did, to be the right man for the job. He has played a role in the ascension of quarterback Jalen Hurts from a fringe starter to a legit MVP candidate now after leading Philadelphia to a Super Bowl in 2022.

Postseason included, the Eagles’ 0.113 expected points added per play ranked second only to the Chiefs, and their 0.141 EPA per rush was the best in the NFL. That’s a monster jump from 0.053 EPA per play and 0.089 EPA per rush the previous season, and a testament to Sirianni’s prowess.

Sirianni will get an opportunity to move towards the next stratosphere of coaching after losing both coordinators to head coaching jobs, officially starting his coaching tree.

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Bills’ Sean McDermott: Josh Allen processes defenses ‘quicker and quicker’ each year

#Bills’ Sean McDermott: Josh Allen processes defenses ‘quicker and quicker’ each year:

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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has ascended to heights most did not foresee when he was selected at the 2018 NFL draft.

For each of those seasons, Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott believes the QB has gotten better and better. Specifically, McDermott said his adjustment to the adjustments being made to him by opponents is the most impressive area Allen has grown.

“Every year, (Allen) is able to process quicker and quicker in terms of how defenses are trying to defend him,” McDermott said.

McDermott’s full analysis on Allen’s growth can be found via the 33rd Team clip below:

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Where did Eagles’ Nick Sirianni land in a ranking of all 32 NFL head coaches for 2023?

We’re looking at where Philadelphia Eagles’ Nick Sirianni landed in a 33rd Team ranking of all 32 NFL head coaches

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We’re a long way from when Nick Sirianni was heavily criticized for his introductory press conference after being hired by the Eagles.

A nervous Sirianni talked about coaching ball and planting seeds but was judged harshly for an underwhelming performance in front of the national and local media.

Fast forward two years, and Sirianni is 23–11 (.676), 2–2 (.500) in the playoffs, and now considered one of the best head coaches in the NFL.

The 33rd Team released their initial head coaching rankings for 2023, and Philadelphia’s top guy landed in the top five.

Sirianni will get an opportunity to move towards the next stratosphere of coaching after losing both coordinators to head coaching jobs, officially starting his coaching tree.

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