Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Texas safety Caden Sterns is expected to be one of the top defensive backs in the nation this season.
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is presented annually to the top defensive back in college football. Continue reading “Texas DB named to Jim Thorpe Award preseason watch list”
Former Cowboys center was selected by the PFWA as the 2020 George Halas Award winner.
Former Cowboys center Travis Frederick is the recipient of the 2020 George Halas Award, an honor given by the Pro Football Writer’s Association to an NFL player, coach or staff member who overcomes the most adversity to succeed.
.@dallascowboys C center @tfrederick72 (Travis Frederick), who was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2019 after missing the entire 2018 season due to a diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome, was selected as the 2020 George Halas Award winner by the PFWA.
— Pro Football Writers (@PFWAwriters) June 22, 2020
Named after Chicago Bears legend George Halas, the award has been given yearly since 1969. Frederick is the second Dallas player to receive the George Halas Award (Roger Staubach, 1980), and comes after a season in which he played 16 high-quality games following a year-long absence due to Guillain-Barré syndrome. Frederick retired early this offseason following the valiant comeback campaign.
Frederick’s road to recovery has been well-chronicled, one that took a toll both mentally and physically. The ordeal likely cut short a prolific career for the 2013 first-round pick. Frederick started 96 games over six NFL seasons, was named to five Pro Bowls and earned three All-Pro honors. The only time he missed in his career was during that lost 2018 season.
Other finalists for this year’s George Halas Award included DT Everson Griffin, OT Russell Okung, TE Darren Waller, and Ravens TE coach Bobby Engram.
Broncos quarterback Drew Lock has seen his NFL MVP odds improve from 150/1 to 65/1 in three months.
In February, Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock had 150/1 odds to win the NFL Most Valuable Player award in 2020. That was before Broncos general manager John Elway added several key weapons to Denver’s offense.
During free agency, the Broncos signed offensive lineman Graham Glasgow and running back Melvin Gordon. In the draft, Denver added wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler, center Lloyd Cushenberry and tight end Albert Okwuegbunam, who was one of Lock’s favorite targets in college.
Betters clearly liked Lock’s odds after the Broncos surrounded the second-year quarterback with talent. Over the last three months, Lock’s odds to win the NFL MVP award have improved from 150/1 to 65/1, according to BetMGM.
Such a large change in odds likely means sports fans were placing a lot of bets on Lock to win the award so oddsmakers adjusted odds for future bets. Even after the change, a $100 bet on Lock would win $6,600 (including the stake) if the QB takes home the NFL MVP award in 2020.
[vertical-gallery id=639491]
The Denver Broncos are among four finalists for ESPN’s 2020 Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year Award.
The Denver Broncos are among four finalists for ESPN’s 2020 Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year Award, the network announced Wednesday. The other finalists are the Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB), New York City FC (MLS) and Sacramento Kings (NBA).
“The Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year Award is given to a sports franchise that demonstrates how teamwork can create a measurable impact on a community or cause,” according to a press release from the Broncos.
ESPN created the award six years ago and Denver is the second NFL team to be named a finalist for the award. Denver Broncos Charities will receive a $25,000 grant for being a finalist and an additional $100,000 grant if the club wins the award. The winner will be announced during the ESPYs on Sunday, June 21.
Over the last year, 120 different Broncos players volunteered for 874 appearances and events, totaling 1,750 hours of community service. The franchise donates an average of more than $1.5 million per year to the community. This year alone, the organization (including alumni) has donated nearly $1 million to Colorado’s COVID Relief Fund.
[vertical-gallery id=639134]
Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller has a goal of leading the NFL in sacks and taking home Defensive Player of the Year honors.
After becoming the Broncos’ all-time leader in sacks and earning Super Bowl MVP honors in the 2010s, outside linebacker Von Miller was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team this week.
“I never dreamed of making the All-Decade Team,” Miller said during a conference call with reporters on April 6. “You think about Super Bowls and Walter Payton Man of the Year. It’s incredible to achieve this honor that’s so hard to get that you never really even think about it. It’s incredible to be here. It’s incredible to receive this honor.”
Though he was excited about making the All-Decade Team, Miller made it clear that he still has another big goal in mind.
“Going forward I have to lead the league in sacks, get a Defensive Player of the Year,” Miller said. “I have to figure out a way to do that. I feel like sacks and the Defensive Player of the Year Award go together. If I can lead the league in sacks, I think they just go hand in hand. It was about sacks before and it’s still about sacks now. It’s about sacks and winning games. Coaching some of the young guys up now, coaching some of the new players that I’m with now.”
Miller has had a decorated career but he is yet to take home a DPOY award. He has the seventh-best odds (18/1) to win the award this season. Now 31 years old, Miller is probably running out of opportunities to lead the league in sacks so the pressure is on to have a big year in 2020. His career high for sacks in a single season is 18.5 (2012).
[vertical-gallery id=636551]
Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller has the seventh-best odds (18/1) to win Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2020.
Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller has won Defensive Rookie of the Year honors (2011), eight Pro Bowl nods (2011, 2012, 2014–2019), seven AP first- or second-team All-Pro honors (2011-2012, 2014-2018) and a Super Bowl MVP award (Super Bowl 50, 2016).
Miller is the Broncos’ all-time leader in sacks and he was named to the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade Team this week. Despite all his accolades, Miller is yet to win a coveted award: Defensive Player of the Year.
Could that change in 2020? Miller has the seventh-best odds to win DPOY this season, according to the oddsmakers at BetMGM. Here’s a look at the ten favorites for the award:
| Player | Odds |
| 1. A. Donald | +750 |
| 2. K. Mack | +1000 |
| 3. N. Bosa | +1300 |
| T-4. Gilmore | +1500 |
| T-4. TJ Watt | +1500 |
| 6. JJ Watt | +1700 |
| 7. V. Miller | +1800 |
| 8. D. James | +2000 |
| T-9. B. Wagner | +2300 |
| T-9. D. Hunter | +2300 |
With 18/1 odds, a $100 bet on Miller would win $1,800 if Miller claims the award this season. Gilmore (’19), Donald (’17-’18), Mack (’16) and JJ Watt (2012, ’14-’15) have won seven of the last eight DPOY awards.
[vertical-gallery id=636478]
Here’s how to watch and stream the 2020 NFL Honors show on Fox.
Emmy Award-winning entertainer Steve Harvey will host the ninth annual NFL Honors show on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 8 PM ET/PT on Fox, recognizing the game’s best moments, players and coaches from the 2019-2020 season.
NFL fans who are unable to watch the show on television can stream NFL Honors using FuboTV (try it free).
The list of awards that will be given out on Saturday evening includes the Associated Press Most Valuable Player award, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year and the AP Coach of the Year award.
Here is the complete list of awards that will be announced:
| AP Most Valuable Player | Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year |
| AP Coach of the Year | AP Comeback Player of the Year |
| AP Offensive Player of the Year | AP Defensive Player of the Year |
| AP Offensive Rookie of the Year | AP Defensive Rookie of the Year |
| Clutch Performance Play of the Year
|
Air & Ground Players of the Year |
| Salute To Service Award | Unstoppable Performance of the Year |
| Deacon Jones Award | Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award |
| Don Shula High School Coach of the Year | AP Assistant Coach of the Year |
| Game Changer Award | Anything But Ordinary Player of the Year |
| Bud Light Celly of the Year | Daily Fantasy Player of the Year |
The Chiefs will face the 49ers in Super Bowl LIV on Sunday, Feb. 2.
[vertical-gallery id=630172]
Broncos guard Dalton Risner and tight end Noah Fant made PFWA’s 2019 All-Rookie Team.
Denver Broncos offensive lineman Dalton Risner and tight end Noah Fant both made the Pro Football Writers of America’s 2019 All-Rookie Team, it was announced Tuesday. Risner allowed 2.5 sacks in 16 starts this season. Risner was also named to Pro Football Focus’ All-Rookie Team.
Fant led all rookie tight ends in receptions (40), yards (562) and yards per catch (14) this season. Fant was selected by the Broncos in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft. Risner was selected by Denver in the second round.
No team in the league has more PFWA All-Rookie selections over the last two years than Denver (four). Last season, running back Phillip Lindsay and outside linebacker Bradley Chubb made PFWA’s All-Rookie Team. Lindsay was voted to the Pro Bowl and Chubb was a Pro Bowl alternate in 2018.
Broncos safety Justin Simmons did not make the PFWA’s All-NFL Team or All-AFC Team but he did take home second-team All-Pro honors from the Associated Press. Simmons is set to become a free agent in March and Denver is expected to make him a high priority this offseason.
[vertical-gallery id=630954]
Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller was named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team this week.
Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller was named to NFL.com’s 2010s All-Decade Team this week. He is the only Broncos player who made the team.
Miller (6-3, 250 pounds) was selected by the Broncos with the second overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft after winning the Butkus Award (given to college football’s best linebacker) while at Texas A&M.
Miller is one of two “edge rushers” on the all-decade team, joining Houston Texans defensive lineman J.J. Watt. Miller and Watt have combined to total 201 sacks over the last decade.
Here is what NFL.com’s Chris Wesseling had to say about Miller:
Why is Watt only second in sacks over the past 10 years? Because edge-rushing terror Von Miller amassed 105 to go with a league-best 26 forced fumbles over the same span. He was the linchpin and Super Bowl MVP on a swarming defense that a biased John Elway considers the best he’s ever seen.
Miller is the Broncos’ all-time leader in sacks, an eight-time Pro Bowler, a seven-time All-Pro and now a member of an all-decade team.
[vertical-gallery id=629941]
Broncos defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones has been named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week.
Denver Broncos rookie defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week after his standout performance against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, the league announced Friday.
Jones has been battling an ankle injury and was a game-time decision for last week’s game. He played through the injury and totaled five tackles and 2.5 sacks in a 27-17 win.
“I was pleasantly surprised,” Broncos coach Vic Fangio said of Jones winning the award. “I was happy for him. Again, he was the guy that had the workout before the game.
“We didn’t really know if he was going to play or not. If you were a betting man during the week you would have bet that he wouldn’t have. He really wanted to play and it was nice to see him get rewarded.”
Jones (6-3, 281 pounds) was selected by Denver in the third round of April’s draft out of Ohio State. He has recorded 14 tackles, 3.5 sacks and one interception this year. Jones has also broken up two passes.
Jones is just the third Broncos rookie in franchise history to win a Defensive Player of the Week Award and the first since Von Miller in 2011.
“It [means] a lot to me, especially because of the history behind it and being the third rookie to do it,” the defensive lineman said Friday.
[vertical-gallery id=629941]
