Tag: ben niemann

Titans LB Ben Niemann 1 of 9 players to not miss a tackle in 2022

Titans LB Ben Niemann was as reliable as they come when it came to tackling in 2022.

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One of the sneakier additions of the offseason for the Tennessee Titans was the addition of veteran linebacker, Ben Niemann.

The former Arizona Cardinals linebacker is coming off a season in which he played in all 17 games for Arizona, starting in nine of them.

The Iowa product wasn’t dominant by any means, but he did provide a steady and relatively reliable presence for the Cardinals whenever his number was called.

In fact, Niemann was one of nine players who didn’t miss a single tackle throughout the entire 2022 campaign (minimum 45 tackles), finishing with the third-most tackles (70) without accounting for a single whiff.

What’s most impressive is Niemann didn’t exactly have a small sample size. According to Pro Football Focus, he played a total of 484 defensive snaps, with 249 coverage snaps and 195 snaps against the run.

In total, Niemann accounted for 70 combined tackles, two tackles for loss, and one quarterback hit en route to finishing the 2022 season with an overall grade of 71.0, per PFF.

Looking ahead to 2023, Niemann is vying for one of the starting spots at linebacker for the Titans. He’ll be competing against guys like Azeez Al-Shaair, Monty Rice, Chance Campbell, Jack Gibbens and UDFA Otis Reese.

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Contract details for Titans’ one-year deal with LB Ben Niemann

The details of the Titans’ one-year pact with veteran LB Ben Niemann.

The Tennessee Titans added to their linebackers room this week with the signing of former Arizona Cardinal, Ben Niemann, to a one-year deal.

Niemann has spent his career as a backup, but he did start in nine games for the Cardinals in 2022. He figures to factor into the depth competition at the position behind projected starters Azeez Al-Shaair and Monty Rice.

According to Over the Cap, Niemann’s one-year deal is worth a total of $1.08 million, although his cap hit will be $940,000. To further show Niemann is no lock to make the cut, he has no guaranteed money on the deal.

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While he is not a 53-man lock, Niemann does have a great shot to make the roster thanks to his experience playing both on defense and special teams.

He’ll be competing against guys like Chance Campbell and Jack Gibbens, both of whom are inexperienced, and Luke Gifford, someone we peg as another favorite to grab a depth spot thanks to his experience.

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Titans reveal jersey numbers for LB Ben Niemann, WR Chris Moore

New Titans WR Chris Moore is wearing a jersey number fans should recognize.

The Tennessee Titans have made two additions to their roster this week with the signings of veteran linebacker Ben Niemann and veteran wide receiver Chris Moore.

While neither moves the needle much on either side of the ball, Niemann and Moore are solid veteran depth options for Tennessee at positions that have some question marks right now.

The Titans’ two projected starters at linebacker, Azeez Al-Shaair and Monty Rice, lack full-time starting experience, while the wide receiver position is simply a mess with Tennessee failing to make an impact addition in free agency.

Moore and Niemann provide some insurance, but when it comes to Moore specifically, this signing does zero to address Tennessee’s overall need at the position.

Putting that aside for now, the Titans revealed the jersey numbers for their newest players on Wednesday, and you might recognize the one Moore is sporting (hint: the Titans traded him last offseason).

Here’s a look at those digits, along with the jersey numbers for all of the newest Titans.

Grade for Titans’ signing of LB Ben Niemann

Shaun Calderon grades the Titans’ signing of linebacker Ben Niemann.

The Tennessee Titans added some more depth to their defense yesterday following the signing of former Arizona Cardinals linebacker, Ben Niemann.

Niemann is coming off a 2022 season in which he played in all 17 games for Arizona, starting in nine of them. The Iowa product wasn’t dominating by any means, but he did provide a steady and relatively reliable presence for the Cardinals whenever his number was called.

According to Pro Football Focus, he played a total of 484 defensive snaps, most of which were spent in coverage (249 snaps) or as a run-stopper (195 snaps).

In total, Niemann accounted for 70 combined tackles, two tackles for loss, one fumble recovery and one quarterback hit. Niemann ultimately finished the 2022 season with an overall grade of 71.0, per PFF.

The former Cardinal is likely going to join the Titans’ open competition for the second linebacker spot; however, at the very least he should make his presence felt on special teams and as a backup.

This signing isn’t going to move the championship needle or anything of that nature, but this could be a solid depth addition to an already stout defense.

Grade: B

Titans worked out 2 other LBs before signing Ben Niemann

The Titans worked out two other linebackers on Monday before ultimately signing Ben Niemann.

The Tennessee Titans took a look at three different inside linebackers on Monday before settling on veteran and former Arizona Cardinal, Ben Niemann.

According to the league’s transactions wire, the other two linebackers Tennessee worked out were Nick Kwiatkoski and Tanner Vallejo.

Vallejo was actually a teammate of Niemann’s with the Cardinals in 2022. He appeared in 17 games (five starts) and tallied 37 tackles (two for loss), one pass defensed, one forced fumble and two QB hits.

Kwiatkoski spent last season with the Atlanta Falcons, where he played in 12 games (zero starts) and finished with seven combined tackles while playing only on special teams.

The addition of Niemann, who also has experience playing on special teams, gives the Titans another depth option behind projected starters Azeez Al-Shaair and Monty Rice.

Niemann will be competing for one of the backup spots in training camp, along with Chance Campbell, Luke Gifford and Jack Gibbens.

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What Titans are getting in linebacker Ben Niemann

Jess Root of Cards Wire gives us a bit more information on the Titans’ newest linebacker, Ben Niemann.

The Tennessee Titans made another addition to their linebacker corps. on Monday with the signing of former Kansas City Chiefs and Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker, Ben Niemann.

After spending four years in Kansas City, Niemann latched on with the Cardinals last season, starting a career-high nine of the 17 games he played in. He also saw the second-most defensive snaps of his career (481).

The 27-year-old joins a linebacker group that also includes Azeez Al-Shaair, Monty Rice, Chance Campbell, Luke Gifford and Jack Gibbens.

Al-Shaair and Rice are expected to be the starters, and Niemann, who has experience playing both defense and special teams, will compete against Gifford, Campbell and Gibbens for a depth spot.

In order to get more information on the Titans’ newest linebacker, we asked Jess Root of Cards Wire three questions about the defender he used to cover. Here’s what he had to say about the Iowa product:

Titans fans, media react to signing of LB Ben Niemann

A look at how Titans fans and media reacted to the signing of linebacker Ben Niemann.

The Tennessee Titans made their latest free-agent addition on Monday afternoon when they announced an agreement on a contract with former Arizona Cardinals linebacker, Ben Niemann.

The addition of Niemann gives Tennessee another option at linebacker, a group that also includes projected starters Azeez Al-Shaair and Monty Rice, and backup hopefuls Luke Gifford, Chance Campbell and Jack Gibbens.

Niemann has spent the vast majority of his career as a backup but has seen significant snaps on defense over the years. He also has experience playing on special teams, which is vital for a backup inside linebacker.

Niemann figures to factor in to the equation for one of the backup spots, and he should have a leg up on guys like Campbell and Gibbens, both of whom are entering just their second year in the NFL.

Here’s a look at how Titans fans and media reacted to the news of the signing of Niemann.

Titans agree to terms ex-Cardinals LB Ben Niemann

The Titans have agreed to terms with veteran linebacker Ben Niemann.

The Tennessee Titans have agreed to terms with former Arizona Cardinals linebacker Ben Niemann, the team announced on Monday afternoon. The terms of the contract were not disclosed.

A former undrafted free agent signing of the Kansas City Chiefs, Niemann spent four years there, appearing in 62 games (12 starts) over that span. He played on both defense and special teams.

Niemann signed with the Cardinals in 2022, starting in nine of the 17 games he played and finishing with 70 tackles (two for loss), one pass defensed, one QB hit and one fumble recovery.

The 27-year-old Iowa product figures to factor in to the competition for a depth spot at linebacker, where Monty Rice and Azeez Al-Shaair are expected to start, and a special teams role.

Other linebackers competing for backup spots include Luke Gifford, Jack Gibbens and Chance Campbell. Assuming the Titans carry four, Gifford and Neimann should be considered the favorites thanks to their experience.

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1 pending free agent Chargers should target: NFC West Edition

Listing one free agent from the Rams, Cardinals, 49ers and Seahawks who could be a fit for the Chargers.

The Chargers won’t be as aggressive as they have been in recent years when it comes to signing free agents.

While they’re cash-strapped, general manager Tom Telesco will likely make some moves to have some spendings available to them so they can sign some low-cost players.

That said, I will list one pending free agent from each team in the NFL that could be a realistic target for L.A.

Next up is the NFC West.

LB Ben Niemann quietly has been important part of Cardinals’ defense

His disciplined play sets up other playmakers around him.

The Arizona Cardinals have two linebackers that get a lot of attention in Isaiah Simmons and Zaven Collins, both of whom were first-round draft picks who have had important roles in 2022. They also have a quiet but important linebacker in Ben Niemann, who has been playing an important role.

He has stepped up in a big role since Nick Vigil got injured.

Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has been very impressed by him.

“Ben is a guy who from, Day One, who has been exact in his assignments,” Joseph said Thursday. “When you are playing with a lot of young guys with talent, you need guys like Ben to be exact. He is a part of the machine and you can count on Ben to always do his part.”

He is a great example for Simmons and Collins.

“He’s a defensive favorite because he’s a guy who does it right. That’s football,” he said. “You have to have guys who are going to do it right so Isaiah and Zaven and Budda (Baker) can make their plays.”

He is the disciplined stalwart in the middle of the field.

“He makes his plays when they come to him, he’s a very clear communicator,” he added. “He’s pretty good in coverage, too.”

He will get to see his brother, who plays for the Chargers, this weekend.