Tag: Blocking

WATCH: Best Brayden Willis highlights from Oklahoma

Willis was a standout Sooner last season, and put together a great highlight reel to warrant his selection by the #49ers in the seventh round

The San Francisco 49ers finally have a plethora of draft picks in the seventh round, with three selections set to take place in short order, barring a trade. They spent their first pick of the round on Oklahoma tight end Brayden Willis, who should have fun learning his craft under one of the best players at his position in the NFL, George Kittle.

Willis isn’t likely to be leaned on in San Francisco’s offense early in his career but could become a guy for the 49ers in the long-term. Check out his best plays at Oklahoma below to get a better sense of what he brings to the table as a rookie:

Former Ravens OL Trystan Colon-signs with Jets

The Ravens reportedly lost offensive lineman Trystan Colon to the New York Jets

The Baltimore Ravens lost a key piece of their offensive line to the New York Jets on Friday when Trystan Colon inked a new deal to move to the Big Apple for the 2023 season. Baltimore, which has been particularly quiet to this point in the first week of free agency, will need to make a corresponding move to replace Colon in short order or risk compromising the depth of their front five.

In Colon, the Jets will get a versatile lineman who can play at both the guard and center positions competently. That flexibility enabled the Ravens to get creative when injuries came up last season, though the 24-year-old lineman only made one start in their 2022 campaign.

By no means will this move doom the Ravens next season, though the overall attrition to their roster over the last week paired with the uncertainty surrounding quarterback Lamar Jackson’s disposition for 2023 is definitely concerning.

Ravens lose TE Josh Oliver to Vikings on first day of 2023 free agency

Ravens tight end Josh Oliver is headed to the Vikings after making the move on the first day of 2023 free agency

The Baltimore Ravens need to clear a significant amount of cap space to sign quarterback Lamar Jackson to a long-term deal. There have already been multiple moves that the team has made to get under the threshold for the salary cap, including moving on from star defensive lineman Calais Campbell.

Outside of clearing cap space, Baltimore also was never going to be able to retain all of their own free agents. That was the case with tight end Josh Oliver, who is headed to the Minnesota Vikings following two years with the Ravens.

Oliver was traded to Baltimore by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021 for a conditional seventh-round pick. He’s tallied 26 catches for 230 yards and two touchdowns over the course of his four-year career, and has blossomed into one of the best blocking tight ends in the league.

The Ravens can now turn the keys fully over to their two second-year tight ends in Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar, playing alongside Mark Andrews. Oliver’s presence won’t be easily replaced, but Baltimore has plenty of tight end depth to get the job done.

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Chiefs RB Jerick McKinnon breaks down intricacies of pass blocking

McKinnon has gained a reputation as a tough-as-nails blocker in the #Chiefs’ backfield, and broke down his mentality to reporters on Thursday. | from @TheJohnDillon

Jerick McKinnon has been the most impactful presence in the Kansas City Chiefs’ backfield this season, and it isn’t just his work in the ground game that has him turning heads.

Instead, his role as Patrick Mahomes’ bodyguard on passing plays has the nation talking about the ninth-year running back. He told reporters on Thursday about his mentality as a blocker and made it clear that his short stature gives him the drive he needs to fight off pass rushers who seek to penetrate Mahomes’ protection in the pocket.

“Passion…I got ‘little-man syndrome,'” McKinnon said. “Yeah, I got little-man syndrome, so I don’t know, maybe that’s what it is. And then like I was saying to someone earlier, it was something that I’ve never done in college, so obviously coming to the league, it being new and something I had to work at. (I) accepted the challenge and it has gotten me this far and (it’s) something that going to keep you around as a running back in this league. So, I take big pride in that area – more than running and catching the ball – for real.”

He continued his comments on the matter by saying that the key to successful pass protection isn’t necessarily about technique or preparation, but that his effort and desire to dominate his opponents gives him the edge on Sundays.

“You’ve just got have will, it’s just all heart and will,” McKinnon explained. “You have technique and all stuff like that to clean it up, but at the end of the day it’s one-on-one, so you’ve just got to have the will for it.”

Though he certainly does his best to make up for his slight frame, he knows that his stature puts him at a disadvantage against bigger defensive linemen. Still, for McKinnon, it is his insistence on excellence in pass protection that motivates him. He even admitted it in a way that might seem bizarre to some fans.

“I’m not going to lie, there are some big guys coming full speed,” McKinnon said. “You’ve got to be a little crooked in the mind, for sure. It’s what makes the game fun. Me and the O-Line, we always joke about it. It’s all aspects of the game for me that make it enjoyable — whether it’s running, catching, blocking, blocking downfield, whatever I can help the team do to be successful.”

With respect to what he does to prepare for his blocking assignments, McKinnon told the media that the time he spends with the Chiefs’ offensive linemen helps him ensure the protection of Kansas City’s franchise quarterback.

“Just staying on top of my keys, knowing what protections are called, the possible scenarios that could work out,” McKinnon said. “Just getting together with the O-Line and you know talking through things. Maybe some unscouted looks (opponents) might present. Just situations like that and making sure everybody is on the same page. Do whatever it takes to keep Pat (Mahomes) clean in the pocket and give those guys on the outside opportunities to make plays.”

Heading into Sunday’s matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, McKinnon seemed to know that he would have his hands full in protecting Mahomes. Especially given the injury that the quarterback suffered last week, McKinnon left no doubt that his tough-as-nails mentality would remain a constant in the AFC Championship Game.

“For me, it’s going to be the same thing,” McKinnon said. “If he needs me, just be there, be available, have his back in pass protection – whatever it is. Keep him clean in the pocket.”

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8 things I learned from watching Lions vs. Vikings film

On Taylor Decker’s dominance, Aidan Hutchinson stepping up, WR blocking, great tackling, peak Jared Goff and more

The first viewing of the Detroit Lions’ 34-23 victory over the Minnesota Vikings was glorious in its own right. Sunday’s win marked the fifth time in six games Dan Campbell’s team prevailed, and it was an emotionally charged victory that breathed some real life into the Lions’ playoff hopes.

As is often the case, the film review strips the emotion and intensity from the game. I went back through and watched the game again twice — both the broadcast feed and the all-22 coach’s film. This was a great game to review with a lot of intricacies and subtleties much more visible the second (and third) time around.

Here’s some of what I took out of the film review of the Lions Week 14 win over the Vikings.

Saints’ Cesar Ruiz is finally coming into his own at right guard

His New Orleans Saints career didn’t start out as many hoped, but Cesar Ruiz is finally coming into his own as a dependable right guard:

It’s taken some time, but Cesar Ruiz is beginning to turn the corner. The third-year New Orleans Saints right guard didn’t exactly hit the ground running — his first two years in the starting lineup were full of frustration for him and his team’s fans, and his name was brought up in trade talks early in the offseason. But nothing came of it, and Ruiz has since gone on to play the best football of his pro career.

Right now, Ruiz ranks fourth in total snaps played at right guard (479) around the NFL going into Week 8, and seventh in pass-blocking snaps among players at his position (289). He’s been penalized just once all season, and that was on a bogus foul for being an ineligible receiver downfield (which didn’t hold up under postgame video review, but wasn’t a play that could be challenged during the game). Pro Football Focus play-by-play charting found he’s allowed just 5 pressures (2 sacks) on those reps in pass protection, which is kind of stunning. Ruiz is tied with Pittsburgh Steelers left guard Kevin Dotson for the fewest pressures allows among the top 21 guards (left or right) in total pass-blocking snaps.

The gulf between Ruiz at No. 17 and New York Jets right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker at No. 21 is just as wide as that between Vera-Tucker and the No. 22-ranked player in pass pro snaps played at guard (New York Giants right guard Mark Glowinski), hence the sample size. But let’s get back to Ruiz.

The former Michigan Wolverine is playing really well right now, and not just as a pass blocker. New Orleans is averaging 5.2 yards per carry as a team, and 5.8 on runs to the right side where Ruiz and right tackle Ryan Ramczyk are most responsible for paving the way. He’s moving well on both gap and zone running plays. It’s taken a lot of patience and some coaching changes — the Saints brought back Doug Marrone as their offensive line coach this spring, retaining Zach Strief as his assistant, with former All-Pro right guard Jahri Evans joining them for training camp as a coaching intern — but Ruiz is finally coming into his own.

So good for him. Sure, the Saints are 2-5 and struggling in some facets of the game, but Ruiz has been a surprising bright spot for them. He’s looking like a dependable player who can hold down his spot and continue to work well between Ramczyk and longtime center Erik McCoy, who just signed a multiyear contract extension. The Saints have a decision to make on Ruiz’s contract in March 2023 with his fifth-year option coming up, which Over The Cap estimates will be valued at more than $13.9 million for the 2024 season (those options must be picked up a year in advance). If Ruiz keeps this up, he’ll make that decision an easy one for New Orleans, and maybe earn a long-term contract.

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Why tight end Noah Fant will fit well in Seahawks ‘balanced offense’

Tight end Noah Fant sees the Seattle Seahawks offense as similar to what was run in Denver and thinks he’ll fit right into the scheme.

Seahawks tight end Noah Fant plans to “take the leap” this year entering into his fourth professional season in the NFL and thinks Seattle is just the place to do it.

“I’ve gotten to talk to the OC, the tight ends coach, coach (Pete) Carroll,” Fant told reporters during his press conference this week. “I know this is a balanced offense. This is the offense that runs the ball, that’ll play off play–action, that uses their tight ends, and I’m excited to be a part of that.”

Fant believes he’ll be a natural fit into the Seahawks’ scheme because of the similar personnel style the Broncos used in Denver.

“We had two powerful backs that we had to block for, and both of them rushed for close to a thousand yards last year,” Fant explained. With Chris Carson hopefully on the mend and Rashaad Penny inked to a contract extension, that’s exactly what the Seahawks want to have this season.

“I think it’s going to be something similar in that aspect,” Fant continued. “And so that’s exactly why I want to make sure I get in and understand the offense and then really be able to contribute in the run game, which will help me even more in the pass game also.”

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Lions coordinator Brayden Coombs: C.J. Moore ‘has had an outstanding camp’

Detroit Lions special teams coordinator Brayden Coombs recently said safety C.J. Moore “has had an outstanding camp”.

Getting coaches to comment on a player’s progress during the offseason can often be a chore. So when a coordinator brings up a player unprompted and then praises him, it’s worth taking notice.

That’s exactly what happened on Sunday when Lions special teams coordinator Brayden Coombs virtually met with the Lions media and brought up safety C.J. Moore and his contributions during training camp.

“Hesitate to single anybody out, but I would say, C.J. Moore is a guy who has had an outstanding camp,” Coombs said. “I would say first off, you talk about just a great kid, hard worker, has worked for everything.”

Moore, an undrafted free agent out of Mississippi in 2019, made the Lions roster last season based on his ability to contribute on special teams as a starting gunner. But Coombs has asked Moore to change roles this offseason and he has taken on Tavon Wilson’s old role as Personal Protector (PP).

The “PP” is a massively important role on special teams as he is the last line of defense for the punter, typically setting up five-yards back from the long snapper. The PP is responsible for recognizing the punt rush formation and making blocking adjustments accordingly.

“To be perfectly frank,” Coombs continued, “(Moore) is a guy probably that I underestimated coming in as a new coach and probably I was just wrong on just going off of the tape and my perception of him coming in but has really just kind of took the bull by the horns.

“You know, the guy had multiple tackles as a gunner last year, was a starting gunner and I’m sure you guys have seen – kind of I came in and asked him to move to PP, and not only the PP, but moved him to be the backup PP and he never complained. Never tried to convince me that he was best where he was, just really embraced it, dove in headfirst, wore me and ‘Mule’ (Don Muhlbach) out all offseason just learning the protection aspect of playing that position and did a great job, has really earned everything that he is getting right now in terms of playing time and opportunities.”

As the Lions fifth safety on the depth chart, Moore entered camp firmly on the roster bubble, but his ability to stand out on special teams could earn him another year in the NFL.

“So, that would be a guy (Moore) that I am very, very excited with, excited for, and really proud of,” Coombs continued. “I would say, just the way he handled everything, the way he approaches everything on a daily basis. We have a team of 53 guys like that, we’ll be in great shape. There’s a lot of other guys I could rattle off, but a guy who’s really stood out in camp as one of our best players would be C.J.”

Go ahead and find a spot for him in your 53-man roster projections.

Kyle Pitts the top tight end in 2021 class, per The Athletic

Florida Gators tight end Pitts is expected by many to be one of the top tight ends in the country in 2020 and The Athletic agrees.

UF tight end Kyle Pitts is garnering himself quite a bit of offseason attention. Coming off a stellar sophomore season in which he made 54 catches for 649 yards and five touchdowns, Pitts is expected by many to be one of the top tight ends in the country in 2020.

In an article from The Athletic comparing the nation’s top draft-eligible tight ends, Pitts was ranked in the No. 1 spot. He was praised for his “freak athleticism,” as his agility is comparable to that of a smaller receiver. He was also praised for his route-running, which was on full display in his matchup with LSU corner Derek Stingley Jr., in which he won most of his battles.

However, The Athletic also said he needs to improve on his finishing skills to solidify himself as the top tight end prospect. Pitts drops one of every eight catchable passes, a rate that needs to improve for quarterback Kyle Trask‘s top target. The No. 2 tight end in the class, Penn State’s Pat Freiermuth, drops one of every 16 catchable passes.

Still, Pitts was deemed to have first-round potential and was compared to longtime NFL tight end Jared Cook. If he can work on his consistency and blocking, he has all the physical tools to have a dominant season in 2020.

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Chiefs RT Mitchell Schwartz explains what it’ll be like blocking for Clyde Edwards-Helaire

The Kansas City Chiefs offensive line won’t have to change much to block for new RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

The offensive line won’t have to change much in order to block for new Kansas City Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire according to RT Mitchell Schwartz.

During Friday’s media availability, Schwartz was asked about what he’d have to keep in mind in order to block for a smaller and shiftier RB like Edwards-Helaire. He’s blocked for a number of different running backs in Kansas City since his arrival in 2016, including Charcandrick West, Spencer Ware, Kareem Hunt, Damien Williams and others. As far as Schwartz is concerned, the offensive line won’t have to change what they’re doing no matter who is running the ball in 2020.

“You just kind of want to get the smallest opening you can and trust him to do the rest,” Schwartz said. “From our perspective, we don’t change what we’re doing. The kind of premium is on moving the line of scrimmage, and your run game, as far as the running back can get past the line of scrimmage is going to be the most beneficial. It’s going to pull the linebackers onto the o-line. If you look at the running back, if there’s penetration and he’s making a cut three yards in the backfield, it’s the timing of the play. Maybe the center, who is climbing up to the linebacker, he’s probably not going to be there yet because you know the linebacker is going to jump behind based on the cutback early, and then the center can’t get there and the play is completely dead.  Whereas if we have a yard or two on the line of scrimmage, the running back can get right back behind there and the linebacker is kind of frozen, he’s stuck, he doesn’t know what to do. Then that brings the linebacker to us. So, that’s always the premium we’re thinking about.”

So long as the Chiefs’ offensive line can create movement, keep the timing of the play right and suck the linebackers in, Edwards-Helaire should be able to find success. That wasn’t always the case when the Schwartz and the rest of the offensive line tried to run block in 2019. There’s room for improvement this offseason as far as that is concerned.

Schwartz is confident that the coaching staff will get Edwards-Helaire prepared so he can properly synergize with the offensive line. He even believes that Edwards-Helaire’s natural ability has the chance to save the offensive line from some potential headaches.

“When you look at Deland [McCullough] and EB [Eric Bieniemy] and how they coach running backs, they coach them very hard, and that’s because it’s all interconnected,” Schwartz explained. “If you have a running back who kind of freelances and does his own things, things don’t mesh too well. It’s a really good harmony and it is nice to know if somebody gets cut loose, you throw that devastating spin move and jukes him out of his shoes and maybe he [Clyde Edwards-Helaire] can make us look good.”

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