Tag: Bryce Huff

New York Jets DT Quinnen Williams may increase sack total in 2024

If the New York Jets are able establish scoring leads, DT Quinnen Williams may have more chances to let loose in the pass rush in 2024.

New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams totaled just 5.5 sacks last season. However, a dynamic change in the Jets’ offensive play style may lead to an increase in sack opportunities for Williams in 2024.

The Jets ranked No. 7 in the NFL with 48 sacks last season and Williams wasn’t even the reckoned force leading the team in such category. Defensive end Bryce Huff and linebacker Jermaine Johnson were the catalyst behind the Jets’ pass rush. Williams, often faced with a double team, has however been pivotal setting picks in defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich’s blitz scheme.

Moreover, with a third-down conversion rate of 25%, the Jets offense practically left its defense out on a limb last season. With an inability to sustain offensive drives, Williams’ and the Jets’ defense spent more time defending the run as last year, as opponents sought to salt games away and dictate time of possession.

Offensive Coordinator Nathaniel Hackett will be intentional about fixing offensive woes and this may yield an increase in points per game for the Jets. Thus, ff the Jets are able to sustain scoring leads this season, this may force opponents into more passing situations, giving Williams a chance to let loose in the pass rush.

Vic Fangio has an interesting response when asked if Bryce Huff can play every down

Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio says Bryce Huff isn’t ready to be an every down defensive end

Philadelphia signed defensive end Bryce Huff to a three-year, $51 million contract this offseason, hoping he would be a younger and more explosive version of Haason Reddick, whom they traded to the New York Jets.

At 25 years old, Huff has increased his sack production in seasons, jumping from 3.5 sacks in 2022 to 10.0 this past season. Now the question is whether Huff can transition into the role of being a consistent, three-down defensive end for the Eagles.

Vic Fangio was tasked with answering that question on Thursday. As of today, Huff isn’t ready for that role, but Philadelphia’s defensive coordinator believes he can be.

More of a situational pass rusher than a true defensive end or SAM linebacker, Huff played in just 42 percent of the Jets’ defensive snaps, as he was used solely in pass-rushing situations. He still logged ten sacks, and one season after Philadelphia brass was left highly disappointed with the pass rush’s production, Howie Roseman signed a natural.

Fangio won’t be dropping Huff into coverage on 50% of the downs, and his arrival should spur an uptick in sacks and pressures. In 2023, Huff recorded 68 quarterback pressures in 312 pass rush attempts — an NFL-leading 21.8% pressure percentage, according to Next Gen Stats (minimum: 300 rushes).

Now we’ll find out if he can duplicate Brandon Graham and develop into an elite-run stuffer.

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Eagles training camp: Highlights from Day 1 of practice

After months of waiting, and stories about Jalen Hurts and head coach Nick Sirianni, the Eagles returned to the NovaCare Complex, for their first training camp practice of 2024. New additions like Saquon Barkley, Bryce Huff and Quinyon Mitchell took …

After months of waiting, and stories about Jalen Hurts and head coach Nick Sirianni, the Eagles returned to the NovaCare Complex, for their first training camp practice of 2024.

New additions like Saquon Barkley, Bryce Huff and Quinyon Mitchell took the field on Wednesday, while rookie defensive back Cooper DeJean will miss three weeks with a hamstring injury.

Here are highlights from Day 1 of action.

Eagles updated 90-man roster arranged by uniform number ahead of training camp

We’re looking at the Philadelphia Eagles updated 90-man roster by uniform number ahead of Tuesday’s report date for training camp

The Eagles are just 12 away from being back on the field for the start of one of the most critical training camps in franchise history.

After signing seven undrafted free agents following the draft, Philadelphia has a full roster, including Laekin Vakalahi, who’ll be exempt from a roster spot as the team’s representative in the International Pathway Program.

After the team placed offensive tackle Le’Raven Clark on injured reserve, it released tight end Noah Togiai and signed cornerback Shon Stephens. Philadelphia now has a roster space for one player ahead of the July 23 report date for rookies and veterans.

With things about to ramp up, here’s an updated 90-player roster for the Eagles.

Eagles breakout candidates for 2024: No. 10 TE Albert Okwuegbunam Jr.

Philadelphia has a stacked offensive unit, a retooled defense, and two versatile studs at the coordinator positions in Kellen Moore (OC) and Vic Fangio (DC). There are few holes on the roster, but there is plenty of room for younger guys and select …

Philadelphia has a stacked offensive unit, a retooled defense, and two versatile studs at the coordinator positions in Kellen Moore (OC) and Vic Fangio (DC).

There are few holes on the roster, but there is plenty of room for younger guys and select veterans to have a breakout season, cementing the revamped Eagles as a Super Bowl favorite.

On offense, there are several candidates for the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year, while the defense has an All-Pro candidate at defensive tackle and young elite talent at cornerback. Ten players are poised for a breakout season, and with training camp quickly approaching, we’re previewing each player.

Breakout candidate No. 10 is the immensely athletic Albert Okwuegbunam Jr.

Before being a fourth-round pick of the Broncos in 2020, Okwuegbunam had a successful career for the Missouri Tigers.

2× Second-team All-SEC (2017, 2019)
All-SEC Freshman Team (2017)

A 2020 4th-round pick, Okweugbunam logged 54 catches for 546 yards and four scores in 3 seasons in Denver.

Philadelphia acquired Okwuegbunam from Denver after the 2023 preseason finale that saw the versatile tight end catch seven passes for 109 yards and a touchdown. But the Broncos didn’t have room for him on their roster, so they made a deal with the Eagles.

Philadelphia traded a 2025 sixth-round pick and a 2025 seventh-rounder to the Broncos last August and decided not to utilize the pass catcher at all the previous seasons under offensive coordinator Brian Johnson.

A fourth-round pick out of Missouri, Okweugbunam was targeted just once in four games of action last season and did not have a catch.

He’ll return under first-year offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and should find a role with the innovative play-caller. Look for Moore to incorporate Okwuegbunam more into the passing game.

Moore will bring a modern offense that heavily features pre-snap motion and aggressive, vertical route concepts.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott had a career year under Moore in 2021, finishing that season with 4,449 passing yards on 68.8% completion percentage while throwing 37 touchdowns and ten interceptions.

Prescott achieved career highs in passing attempts twice with Moore, with 596 in 2019 and 2021.

The idea that Okwuegbunam would return in 2024 after being barely used last season gives insight into how poorly coached the Eagles were on offense.

Even with Dallas Goedert injured for almost a month, Brian Johnson never found a role for the talented pass catcher.

Howie Roseman’s do-over indicates that Okwuegbunam’s lack of usage in 2023 was on the staff, not the player.

Takeaways and observations from Day 2 of Eagles’ mandatory minicamp

Philadelphia has one practice left before breaking until the late July training camp, and the Eagles are implementing a new offensive and defensive system. Wednesday was Day 2 of the Eagles’ mandatory minicamp, and a familiar face was back at the …

Philadelphia has one practice left before breaking until the late July training camp, and the Eagles are implementing a new offensive and defensive system.

Wednesday was Day 2 of the Eagles’ mandatory minicamp, and a familiar face was back at the NovaCare Complex, as Fletcher Cox appeared amid his retirement adjustment.

There are battles for the cornerback spot opposite Darius Slay and at middle linebacker, where Nakobe Dean will work to hold off Zack Baum alongside Devin White.

With the second day completed, we’re looking at takeaways and observations from the session.

It’s only an early preview, but Quinyon Mitchell, Kelee Ringo, and Isaiah Rodgers are set to have an intense battle for the cornerback spot opposite Darius Slay.

Don’t look now, but Ross could easily land Philadelphia’s third or fourth wide receiver spot. The speedy former first-round pick took first-team snaps on Wednesday and has been active during two days of practice.

Devin White appears to be the only lock as a starter, while Nakobe Dean and Zack Baun will continue to battle for the inside linebacker job.

The future Hall of Famer appeared at the NovaCare Complex in street clothes for the first time since retiring.

With Landon Dickerson absent and Trevor Keegan injured, Mekhi Becton logged first-team snaps at left guard.

Kellen Moore is installing a new offensive system, and Wednesday presents some frustrations for Jalen Hurts and company.

The former Georgia running back has fresh legs and is starting to emerge as a training camp dark horse to watch in the running back competition.

Highlights from Day 2 of Eagles mandatory minicamp

Wednesday was Day 2 of the Eagles’ mandatory minicamp, and a familiar face was back at the NovaCare Complex, as Fletcher Cox appeared amid his retirement adjustment. Philadelphia has one practice left before breaking until the late July training …

Wednesday was Day 2 of the Eagles’ mandatory minicamp, and a familiar face was back at the NovaCare Complex, as Fletcher Cox appeared amid his retirement adjustment.

Philadelphia has one practice left before breaking until the late July training camp, and the Eagles are implementing a new offensive and defensive system. There are battles for the cornerback spot opposite Darius Slay and at middle linebacker, where Nakobe Dean will work to hold off Zack Baum alongside Devin White.

With the second day completed, we’re looking at highlights and photos from the session.

Highlights from Day 1 of Eagles mandatory minicamp

After nine weeks of offseason workouts and six OTA sessions, the Eagles hit the practice field at the NovaCare Complex for the first three-day, mandatory minicamp since the 2019 season. Tuesday was the first official day for Kellen Moore and Vic …

After nine weeks of offseason workouts and six OTA sessions, the Eagles hit the practice field at the NovaCare Complex for the first three-day, mandatory minicamp since the 2019 season.

Tuesday was the first official day for Kellen Moore and Vic Fangio to build depth charts for their versatile and explosive units.

It’s the first minicamp of the post-Jason Kelce, Fletcher Cox era, and it featured new faces and players evolving as new leaders. James Bradberry returned to the field after missing all OTAs, while Pro Bowl left guard Landon Dickerson was absent.

With Day 2 scheduled for Wednesday, here are highlights and video from the practice.

Eagles make a list of the NFL’s nine most improved teams ahead of 2024 NFL season

Philadelphia Eagles make a list of the NFL’s nine most improved teams

The Eagles are loaded after an offseason reboot that saw changes to both coordinators, a roster overhaul on defense, and the addition of an elite running back.

Teams with a Super Bowl-caliber roster don’t usually make the most improved list, but Philadelphia has done precisely that after free agency and an A+ NFL draft.

NFL.com’s Jeffri Chadiha listed the nine most improved teams around the league, and the Eagles landed high on the list.

Having Kellen Moore calling plays on offense and Vic Fangio running the defense will make Nick Sirianni’s job as head coach much easier. The signing of running back Saquon Barkley gives the offense another dynamic weapon while the defense added a disruptive edge rusher in Bryce Huff (to replace Haason Reddick) and a critical leader in the secondary (safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson returns to the team after a spending last year in Detroit). Philadelphia also killed it in the draft once again. The squad needed more help for a woeful pass defense and ultimately landed two stellar defensive backs with its first two picks (Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean).

Lockerroom chemistry and consistency at the linebacker position are the most significant remaining question marks for a team that should make the postseason for the fourth straight season under head coach Nick Sirianni.

Eagles 2024 OTAs: Photos from Day 5 of practice

The Eagles kicked off the next phase of their offseason program this week with OTAs at the NovaCare Complex and we have the best photos from Day 5 of practice

The Philadelphia Eagles kicked off the next phase of their offseason program this week with organized team activities at the NovaCare Complex.

Philadelphia conducted their fifth practice of OTAs on Thursday, which was open to the media and allowed some glimpses at star quarterback Jalen Hurts, wide receiver A.J. Brown, running back Saquon Barkley and the team’s rebuilt defense that made a strong impression.

Here’s a look at some photos from Thursday’s practice:

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