Tag: Cassius Marsh

Jags depth chart prediction: Defensive end

With uncertainty surrounding Yannick Ngakoue, it appears the Jags have some young pieces at defensive end that could step up in 2020.

The start of training camp is just under two weeks away for the Jacksonville Jaguars, who will need their defense to go into the regular season with some momentum. A key group within the unit will be the defensive ends, who make for one of the more interesting groups on the team.

As we continue our depth chart predictions, here is how we believe the defensive end position will look for the Jags:

Defensive end Big Defensive end
No. 1 *Yannick Ngakoue

Josh Allen

 Rodney Gunter
No. 2 *K’Lavon Chaisson

(See upcoming strong-side linebackers depth chart)

 Dawuane Smoot
No. 3

Cassius Marsh

(See upcoming strong-side linebackers depth chart)
No. 4 Lerentee McCray
No. 5

Of course, with the uncertainty behind Yannick Ngakoue, we put him at the No. 1 spot alongside Josh Allen. Simply put, if he plays on the tag and doesn’t miss a lot of preseason time, then he should start. If he doesn’t, Josh Allen is the guy.

Ngakoue will enter 2020 ranked second in franchise history in sacks with 37.5 on his career. He’ll enter this season with 14 forced fumbles which is good for second in franchise history, too. It will be up to him to make a decision on rather he’d like to play on the franchise tag despite being at odds with the Jags front office, and if he does, he’d be welcomed with open arms.

As for Allen, Ngakoue’s actions seems to indicate that the Jags should start focusing their attention on him to be the starter. As a part-time player, the 2019 first-round pick was impressive, beating the franchise’s rookie sack record held by Ngakoue with 10.5 and earning Pro Bowl honors. Allen was also close to winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year award, but Nick Bosa beat him out despite having fewer sacks.

This year’s second first-round selection, K’Lavon Chaisson, will also see snaps at defensive end and they will likely come on third-down, while he could be on the field as a strong-side linebacker on early downs. The Jags took Chaisson with the No. 20 overall selection (from the Los Angeles Rams) in April after he helped propelled the Louisiana State Tigers to a national championship. During the 2019 season, he registered 6.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss despite missing a couple of games in 2019.

Free-agent acquisition Cassius Marsh will also get a look at strong-side linebacker to start and will get snaps as a rotational defensive end, just like Chaisson. He’ll bring eight years of experience to the table with 159 career tackles and 14 forced fumbles.

As for Lerentee McCray, the Jags will use him as a special teams ace and he likely won’t see a lot of defensive snaps on the field — if at all. However, he does bring six years of experience to the table with 64 career tackles and four sacks.

As for the Jags’ big ends, free-agent Rodney Gunter should be set to start there. He’ll be filling the role of Calais Campbell, playing on the outside on early downs and possibly kicking inside on third downs. While previously with the Arizona Cardinals, he started in 38 games so it appears Gunter is battle-tested.

Smoot, on the other hand, will be entering his fourth season with the Jags and will be on a contract year. Last season was his most productive as he accumulated a career-high of six sacks while playing on the edge and interior of the line. After showing growth in 2019, there is no reason to not believe he’ll take another step, especially with the chance of a new contract in 2021.

Listen to the latest from Jags Wire’s own James Johnson and Phil Smith on their podcast “Bleav in the Jags.” Subscribe via Apple Podcasts and check out our archived episodes via Bleav Podcasts.

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Todd Wash, Doug Marrone pump the brakes on speculation about Jags moving to a 3-4

With the Jacksonville Jaguars using seven of their 12 draft picks on defense, it certainly looked like the unit could predominately use 3-4 looks and that’s the vibe many members of the media felt after talking to the staff in April. After selecting …

With the Jacksonville Jaguars using seven of their 12 draft picks on defense, it certainly looked like the unit could predominately use 3-4 looks and that’s the vibe many members of the media felt after talking to the staff in April. After selecting players like pass rusher K’Lavon Chaisson and nose tackle DaVon Hamilton, questions began to pour in about a 3-4 defense, and both Doug Marrone and Dave Caldwell spoke of it in some shape.

However, after a recent Zoom call between the media and Marrone, and a separate one with defensive coordinator Todd Wash, it appears there may not be that drastic of a change in scheme in 2020.

“We know systematically we’re based off a four down linemen scheme, but we wanted to be able to increase our multiplicity and our front mechanics, meaning that there is a lot of different things that you can do on the back end,” Marrone said to the media.

“Coverage-wise there is a lot of disguising and a lot of things we can do to create that moment of indecision. Whether we’re pressing and bailing or pressing and going into cover two, there’s a lot of things you can do and it’s so much easier to be multiple in your coverage aspect.”

Not too soon after, Wash basically echoed what Marrone said about being based off a four-man front. He added that the reason for that was because he felt the team wasn’t built for two-gapping principles, which is what a 3-4 is typically based off. Instead, he stated that the Jags were going to be a one-gap penetrating front as we’ve seen since he’s been the coordinator.

“We’re not built to be a two-gap team; we’re still going to be one-gap, single-high,” Wash said on the Zoom call. “It’s just guys playing different spots, changing some alignment. We have not installed a different front from what we’ve had in our system the past two years. Leverages and alignments are going to be a little different within our scheme.

“You’re going to see the outside linebacker on the line of scrimmage more because that’s the skill set of the guys we have. Everybody’s saying a 3-4, but if you look at our system the last two years, we’ve had three different front families based out of the 3-4, but nobody considered us a 3-4.”

This also prompted the media to ask Wash if the hype about the Jags moving to a 3-4 was overblown. He simply replied, “That would be a correct statement.”

As for being more multiple, fans should look back at their season finale in 2019 against the Indianapolis Colts. They won that game by a score of 38-20 and the Jags showcased multiple alignments. One front that fans will likely see more of from 2019 is their use of a 50 front where the strong-side linebacker plays on the line of scrimmage (as Marrone mentioned during the draft). This, of course, will be a possibility thanks to the additions of Cassius Marsh and Chaisson this offseason.

In a nutshell, this all means the Jags won’t be drastically different from last season defensively, but will utilize more alignments as they did against Indy. Hopefully for Wash’s sake it works, as the Jags can’t afford to struggle defensively as they did in 2019, because if he doesn’t, his job and Marrone’s could be lost when 2021 arrives.

Cassius Marsh excited to play with former UCLA teammate Myles Jack again

Cassius Marsh and Myles Jack once were two of UCLA’s most versatile players back when they played together in 2013 and now they will reunite.

Playing for the same franchise his father played for isn’t the only reason that Cassius Marsh is excited to play for the Jacksonville Jaguars as he’ll get to also join an old college teammate. That player is linebacker Myles Jack, who not only played with Marsh on defense while at UCLA but played with him on offense, too.

“I don’t see us moving to the other side of the ball,” Marsh said this week while laughing. “I think there is plenty of talent over there and they will manage without us. My time with Myles [Jack] [at UCLA] was great. He was a super humble young guy who came in and contributed in a huge way playing on both sides of the ball. I loved his work ethic, his athleticism, and his versatility.”

While with the Bruins, Jack played running back early in his college career while Marsh played tight end. Of course, both ended up settling in on defense but Marsh does remember the process on offense being exciting.

“It was really cool because when he came in, he was kind of the reason we created that defense package on offense,” Marsh added. “He was the running back, I played tight end along with another defensive end and then we would have defensive tackles play football. For the most part, we would just pound the ball to Myles and he would go nuts. I had a couple touchdowns, that was cool.”

It’s been since 2013 that the two have last seen the field together and clearly Marsh couldn’t be happier about the situation. The reason for that is not just because they will not only be playing on the same side of the ball together, but they will also be playing within the same position group.

“I’ll be playing the SAM [linebacker position] and I’m going to work my hardest to compete and hopefully earn a starting job at the SAM position and bring my best every day,” Marsh said of his role as the Jags will be moving to more 3-4 looks. “I think it is a great opportunity and it is a great defense. I am looking forward to the challenge.”

That challenge will undoubtedly involve first-round pick K’Lavon Chaisson, who is expected to play SAM linebacker, too. Some had already crowned the rookie as a starter, however, it’s clear Marsh isn’t going to make it easy as he’ll have plenty of experience to rely on heading into his seventh season.

Listen to the latest from Jags Wire’s own James Johnson and Phil Smith on their podcast “Bleav in the Jags.” Subscribe via Apple podcasts and check out our archived episodes via Bleav Podcasts.

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Jaguars make it official with CB Rashaan Melvin, DE Cassius Marsh

The Jaguars have officially signed CB Rashaan Melvin and DE Cassius Marsh, both of whom could receive a lot of play time for the roster.

The Jacksonville Jaguars went into free agency with needs at a variety of positions. They lost both starting corners from their 2017 AFC Championship run in the span of just a few months, as well as 2019’s Walter Payton Man of the Year, Calais Campbell. In addition to losing such elite defensive talent, the also entered 2020 needing to add help on offense for quarterback Gardner Minshew II.

They did just that once the open market period started. Two of the players they added in the process, cornerback Rashaan Melvin and defensive end Cassius Marsh, made their signings official Monday, per multiple sources.

While neither likely will turn into Pro-Bowl players for Jacksonville, they do fill some gaping holes on the defense. Melvin will come in and compete for a job on the outside at cornerback. The position is pretty wide open so Melvin, who has started in 40 games, looks to have a fair shot at the job.

Marsh, on the other hand, will likely be used as a rotational pass-rusher and a depth piece for Todd Wash and his defense. Marsh (6-foot-4, 254 pounds) has a total of 14 sacks in his career, accumulating eight in the past two seasons. He’ll also enter 2020 with eight career starts and 159 tackles. Based off his time with the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers in 2018-19, he shouldn’t have any issues fitting into the defensive rotation led by Josh Allen.

Former Cardinals LB Cassius Marsh to join Jaguars

He had 2.5 sacks last season for the Cardinals.

The Arizona Cardinals have another free agent leaving this offseason. Outside linebacker Cassius Marsh becomes the fifth of the Cardinals’ free agents to join another team.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, he is joining defensive lineman Rodney Gunter on the Jacksonville Jaguars, agreeing to a one-year contract that pays him $600,000 in guaranteed money.

Marsh was signed just before last season to a one-year deal after he was cut by the Seattle Seahawks.

He played in all 16 games last season, starting three, and had 36 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Seven of his tackles were for loss and he also had five quarterback hits.

Depending in Marsh’s contract with the Jaguars, he could factor into the formula for the Cardinals to earn compensatory draft picks next year.

The Cardinals have signed three free agents — DL Jordan Phillips, ILB De’Vondre Campbell and OLB Devon Kennard. Kennard was cut by the Detroit Lions so he doesn’t factor into the compensatory formula.

The Cardinals have lost Marsh, DL Rodney Gunter, LB Joe Walker and WRs Damiere Byrd and Pharoh Cooper.

The Cardinals, even without Marsh, have five outside linebackers on the roster — Chandler Jones, Devon Kennard, Haason Reddick, Vontarrius Dora and Kylie Fitts.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

Ep. 261

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Ep. 260

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Report: Jags agree to terms with DE/OLB Cassius Marsh

The Jags have decided to add some help at DE with the second wave of free agency arriving. Monday, they signed former Cardinal Cassius Marsh.

In addition to agreeing to terms with defensive tackle Al Woods, the Jacksonville Jaguars also came to terms with another former Seattle Seahawk in edge-rusher Cassius Marsh, according to Mark Long of the Associated Press.

Marsh, 27, is a former fourth-round selection (No. 108) from the 2014 NFL Draft of the Seahawks. After spending three seasons with Pete Carroll and company, he’s been a journeyman and has made stops with the New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, and Arizona Cardinals.

Marsh has participated in a total of 84 games since entering the league, eight of which were starts. He will enter 2020 with 159 career tackles, 14 sacks, and four forced fumbles to his name. Just last year with the Cardinals, he accumulated 36 tackles and 2.5 sacks while playing alongside Rodney Gunter, who the Jags signed last week in free agency.

Marsh’s name could be important when the regular season rolls around because he may have to take Yannick Ngakoue’s snaps. The disgruntled defensive end came out to say that he didn’t want a long-term deal with the Jaguars this offseason and could end up getting traded in the coming months.

2020 NFL Free Agency: Saints options from the Cardinals

NFL free agency is nearly a month away. We take a look at which Arizona Cardinals free agents could be a fit for the New Orleans Saints.

[jwplayer aLKeB6lY-ThvAeFxT]

With NFL free agency nearly a month away, we are going to take a look at every team’s free agents in the days ahead. We will highlight which players could be potential options for the New Orleans Saints, starting with the Arizona Cardinals.

Cardinals free agents

  • RT Marcus Gilbert
  • LT D.J. Humphries
  • TE Charles Clay
  • G Max Garcia
  • C A.Q. Shipley
  • QB Brett Hundley
  • DE Rodney Gunter
  • OLB Brooks Reed
  • RT Jordan Mills
  • DE Clinton McDonald
  • OLB Cassius Marsh
  • FS Josh Shaw
  • DE Jonathan Bullard
  • RB Kenyan Drake
  • SS Chris Banjo
  • DT Zach Kerr
  • CB Brandon Williams
  • WR Damiere Byrd
  • WR Pharoh Cooper
  • RB D.J. Foster
  • K Zane Gonzalez (RFA)
  • S Charles Washington (RFA)
  • ILB Joe Walker (ERFA)
  • CB Kevin Peterson (ERFA)
  • T Justin Murray (ERFA)

Options for the Saints

That is a lot of free agents that Arizona will have to sort through, and some big names are in that as well. But very few stick out as viable options for New Orleans. The Saints could potentially be in the market for additional depth at guard, wide receiver, linebacker, and tight end.

One intriguing name on the list is outside linebacker Cassius Marsh. The 27-year old is an unrestricted free agent, which means he is allowed to test the waters with no strings attached. Marsh played in 16 games in 2019, and was given a PFF grade of 63.1, well above average for his position. He could provide added depth to a position group that found itself hurting down the stretch, at a reasonable cost.

Another name that could show up on the Saints’ radar is defensive tackle Rodney Gunter. In 2019, Gunter played a large role in Arizona’s defensive line for 14 games until he was placed on the injured reserve with a toe injury in December. With uncertain futures for co-starters David Onyemata and Sheldon Rankins, Gunter could provide security to the Saints defensive line in 2020.

Wide receiver Pharoh Cooper is another intriguing name that could potentially be worth looking into. Primarily as a punt and kick returner (Cooper’s efforts sent him to the Pro Bowl and earned first-team All-Pro recognition back in 2017), the receiver still chipped in on offense with the Cardinals. By adding Cooper, it would allow New Orleans to utilize Deonte Harris more in the passing game in 2020. Harris could be allowed to take on a larger role in the offense without fear of an injury derailing the return game.

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Studs and duds in Cardinals’ 38-24 win over Browns

Who played well? Who should have played better?

The Arizona Cardinals played well in a 38-24 win over the Cleveland Browns. Who were the players to stand out in their play? Who came up short?

These are the studs and duds in the win.

Stud: RB Kenyan Drake

Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Drake was the stud of all studs in the game, scoring four touchdowns and rushing for 137 yards. He also had a catch for nine yards as well. It has become clear the team is leaning on him now for the rest of the season.

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How did Haason Reddick do as an edge rusher his rookie season?

He was a more productive pass rusher than Cassius Marsh has been this season in essentially the same role.

After getting relegated to the bench as an inside linebacker, Haason Reddick is going to get some looks as an outside linebacker over the last few weeks of the season. He has failed to develop at inside linebacker, so the team wants to “maximize him as a player and see what we can get there,” according to coach Kliff Kingsbury. “If that’s the answer, we’ll see how that plays out.”

This isn’t the first time he was asked to play as an edge defender in a 3-4 defense.

He played as a defensive end in college at Temple. His speed and athleticism made him a disruptive pass rusher. However, at 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds, he doesn’t have the length or the size that most edge defenders have.

That said, even though he was drafted with the intent to make him an inside linebacker, he did play extensively as a 3-4 outside linebacker his rookie season.

After playing the first four games inside, Markus Golden tore his ACL and was lost for the season. Reddick was moved to the edge because they had no depth at the position.

He was a rotational player, the No. 3 player at outside linebacker behind Chandler Jones and Kareem Martin.

In 12 games at outside linebackers as a rotational player, this is the production he had. Based on team stats compiled based on coaches’ film review, he has 16 total tackles (two for loss), 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, five quarterback hits and five other pressures. He did that in 261 snaps at the position. According to Pro Football Focus, he did not miss a tackle in those 12 games.

His role is similar to what Cassius Marsh now does. Marsh is the team’s third outside linebacker. How has he done this season?

In 12 games, he has played 284 snaps — basically the same amount of playing time Reddick had in 12 games in 2017. According to team stats, Marsh has 33 tackles (six for loss), one sack and three quarterback hits.

Comparing the two — Marsh a sixth-year rotational edge defender and Reddick a rookie in 2017 — Reddick’s pass-rushing production was greater. Marsh makes more plays overall, as he has double the tackles in the same amount of time that Reddick did, but Reddick was more disruptive, topping Marsh in sacks, QB hits and forced fumbles.

Because of Reddick’s size, he probably will not ever be able to be more than a rotational 3-4 outside linebacker. Considering he was drafted 13th overall, that is a huge disappointment. But if he can be a productive rotational player off the edge, he will still give the Cardinals value on defense.

Since his value dropped drastically by ending up on the bench, if he can show anything in a new role, the Cardinals could at least get something out of him.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

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Cardinals have 3 former 49ers on roster, but no former Cardinals on 49ers

Cassius Marsh, Andy Lee and Tramaine Brock are all former 49ers.

When the Arizona Cardinals face their opponents, almost always there are players on both teams who spent time with the other at some point in their career. This is almost the case in Week 11 as the Cardinals take on the San Francisco 49ers.

The Cardinals have three players who used to play for the Niners, but San Francisco has no former Cardinals at all on its roster.

Who are the three former 49ers?

CB Tramaine Brock

(Photo by Dan Kubus/Getty Images)

Brock played for the 49ers from 2010-2016. He played 80 games for them after making the team as an undrafted rookie out of Long Beach Senior. He started 40 games and had 11 interceptions for them. Since leaving the 49ers, he has been on three teams in three years.

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