Tag: defensive

What to watch for at each position on Packers defense during training camp

Things to watch at every defensive position group during Green Bay Packers training camp.

The Green Bay Packers first training camp practice begins on Wednesday. So after going through what to watch for at each position group on offense, it’s now time to take a closer look at the defense.

With an inexperienced quarterback and a group of young pass catchers, points are likely to be at a premium for the Green Bay Packers as will be the need to generate takeaways, which means a heavier reliance on the defensive unit than in past years when Aaron Rodgers was at the helm.

“I think you’ll see, our defense probably will have to carry us a little bit in the early season,” said Packers President Mark Murphy via Tom Silverstein.

The defense underperformed in 2022, and as always, there are a myriad of reasons why, from poor run defense to an inconsistent pass rush, to coverage breakdowns, and late adjustments by Joe Barry. Improvement in each of those areas led to better play in the final weeks of the regular season, but can this unit do that consistently over the course of an entire season? Until shown otherwise, it’s understandable if you’re skeptical.

If you’re looking for reasons for optimism, Rashan Gary will be returning, and the overall edge depth seems improved. Green Bay still has a pair of playmakers at cornerback, along with Kenny Clark up front, and a potentially dynamic linebacker duo.

Reports: Detroit Lions expected to hire Giff Smith as DL coach

The Free Press’ Dave Birkett is reporting that the Detroit Lions are expected to hire Giff Smith as their defensive line coach.

The Free Press’ Dave Birkett is reporting that the Detroit Lions are expected to hire Giff Smith as their defensive line coach.

Smith spent the last five seasons as the Los Angeles Chargers defensive line coach, operating their hybrid front. Prior to that, he spent two years with the Tennessee Titans and three seasons with the Buffalo Bills in the same position.

After the Chargers moved on from their coaching staff this offseason, Smith interviewed with the Dallas Cowboys last week, before joining the Lions.

The 10-years NFL veteran coach has been effective in each of his stops. Under his coaching, DT Kyle Williams (Bills), DT Jurrell Kasey (Titans), DE Joey Bosa (Chargers), and EDGE Melvin Ingram III (Chargers) — who is a potential free agent — have combined for eight Pro Bowls.

Bosa also won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2016 while developing his skillset under Smith.

May 14, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa (99) participates in a drill as defensive line coach Giff Smith (left) looks on at Charger Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The Chargers’ Bosa and Ingram have been a formidable duo, registering pressures and sacks on a consistent basis —  although recently injuries have caused their statistical production to dip.

Smith has done a nice job of developing players at multiple positions along the defensive line and his experience in 34, 43, and hybrid defensive schemes give the Lions options for how they want to develop their scheme.

Week 16 halftime stats: Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams tied 6-6

The Seattle Seahawks are tied 6-6 with the Los Angeles Rams in Week 16 at the half. Here’s a look at the stats after two quarters of play.

The Seattle Seahawks are hosting the Los Angeles Rams in Week 16 with the hopes of clinching the NFC West division title.

At the half, the Seahawks and the Rams are tied 6-6.  Here’s a look at the stats after two quarters of play.

Detroit Lions announced coaching changes for Week 16 game vs Bucs

The Detroit Lions have announced a series of coaching changes for Week 16, including that Evan Rothstein will take over defensive play-calling.

The Detroit Lions have announced a series of coaching changes for their Week 16 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, due to a COVID-19 exposure amongst the staff.

The Lions announced: “Interim Head Coach Darrell Bevell, Defensive Coordinator Cory Undlin, Defensive Line Coach Bo Davis, Defensive Backs Coach Steve Gregory and Linebackers Coach Ty McKenzie will not coach in Saturday’s game against Tampa Bay.”

The Lions confirmed an earlier report that wide receivers coach Robert Prince would take over interim head coaching duties and quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan will be calling the offensive plays.

Additionally, Evan Rothstein (head coach assistant/research & analysis) will take over the defensive play-calling duties.

Bevell said at his Thursday morning press conference that Rothstein, who has been with the team since 2012, is the person most knowledgeable about the Lions defensive scheme and the most familiar with the personnel, after having worked closely with former coach Matt Patricia the last three seasons.

Assisting Rothstein on defense will be Ty Warren (WCF Minority Coaching Assistant), David Corrao (Director of football research), and Tony Carter (defensive assistant).

Warren (a former NFL defensive lineman) will work with the defensive line, Corrao (a former NFL assistant linebackers coach and defensive coordinator at Northern Michigan) will coach the linebackers, and Carter (a former NFL cornerback) will coach the secondary.

Week 8 halftime stats: Seahawks lead 49ers 13-7

The Seattle Seahawks lead the San Francisco 49ers 13-7 at the half in Week 8 – here’s a look at the statistics through two quarters of play.

The Seattle Seahawks have the 13-7 lead over the San Francisco 49ers Week 8 at CenturyLink Field at the half.

Here’s a look at the offensive, defensive and team stats through two quarters of play.

College Fantasy Draft: Tom Herman and the Longhorns walk away with help on defense

In 247Sports’ most recent article they posed an idea of a college fantasy draft. In this scenario the Texas Longhorns walk away with a LBer.

If you are an avid football fan, it is likely that you play fantasy football. It isn’t just a NFL game anymore as some sites offer a college football fantasy league. Many fans are putting their draft parties together, putting a board together much like a NFL team is doing and prove they have the superior football mind against friends and colleagues. So what about a college football fantasy draft?

What if the contenders in the remaining Power Five conferences got their shot at drafting a player out of the Big Ten or Pac-12 Conference? Throw the transfer portal out the window for just a moment. That is what 247Sports’ staff did. In this scenario the Longhorns received the number 12 selection to try and improve their team. So do they go offense and add to their wide receiver corps? Or do they add to their defense in an attempt to slow down some high powered offenses?

The Longhorns select: Cameron McGrone, Linebacker from Michigan

Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

No shock will this selection as the Longhorns have been on the hunt for linebacker help. Recently they were among the three teams vying for the commitment from Arizona transfer linebacker Tony Fields II. In this scenario from Barton Simmons, the Longhorns get their man in McGrone.

Texas needs a fix at defense and has turned to new coordinator Chris Ash for answers. There’s no denying the talent in the secondary and Joseph Ossai is expected to emerge as one of the best pass rushers in the country. It’s the linebacker position where the Longhorns need to find consistency. Cameron McGrone, a former five-star in the Top247 rankings, was poised to have a breakout fall this season at Michigan and the feeling here is that whenever we see him on the field again, he’ll quickly assert himself as one of the best linebackers in the country. That’s the kind of talent that would make Ash sleep much easier in his first year

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Ray Horton compares CB Quinton Dunbar to Richard Sherman

NFL defensive coach Ray Horton recently compared new Seattle Seahawks cornerback Quinton Dunbar, who he coached, to Richard Sherman.

Former Washington Huskies player and NFL defensive coach Ray Horton participated in a phone interview to discuss new Seahawks cornerback Quinton Dunbar, a player he coached last season with the Washington Redskins.

In the interview, Horton compared Dunbar to former Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman, specifically drawing parallels with their backgrounds and styles of play.

“To me, it would be Richard Sherman,” Horton said. “Because of the style of play, the hands, the anticipation, the (being a) former wide receiver, the competitiveness. Really, that’s what you are getting is a young Richard Sherman. And this kid is hungry. He wants to be good.”

Dunbar also has a similar arm length to that of Sherman at 32-5/8 inches to the latter’s 32. Horton went on to say that Dunbar is a versatile player who can handle different defensive situations despite limitations in certain areas.

“He’s got a lot of position flexibility,’’ Horton said. “You wouldn’t want him on the small (Julian) Edelman-type guy. That’s not his deal. He’s just too tall. But he can play inside. He can play on tight ends. He can play left. He can play right.”

Horton said Dunbar adheres to the standards expected of a player at the professional level regarding work ethic and locker room presence, so the Seahawks should not have any issues with him.

“He’s not a problem,” Horton said. “He’s a joy to work with. He works hard, he pushes himself, and he pushes his teammates. But there’s nothing wrong with that kind of a player. You want that kind of a player.

“You are getting that type of player – they are going to love this kid.”

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Former Head Coach Charlie Strong to Join Alabama’s Staff

Charlie Strong is expected to join Nick Saban and his defensive staff. After getting fired from USF, Strong will be a defensive analyst.

Former Texas head coach Charlie Strong is expected to join Nick Saban and his defensive staff in Tuscaloosa for the 2020 season. Strong had spent the past three seasons as the head coach at South Florida but was fired at the end of the 2019 season.

The position for Strong is expected to be an off the field position, more than likely as a defensive analyst. Saban has done this more many coaches the past few years, including Butch Jones, Steve Sarkisian, and even former Texas offensive coordinator Major Applewhite.

Strong has been in the SEC before, working for Florida as a graduate assistant as early as 1983. He also spent time as their interim head coach in 2004, before serving time as the defensive coordinator under Urban Meyer.

The Alabama defense was one of the worst ever under Saban last season, being the main reason the Crimson Tide lost two games to LSU and Auburn. Strong will have the chance to come in and help improve a defense that is used to being the best in the country.

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USC Hires Former Longhorn Assistant Craig Naivar

USC has hired former UT assistant Craig Naivar as their safeties coach. With UT, Naivar was the co-DC, safeties coach, and ST coordinator.

USC has hired former Texas assistant coach Craig Naivar as their safeties coach. With the Longhorns, Naivar spent time as the co-defensive coordinator, safeties coach, and special teams coordinator. He had been on Tom Herman’s staff since he was hired as head coach in 2017.

After firing Todd Orlando after the season, Naivar took over as the defensive coordinator for the bowl game against Utah. It was the best performance of the season for the Texas defense, only allowing 11 points to a high powered Utes offense.

Naivar follows Todd Orlando to Southern Cal as he was hired as their defensive coordinator earlier this month. It will be the pair’s sixth consecutive season working together, going all the way back to their time at Houston.

The Trojan defense struggled last season, giving up nearly 30 points a game. The USC pass defense was the main issue as teams were able to throw for 246 yards per game against them. Orlando and Naivar will have a big task on their hand, trying to turn around a struggling defense in 2020.

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Former Texas Defensive Coordinator Todd Orlando named USC’s DC

After being hired by Texas Tech to be the LB coach, Todd Orlando has been hired by USC as their DC. He will be replacing Clancy Pendergast.

Nine days after being hired by Texas Tech to be their linebackers coach, Todd Orlando has left the Red Raiders in favor of taking the defensive coordinator job at Southern California. This being his first job in the Pac 12, Orlando will be replacing Clancy Pendergast in Los Angeles.

The Trojans defense struggled in 2019, giving up 29.4 points per game this season. Giving up over 400 yards a game, teams were able to run all over USC last season, letting up 162.8 rushing yards per game. The final straw for Pendergast came in the bowl game against Iowa, where the Hawkeyes scored 49 points.

This will be Orlando’s fifth different defensive coordinator job. It will be an uphill climb for him though, as USC has had a difficult time recruiting, ranking 10th in the conference.

Hopefully for Orlando, his defense will suite the Pac 12 better than it did in the Big 12. The Trojans are a ticking time bomb, being on the brink of firing their head coach Clay Helton. If Orlando can improve the defense, maybe USC won’t have to make any of those moves.

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