Tag: defensive end

Sooners add transfer portal EDGE rusher Caiden Woullord

The Oklahoma Sooners added a proven EDGE rusher, earning the commitment of Miami (Oh.) transfer Caiden Woullord.

The Oklahoma Sooners added some pass rush help to their ranks in the form of Miami (Oh.) transfer EDGE rusher Caiden Woullard.

Woullard, who’s played three seasons for the Red Hawks, led the MAC in sacks in 2023 with 9.5. He recorded 12 tackles for loss and 41 total tackles, and two forced fumbles. Woullard tied for the conference lead in sacks this season, helping Miami win the conference championship.

According to Woullard’s social media, he held transfer offers from Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Mississippi State, Texas A&M, Indiana, and Minnesota.

Originally a three-star prospect in the 2021 recruiting, Woullard raised his stock and was one of the better pass rushers in the transfer portal this offseason.

He joins a Sooners defensive front that needs to improve its pass rush as it gets ready to join the SEC. With his experience and production, Woullard is another promising defensive end to add to Oklahoma’s rotation.

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Saints downgrade DE Payton Turner, won’t return vs. Buccaneers

The Saints ruled out Payton Turner against the Buccaneers. He may end up having played in just the season opener and season finale this year:

Don’t look for Payton Turner to get on the field Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The New Orleans Saints announced Saturday evening that they were downgrading Turner’s status and ruling him out for Week 17’s matchup; the third-year defensive end recently returned to practice and has one more week left to earn a green light to suit up for a game. He was listed as questionable on the injury report before being ruled out, with head coach Dennis Allen expressing pessimism about his status on Friday.

Coincidentally, the Saints have just one game left in the 2023 regular season next week against the Atlanta Falcons. So it’s looking like, if anything, Turner will end up playing the season opener and the season finale for New Orleans.

It’s been a really tough year for him. Turner didn’t miss a single day of practice throughout the summer and at training camp, playing as many snaps as his coaches would give him in three preseason games. But his cleat caught in the turf at the Caesars Superdome while he was rushing the quarterback to force an incomplete pass back in Week 1, dislocating two toes and forcing him to undergo surgery and a lengthy rehab.

Now, his hopes rely on the Saints beating the Bucs without him so he can return and help their long-shot playoff bid in Week 18. The Saints must decide whether to pick up his fifth-year option for 2025 in the spring of 2024, but there hasn’t been enough production from Turner through his first three years to make that a very difficult decision for the front office. Hopefully he can play well once he’s healthy and turn his career around.

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Ethan Downs putting together a strong 2023 for the Oklahoma Sooners

After a strong finish to the 2022 season, Ethan Downs has been one of the Oklahoma Sooners most impactful players in 2023.

What a season [autotag]Ethan Downs[/autotag] is putting together for the Oklahoma Sooners. Downs was someone many thought could be replaced as a starter before this season after the defense struggled as a whole in 2022.

Instead, Downs has been one of the best and most improved players on the entire roster. Downs has 23 tackles on the year. He’s second on the team with 6.0 tackles for loss and first on the team with 4.5 sacks matching his 2022 season total in just seven games.

He talked to reporters about the improvement he’s seen in his game so far. “With Brent Venables’ defense, you do your job and make plays,” Downs said. “It falls into your lap and particularly at the defensive end position as well. Just try to focus on my hands, feet, eyes, all of those disciplines, try to be the most disciplined as I can. Knowing the plays. Grading out, as we call it, when we have our plays, we grade out positive and try to grade out every single day. Just being right where I’m supposed to be.”

That’s something Downs has done an exceptional job at so far this season. He’s someone who has really benefited from the experience he gained in this scheme last year.

The junior defensive end had a strong finish to the 2022 regular season with a pair of sacks and seven tackles for loss over the final four games.

He’s been a great example for the rest of the squad. As he said, “You do your job and you make plays.” That will resonate throughout the locker room. Downs has done a great job sticking to his responsibilities, whether it’s setting the edge in the run game or maintaining contain in his rush assignment against some athletic quarterbacks.

He’s played incredibly disciplined football and has been a big reason for the Oklahoma Sooners’ year-to-year turnaround on defense.

In the preseason, Ethan Downs was named to the All-Big 12 team. He’s rewarded the confidence of the voters and is on pace for a career year. If he can keep this pace, he’ll contend for a spot on the postseason All-Big 12 squad.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on Twitter @JaronSpor.

‘He’s really coming into his own’: R Mason Thomas starting to feel good, making an impact

As the Sooners prepare for their final five games of the regular season, getting R Mason Thomas back couldn’t have come at a better time.

One of the bigger questions about the Oklahoma Sooners entering the 2023 season focused on the defensive side of the ball. Could that unit make the necessary improvements to help the Sooners become a contender?

Through seven games, Oklahoma is one of the best defenses in the nation, allowing just 16.1 points per game.

The biggest area of improvement has been the pass rush. Last season, the Sooners struggled to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks consistently, especially in Big 12 play.

In 2023, it’s been noticeably better. [autotag]Ethan Downs[/autotag] has already matched his sack total from 2022. Opposing quarterbacks have been under pressure more regularly and perhaps the Sooners haven’t even had their best defensive lineman fully available yet.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Brent Venables was asked about the defensive line and the play of R Mason Thomas. Thomas has been limited to just four games and hasn’t played more than 25 snaps in a game yet. Against UCF, Thomas played 19 snaps and had a season-high three pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. And perhaps, this is just the beginning.

“He was our best in fall camp until he got banged up,” Venables said. “But he’s starting to feel good. And I think the confidence piece, he’s actually banged up both ankles. And so it’s been really frustrating for him. And for us, he’s long, he’s got incredible speed and explosiveness, super twitchy. Plays with great power naturally. And he’s really coming into his own.

“So, hopefully, we can get him back on track. And it was good to see him have a little bit of success last week, and my expectation is to see that develop in a positive direction as we move forward.”

There isn’t a player on the Sooners defensive line who plays with the same speed and athleticism as R Mason Thomas. When fully healthy, he’ll add another dynamic edge rusher to the Sooners defensive end rotation that could help take their pass rush to another level.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on Twitter @john9williams.

5 takeaways from Seahawks 22-14 preseason win over Cowboys

For the first time since 2017 the Seattle Seahawks have opened the preseason with a 2-0 record.

For the first time since 2017 the Seattle Seahawks have opened the preseason with a 2-0 record. Seattle continued their winning ways with a 22-14 win over the visiting Dallas Cowboys.

The Seahawks have treated the 12th Man to two more-thrilling-than-expected exhibition games. Despite the limited appearance from the stars, the Seahawks rookies and reserves gave the Seattle faithful more than enough fireworks.

As we inch closer to the regular season, we begin to learn more about the team, and we’re definitely seeing some early standouts this August. Here are 5 takeaways from the second preseason game.

Former Seahawks DL L.J. Collier says Seattle ‘wasnt my type of place’

Here’s hoping to Collier’s success in his newfound home. 

Easily the hardest part of the NFL off/preseason is watching and listening to former players speak on their new teams. The Seattle Seahawks are no different in this regard, and are having to hear a newly outsider perspective.

Former 2019 NFL draft first round pick, defensive end L.J. Collier, has recently made some comments about the Seahawks. While he had positive things to say about the organization, he was not too thrilled with the city/region itself.

It is probably understandably tough for fans to hear, especially when considering how many current and former players have done nothing but sing the praises of the Emerald City.

Originally the No. 29 overall pick in 2019, Collier never truly lived up to his lofty first round billing in Seattle. Collier started 16 out of 45 total games for the Seahawks, and had 40 career tackles.

Easily the biggest play of his career for Seattle was stopping quarterback Cam Newton on the 1-yard line to seal a 35-30 victory for the Seahawks over the New England Patriots.

Perhaps Collier will truly be happier in the Valley of the Sun. The Arizona Cardinals, on paper, appear to be frontrunners for the worst team in the NFL for the 2023 season.

Here’s hoping to Collier’s success in his newfound home.

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‘I’ve enjoyed every step of it’: Trace Ford embracing being on the other side of Bedlam

Trace Ford is on the other side of Bedlam now and he feels that change of scenery was needed.

The transfer portal was kind to the [autotag]Oklahoma Sooners[/autotag] in 2023. One of the players the Sooners brought in was former Oklahoma State Cowboys defensive end [autotag]Trace Ford[/autotag].

Not too many times do you see someone transfer to their rival, but that’s exactly what Ford did. He, of course, received backlash from the Cowboy faithful for this decision, but it’s one he’s embraced along the way, telling reporters, “I’ve enjoyed every step of it.”

Ford has a ton of potential, but injuries slowed his progress after a strong start to his career.

His first two seasons in Stillwater were stellar. He had 51 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and one interception. He played in 21 games in that span but has only appeared in nine in the last two seasons.

Ford told reporters on Monday he feels the injuries have made him who he is today. “It was a mental rollercoaster, not physical, and I had to learn to just get over it,” Ford said. “Just being here it’s a new change of scenery and being able to let go of the past. (I’m) able to just get better at the game, to practice better and forget all about the injuries.”

Ford is someone who could make an immediate impact. He’s someone several insiders heard rave reviews from after the Sooners’ first scrimmage on Saturday. But he has to stay healthy.

As for his position group, Ford said he feels the defensive line is shaping up well as we are weeks away from the start of the season. “I think it’s the most competitive room on the team and on the defense,” Ford said. “I think every day is changing. Every day, we are competing to see where we are at, as far as competing, we are already getting better.”

That’s something all Sooner fans want to hear. It wasn’t but just a year ago where that was one of the weak points of the team. To hear it has “competitive depth” as the coaches call it, should make for a good season in Norman.

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Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on Twitter @JaronSpor.

Adepoju Adebawore among top freshmen in best position for a key role in 2023

Oklahoma’s Adepoju Adebawore included among freshmen best positioned for key roles in 2023.

Last season the [autotag]Oklahoma Sooners[/autotag] had several weak spots along the defense. Among the most noticeable is the area where you need to be your strongest; the defensive line.

The Sooners coaching staff attacked that weakness this offseason, bringing in transfer additions like Rondell Bothroyd and Trace Ford to help. They also made a splash in the signing of five-star EDGE [autotag]Adepoju Adebawore[/autotag]. Adebawore is someone who has shown flashes throughout camp and just looks the part.

Bleacher Report included Adebawore among top freshmen in the best position for a key role in 2023.

[autotag]Rondell Bothroyd[/autotag] is a transfer expected to do big things, [autotag]Ethan Downs[/autotag] should at least begin the season with the first team, and [autotag]R Mason Thomas[/autotag] has the most potential of any returning Sooner pass-rusher. But Adebawore is on a different athletic plain, and none of the aforementioned guys really have established themselves as can’t-miss starters. Adebawore is a relentless pursuer of quarterbacks, and while there’s going to be a learning curve, the 6-foot-4, 240-pound former 5-star who was the No. 11-ranked overall player will have a chance to prove himself right away. Look for him to be starting by the middle of the season. Venables has a reputation of developing elite edge-rushers, and Adebawore looks like the first crown jewel for the coach at his new place of employment. – Brad Shepard, Bleacher Report

Adebawore has a great chance of being a first round when it’s all said and done. He has the size and athleticism that NFL defensive coordinators covet off the edge. He’s yet to take a snap at the collegiate level, so there’s a lot of growing that has to take place. However, the early returns have been promising. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Adebawore carve out a significant role along the Sooners’ defensive line.

Adebawore is one of several new additions that have fans excited for the future. It’s now up to Adebawore and defensive ends coach [autotag]Miguel Chavis[/autotag] to bring out the best in the five-star EDGE addition so he can live up to those expectations.

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Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on Twitter @JaronSpor.

New-look Seahawks defensive line has Mario Edwards Jr. starting

As it stands in training camp, the defensive line will have three starters who were not Seahawks last year.

Here is an interesting development. The Seattle Seahawks’ biggest weakness last year was easily their defensive line and defensive front as a whole. Seattle spent considerable resources this offseason – both in free agency and the NFL draft – to correct such a disastrous effort from last year.

As it stands in training camp, the defensive line will have three starters who were not Seahawks last year. Two of them make sense, but one does catch the eye a bit. Per Bob Condotta at the Seattle Times:

“As the Seahawks concluded their first week of training camp Tuesday with their second straight day in pads, the team’s usual interior line in its 3-4 defense consisted of Jarran Reed at nose tackle and Dre’Mont Jones and Mario Edwards Jr. at end.”

Jones was the big free agent signing from the Denver Broncos, and Jarran Reed is back in Seattle where he started his career. But Mario Edwards Jr. finding himself in a starting position is interesting. Edwards Jr. has been a journeyman his entire career, playing for Oakland, New York Giants, New Orleans and Tennessee.

Last year for the Titans, Edwards Jr. played in 13 games, starting 7 of them, and recorded three sacks. Perhaps a new environment for him will bring out the best.

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Nick Bosa’s fines for missing 49ers training camp are rescindable

Bosa’s holdout in search of a new contract might not be as financially damaging as initially thought.

The ongoing drama in the team by the Bay continues. The San Francisco 49ers’ star defensive end, Nick Bosa, has been holding out in search of a brand new contract. The Ohio State standout and reigning Defensive Player of the Year is subject to plenty of fines as he misses training camp.

However, Bosa’s holdout in search of a new contract might not be as financially damaging as initially thought. Bosa is subject to fines of $50,000 a day, but according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, he might not have to part with his cash.

As I mentioned in the article linked above, any hope of this holdout causing Bosa to miss time in 2023 is most likely a pipe dream. The 49ers championship window is shrinking rapidly, having already wasted a year after their loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV when they went 6-10.

I predict Bosa won’t be out much longer, as San Francisco will surely be focused on moving on from any lingering offseason drama.

More Seahawks Wire stories

200 more photos from Seahawks 2023 training camp

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