Tag: defensive end

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.

More Seahawks Wire stories

200 more photos from Seahawks 2023 training camp

Updated Seahawks 90-man roster going into August

JSN among four early standouts from training camp

Should Seahawks trade for Jonathan Taylor?

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

Updated Seahawks 90-man roster going into August

JSN among four early standouts from training camp

Should Seahawks trade for Jonathan Taylor?

Top quotes from Chiefs’ July 31 post-practice press conference

Check out some of the top quotes from the #Chiefs’ post practice press conference on July 31:

The Kansas City Chiefs conducted a rain-shortened practice on Monday as they kicked off their second full week of training camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph.

Steve Spagnuolo, Drue Tranquill, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, and Rashee Rice all addressed reporters after workouts concluded on Monday and provided valuable insight into Kansas City’s preparation for the 2023 season.

Check out their top quotes below:

NFC West Watch: Nick Bosa to hold out of training camp

The reigning Defensive Player of the Year is looking for a new contract

There is some drama brewing in the City by the Bay. Seattle’s arch rivals, the San Francisco 49ers, are likely to be without their star defensive end Nick Bosa for training camp. The 49ers and the reigning Defensive Player of the Year have been working towards a contract extension, but the two sides appear to be far off.

Bosa was drafted No. 2 overall in the 2019 NFL draft and has proven to be every bit the franchise caliber player he was billed as. In his four years in the NFL, Bosa has made the Pro Bowl three times. The lone exception was 2020 when he tore his ACL in Week 2.

Last year alone, Bosa terrorized opposing quarterbacks to the tune of 18.5 sacks. In his six career games against the Seahawks, Bosa has brought down Seattle signal callers five times.

As fun as it is to fantasize a world where Bosa is no longer playing for the 49ers and against the Seahawks, this hardly means he won’t be suited up come fall. He is a cornerstone of San Francisco’s ferocious defense and a core member of a team desperate to win a Super Bowl before their shrinking window finally closes. It is safe to assume the two sides will eventually come to terms on a massive extension to keep the Ohio State alum in Santa Clara.

More NFC West stories

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NFC West: Worst-case scenario for every team

30 Most Important Bears of 2023: No. 27 Dominique Robinson

Our next player in our Most Important Bears series is Dominique Robinson, who could be a sneaky candidate to have a breakout season.

The Chicago Bears are gearing up for the 2023 NFL season, which features plenty of new and returning faces within the organization. There are a number of players, coaches and front office members that are crucial to the team’s success this season.

Every day from now until the start of training camp, we’re counting down our 30 Most Important Bears for the 2023 season. We’ll recap their 2022 season, look ahead to 2023 and tackle the biggest question facing them this year.

Coming in at No. 27 is defensive end Dominique Robinson, who has a golden opportunity to take a big step in his second season.

Broncos DE Zach Allen named one of NFL’s most underrated players

Zach Allen “could be the primary disruptor” on the Broncos’ defensive line this season.

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Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar recently published his list of the NFL’s top-32 most underrated players and Denver Broncos defensive lineman Zach Allen made the cut.

Farrar describes the underrated players on the list as “secret superstars” — players who are “not given their proper due” by fans and pundits.

For the Broncos, he believes that player is Allen, who just signed a three-year deal with the team this offseason after spending the first four years of his career with the Arizona Cardinals.

Here is part of Farrar’s commentary on Allen:

The 6-foot-4, 281 Allen had his best season to date in 2022, with six sacks, 15 quarterback hits, and 14 quarterback hurries in 427 pass-rushing snaps. Allen’s sacks came everywhere from the edge to aligned over the guards to true nose-shade alignments — so, like his mentor, he’s developed into a guy who can harass quarterbacks from any place you’d like. … 

The recent addition of Frank Clark does something for a Denver defensive front in need of pass rush, but it’s Allen who could be the primary disruptor.

That’s a pretty promising endorsement for the 25-year-old defensive lineman. Allen is listed on the team’s roster as a 3-4 defensive end, but he can also play further inside, similar to the role Derek Wolfe played during his time with the team.

Fans will get their first on-field look at Allen when training camp begins next month.

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Two Sooners among PFF’s Big 12 highest-graded returning edge defenders for 2023

PFF listed the top 10 grades for returning edge defenders in the Big 12 and two Sooners made the list.

If the Oklahoma Sooners are going to be better on defense, they’re going to have to be better at rushing the passer and playing the run. The good news is, they have a pair of edge rushers that were among the highest-graded returning players in the Big 12.

According to Pro Football Focus, Rondell Bothroyd and Ethan Downs were two of the highest-graded EDGE players in 2022 returning for the 2023 season.

Wake Forest transfer Rondell Bothroyd came in at No. 1, and Ethan Downs came in at No. 6.

They were joined by Cincinnati’s Daniel Grzesiak and Justin Wodtly, Houston’s Nelson Ceaser, BYU’s Tyler Batty, Oklahoma State’s Anthony Goodlow, Baylor’s Byron Vaughns, UCF’s Tre’Mon Morris-Brash and West Virginia’s Sean Martin.

Oklahoma and Cincinnati were the only programs to feature multiple players in the top 10.

There’s a reason why Oklahoma’s staff is excited about the addition of Bothroyd. He’s coming off two seasons in which he totaled 93 tackles, 24.5 for loss, and 13 sacks.

Downs had 38 tackles, 13.5 for loss and 4.5 sacks in 2022. It was an up and down start to the season, but Downs really came on strong in the second half of the year.

PFF named Downs to the All Big-12 third team last year and Sooners Wire managing editor John Williams had this to say about Downs’ 2022 season.

Ethan Downs finished the season tied for the team lead with 4.5 sacks. Though he was just 10th in the Big 12 in pressures among edge rushers, he finished fourth in the conference in stops at the position. He had a fantastic finish to the season, picking up seven tackles for loss and two sacks in the Sooners final three games. – Williams, Sooners Wire

The Sooners are going to need Downs and Bothroyd to take another step along with the others on the defensive line if they hope to take a big step as a defense and more importantly, in the win column.

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NFL Free Agency: Frank Clark re-joins Russell Wilson with Broncos

A former Seattle Seahawks standout has found a new home in the Mile High city of Denver, Colorado. Hmm, this sounds a bit familiar

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A former Seattle Seahawks standout has found a new home in the Mile High city of Denver, Colorado. Hmm, this sounds a bit familiar.

But no, I am not talking about Russell Wilson. This story is about former Seahawks and Chiefs defensive end finding his new NFL home. After four incredibly successful years with the Kansas City Chiefs – where he helped claim two Lombardi’s – Clark is now joining the division rival Broncos.

Clark started his career as a second round pick for the Seattle Seahawks all the way back in the 2015 NFL draft. Although he started slow, Clark became one of Seattle’s most dominant defenders, recording 10, 9 and 13 sacks his final three years in the Emerald City.

Before the start of the 2019 season, the Seahawks traded Clark to Kansas City in exchange for a first round pick and to gain cap flexibility.

Although he did not match any sack totals from the last three years in Seattle – the most he had was eight in his first year with the Chiefs – Clark made hay in the playoffs. He racked up 10.5 sacks in playoff games for Kansas City, pushing his career playoff total to 13.5 which is third most in NFL postseason history.

Now he rejoins his former quarterback in Denver, as the Broncos look to bounce back from the most disastrous season in franchise history.

More Seahawks Wire stories

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Seahawks minicamp: Sights and sounds from Day 1

Seahawks minicamp: Sights and sounds from Day 2

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Broncos offseason roster: No. 90, DL Jordan Jackson

After spending last season on the Saints’ practice squad, Jordan Jackson will aim to win a spot on Denver’s d-line depth chart this summer.

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Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at first-year defensive lineman Jordan Jackson, No. 90.

Before the Broncos: Jackson (6-4, 294 pounds) played college football for the United States Air Force Academy, totaling 130 tackles (27 behind the line), 12.5 sacks, five pass breakups and one forced fumble in three seasons (36 games). He was picked by the New Orleans Saints in the sixth round of last year’s NFL draft but failed to make their 53-man roster. Jackson spent his rookie season on the Saints’ practice squad in 2022.

Broncos tenure: Denver signed Jackson to a reserve/future contract in January and he officially joined the 90-man offseason roster in March. Because he did not play in any games last year, Jackson is considered a “first-year” player even though he is entering his second season.

Chances to make the 53-man roster: Jackson won’t be a favorite to make the active roster, but the Broncos will have several spots up for the grabs on the defensive line this summer so he will get an opportunity to compete for a role. Jackson seems to be a quality practice squad candidate who has an outside chance to make the 53-man roster.

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Broncos offseason roster: No. 91, DL Matt Henningsen

After serving as a rotational defensive lineman last year, Matt Henningsen could compete for a starting spot this summer.

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Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at second-year defensive lineman Matt Henningsen, No. 91.

Before the Broncos: Henningsen (6-3, 291 pounds) was a walk-on at Wisconsin and won a starting job right away. In four seasons (37 games) with the Badgers, Henningsen totaled 92 tackles (13.5 behind the line), 8.5 sacks, four pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and two defensive touchdowns. He was a first-team CoSIDA Academic All-America in 2020.

Broncos tenure: Denver picked Henningsen in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL draft and he went on to play in all 17 games as a rookie, recording 21 tackles (two behind the line), one quarterback hit and one sack. He played 229 snaps on defense last year, fifth-most on the defensive line.

Chance to make the 53-man roster: Given his number of snaps last year, Henningsen seems very likely to make the team this summer and he could easily jump into one of the top four spots in the defensive line rotation. Following the departures of Dre’Mont Jones and DeShawn Williams this offseason, Henningsen might even have an opportunity to win a starting job at training camp.

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