Tag: Defensive Line

Texas Longhorns team of the decade: Defensive line

Shifting to defense in the team of the decade, we begin on the LOS. Throughout the 2010s, Texas has produced some monsters on the d-line.

Shifting from offense to defense in the Texas team of the decade, we begin on the line of scrimmage. Throughout the 2010s, the Longhorns have produced some monsters on the defensive line. Producing a few guys good enough to make it into the NFL, all four of these players were recruited by former coaches Mack Brown and Charlie Strong.

The first two players are Alex Okafor and Jackson Jeffcoat, who shared the field for three years. Between the two of them, they have a combined 49 sacks. Jeffcoat’s 26 career sacks are good enough for eighth in Longhorn history. The two players benefitted off each other, with 36 of their 49 sacks coming when the two played together.

Poona Ford played defensive tackle for Texas and did not rack up the kind of sacks the other three players got. At 6 foot, 300 pounds, Ford was an aminal for the Longhorns. Taking up space on the defensive line, he was able to make physical plays at the line of scrimmage to stop runners getting behind him.

The most recent of the players is Charles Omenihu, who graduated in 2018. Playing in 48 career games, Omenihu was in the backfield a lot. His best season came in his 2018 senior year when he recorded 9.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss. Currently playing for the Houston Texans, Omenihu was selected in the fifth round. Playing all four years, Omenihu is one of the best defensive players Texas has produced in recent years.

Here are the Longhorn defensive lineman of the decade:

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Al Woods’ suspension leaves Seahawks defense increasingly depleted

Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Al Woods’ four-game suspension due to PED violations has major ramifications for the team going forward.

The Seahawks have dealt with numerous absences of key players this season due to injuries and suspensions. They just received another in the form of Al Woods’ four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. He will not play in the final two games in the regular season and two postseason games if Seattle makes it past the wild card round.

This comes four days after wide receiver Josh Gordon’s indefinite suspension, marking two suspensions to impact players in less than a week.

This is obviously a big blow to Seattle’s ambitions to claim the No. 1 seed in the NFC, as the Seahawks need all the defensive help they can get without losing more players on that side of the ball. Jadeveon Clowney and Quandre Diggs may be out for Week 16 against the Cardinals with their respective core and ankle injuries, and Shaquill Griffin and Mychal Kendricks are questionable as well, so losing Woods only exacerbates the Seahawks’ defensive issues.

Woods has been a solid player for Seattle this year, particularly in run defense. He recorded 32 tackles, two forced fumbles and a sack in the 2019 season. The defensive line has been one of the weakest position groups for the Seahawks this season, but Woods’ absence leaves them even more depleted. With injuries and suspensions mounting up, the Seahawks should feel even more urgency to win out over the remaining two games of the year.

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Seeking DL depth, Broncos make more roster moves

The Broncos have promoted defensive lineman Deyon Sizer from the practice squad to the active roster.

The Denver Broncos confirmed Saturday that the team claimed defensive lineman Kyle Peko off the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad and placed wide receiver Juwann Winfree (hamstring) on injured reserve.

The team also announced that defensive lineman Deyon Sizer was promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. To make room for Sizer on the practice squad, Denver waived outside linebacker Ahmad Gooden. If he clears waivers, Gooden might be re-signed to the practice squad.

Sizer (6-4, 280 pounds) entered the league with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent out of Colorado State-Pueblo in May. He spent the first 13 weeks of the season on Denver’s practice squad. Sizer wears jersey No. 91.

The Broncos have ruled out defensive linemen DeMarcus Walker (ankle) and Adam Gotsis (knee) for Week 15 and Dre’Mont Jones (ankle) is listed as questionable on the injury report. Sizer will help provide more depth.

The Broncos’ 53-man roster and 10-man practice squad are now full.

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Broncos DL Dre’Mont Jones has a high ankle sprain

Broncos defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones suffered a high ankle sprain in Sunday’s win over the Texans.

Denver Broncos defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones suffered a high ankle sprain in Sunday’s 38-24 win over the Houston Texans, coach Vic Fangio confirmed during his Monday press conference. That kind of injury could take anywhere from a week to several months to heal.

“We’re not sure the severity,” Fangio said. “It could be that he might be able to play this week or it could be he misses a couple weeks. The next few days will tell.”

If the injury is likely to keep Jones out for multiple games, Denver might place him on injured reserve with just three games remaining.

Jones (6-3, 281 pounds) was selected by Denver in the third round of April’s draft after he totaled 9.5 sacks during his final two years at Ohio State. Jones has served as a rotational defensive lineman this season, recording nine tackles, one sack and one interception. He has also broken up two passes.

The Broncos’ remaining healthy defensive linemen are Shelby Harris, Adam Gotsis, Mike Purcell, DeMarcus Walker and Jonathan Harris. Denver has already placed defensive linemen Billy Winn and Derek Wolfe on injured reserve this season. The Broncos have just one defensive lineman on the practice squad: Deyon Sizer, an undrafted rookie from CSU-Pueblo.

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Notre Dame Football: Jones Headed to Collegiate Bowl

Others are taking notice of the late charge Jones has put on as well as he will be a part of the NFLPA Collegiate Game

Jamir Jones saved his best for last at Notre Dame, having easily his best year in his senior season.

The Rochester, New York product finished the regular season with career-highs in tackles with 24, forced fumbles with two and sacks after registering four-and-a-half this season.

Others are taking notice of the late charge Jones has put on as well as he will be a part of the NFLPA Collegiate Game held at the Rose Bowl Stadium on January 18.

Jamir is the brother of former Notre Dame defensive lineman Jarron, who has been a part of several NFL practice squads and was drafted in the first round of the XFL’s linemen draft back in October.

Broncos will place DE Derek Wolfe on injured reserve

Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe will be placed on injured reserve with an elbow injury, ending his season.

The Denver Broncos will place defensive end Derek Wolfe on injured reserve with an elbow injury, multiple media outlets reported Monday. Wolfe injured his elbow during Sunday’s 23-20 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.

Wolfe said the injury “doesn’t look good” after the game on Sunday evening and indicated to media members that he dislocated his elbow, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. Wolfe posted a photo of the play the injury happened on his Twitter page (warning: the image is gruesome).

Before leaving the game, Wolfe totaled five tackles and two sacks. In 12 games this season, Wolfe racked up 34 tackles and a career-high seven sacks. That’s a big jump from the 1.5 sacks he totaled last year and the two sacks he recorded in 2017.

Wolfe was selected by Denver in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft out of Cincinnati. He is scheduled to become a free agent in March.

After placing Wolfe on IR, the Broncos will have an open spot on the 53-man roster.

In related injury news, offensive guard Ron Leary suffered a concussion against the Chargers and will enter the league’s concussion protocol. Broncos cornerback Duke Dawson did not play Sunday after suffering a concussion last week. Leary may also be in danger of missing a game.

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Pass rush competition opening up opportunities for Seahawks defense

Seattle Seahawks Shaquem Griffin is making a push to compete with Jadeveon Clowney and Ziggy Ansah to rush the passer.

The Seattle Seahawks have seen the emergence of two of their defensive weapons over the last couple of outings. Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney has his breakout game against the 49ers and Ziggy Ansah impressed last Sunday in Philadelphia.

The goal, however, is to have both impact players on the field together.

“It’s what we kind of hoped for going into the season,” coach Pete Carroll said Monday of their recent production. “You can see the results of what the pass rush factor is. It just makes it really hard on the offense to function at a high rate. Their quarterbacks numbers are in the 60s and 70s in ratings and stuff like that. That’s playing the kind of football that allows the ball to be available to you. That’s eight turnovers in the last two weeks. Those guys will just contribute more to it.”

Clowney was inactive Week 12 in Philadelphia after receiving treatment for what is believed to be a sports hernia. Surgery is not required at this time and Carroll is hoping he’ll be available Monday night when the Vikings come to town.

Ansah has finally put some weight back on in time for the second half of the season with Carroll calling him the “strongest and heaviest” he’s been in Seattle.

But Clowney and Ansah aren’t the Seahawks’ only options to rush the passer.

“They’ve got a little competition there, Griff’s making a move on them,” Carroll said of Shaquem Griffin. “He looks like he’s got some stuff that we can incorporate and keep developing that he can be a factor as well. You can see that when those two guys are going, we’ll be at our best. With Griff’s addition, too, with the things that he can bring, the speed that he injects is really valuable to us. I think it’s obvious when you watch the film or watch the games that he’s a factor.

“They’ve got to be careful, or he’s going to get them. Competition is a beautiful thing.”

The Seahawks resume practice Wednesday to prepare to face the Vikings Monday night.

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Texans DE J.J. Watt named a finalist for NFL 100 All-Time Team

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt was named a finalist among the defensive line selections for the NFL 100 All-Time Team.

The NFL released its finalists list for the defensive line for the NFL 100 All-Time Team Monday, and Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt made the list.

The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year was among 33 defensive linemen and edge defenders who were listed as finalists. Watt is the only defensive lineman who is still playing in the NFL.

Watt’s career has been historic since he joined the Texans as a first-round pick in 2011. His three defensive player of the year honors tie Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor for the most in league history. His 96.0 sacks rank 41st all-time, and he has posted 20.5 sacks in two separate seasons, 2012 and 2014. Among the 2011 draft class, only the Denver Broncos’ Von Miller has more sacks than Watt with 104.

To decide the 14 defensive linemen who will ultimately make the team, a 26-person blue-ribbon voting panel has been charged with selecting seven players at both defensive end and defensive tackle.

The NFL 100 All-Time Team airs each Friday at 7:00 p.m. CT on NFL Network through Week 17 with selections by position revealed each week.

Elevation in Mexico City should impact Chiefs’ rotation along defensive line

Expect a healthy rotation along the defensive line for the Kansas City Chiefs with injuries and altitude concerns.

The Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers both are relying on differing approaches to handle the altitude in Mexico City.

The Chargers traveled to Colorado Springs, Colorado and trained at the Air Force Academy for four days ahead of the game. Meanwhile, the Chiefs stayed in Kansas City, opting for a regular routine, including extra rest and hydration before traveling to Mexico City. Each choice will be heavily criticized depending on the outcome of the game, yet we can already look to one area where the Chiefs might be impacted by the thin air at Estadio Azteca.

Injuries have been a big story for Kansas City this season, and lately, the injury bug has hit the defensive line. Starting defensive end Alex Okafor won’t play this week with a high ankle sprain. Sack leader Emmanuel Ogbah tore his pec against the Titans in Week 10, and the Chiefs have yet to send him to injured reserve, but he’s been ruled out for the game.

That means the Chiefs will have just two players at the defensive end position available for this game in Frank Clark and Tanoh Kpassagnon. Clark has dealt with what he’s described as a pinched nerve in his neck throughout the season. He claims to be healthy now, but his performance hasn’t yet indicated that.

As the Chiefs have dealt with these injuries over the past few weeks, defensive tackle Chris Jones has stepped in and played some at the defensive end position. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo expects that to continue in Week 11 and beyond.

“Yeah, it will be a little back and forth,” Spagnuolo said of Jones’ role on Friday. “He’ll probably end up playing both for us now.”

When the Chiefs faced the Broncos at Mile High Stadium in Week 7, no defensive end played more than 76% of the defensive snaps. Fatigue and the altitude played an influence in that, so we should expect the same against the Chargers in Week 11. The only difference is that they don’t have as many bodies to throw at the issue. Both Okafor and Ogbah were available for that Week 7 game.

The Chiefs will likely rely on a three-player split between Clark, Kpassagnon and Jones at the defensive end position. There’s an off chance that Joey Ivie plays some rush end during dime defensive packages. I wouldn’t be surprised to see some more 3-3-5 nickel packages from Spagnuolo’s defense over the course of the game.

Altitude issues should also influence the rotation along the interior defensive line with Derrick Nnadi and Khalen Saunders seeing a healthy dose of action, but players like Joey Ivie or perhaps Mike Pennel (if he’s active) rotating in. Keeping bodies fresh along the interior will be quite important if they play four down linemen, especially if Jones is tasked with rotating in at the defensive end position.

In general, expect a healthy rotation from Kansas City up and down the defensive line with injuries and the elevation in mind.

Report: Texans work out journeyman DL Caraun Reid

The Houston Texans worked out journeyman defensive lineman Caraun Reid on Monday, giving him a physical after.

With the bye week over with, the Houston Texans are molding their roster for the stretch run. On Monday, they worked out defensive lineman Caraun Reid, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.

Reid, 27, last played with professional football with the Dallas Cowboys. In 2018, the 6-2, 292-pound lineman tallied 10 combined tackles, a half-sack, a tackle for loss and three QB hits in 10 games, one start, for the Cowboys.

Reid was a Detroit Lions fifth-round selection out of Princeton in 2014. He spent two seasons in Michigan — starting 12 games in the second — before waiving him in the preseason. The then-San Diego Chargers claimed him, only to see him play seven games before tearing his ACL.

The Lions claimed Reid off of waivers after the 2017 preseason. From there, he spent short visits with the Washington Redskins and Indianapolis Colts before landing in Arlington. The Cowboys released him on Sept. 1, leading the Colts to sign him and waive him two months later.