Tag: defensive tackle

Did Cam Heyward discover the fountain of youth?

Cam Heyward’s elite 2024 play has been pivotal for the Steelers’ defense, proving age is just a number for the veteran DT.

Cam Heyward has either perfected time travel, discovered the fountain of youth, or is doing his greatest Benjamin Button impersonation in 2024, as the Steelers’ DT continues to turn back the clock with his elite play at 35 years old.

With an impressive five sacks, 14 QB hits, six tackles for loss, and a whopping 31 QB pressures, PFF considers Heyward the best defensive lineman of 2024 so far.

Throughout Heyward’s illustrious 14-year career, the Steelers’ DT has accumulated 85.5 sacks, 127 TFLs, 193 QB hits, and eight forced fumbles.

Heyward’s play in 2024 has been a pivotal factor in not only the team’s fourth-ranked defense against the run but also the overall success of the 7-2 Pittsburgh Steelers.

While teammate T.J. Watt is considered a favorite for the Defensive Player of the Year award, Heyward is looking more and more like a dark horse candidate with each passing week.

Heyward will face a tough challenge in Week 11 as he and the Steelers take on the 7-3 Baltimore Ravens on November 17th at 1:00 PM EST.

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Chiefs DT Chris Jones responds to Travis Kelce’s hilarious viral stunt: ‘Caught me slipping’

Kansas City #Chiefs DT Chris Jones responds to Travis Kelce’s hilarious viral stunt: ‘Caught me slipping’ | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro Chris Jones has never avoided the tough questions throughout his career without patience and a level head. However, he felt more than eager to respond emotionally to reporters on Thursday regarding the viral stunt he fell victim to from teammate Travis Kelce.

“Hey, listen, imma say this right now. I have dunked on Travis (Kelce) so many times. All of a sudden, y’all come to town. Travis caught me slipping. “Okay, we’ve got to be selective with what we’re posting collectively for the Chiefs,” Jones said, holding back laughter from the crowd of reporters. “Okay, we can’t post that. Why? Who posted it? Why? Why? What was you trying to prove that? Okay, you can’t post it. You didn’t even give me consent.”

The video showing Kelce simulating a dunk over Jones is another example of the solid camaraderie they have maintained in the locker room throughout their years as teammates.

https://youtube.com/shorts/U2JNsZJ4sI8?si=y7A4np1PPFRgTczp

“I’ve caught Travis slipping so many times, and I was at La La Land, and I was looking for him. I’m like, Where the hell is he at?” said Jones. “Because he always tried to sneak up and duck on me. I didn’t get him a couple of times, and I couldn’t find him yesterday. I’m looking around; about the time I turned around, all I see is 87 (Travis Kelce) jumping on my head; last two days, No ‘Diddy.'”

Jones will seek revenge, and a camera crew is ready to capture it all and tie things up with Kelce on pranks.

Chiefs DT Chris Jones sees similarities in Bo Nix to Pro Bowl AFC rival quarterback: ‘He’s very comparable’

Kansas City #Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones sees similarities in Bo Nix to Pro Bowl quarterback Josh Allen: ‘He’s very comparable’ | @EdEastonJr

All-Pro Chris Jones has battled and sacked some of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. The Kansas City Chiefs’ undefeated start has featured many starting quarterbacks, but they will face off with a rookie in the Denver Broncos’ Bo Nix for the first time this Sunday.

Jones spoke to the media on Thursday for his weekly press conference, discussing Nix and comparing his abilities to Buffalo Bills Pro Bowl quarterback Josh Allen.

“It’s similar to Josh Allen. I don’t think he has, like, the big play moments of Josh Allen, but he’s very comparable in a lot of things he does and the scheme they’re running with him,” said Jones. “whether it’s getting him in the open field, keeping the ball in his hands on certain downs and distance, giving him the ability to play with instinct. So, I think it’s for us to prepare, making sure we’re able to keep him in the pocket and then get after him.”

Nix was selected 12th overall in this year’s NFL Draft, and the Broncos view him as the future franchise quarterback. The Chiefs will get their first look at Nix, who makes his first start at Arrowhead Stadium, coming in with eight passing touchdowns, six interceptions, and four rushing touchdowns this season.

Steelers-Commanders matchups to watch: Tyler Biadasz vs Cam Heyward

With the Steelers’ Week 10 game growing ever closer, one key matchup to look out for will be C Tyler Biadasz vs. DT Cam Heyward.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a tough matchup ahead in their Week 10 game against the Washington Commanders. One of the key matchups that could decide the contest will be between Commanders center Tyler Biadasz and Steelers DT Cameron Heyward.

Heyward has been turning back the hands of father time in 2024, putting together one of his best seasons to date at 35-years old. He currently has 29 total pressures, seven QB hits, and five sacks through eight games in the 2024 season.

Biadasz is perhaps the Commanders’ most underrated offensive player, as  Washington’s center has allowed zero sacks, zero QB hits, and six pressures on 333 passing plays. Averaging one pressure per 55.5 passing downs is an impressive stat, and Heyward will have his work cut out for him on Sunday.

Can Heyward carry his team to their seventh victory in 2024, or will Biadasz stop their momentum in its tracks? Steelers fans‘ eyes will be glued to this battle in the trenches and can watch the action unfold on November 10th at 1:00 PM EST.

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Bills sign defensive tackles Quinton Jefferson, Jordan Phillips

Quinton Jefferson, Jordan Phillips

One key reason why it is so challenging for teams to agree to trades at the deadline is that they have concerns with new players learning their scheme quick enough.

When you bring back old friends, that isn’t much of a problem.

The Bills announced that they signed defensive tackles Quinton Jefferson and Jordan Phillips on Wednesday after standing pat at the trade deadline.

Jefferson was released by the Cleveland Browns and Phillips was released by the Dallas Cowboys. Both releases came this week. Buffalo jumped on the opportunity to get familiarity and depth in the middle of their defensive line.

Jefferson and Phillips have both specialized at pressuring the QB in their long careers.

Jefferson, now in his ninth season, was with the Bills in 2020 when the team went to their first AFC Championship since 1994. He started four games that campaign but was largely misused while trying to fill in for defensive tackle Star Lotulelei who opted out that offseason.

He found much more success over the past three seasons. From 2021 to 2023, he recorded 16 sacks and 42 QB hits across 34 starts with three different teams. Last year with the Jets, he had six sacks and posted a Pro Football Focus pass rush grade of 73.2 which was 32nd-best among all interior defenders.

Jefferson hasn’t performed to that level with the Browns this year, but he hopes to build on what he and the Bills started in 2020.

While Jefferson is back for his second stint in Buffalo, Phillips is looking forward to his third. He was a member of the Bills from 2018-2019 and also from 2022-2023. He is now in his 10th season.

Phillips has had success in the past with the Bills, racking up an impressive 9.5 sacks with the team in 2019. He hasn’t been as productive in recent years, and only appeared in two games while recording one tackle for the Cowboys this year. He started nine games for Buffalo last year, totaling 15 tackles, 2.5 sacks and five passes defensed.

Both Jefferson and Phillips fill a dire need for the Bills after defensive linemen DeWayne Carter and Dawuane Smoot both recently landed on injured reserve.

The two already have a good feel for the defensive scheme in place from their time with the team in the past, and they should be able to get up to speed quickly.

Defensive tackle Eli Ankou has emerged in recent weeks for the Bills after being elevated from the practice squad, but McDermott loves to rotate his defensive linemen and try to keep fresh bodies attacking the opposing QB.

With Ankou, Ed Oliver, Austin Johnson, DaQuan Jones, and Zion Logue, the Bills add a couple veteran interior pass rushers to the mix.

Is T.J. Watt’s dominant start foreshadowing another D.P.O.Y award?

T.J. Watt’s 2024 campaign showcases dominance, aiming for his second D.P.O.Y. award with elite performances in his 8 games played.

T.J. Watt continues to prove week in and week out that he is a force to be reckoned with for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Whether he is sacking the quarterback, forcing a fumble, or stuffing the run, one thing remains certain—Watt is inevitable.

Watt’s 2024 resume speaks for itself. Through 8 games played, his four forced fumbles are tied for first, his ten tackles for loss are tied for second, his nine QB hits are tied for fifth, and his six and a half sacks are tied for ninth.

The former 2021 D.P.O.Y. winner is looking to build on this fantastic statistical output and put together an undeniable campaign to win the illustrious award for a second time.

DraftKings currently has Watt as the odds-on favorite to win the award through nine weeks, ahead of elite defenders such as Kansas City Chiefs’ DT Chris Jones, New York Giants’ DT Dexter Lawrence, Houston Texans’ EDGE Will Anderson Jr., and Detroit Lions Safety Kerby Joseph.

Can Watt achieve his second D.P.O.Y. award in 2024, or will his efforts result in him being snubbed once again?

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Chiefs OC Matt Nagy comments on Buccaneers defensive lineman’s impact in the run game

Kansas City #Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy comments on Tampa Bay #Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea’s impact in the run game | @EdEastonJr

On Monday night, the Kansas City Chiefs face a familiar foe in the Tampa Buccaneers. The Chiefs are looking to extend their undefeated winning streak, and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy has thoughts on an impactful player from Tampa Bay’s defense.

During Friday’s press conference, Nagy addressed potential offensive issues in the run game against former All-Pro defensive tackle Vita Vea.

“Well, he’s (Vita Vea) a heck of a football player, man. (He) just can play the a-gap and b-gap at the same time, (he’s) physically strong.” said Nagy. “(In the) pass game when he’s there and he gets his hands on you, it’s going to be tough to get away. You just have a lot of – he puts stress on you as an offensive line – we have a lot of faith in our guys, but he’s a hell of a player.”

Vea was a key member of Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl LV-winning team, which defeated the Chiefs during the 2020 season. Kansas City has relied heavily on the run game this season, with Kareem Hunt serving as the primary ball carrier.

Steelers’ DT responds to trade rumors

It is safe to say that Steelers’ All-Pro DT Cameron Heyward isn’t a fan of the recent speculation and trade rumors surrounding Pittsburgh.

While fans around the NFL enjoy the rumors and speculation surrounding the approaching trade deadline, it’s safe to say one Steelers player isn’t a fan. Pittsburgh’s three-time First Team All-Pro DT, Cam Heyward, wants fans to focus on the players in the Steelers’ locker room rather than waste energy predicting who will go where. 

In last week’s episode of his podcast, Not Just Football with Cam Heyward, the defensive tackle shared his frustration with the ongoing trade speculations: “Every week, it’s ‘Who are we getting this week? Who are we getting this week?’” He added that the team “can’t keep worrying about shoulda, woulda, coulda.” Heyward’s powerful statements reflects his confidence in his teammates and what this roster is capable of achieving. 

He does make a valid point, as three major trade rumors involving the Steelers have come and gone without any new receivers to show for it. Should fans place more trust in the current Pittsburgh receiver room moving forward, instead of holding onto hope for another playmaker to be added by the trade deadline?

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Sooners defensive tackle among PFF’s best true freshmen from week 8

After his strong performance against South Carolina, Jayden Jackson earned the best interior defensive lineman grades from Pro Football Focus.

The Oklahoma Sooners spent the first couple of years on the recruiting trail working tirelessly to fortify their defensive line. It all culminated in a strong [autotag]2024 recruiting class[/autotag] upfront.

One of the key figures in that recruiting class was defensive tackle [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag]. Seven games into his Sooners career, he’s already meeting expectations. The four-star prospect out of IMG Academy was a week one starter for Oklahoma, becoming the first true freshman to start at defensive tackle since Tommie Harris.

And he keeps getting better each week. Against South Carolina, he had arguably his best game of the season, posting his highest defensive grade from Pro Football Focus. He had four total tackles, including a sack, two total pressures, and three stops, which PFF defines as a play that constitutes a loss for the defense.

He was the highest-graded true freshman defensive tackle from Week 8 and was among the 10 highest-graded true freshmen from the week.

Through seven games, Jackson ranks among PFF’s 10 highest-graded Sooners, coming in at No. 9.

On the season, Jackson is tied for 10th on the Sooners with 16 total tackles. He’s recorded one tackle for loss and one sack in 2024. And he’s just scratching the surface.

So much of what Jackson’s been able to do for the Sooners doesn’t show up on the stat sheets. He’s been difficult to move off the ball and his quickness has been a challenge for opposing offensive linemen.

Even with Damonic Williams, Da’Jon Terry, and Gracen Halton all playing well, it’s hard to keep Jackson off the field. With that four-man rotation in the middle, the Sooners have become one of the best run defenses in the nation, surrendering just 2.9 yards per carry in 2024, which ranks ninth.

Just seven games into his Sooners career, Jayden Jackson has been everything Oklahoma could have hoped for. And the scary thing is he will only continue to get better.

Former Chiefs defensive lineman reveals creative nickname for Travis Kelce

Former Kansas City #Chiefs defensive lineman Khalen Saunders reveals creative nickname for Travis Kelce | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs’ recent victory over the New Orleans Saints kept their record undefeated in the young season. During the game, they faced off against several former Chiefs, who had Super Bowl rings and memories from the journey.

Former Chiefs defensive lineman Khalen Saunders made headlines for his interception return during the game, but he also recently revealed a unique nickname for Travis Kelce.

“We used to call him, when I was on the Chiefs, ‘The Drunken Master,’ because he kind of just runs his routes looking like he’s tipsy a little bit. “said Saunders in a video list from G.O.A.T. Farm Media. “Then he’ll just sit down in the middle of a zone and catch it and then turn up the field and make something happen.”

Kelce’s unparalleled ability to find holes in defenses and get open for Patrick Mahomes earned him the nickname. Saunders played for the Chiefs from 2019 to 2022, winning two Super Bowls with the star tight end. The bond remains strong between former Kansas City players and the current group.