Tag: first team

Chiefs DT Chris Jones reflects on 2023 AP First-Team All-Pro selection

Kansas City #Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones reflected on his AP First-Team All-Pro selection in comments to the media on Wednesday.

The Kansas City Chiefs had three players earn AP First-Team All-Pro selections for 2023. One of their stars has become a perennial member of that team as he reflected on the prestigious honor.

Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones was named to his second consecutive First-Team All-Pro selection. He was named Second-Team All-Pro three times during his career in 2018, 2020, and 2021. He spoke about the latest accolade during his Wednesday press conference after practice.

“Give credit to my coaches, Joe Cullen, and Terry Bradden; the commitment those guys force out of me and the players in the room push me beyond measure,” Jones said. “I think a leader can’t be a leader without great teammates; it takes an army to be great, and those guys push the best out of me each and every day to get the best out of me. I don’t think I can accomplish something like that of that measure without having great teammates and guys who push the best out of me day in and day out.”

Jones, as a leader on the team, was appreciative of the support he received from coaches and his teammates. The reaction his teammates showed him following his tenth incentive-filled sack of the regular season was an example of the impact and unity the group has for one another.

Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo: DB Nazeeh Johnson ‘earned’ first-team reps before injury

#Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo lamented the loss of defensive back Nazeeh Johnson in his comments to the media on Monday. | from: @EdEastonJr

Defensive back Nazeeh Johnson was an early standout at the Kansas City Chiefs’ first week of training camp this year before tearing his ACL at practice over the weekend, effectively ending his 2023 season.

Johnson’s solid play didn’t go unnoticed, though, as Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo acknowledged the injured defensive back after Monday’s practice in his comments to the media after Monday’s rain-shortened practice.

“I’m really sad to see that happen [to] Nazeeh [Johnson],” Spagnuolo said. “He was really climbing. If you guys notice he was taking reps with the first group because he had earned it. He’s got a really good corner skill set. I mean, he played safety in college, but so hopefully, you know, we’ll pray he gets healthy real quick and gets back.”

Spagnuolo has plenty of options remaining in the secondary, but the loss of Johnson was clearly disappointing to the veteran coordinator, who seemed to have big plans in store for the rising young defender.

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REPORT: Chiefs RB Deneric Prince took first-team reps at Wednesday practice

Rookie running back Deneric Prince got reps with the Chiefs’ first-team offense at Wednesday’s training camp workouts.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ stable of talented running backs may be in the middle of a training camp shake-up as head coach Andy Reid looks to maximize the ground game in 2023.

Reporter PJ Green of FOX4 News Kansas City reported on Twitter that darkhorse running back Deneric Prince received reps with the first-team offense on Wednesday, though he noted that many players get looks with the starters at this point in the training camp process.

Nonetheless, Prince seems to be out-performing his undrafted pedigree, which bodes well for the Chiefs’ offense as they figure out which combination of backs will give them the best chance to win next season.

Prince will have to out-compete former first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire, veteran Jerick McKinnon, and second-year sensation Isiah Pacheco to get carries in Kansas City’s offense. But, if Wednesday’s development is any indication, the Chiefs’ coaching staff has liked what they have seen from him.

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Chiefs WR Justyn Ross receiving first-team reps at training camp

Wide receiver Justyn Ross reportedly took first-team snaps and took reps as a punt returner at #Chiefs training camp practices on Sunday.

Wide receiver Justyn Ross has been the object of rampant speculation over the course of the Kansas City Chiefs’ 2023 offseason, and head coach Andy Reid seems to have bought the hype surrounding the second-year prospect.

Ross reportedly received a number of first-team snaps during workouts early in the Chiefs’ practice session on Sunday, giving the team’s coaching staff plenty to think about as Kansas City looks to reorganize their depth chart ahead of the new season.

The former Clemson Tiger was also spotted fielding punts before practice began, which could indicate the Chiefs’ intention to utilize him as part of the special teams unit.

These developments will provide plenty of fodder for fans who have advocated for Ross to get a chance to show what he can do in the Chiefs’ offense after missing his rookie season due to an injury he sustained in college.

Whether Ross will prove to be a playmaker for Kansas City in 2023 remains to be seen, but first-team snaps don’t come easy in the NFL, so his stock certainly seems to be on an upswing ahead of the Chiefs’ first preseason game.

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Crimson Tide’s Brandon Miller named to All-SEC First-Team

Brandon Miller recognized on the All-SEC First Team

As the SEC regular season concludes, coaches have voted on the accolades for the 2022-2023 season. Alabama Crimson Tide’s Brandon Miller, who was announced as the SEC Player of the Year, was also recognized on the All-SEC First-Team.

Miller was the best player in the conference all year long so it comes as no surprise, but still impressive nonetheless. Miller was the only member of Nate Oats’ squad to appear on the First Team. He is widely regarded as a lock to be a lottery pick in the 2023 NBA draft.

However, his collegiate career is not done yet as the Tide will face either Florida or Mississippi State in the SEC tournament on Friday.

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NFL AP All-Pro First and Second Teams feature six former Crimson Tide players

Alabama is well-represented! Check out which former Crimson Tide stars made it.

If you sit down on any given Sunday to watch NFL football, the odds are you will see a former Alabama Crimson Tide player making an impact.

As well as recruiting the right players, Nick Saban has proved that his player development is second to none and he has turned Tuscaloosa into an NFL factory. The Tide has sent 41 players to the NFL via the first round of the draft in that time, including a first-round selection in 14 straight years, with no end in sight.

Year after year the Tide funnels stars into the NFL, and in 2022 they shined the brightest they ever have. Six different players were recognized on the NFL AP All-Pro First and Second Teams, out of 44 eligible spots.

Demario Davis earns his fourth consecutive AP All-Pro team appearance

Demario Davis earned his fourth consecutive honor from the Associated Press, who named him a second team All-Pro for the third year in a row:

Bang: there’s some well-deserved recognition for Demario Davis from the Associated Press, who selected the New Orleans Saints linebacker as a member of the 2022 All-Pro second team on Friday. It’s the third year in a row for Davis to make the second team, and this is his fourth consecutive All-Pro honor after making the first team in 2019. He was also finally recognized as a Pro Bowler for the first time in his career this season.

Davis was the only Saints player to be on the field for all 1,132 defensive snaps in 2022 (though safety Tyrann Mathieu came close with 1,129 snaps), finishing the year with a team-leading 109 combined tackles (54 solo, 10 tackles for loss). He was also credited with 6.5 sacks and 8 quarterback hits, plus a fumble recovery, an interception, and 6 passes defensed. Not bad for someone who just celebrated his 34th birthday, having reached an age where many players begin to call it quits.

However, Davis was also the only Saints player to be recognized as an All-Pro in 2022, which goes to show how big of a step back New Orleans took this year. The Saints have had multiple All-Pro honorees every year since the 2017 season, so they’ll need to turn things around in a big way this summer to get back on top of things for 2023. Finding better ways to maximize talents like Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave would be a good start.

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5 Chiefs players earn PFF First-Team All-Pro selections

Five #Chiefs players made PFF’s list of First-Team All-Pro players for the 2022 NFL season.

The folks over at Pro Football Focus have announced their 2022 NFL All-Pro Team as the regular season has come to an end. A total of six Kansas City Chiefs players have earned recognition from PFF, five as First-Team All-Pro selections and one as a Second-Team All-Pro selection.

Joe Thuney was the only player to come in as a Second-Team All-Pro. Had he not missed time and dealt with an injury this season, it’s possible that he lands the First-Team selection.

Here’s a look at the Chiefs that made First-Team All-Pro, along with words from PFF’s Sam Monson and my own quips:

Preseason First Team All-SEC features eight Crimson Tide stars

Crimson Tide dominates preseason All-SEC with eight on first-team

The 2022 Preseason All-SEC teams have arrived, and Alabama was recognized with a resounding eight players on the first team. The Tide is receiving a lot of preseason hype, but this is likely because the 2022 team may be one of the best rosters Nick Saban has had during his tenure at Alabama.

Saban returns Heisman trophy winner Bryce Young, Bronko Nagurski winner Will Anderson Jr. and others. The list could go on for days. The Tide also added key pieces via the portal, including three who appear on the preseason first team. Expectations for this team are as clear as can be: compete for a national championship.

Texas running back Bijan Robinson named AP preseason All-American

The national media are beginning to buy into the Bijan Robinson hype as well.

Before spring practice even begun, everybody knew who the best player on Texas’ roster was. It only took a few games for Bijan Robinson to show why he was rated the No. 1 running back in the country as a recruit.

Averaging 8.2 yards per carry, in general, is an insane stat. Doing it as a true freshman is astronomical.

Naturally, a lot of hype is going to carry over into Robinson’s sophomore season. With Steve Sarkisian taking over the offense, his workload is going to be closer than his 86 total carries from last year. Anywhere between 20 to 30 touches, the head coach said.

People from the national media are beginning to buy into the Robinson hype as well. On Monday, the running back was named a preseason All-American by the AP. He joined fellow conference member Breece Hall as the two running backs.

Others to note within the first team

Of course, Oklahoma was going to get their share within the first team. Spencer Rattler holds down the fort at quarterback, while Nick Bonitto gets in as a linebacker.

Iowa State got a lot of love as well on both sides of the ball. Already mentioning Hall, tight end Charlie Kolar beat out Texas A&M’s Jalen Wydermyer.

Linebacker Mike Rose is the singular Cyclone defensive player to be named to the first team.

Second team

West Virginia is the only other Big 12 school to feature in the preseason list. Defensive end Dante Stills was the only conference player to be named to the second team.

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