Tag: guard

Texas Men’s Basketball: Andrew Jones named Big 12 Player of the Week

Texas guard Andrew Jones was named the Big 12 Player of the Week after a career-high 22 points against No. 22 Texas Tech.

Texas guard Andrew Jones continues his miraculous story.

His greatest test came off of the court. In January 2018, Jones was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He quickly began receiving treatments at MD Anderson which put him in remission within a month.

Jones was able to medically redshirt his sophomore and junior seasons amidst the diagnosis and ongoing treatments. He completed his final treatment in September 2019.

The talent has always been present. As a true freshman, Jones played in all 33 games with 23 starts. He tied for the team lead in assists, ranked second in steals and third in scoring.

Fast forward to 2020, the 6-4 guard is now the Big 12 Player of the Week after leading Texas to back-to-back wins over Top 25 opponents.

Jones scored a career-high 22 points in both of Texas’ critical Big 12 matchups against West Virginia and Texas Tech. His field goal percentage against No. 22 Texas Tech was 57.1 percent.

In order to keep their NCAA Tournament chances alive, the Longhorns need another huge showing from Jones on Tuesday as they travel to Norman to take on the Oklahoma Sooners.

Broncos met with OL Cesar Ruiz at NFL combine

Michigan guard/center Cesar Ruiz had an interview with the Broncos at the NFL combine last week.

The Denver Broncos interviewed Michigan offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz at the NFL combine last week, according to Tom Downey of Chat Sports.

Ruiz (6-3, 307 pounds) bench-pressed 225 pounds 28 times at the combine. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has compared him to James Daniels, who was selected by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 2018 draft.

“Ruiz has early starting potential and should develop into a good pro with guard/center flexibility,” Zierlein wrote of the offensive lineman.

That sounds exactly like the kind of versatile interior offensive lineman Denver likes to have. With limited roster spots on game days, the Broncos — and all NFL teams — prefer linemen who can play multiple positions.

Ruiz is the ninth-best interior offensive lineman in this year’s class, according to Luke Easterling’s 2020 NFL draft big board for Draft Wire.

Ruiz is projected to be selected sometime between the third and fifth rounds of the draft, according to Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com.

The draft will take place in Las Vegas from April 23-25.

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Broncos met with OL Robert Hunt at NFL combine

Louisiana-Lafayette offensive lineman Robert Hunt met with the Broncos at the NFL combine last week.

The Denver Broncos interviewed Louisiana-Lafayette offensive lineman Robert Hunt at the NFL combine last week, according to a report from KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

Hunt (6-5, 323 pounds) is a do-it-all offensive lineman who has spent time at left tackle, guard and right tackle. His versatility could make him an intriguing prospect for Denver.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has compared Hunt to Cody Ford, who was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2019 draft.

“Like Cody Ford in last year’s draft, Hunt is a plus athlete with a big man’s frame who could be considered at guard or tackle,” Zierlein wrote.

Hunt is the 11th-best offensive tackle in this year’s class, according to Luke Easterling’s 2020 NFL draft big board for Draft Wire.

Hunt is projected to be a second- or third-round pick in April’s draft, according to Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com.

Denver will have five picks in the first three rounds of the draft.

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The Texans have an out with G Zach Fulton’s contract

The Houston Texans have an out with offensive guard Zach Fulton’s contract if they choose to exercise it.

The Houston Texans have entered a point with guard Zach Fulton’s contract that the club could release him without any repercussions to the salary cap.

According to Spotrac, in 2020, the former Kansas City Chiefs 2014 sixth-round pick will earn $7 million a year on the final two years of his contract, which is also what he would count against the Texans’ salary cap. Furthermore, the Texans wouldn’t have to pay any dead money if they released him.

Just because a club can exercise an option doesn’t necessarily mean that it should. Fulton played right guard for the Texans in 2019, starting all 15 games played, and gives Houston versatility along all three interior offensive line spots, including center. Fulton, who will turn 29 years old on Sept. 23, gives the Texans options at fielding the five best offensive linemen. Coach Bill O’Brien and offensive line coach Mike Devlin prefer to field the best combination of their five best offensive lineman rather than look for the best at each of the five positions like other NFL teams.

If the Texans got rid of Fulton, they would have to be confident in the options out there. With how well Fulton has played the past two seasons, and the depth he provides, there may not be a better option on the open market or that will fall in the middle or late rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft that could be considered an upgrade.

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Broncos met with OL Austin Jackson at NFL combine

The Broncos interviewed USC offensive lineman Austin Jackson at the NFL combine last week.

The Denver Broncos interviewed USC offensive lineman Austin Jackson at the NFL combine last week, according to a report from KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. Jackson (6-5, 322 pounds) bench-pressed 225 pounds 27 times at the combine.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has compared Jackson to D.J. Humphries, who was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round of the 2015 draft. Jackson played primarily as a left tackle in college but he could potentially transition to guard in the NFL.

Jackson is the sixth-best offensive tackle in this year’s class, according to Luke Easterling’s 2020 NFL draft big board for Draft Wire. Jackson is projected to be selected sometime between the first and second rounds of April’s draft, according to Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com.

Denver appears content to enter the 2020 season with Garett Bolles and Ja’Wuan James as the two starting tackles so it’s hard to imagine the Broncos selecting a tackle early — unless they plan to move him to guard. Jackson is the type of player who could fill that role and he’s worth keeping an eye on as the draft approaches.

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Broncos met with OL Jedrick Wills at NFL combine

The Broncos met with Alabama offensive lineman Jedrick Wills at the NFL combine this week.

The Denver Broncos met with Alabama’s Jedrick Wills at the NFL combine this week, the offensive lineman confirmed during his media availability on Wednesday.

“It went really good, it was smooth,” Wills said of his interview with Denver, via Ryan Edwards of KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM. “[John] Elway, it was crazy to see him — growing up I’d seen him on TV — and knowing he was the GM, it was crazy to see him there. But it went really well, I feel like I had some confidence going into that meeting.”

Wills (6-5, 320 pounds) started 28 consecutive games for the Crimson Tide and earned second-team All-America honors from the Associated Press after allowing just one sack as a junior. He is the best offensive lineman in this year’s class, according to Luke Easterling’s 2020 NFL draft big board for Draft Wire.

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com has compared Wills to Jason Peters and described him as a draft prospect who is “tailor-made for the NFL.”

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Broncos met with OL Tristan Wirfs at NFL combine

The Broncos met with Iowa offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs at the NFL combine this week.

The Denver Broncos met with Iowa offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs at the NFL combine this week, according to The Denver Post‘s Ryan O’Halloran.

Wirfs (6-5, 322 pounds) earned second-team All-American honors from the Associated Press in 2019 after starting all 13 games (10 at right tackle and three at left tackle). Iowa awarded him their offensive Team Hustle Award and Big Ten Conference gave him the Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year award after his junior season.

Wirfs played tackle in college but many draft pundits believe he could transition to guard in the NFL. He is the 16th-best player and fourth-best offensive lineman in this year’s class, according to Luke Easterling’s 2020 NFL draft big board for Draft Wire.

Alabama offensive tackle Jedrick Wills (No. 7), Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (No. 10) and Louisville offensive tackle Mekhi Becton (No. 14) are the only offensive lineman ranked higher than Wirfs on Draft Wire’s big board.

If selected by the Broncos, Wirfs would be reunited with tight end Noah Fant. Wirfs and Fants were teammates with the Hawkeyes from 2017-18. Denver selected Fant with their first-round pick in last year’s draft.

The Broncos are scheduled to select 15th overall this year.

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A look at the 15 Modern-Era Finalists who could make the Hall of Fame

Five Modern-Era Players will be named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2020 following the Selection Committee’s meeting on Saturday.

It’s the day before the Super Bowl – “Selection Saturday” – when the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee meets to determine the five Modern-Era Players to be named to the Class of 2020.

The 15 Finalists were initially whittled down from a list of 122 nominees named in September and further reduced to 25 Semifinalists in November.

Two former Seahawks have made the cut, guard Steve Hutchinson and running back Edgerrin James.

Here’s a look at the 2020 Modern-Era Player Finalists:

Steve Atwater, Safety – 1989-1998 Denver Broncos, 1999 New York Jets

Tony Boselli, Tackle – 1995-2001 Jacksonville Jaguars

Isaac Bruce, Wide Receiver – 1994-2007 Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, 2008-09 San Francisco 49ers

LeRoy Butler, Safety – 1990-2001 Green Bay Packers

Alan Faneca, Guard – 1998-2007 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2008-09 New York Jets, 2010 Arizona Cardinals

Torry Holt, Wide Receiver – 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars

Steve Hutchinson, Guard – 2001-05 Seattle Seahawks, 2006-2011 Minnesota Vikings, 2012 Tennessee Titans

Edgerrin James, Running Back – 1999-2005 Indianapolis Colts, 2006-08 Arizona Cardinals, 2009 Seattle Seahawks

John Lynch, Free Safety – 1993-2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2004-07 Denver Broncos

Sam Mills, Linebacker – 1986-1994 New Orleans Saints, 1995-97 Carolina Panthers

Troy Polamalu, Safety – 2003-2014 Pittsburgh Steelers

Richard Seymour, Defensive End/Defensive Tackle – 2001-08 New England Patriots, 2009-2012 Oakland Raiders

Zach Thomas, Linebacker – 1996-2007 Miami Dolphins, 2008 Dallas Cowboys

Reggie Wayne, Wide Receiver – 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts

Bryant Young, Defensive Tackle – 1994-2007 San Francisco 49ers

The Hall of Fame Class of 2020 will be officially announced later on Saturday. Be sure and follow Seahawks Wire for the latest breaking news.

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Report: Texans offensive lineman Greg Mancz has ankle surgery

Houston Texans offensive lineman Greg Mancz had ankle surgery, according to the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson.

Houston Texans offensive lineman Greg Mancz underwent a procedure to help his ankle and get ready for his final season under contract.

According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, the 27-year-old had arthroscopic ankle surgery and is expected to make a full recovery in time for the Texans’ offseason workout program, which gets kicked off in April.

Mancz played nine games for the Texans, starting in one of them, Week 4’s 16-10 loss to the Carolina Panthers at NRG Stadium.

The former undrafted Toledo Rocket from 2015 has been a steady and reliable interior offensive lineman for the Texans, filling in at guard and center when needed. In his five seasons with the Texans, Mancz has been active for 54 games, starting in 28 of them, the bulk of which came in 2016 when he started every game at center for Houston.

Mancz is entering the final year of his contract and is due $2.1 million. The Texans could cut Mancz in the offseason and not suffer any dead money.

WATCH: LeBron James says collision with Clippers’ Beverly set him back five days with groin injury

LeBron James is back where he was a handful of days ago, in terms of a nagging groin injury, because of a collision with Clippers guard Patrick Beverley in Wednesday’s game.

LeBron James is back where he was a handful of days ago, in terms of a nagging groin injury, because of a collision with Clippers guard Patrick Beverley in Wednesday’s game.

James returned to the court on Christmas Day after missing a game for the first time this season Sunday. Following the Lakers’ 111-106 loss on the 25th, James said, “I felt healthy going into the game. I got kneed in the groin taking a charge from Pat Bev, and it kind of set me right back to where I was five days ago.”

The almost-35-year-old, James, is already listed as day-to-day by the team. He has been dealing with both a thoracic muscle strain (pulling around his rib cage) and a groin injury.

While James suffered a torn left groin last season which seriously impacted his and the Lakers’ season, this year it is his right groin giving him trouble. ESPN reports that this injury is not as severe as what James dealt with last time around.

LBJ played 39 minutes, despite re-aggravating the injury just a few plays after tipoff. He finished a rebound shy of a triple-double (23 points, 10 assists, 9 rebounds) but missed 15 shots from the floor including 10 missed three-pointers, which is the most 3’s missed in a game in James’ 17-season NBA career.