Tag: john ridgeway

Predicting 7 players Cowboys will make inactive vs Buccaneers

Here’s @KDDrummondNFL taking a look at the Cowboys roster, where they have surplus and what their strategy might be in choosing the group that will be inactive.

The Dallas Cowboys have announced their 55-man talent pool they have to choose from for Sunday night’s season opener against the Pirate Ship Brady. Of course NFL rules don’t allow the club to bring all 55 players into the water, rather they have to leave some of their roster on the sideline, playing dress up, hopefully getting motivated to force their way to the game-day roster.

For now though, the Cowboys coaching staff led by Mike McCarthy has another job to do, after the week worth of swim lessons. He and the coordinators will have a battle over which seven end-of-roster guys will be best served staying on the beach.

Starting in the 2020 season, game-day active rosters, which used to be limited to 46 players per team, can be bumped up to 48, as long as at least eight of those 48 are offensive linemen. The Cowboys have eight lineman on the regular roster, and all three backups are much needed. Here’s our best guess at the seven players, who almost to a man have waited all offseason for their chance to play, just to get it snatched from them in a numbers game.

Cowboys lose 2 players to injury in practice vs Broncos

Rookie NT John Ridgeway appeared to suffer a leg injury; TE Ian Bunting took a hard hit on a punt return. Both left the field on their own. | From @ToddBrock24f7

Thursday’s much-anticipated joint practice between the Cowboys and Broncos featured plenty of chippiness, a few minor skirmishes, and two Cowboys players who appear to have suffered injury scares.

Tight end Ian Bunting took a hard shot while blocking on a punt return. According to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News, a cart was driven onto the field, but the undrafted fourth-year man out of Michigan was eventually able to walk off on his own.

Reports after practice reveal that Bunting is dealing with some neck soreness, but X-rays were negative.

Rookie nose tackle John Ridgeway also took a blow during a different portion of work. He looked to sustain some sort of injury to his right leg during the defense’s 11-on-11 period with the Denver offense. He, too, left the practice field under his own power with trainers and headed for the locker room.

The Arkansas lineman came into camp with a nasty reputation and is quickly living up to it. He scuffled with his own teammates this past week in Oxnard.

Both players will reportedly remain under observation from trainers as the Cowboys prepare to play the Broncos on Saturday in the preseason opener for both teams.

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‘Eat a couple cows’: Rookie DT John Ridgeway to beef up after heat, speed of early practices

The huge Illinois native joked that he lost weight working during a sweltering minicamp, but the rookie had a plan on how to get it back. | From @ToddBrock24f7

It’s been quite a month for John Ridgeway.

The defensive tackle woke up as a Dallas Cowboy for the first time the morning of May 1, having been drafted by the team in the fifth round just the day before. On May 7, he celebrated his 23rd birthday. On May 13, he signed his rookie contract with the organization and attended his first day of minicamp. May 24, his first day meeting the Cowboys veterans at Day One of OTAs.

And while there’s no word on how Ridgeway spent his Memorial Day weekend to close out the month, there’s a good chance he was following the example of so many others and hitting a holiday barbecue. Or two.

Mother Nature wasted no time in welcoming the Illinois native to his new North Texas home, blasting Frisco with temperatures that neared 90 degrees on the very first day of rookie work.

And while Ridgeway likely experienced a few southern scorchers during his time at Arkansas, the conditions proved to be a whole different animal when combined with the torrid pace of an NFL practice.

“I’d definitely say the speed,” Ridgeway answered when he was asked recently about the biggest adjustment from college, “because the NFL is go, go, go, go. In college, you can take a couple of plays and catch your breath. But you’re going against All-Pros everyday. So you can’t take any reps off at all.”

By Day Two, head coach Mike McCarthy and the staff elected to dial things down slightly, thanks in part to the mercury having climbed even higher.

The massive player nicknamed “The Vanilla Gorilla,” who stands 6-foot-6-inches and weighed in at 328 with the Razorbacks, admitted that the Dallas heat and humidity- not to mention battling with enormous rookie offensive lineman Tyler Smith- had already affected him physically.

“I’m about 320 [pounds] right now, 318,” he told reporters before adding with a laugh, “I’m sure it dropped today.”

As with so many other things about his life right now, though, that will evolve in the days, weeks, and months to come.

“I haven’t talked to the strength and condition staff, but I’m sure they’ll probably cut me down a couple pounds and build me back up.”

Which leads us to what will undoubtedly be one of the more enjoyable parts of the big man’s rookie summer.

John Ridgeway doesn’t know exactly how he’ll be used in a defensive tackle rotation that also includes Osa Odighizuwa, Neville Gallimore, Quinton Bohanna, and Trysten Hill. He doesn’t know yet if he’ll be asked to line up in 3-technique, as a nose tackle, or a two-tech.

But he has a pretty good idea of how he’ll pack on any pounds that happen to melt away during Cowboys practices in the sweltering Texas heat.

“There’s probably some cows in Texas?” he asked with a grin. “You got hogs or something here? Probably eat a couple cows a week or something.”

Here’s hoping Ridgeway found himself a brisket or two at a Memorial Day cookout as OTA work resumes for the team on Tuesday.

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PHOTO GALLERY: A look at Arkansas draft picks with their new team

Treylon Burks, John Ridgeway, and Montaric Brown all have new homes. Here’s a peek at what they look like in their new uniforms.

Arkansas Football had three players selected in the 2022 NFL Draft, which is the most since 2019, when three Razorbacks were also taken in the draft.

[autotag]Treylon Burks[/autotag] was taken 18th overall by the Tennessee Titans in this year’s draft, making him the first Razorback to be taken in the first round since 2018, when Frank Ragnow was selected 20th overall by the Detroit Lions. Burks was the highest draft pick from Arkansas since Darren McFadden went 4th overall to the Oakland Raiders in 2008.

The next selection from Arkansas was [autotag]John Ridgeway[/autotag], who was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys with the No. 178 overall selection. Ridgeway becomes the third Razorback to be taken by Dallas, which is surprising considering the proximity of Dallas to Fayetteville, and the fact that the Cowboys are owned by Arkansas alum, Jerry Jones. The last Razorback to be taken by Dallas before Ridgeway? Felix Jones in 2008.

The last selection from Arkansas in the 2022 draft was [autotag]Montaric Brown[/autotag] with the 222nd overall pick. Jacksonville has been a popular destination for former Razorbacks, as five former Hogs have been selected by Jacksonville since 2000, with the most recent being Brandon Allen in 2016.

Here is a look at what these former Razorbacks look like in their new uniforms.

3 things to know about Cowboys nose tackle John Ridgeway

A look into how Arkansas’ Ridgeway landed in Dallas, why the Cowboys were so intrigued. | From @TimLettiero

Simply put, Dallas lacks big, physical run stoppers up the middle of this defensive front and John Ridgeway fits that play style to a T. One of the Cowboys’ four fifth-round picks, he is likely to see a fair bit of play time as this roster is deep on 3-tech defensive tackles but only have DT Quinton Bohanna as a run-stop specialist.

These guys are block occupiers who allow more talented pass rushers to attack the QB while also plugging up lanes in the run game. Far from a sexy position and pick, Ridgeway offers a lot that defensive coordinator Dan Quinn will love. Here are a few notes about who he is, what he’s done and how he fits at The Star.

Jacksonville Jaguars select Montaric Brown in seventh round

Montaric Brown is heading to Jacksonville! He’s the fifth Razorback in history to be selected by Jacksonville, and the first since 2016, when the Jags selected Brandon Allen in the sixth round of the 2016 draft.

[autotag]Montaric Brown[/autotag] has become the third Razorback taken in the 2022 NFL Draft, as has been selected in the seventh round by the Jacksonville Jaguars, as the 222nd overall pick.

Brown is the second pick from Arkansas to be selected on the final day of the draft, joining [autotag]John Ridgeway[/autotag], who was selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the 178th overall pick.

Brown becomes the fifth player from Arkansas to be drafted by Jaguars, and the first since Brandon Allen, who was selected 201st overall in the 2016 draft. If Brown signs with the Jags, he will become teammates with former Razorback Jeremiah Ledbetter, who plays defensive end for Jacksonville.

When it comes to drafting former Razorbacks, Jacksonville has usually gone the offensive route. Allen, as well as Matt Jones (2005), and Emanuel Smith (2000) were offensive players taken by the Jaguars. Brown is just the second defensive player from Arkansas to be drafted by Jacksonville, the first being Chris Smith, who was drafted with the 159th pick in the 2014 draft.

Brown had a breakout season for Arkansas in 2021. The Ashdown, Ark. native started in all 13 games, and recorded career-bests in total tackles (54), pass deflections (11), and interceptions (5).

Throughout his five-year career at Arkansas, Brown made 132 total tackles, forced two fumbles, and picked off seven passes.

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John Ridgeway selected in 5th round by Dallas Cowboys

Ridgeway becomes the first Razorback to be drafted by Dallas since Felix Jones was taken 22nd overall in 2008.

It appears that another Razorback is headed to Dallas.

The Dallas Cowboys have selected Arkansas defensive lineman [autotag]John Ridgeway[/autotag] with the 178th overall selection of the 2022 NFL Draft, making him the second product from Arkansas to be taken in this year’s draft, joining [autotag]Treylon Burks[/autotag], who was taken 18th overall by the Tennessee Titans. 

A transfer from Illinois State, Ridgeway played his final collegiate season at Arkansas, where he started in 11 of 12 games that he appeared in. In his lone year in Fayetteville, Ridgeway recorded 39 total tackles, four tackles for loss, and two sacks.

During his four-year college career, Ridgeway started in 40 games, made 141 tackles with 12 of them being for loss.

Ridgeway becomes just the third Arkansas player to be drafted by the Dallas Cowboys, who are owned by Arkansas alum Jerry Jones, and the first since Felix Jones was taken 22nd overall in the 2008 NFL Draft.

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Cowboys return to Arkansas, steal DT John Ridgeway with final 5th-round pick in 2022 draft

Dallas hasn’t dipped into Jerry Jones’ alma mater in a while, and they get a steal of a DT in the process. | From @KDDrummondNFL

The Dallas Cowboys have been having themselves a heck of a Day 3 of the 2022 NFL draft. With six picks on the day including five in the fifth round, Dallas has been sizing up specific targets all weekend. Each selection has been one the club has telegraphed and the final pick of the four fifths is similar.

Owner Jerry Jones is one of the proudest alums from the University of Arkansas, but for the first time since Felix Jones, the Cowboys have gone there with the selection of DT John Ridgeway. Ridgeway is a mammoth nose tackle, weighing in at 321 pounds, and will help Dallas on early downs in shutting down the run.

A transfer from Illinois State, Ridgeway was seen as a potential third-round pick from The Draft Network and Dane Brugler of The Athletic. To get him near the end of the third round is great value.

From The Draft Network:

In his one year at Arkansas, Ridgeway was able to make an impression and took on some of the best offensive lines the SEC has to offer. The Razorbacks played a grueling schedule which was a good test for the FCS transfer, playing programs like Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Auburn, and Penn State. Ridgeway passed the test. Ridgeway served as the anchor for the Razorback defense and was consistently able to take on double teams and be a disruptive force in the middle of the defense. Ridgeway has natural strength and heavy hands that, when he shoots his hands, can knock back the offensive lineman and literally press their upper body backward. Ridgeway plays in a low stance where he is able to play with good leverage, which makes him a difficult player to move even with double teams. On the next level in the right scheme, Ridgeway can be an immediate starter and can become an instant run-stopping interior defensive lineman.

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Ten targets for Browns in second round

Friday morning, our @joshkeatley16 brings you ten targets for Browns in the second round of the NFL draft including thinking ahead a year at right tackle:

The first round of the 2022 NFL draft is in the books and, despite the Cleveland Browns not having a selection, it was an exciting night for the AFC North. The Pittsburgh Steelers have grabbed their controversial quarterback of the future, the Cincinnati Bengals selected a versatile stud defensive back from Michigan and the Baltimore Ravens traded away a wide receiver but snagged the best safety and best center in the draft.

With the first round in the books, it is time for the Cleveland Browns and their fans to look towards their second-round selection and who might be available at number 44.

The following are the ten options:

Report: Dolphins recently met with three SEC defenders

Picking defensive players from one of the strongest conferences could be a smart idea.

The 2022 NFL draft kicks off in just over 24 hours, and news of meetings between the Miami Dolphins and prospects continues to trickle out from various outlets.

According to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, the Dolphins met with both Alabama linebacker Christopher Allen and Georgia cornerback Derion Kendrick recently. Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson also reported this week that Miami virtually met with Arkansas defensive tackle John Ridgeway.

The trio of SEC defenders could all find a role in Josh Boyer’s defense to help continue the impressive performances that they were putting up during the second half of the 2021 season.

Allen, who is expected to go in the middle rounds of the draft, could’ve been a higher selection if he didn’t break his foot in the season opener against the Miami Hurricanes last season and miss all of 2018 due to a knee injury. That’s why his numbers (54 tackles, 6.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery) look a little light.

“Two injuries robbed Allan of valuable game experience and dulled some of his development,” NFL analyst Lance Zierlein said about Allen. “He’s a physical specimen with the strength to hold his own at the point and rid himself of single blocks with twitch and technique. However, he often seems lost in terms of play recognition and what he needs to do to get in on a play. He has some upfield rush charge but isn’t a natural bend-and-trim rusher, so building out a more thoughtful, diversified attack is a must. Allen has the traits to play edge in odd or even fronts but additional development is critical if he wants to become more than just a quality rotational defender.”

Kendrick transferred to Georgia for his final season after three years at Clemson. In total, he finished his collegiate career with 104 tackles, 14 passes defended, seven interceptions, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one sack. He’s projected to go in the late rounds.

“Cornerback with four years of playoff experience and two national titles under his belt,” Zierlein wrote about the Bulldog. “Kendrick has played against some of the best wideouts in the game but has a history of struggling in some of those matchups. He lacks speed and strength to stay outside but his quickness and route recognition should help him move inside as a nickel. He’s athletic and capable underneath with excellent ball skills but can be exploited by long speed and needs safety help in those matchups. He’s unreliable as a tackler, but concerns over character and maturity appear to be a bigger issue for him. Talent and those concerns need to be weighed, but Kendrick has CB3/CB4 potential in the right scheme.”

Ridgeway played at Illinois State before transferring to Arkansas for the 2021 season. He started 11 games, putting up 39 tackles and two sacks for the Razorbacks while taking on a number of double teams in arguably the toughest conference in college football. Ridgeway is projected to be selected in the middle rounds, but he could provide some help with keeping opposing rushing attacks to a minimum for Miami.

“College nose tackle with the size and length for consideration along the interior or as an odd front defensive end,” Zierlein wrote about the nose tackle.” Ridgeway is more wrestler than gap-eater when taking on blocks as a nose. He’s likely to be coveted by traits-based evaluators eager to develop the physical ingredients into a more polished product. While most of his experience has come at nose tackle, the sum of his parts might make more sense as a 3-4 defensive end, where his long arms and natural power would become more beneficial as an edge-setter. Regardless of position, he won’t offer much help as a pass rusher, so rotational lineman with upside is likely to become his tag as a Day 3 prospect.

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