Tag: Mack Wilson

What would an all-Alabama NFL defense look like?

Roll Tide Wire decided to dive in to see what an all-Alabama defense would look like in the NFL. Could they compete for a Super Bowl?

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There aren’t a lot of college football programs who could say they would be able to build an entire roster just based on former players who are currently playing in the NFL.

Alabama, on the other hand, would not only be able to field an entire roster, it’s team could compete for a playoff spot — and maybe even more. As we continue through the offseason, Roll Tide Wire decided to look at what the all-Alabama NFL team would look like.

The rules are simple: 1) the player has to currently be on an NFL roster and 2) it has to make sense from a roster management standpoint. For example, there’s no point in having seven running backs, which is how many Alabama has in the league, on the roster.

The last rule is that the number has to come out to 25 players on each side of the football. That, on top of the three specialists — kicker, punter and long-snapper, would add up 53 players, which is exactly the number that final NFL rosters come to.

Note: This is the all-Alabama NFL roster on the defensive side of the football. For the offensive roster, click here.

So, let’s get this all-Alabama NFL roster underway, shall we?

First up… defensive line

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7

Mack Wilson wants the Browns to land Isaiah Simmons if they go defense in 1st round

Mack Wilson wants the Browns to land Isaiah Simmons if they go defense in 1st round

Mack Wilson impressed in his rookie season with the Cleveland Browns with his range, coverage and fluidity in space at linebacker. Those are the same qualities that describe Clemson defensive standout Isaiah Simmons.

Well, some of what Simmons offers anyway…

The thought of playing with such a tremendous athlete and versatile defensive weapon excites Wilson, even if it might cut into his own playing time. Wilson was asked on Twitter about which defensive player in the draft he would most like the Browns to select. He had no problem responding with Simmons,

It’s questionable if Simmons will still be on the board when the Browns pick at No. 10 overall, but he should be in consideration if he is. One of his new teammates would be very happy to have him.

Browns LB Mack Wilson expecting leap in Year 2

Mack Wilson recently did an interview with the Cleveland Browns official website discussing his expectations heading into Year 2.

At one time, Mack Wilson was considered a potential first-round NFL draft pick. But after the former Alabama linebacker left Tuscaloosa a year early, he didn’t hear his name called until the fifth round of the 2019 draft.

That draft day fall didn’t stop Wilson from being a rookie producer for the Cleveland Browns, who drafted him No. 155 overall, however.

The Montgomery (Ala.) native started 14 of a possible 16 games for the Browns, accumulating 82 total tackles, one sack, one interception, one forced fumble and seven pass deflections.

Sure, there were some inconsistencies to Wilson’s game, but there were also flashes of what once made him a highly-coveted high school player and projected first-round pick.

Now going into his second season in the NFL, Wilson is expected to take on a much larger role with Cleveland, especially now that Joe Schobert and Christian Kirksey are in Jacksonville and Green Bay, respectively.

The 22-year old Wilson was recently included in a video series the Browns put out called “Working From Home”, and there, he talked about his expanded role. Check out the video of the interview below:

For those who are unable to watch the interview, here is a summary of what Wilson had to say:

“I feel like they left me with a lot of knowledge. I learned a lot from them, and I feel like I want to build off that this year. Kind of try to be the guy in the linebacker room, as far as my experience, and as far as knowing what it takes to be able to produce on the field. I just feel like it’s going to be some big shoes to fill, but I’m ready for it. I’ve prepared my whole life for this. We’re just going to see how it goes.”

There was major growth and development for Wilson as a rookie, and the hope is that he can continue to emerge as one of the league’s top young linebackers.

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Mack Wilson earns NFL’s second-highest rookie performance bonus

Mack Wilson’s rookie season performance was more than enough to earn him a hefty bonus worth $416k.

Former Alabama linebacker Mack Wilson was criticized by many for deciding to forgo his senior season with the Crimson Tide to enter the 2019 NFL Draft, now a key member of Cleveland’s defense, he has proven his doubters wrong.

After being drafted No. 155 overall but the Cleveland Browns, Wilson had an uphill battle to make his on-field appearances. He performed well during the preseason and earned his way into a starting role.

Now, with veteran members leaving the Browns in free agency ahead of the 2020 NFL season, Wilson is set to be one of the top pieces on the defensive side of the ball in his sophomore season.

In his rookie year Wilson played in all 16 regular season games, while impressively starting in 14, where he tallied 82 total tackles, seven pass deflections, an interception and four tackles for loss.

These numbers were enough for Wilson to earn his rookie performance bonus.

Wilson showed that he’s not the only one happy about the hefty bonus – his bank account is too!

Wilson is poised to continue on with his high-level performance in year No. 2 in an even bigger role.

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Browns release LB and team captain Christian Kirksey

Browns release LB and team captain Christian Kirksey

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After moving on from four players from the 2019 team almost a month ago, the Cleveland Browns have released linebacker Christian Kirksey.

In a statement from GM Andrew Berry and the Browns (via clevelandbrowns.com):

Christian Kirksey has been a vital member of our organization for the last six seasons because of his contributions on and off the field. He has been a strong leader both in our locker room and in the Cleveland community. These are difficult decisions and, in Christian’s case, more challenging because of how well he has represented our team. We thank him for his dedication and wish him nothing but the best in the next phase of his career.

The oft-injured Kirksey was drafted by the Browns out of Iowa in the third round, 71st overall, of the 2014 NFL Draft. He played in 73 out of 96 games and was a starter for 54 of those games. “Kirko” was selected as a team captain and was well-respected in the Cleveland locker room.

With the release of Kirksey, the Browns add another $7.55 million to available cap space going into the 2020 offseason. Overall, this would give the Browns around $65.8 million in available cap room. Additionally, this should not be the last release from the Browns. Speculation has been swirling OL Chris Hubbard and SS Morgan Burnett could be released to create another $8.2 million in cap space.

On the flip side of the conversation, this creates yet another open starting position for the Browns going into 2020. It can be implied by the Browns current roster, second-year linebackers Mack Wilson and Sione Takitaki will see their playing times significantly increase with this release and the impending free agency of linebacker Joe Schobert.

 

Mack Wilson shows how ready he is for 2020 starting role

Browns linebacker Joe Schobert is set to leave Cleveland during the 2020 offseason free agency period, this not only leaves a hole in the defense, but it removes the only man ahead of Mack Wilson on the depth chart. In Wilson’s rookie season with …

Browns linebacker Joe Schobert is set to leave Cleveland during the 2020 offseason free agency period, this not only leaves a hole in the defense, but it removes the only man ahead of Mack Wilson on the depth chart.

In Wilson’s rookie season with the Browns he played in all 16 games while starting 14, recorded 82 total tackles, had seven pass deflections, an interception and a lone forced fumble.

With Schobert prepared to leave, Cleveland now turns to the Alabama product to step up.

A Browns fan took to Twitter to ask his followers if they thought Wilson was ready for the position. However, Wilson took it upon himself to answer the question.

(If you’re not too fond of foul language, now is the right time to turn away)

There is no official word yet as to if Wilson will be the replacement for Schobert, but he seems ready and the fans are behind him.

Roll Tide Wire will keep you update on his role in Cleveland!

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Mack Wilson ready to step up for the Browns without Joe Schobert

Mack Wilson ready to step up for the Browns without Joe Schobert

With Joe Schobert poised to leave the Browns via free agency, many expect the team to look to sign a replacement for the stalwart linebacker in free agency or the draft. Cleveland will likely do that, but Mack Wilson wants to remind everyone he’s already in town and ready to step up in his second season.

Wilson is coming off a rookie season where he flashed long-term starting ability but also demonstrated he needs a lot of work on his all-around game. Building on his strengths — his movement ability, long arms and coverage instincts — can help Wilson ease the loss of Schobert.

For his part, Wilson is ready. Very ready. Not safe for work-ready, via his Twitter…

Seriously, if you are upset by foul language, just avert your eyes.

It’s great to see Wilson show confidence in himself and his game. He’s capable of making a big step forward in his second season. The Browns just might need it to happen.

Alabama Football: Week 13 “NFL Freaks Of The Week”

The “NFL Freaks of the Week” is a weekly poll on the Alabama football twitter account

The “NFL Freaks of the Week” is a weekly poll on the Alabama football twitter account, that lets fans vote for an NFL offensive and defensive freak of the week from the previous week’s matchups. 

Last week, Derrick Henry and Landon Collins were the Freaks of the week.

Let’s see who the fans voted for this week! 

Offensively, these were the four candidates twitter got to vote on:

Josh Jacobs | 17 rushes, 104 yds

Calvin Ridley | 8 catches, 91 yds

Amari Cooper | 8 catches, 85 yds

Derrick Henry | 26 rushes, 149 yds, TD, 3 catches, 17 yds

WINNER: Derrick Henry with 88% of the votes

And defensively, these were the four candidates that Twitter got to vote on:

Eddie Jackson | 2 tackles, INT

Mack Wilson | 8 tackles, forced fumble

Landon Collins | 8 tackles, PBU

Dont’a Hightower | 6 tackles, sack

WINNER: Mack Wilson with 60% of the votes 

Which week 13 “freak” were you most impressed with?

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Twitter reacts to controversial Mack Wilson tweet

Former Alabama linebacker Mack Wilson took to Twitter in order to celebrate the Cleveland Browns’ win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, and NFL fans are not too happy about it. In a game where the biggest highlight was Myles Garrett hitting Steelers …

Former Alabama linebacker Mack Wilson took to Twitter in order to celebrate the Cleveland Browns’ win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, and NFL fans are not too happy about it.

In a game where the biggest highlight was Myles Garrett hitting Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph in the head with his own helmet, tensions were high.

Wilson tweeted out a photo of him standing next to Steelers wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster, who was laying on the ground in pain – Smith-Schuster would not return to the game after later being placed in concussion protocol.

Photo credit: @HeartofNFL on Twitter

Shortly after receiving some backlash, Wilson deleted the tweet and issues this apology:

Here’s what Twitter is saying about the post:

Some fans believe Wilson was happy about the Steelers’ star-receiver being injured.

Others just outright condemned the tweet.

NFL fans were quick to call out Wilson for the post.

‘Yikes’ is probably an appropriate word to use here.

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