Tag: Michael Pierce

Former Vikings LB Ben Leber: Michael Pierce is a ‘big bowling ball that loves to stop the run’

Ben Leber had high praise for Vikings defensive tackle Michael Pierce.

Former Minnesota linebacker Ben Leber thinks Michael Pierce’s nickname is perfect for him.

Pierce, who has been called “The Juggernaut,” lives up to the style his nickname suggests, according to Leber. Here’s what else the former Vikings linebacker said about Pierce, as reported by Gabe Henderson of Vikings.com:

“He dropped off in 2019, and even he admits himself, he gained a little bit of weight, got a little bit complacent, but now he understands what it’s like to be a pro and have to take of business year round.”

Leber also compared Pierce to Linval Joseph, a veteran defensive tackle who left the Vikings in free agency this offseason.

“I think Linval Joseph, from years past, fresh into the season, was dominant. He did things strength-wise, that’s kind of hard to believe until you see it with your own eyes — the way he could bench press players. But at the end of the seasons, he got worn down, injuries became an issue and he wasn’t quite as effective. Where, I think Pierce, if he can get back to the way he played in 2018… I’m looking forward to what the juggernaut can do.”

How does Leber describe Pierce’s style?

“He’s a big bowling ball that loves to stop the run, so he’s exciting.”

Worried about the Vikings cap space? Don’t be

Don’t worry, Vikings fans, little cap space isn’t necessarily bad thing.

Minnesota’s cap space has been a topic of discussion for basically the entire offseason.

At one point in the offseason, Over The Cap founder Jason Fitzgerald ranked the Vikings among 11 teams that had more dead money than cap space.

Also earlier, Minnesota was dead last in the league when it comes to cap space, per Over The Cap.

Now, the Vikings have just over $12.2 million in cap space. The team started the offseason as one of the more cash-strapped franchises in the NFL. Then, the Vikings made some moves to free up space, but still probably don’t have enough money to sign any big-time free agents.

A new extension for Dalvin Cook, who reportedly plans to refrain from team-related activities if he doesn’t receive a new deal, could take up most of the space Minnesota has left for this season.

Having less cap space makes it so that the Vikings are locked in with the current roster. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins received a new deal this offseason. Minnesota shored up special teams by giving new deals to kicker Dan Bailey and punter Britton Colquitt.

The Vikings even signed a decent free agent this offseason: Defensive tackle Michael Pierce. He is the probable starter at defensive line.

In an offseason where the Vikings didn’t have a lot to work with, Minnesota still made some moves in the name of continuity and even signed a player who can come in and start.

The Vikings were also able to fix the roster problems that free agency departures created by accumulating draft picks. With some of those picks, the team nabbed players who might even be able to replace some key contributors from 2019, namely Justin Jefferson replacing Stefon Diggs and Jeff Gladney replacing Xavier Rhodes.

If you still think the Vikings not having a lot of cap space is a problem, you also need to look at the teams in the NFL that have the most.

Currently, the top five teams in cap space are the Browns, Redskins, Lions, Eagles and Jets.

Sure, the Eagles have a decent roster and the Browns might surprise some people this year, but those other three teams seem pretty unlikely to contend for the playoffs in 2020.

Want to know the teams that currently have the least amount of space? The Patriots, Buccaneers, Chiefs, Rams and Steelers. Those are teams in win-now mode.

Here’s the bottom line: The Vikings will be right up against the cap in this season, and eventually the next seasons, because they are a team in contention for the playoffs. The best teams sign players and are aggressive in spending and re-signing talent.

Yes, the Vikings don’t have a lot of cap space, especially if they extend Cook. But extending Cook means the offense shouldn’t be in store for too much regression. It’s painting with a broad brush and obviously teams with a lot of cap space heading into the season can still be successful, but teams with little space are usually ones that are trying to move through the playoffs and avoid rebuilding.

When you look across the league, you will find that the teams playing for the short term are spending more and cutting veterans loose who might create dead money.

So long as the Vikings are doing that and not accruing cap space, their odds of at least playing for the postseason are good.

Five challenges for the Vikings in 2020

Here are five challenges the Vikings face in the 2020 season.

Minnesota is coming off a year where it went 10-6 in the regular season and won a playoff game, but if the team wants similar success, it will have to do so with a lot of new faces.

Minnesota saw Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, Linval Joseph, Stephen Weatherly, Mackensie Alexander and others sign elsewhere in free agency. The Vikings also traded Stefon Diggs to the Bills for draft picks.

The Vikings drafted a first-round wide receiver: Justin Jefferson. He can attempt to replace Diggs.

Later in the first round, the team drafted Jeff Gladney, who can help replace Waynes, Rhodes and Alexander at corner.

So there are rookies with potential, but the Vikings have a difficult schedule, and the team doesn’t have time for the new players to go through steep learning curves.

Here are some challenges the team will have to face:

The salary cap

One of the reasons the Vikings had to replace the team’s old players with draft picks is because of Minnesota’s current salary cap situation.

Over The Cap founder Jason Fitzgerald said the Vikings are at an estimated $7.7 million in cap space based off salary projections for draft picks. If rookies do not pan out in the way that Minnesota hopes, then the team will not have the option of signing a player in free agency at the moment.

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Grading each free agency signing from the Vikings so far

See how each free agency signing for the Vikings grades out!

Minnesota had a limited salary cap heading into the offseason, and the team’s activity in free agency has ended up being pretty limited until this point.

But there are some moves the team has made. The Vikings have signed Michael Pierce, Tajae Sharpe, Anthony Zettel and DeMarquis Gates so far.

I think Pierce could have the inside track at a starting defensive tackle position, but other than him, most of those players will end up being reserves, with some possibly getting cut.

Here is the breakdown of each move individually:

Ravens defensive tackle Michael Pierce

Photo: Chuck Cook/USA TODAY Sports

As mentioned earlier, Pierce is an addition to the Vikings who could very well go on to be a starter. He’s a big-body, run-stopping defensive tackle, who could possibly replace some of the production from Linval Joseph, who left to reportedly sign with the Chargers.

Grade: B+

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Is the Ravens’ roster already better than last season?

We’re not even finished with the 2020 NFL offseason but the Ravens already look better than last year’s 14-2 squad after free agency

With all the losses and additions this offseason, are the Baltimore Ravens a better team than last season? That’s the mark of a successful offseason, especially for a team in the middle of their Super Bowl window like Baltimore. Simply improving upon last year’s roster and patching up their biggest weaknesses should get them closer to their goal of another Super Bowl.

The good news for Ravens fans is that they are, at least one paper.

After getting into the playoffs as the AFC’s No. 1 seed, Baltimore was unceremoniously dismissed in embarrassing fashion thanks to the Tennessee Titans. The Ravens’ vaunted defense allowed Titans running back Derrick Henry to gouge them all game long, to the tune of 195 rushing yards and a 6.5 yard-per-carry average by himself. But it wasn’t the first time Baltimore struggled to defend the run last season. On the year as a whole, they gave up 4.4 yards-per-game on the ground, which was the 12th worst average in the NFL.

With a clear goal in mind this offseason, general manager Eric DeCosta was aggressive in fixing the Ravens’ run defense. Before free agency even began, the Baltimore pulled off a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars for defensive end Calais Campbell. Then came the Ravens re-signing Justin Ellis and Jihad Ward to provide more experienced depth. As if that wasn’t enough, Baltimore found their upgrade for Michael Pierce in Derek Wolfe, adding much-needed size and production to their defensive front.

The Ravens have completely revamped their defensive line this offseason, replacing two of their three starters and bringing back valuable experienced depth to perhaps their weakest defensive unit from last season. But not only do they look like a better run defense on paper, but their pass rush has gotten better as well. Wolfe and Campbell bring with them the type of interior pass rush production Baltimore has failed to have over the last five years, hopefully helping outside linebacker Matthew Judon get free more often.

Beyond the defensive line, the Ravens have suffered very few free-agent losses this offseason. For a team that went 14-2 last season, returning 18 of their 22 starters and upgrading at two more starting roles is a pretty massive win.

The only free agents Baltimore has lost have been linebackers Josh Bynes and Patrick Onwuasor along with Pierce and wide receiver Seth Roberts. While Baltimore was in talks with Onwuasor to return, the Ravens seemed fine with the rest of their free-agent losses. Trading tight end Hayden Hurst to the Atlanta Falcons and defensive end Chris Wormley to the Pittsburgh Steelers as well as declining cornerback Brandon Carr’s 2020 option eliminated a bit of depth but it was all at positions where Baltimore was stacked already.

By shoring up their biggest weakness, the team has improved upon their fourth-ranked defense to pair with their league-leading scoring offense that features the best rushing attack in NFL history and the 2019 NFL MVP in Lamar Jackson.

It’s unrealistic to expect the Ravens to go 14-2 or better next season but, at least on paper right now, Baltimore is a better team than they were in 2019. They’ll continue to build up their roster in the 2020 NFL Draft and in the second wave of free agency but the hope is they’ve already done enough to get over the playoff hump and back to another Super Bowl.

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What the Derek Wolfe signing means for Ravens’ defensive line

Derek Wolfe will make a serious impact on the Ravens’ roster if he can stay healthy. He’ll help the run defense and pressure the QB

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After their deal with defensive tackle Michael Brockers fell through, the Baltimore Ravens had a hole on their defensive line to fill. It wasn’t an ideal situation, as the team saw their targets go off the market one by one while the Brockers deal was still in place. However, general manager Eric DeCosta and the Ravens made the best out of an unusual situation and still were able to add a playmaker to their defensive line.

Baltimore agreed to a one year, $3 million deal with former Denver Broncos defensive tackle Derek Wolfe that can be worth up to $6 million with earned incentives. It’s a bargain deal for the Ravens, as Wolfe has been a solid contributor on defense ever since coming into the league in 2012. Over the course of his career, Wolfe has accumulated 299 tackles and 33 sacks while also being a top player against the run. His addition means a few things for the Baltimore defense.

First off, Wolfe is extremely versatile. He can play both defensive tackle and defensive end, which will allow Ravens defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale to move him around the defensive line, especially in third-down situations. Baltimore also doesn’t need Wolfe to be an every-down player, which should increase his productivity and efficiency.

The fact Wolfe can play defensive tackle also allows Brandon Williams to move back inside to nose tackle. Last season, Baltimore had Williams playing out of position while former Raven Michael Pierce occupied the nose tackle position so both could be on the field at the same time. With Williams back at his natural spot, he could see an uptick in production playing next to other new Ravens Calais Campbell and Wolfe.

The addition of Wolfe also means Baltimore will certainly be generating more pressure and getting to the quarterback more often from the inside. The Ravens’ new defensive line of Campbell, Wolfe and Williams accounted for a total of 14.5 sacks and 55 pressures last season compared to the paltry total of 3 sacks and 17 pressures from Williams, Chris Wormley and Pierce.

The Ravens had a goal and that was to improve their run defense while also being able to get to the quarterback without having to blitz as often. With their secondary being one of the best (if not the best) in the NFL, a good pass rush can be deadly to opposing offenses. Campbell has already caught onto that.

The addition of Wolfe will be a welcome one in Baltimore. Despite losing a big body in Pierce, they’ve packed on the weight and height this offseason with their additions. The Ravens gained Campbell who is 6-foot-8 and 300 pounds and also brought back Justin Ellis who is a massive 350 pounds. That isn’t even mentioning Williams, who himself is 336 pounds. Add in Wolfe who’s 285 pounds and Baltimore has one of the biggest defensive lines in the NFL.

The Ravens didn’t have a great year defending the run in 2019. Despite ranking fifth in the league by giving up 93.4 yards per game on the ground, the team gave up 4.4 yards per carry, which was tied for 20th in the NFL. Wolfe gives them a consistent run stopper who fights hard and wins at the point of attack. According to PFF, Wolfe’s been stout against the run throughout his career and especially when lining up inside.

The Ravens knew they had to act fast once the deal with Brockers fell through. There weren’t a lot of options remaining on the market and they needed a replacement if they were to salvage their early 2020 free agency period. They did just that, as they added a key piece on an affordable contract who does just about everything Brockers does. As Brockers’ name fade from Baltimore’s memories, Wolfe should make a lasting impact.

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Instant analysis of Derek Wolfe signing with Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens are set to sign defensive lineman Derek Wolfe. But what does he bring to the team that should get people excited?

A day after a failed deal between the Baltimore Ravens and defensive tackle Michael Brockers, the Ravens found their replacement. Baltimore is set to sign defensive lineman Derek Wolfe to a one-year deal worth up to $6 million. What had been panic from quite a lot of Ravens fans turned into Baltimore being calm, cool and collected to find a player that might actually be a better bargain when everything is said and done.

The Ravens’ deal with Wolfe should be viewed as a “prove-it” contract. At 30 years old, a one-year deal allows Wolfe to prove his worth this season and perhaps earn another Super Bowl ring before getting back on the free-agent market. If Wolfe plays well in Baltimore and stays healthy, he has a shot to earn one last large contract next offseason. And with top defensive lineman earning contracts paying above $10 million per year this offseason, that’s a bet Wolfe and the Ravens are eager to make.

However, that excitement comes with a caveat and is likely the reason Wolfe remained unsigned thus far. Wolfe has struggled to stay healthy, missing 15 games over the last five seasons alone. Over his eight-year career, Wolfe has managed to play a full 16-game season just three times. But when on the field, Wolfe is a stout run defender that offers upside as a pass rusher.

Just last season, in 12 games before going on injured reserve, Wolfe accounted for seven sacks, 12 quarterback hits and 18 pressures. According to Pro Football Focus, he ranked 25th in pass-rush grade in 2019 with a 68.5 overall grade.

Wolfe also brings flexibility to the Ravens’ defense. He’s capable of playing at defensive end or bouncing inside as a defensive tackle. Being able to line up all over the defensive line, when combined with the productivity and flexibility of Brandon Williams and Calais Campbell, should give defensive coordinator Don Martindale plenty of different looks he can give opposing quarterbacks. Considering Martindale blitzed the most of any team in the NFL by a wide margin last season, that added flexibility often means havoc for opponents and ultimately more pressure and sacks.

However, what the Ravens are going to ask Wolfe to do primarily is stop the run. That just so happens to be what Wolfe does best from the inside. According to Pro Football Focus, Wolfe’s lowest grade as an interior defensive lineman was 82.9 (19th at the position) in 2016 while his highest was 87.7 (sixth at the position) in 2015.

While there should be no doubt Wolfe isn’t Baltimore’s first option considering they had agreed to terms with Brockers and showed interest in Ndamukong Suh, he’s a great option that still makes the Ravens’ defense better. But everything seems to be riding on how healthy Wolfe can stay this season and if he can live up to last year’s production as a pass rusher. If so, Wolfe might end up being a better bargain than Brockers.

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Bleacher Report gives the Vikings a D- in free agency so far

Bleacher Report is not a fan of the Vikings’ free agency moves so far…

Minnesota has kept some of its key talent like safety Anthony Harris in the offseason, but the team hasn’t made huge splashes in free agency.

Bleacher Report has not given the Vikings a passing grade when it comes to free agency.

Bleacher Report said that Minnesota has “experienced a mass exodus” in free agency, giving the Vikings a D-. Here’s more of what it said:

“Xavier Rhodes was a liability in the secondary (106th-ranked corner, per PFF), and Linval Joseph had been providing diminishing productivity (fewer tackles in each of the last three seasons and only 7.5 combined sacks). However, Everson Griffen was productive as a pass-rusher (35 pressures, eight sacks last season), and the secondary will need to be almost entirely rebuilt.”

I mostly agree with this, but what are the Vikings going to do in free agency with the team’s salary cap situation? It’s been good for moves the team could make, and the Vikings can add solid talent in the draft.

Ravens on track to earn 1 compensatory pick in 2021 NFL Draft

The Baltimore Ravens have usually been great at gaming the compensatory pick formula but are currently on track to earn just one in 2021

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The Baltimore Ravens are one of the best teams at gaming the compensatory pick formula. Though the NFL had been handing out comp picks for two years before the Ravens came into existence, Baltimore has managed to lead in that department. Their 52 comp picks outpace the 43 selections the two teams tied for second (Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots) have earned. With the Ravens entering this offseason with 21 pending free agents, there was some hope Baltimore would once again top the league when the 2021 comp picks were handed out.

After more than a week of free agency, the Ravens actually haven’t earned as much as originally expected. According to Over The Cap, Baltimore is currently on track to earn a sixth-round pick back after calculating their additions and losses.

Part of the problem is actually a positive for the Ravens this offseason. Baltimore has done a great job of re-signing their own free agents, bringing back potential comp pick earners like cornerback Jimmy Smith, safety Chuck Clark and defensive end Jihad Ward. Re-signing their own players from a 14-2 team is a smart move but it limits what the Ravens can earn in comp picks.

Baltimore has also been aggressive this offseason, adding Calais Campbell and agreeing to terms with Michael Brockers. Yet, thanks to Campbell coming via a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars, it’s really only Brockers that is set to count against them currently. According to OTC, his addition will wipe out the loss of Michael Pierce, who signed a three-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings worth $27 million. That leaves — surprisingly enough — wide receiver Seth Roberts’ one-year deal as the only player set to earn the Ravens a comp pick.

Baltimore doesn’t have any free agents remaining that are expected to get big enough deals to earn any more comp picks. With a few major needs still remaining which could be remedied in free agency, the Ravens could easily be looking at a rare year where they don’t get any extra selections.

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Vikings ranked 16th in Touchdown Wire free agency power rankings

The Vikings are average in free agency so far, according to Touchdown Wire.

Minnesota has reportedly added the Bills’ first-round pick and defensive tackle Michael Pierce, but other than that, the Vikings have not made a lot of progress in replacing veteran talent.

Touchdown Wire took this into consideration when ranking Minnesota in the recent NFL free agency power rankings. According to the outlet, the Vikings have been in the middle of the pack when it comes to what they’ve been doing.

Here’s some of what it said:

“Similar to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Vikings were in a very difficult position with respect to the salary cap. That made it very difficult for the Vikings to manuever in free agency, and most of the moves related to Minnesota involved players leaving town. Both Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes are no longer with the organization, as is likely the case with Everson Griffen, who recently broke off contract negotiations.”

There have yet to be any high-profile signings, unless you count Pierce, but the Vikings have the cap space right now to make at least one more move if they want.