Tag: pass rush

WATCH: Chiefs LB Nick Bolton pancakes Lions RB David Montgomery

Nick Bolton put David Montgomery on his backside on a fierce pass rush that helped the #Chiefs keep their lead against the #Lions.

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton put Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery on his backside on an incredible pass-rushing effort late in the third quarter of a highly anticipated Week 1 matchup on Thursday night.

The play came on a second down after Detroit took possession of the ball following a Chiefs field goal earlier in the quarter. Quarterback Jared Goff dropped back to throw, and was met with pressure from Bolton, who pancaked Montgomery in the backfield.

Though Bolton didn’t secure a sack for his trouble, he did get the referees to call a tripping penalty on Montgomery that put the Lions back 15 yards. Detroit fought back to get into a third-and-manageable situation, but the Chiefs’ stout defense prevented a first down after the sequence and forced the Lions to punt.

Watch for Bolton to continue playing hard in the fourth quarter of this game to help Kansas City eke out a Week 1 victory.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1]

Oklahoma Sooners pass rush will be better in 2023

With added talent and more experience, the Oklahoma Sooners pass rush will be much better in 2023 than it was a year ago.

Among the many issues the Oklahoma Sooners ran into when they entered Big 12 play was the dropoff of their pass rush. In a defense predicated on pressure, the Sooners finished tied for 64th in the nation with 2.15 sacks per game. Much of that success came in their nonconference, when the Sooners defense was looking pretty good. Once they entered Big 12 play, the pass rush was a different story.

The losses of [autotag]Nik Bonitto[/autotag], [autotag]Isaiah Thomas[/autotag], and [autotag]Perrion Winfrey[/autotag] were felt up front as Oklahoma broke in several new starters along the defensive line.

There was solid play from guys like [autotag]Reggie Grimes[/autotag], who got off to a hot start to the season, and [autotag]Ethan Down[/autotag]s, who closed the season strong. However, the play from their defensive line was inconsistent, and that was felt throughout the back seven.

With Downs and Grimes returning, along with other prominent fixtures in the defensive line rotation like [autotag]Isaiah Coe[/autotag] and [autotag]Jordan Kelley[/autotag], there’s hope that the Sooners’ pass rush will be improved this year.

[autotag]R Mason Thomas[/autotag] showed flashes last fall, as did [autotag]Gracen Halton[/autotag] in the spring. Both Thomas and Halton play with incredible quickness that they can create pressure in a hurry.

With more experience and another year of development, Oklahoma’s key returners along the defensive line will play a big part in the Sooners’ pressure resurgence.

But the Sooners’ coaching staff didn’t sit on their hands and assume the defensive front would develop. Brent Venables and his crew attacked the transfer portal with the same intensity that he coaches.

Oklahoma Added four defensive tackles in [autotag]Davon Sears[/autotag], [autotag]Jacob Lacey[/autotag], [autotag]Phillip Paea[/autotag], and [autotag]DaJon Terry[/autotag]. They also added defensive ends [autotag]Rondell Bothroyd[/autotag] and [autotag]Trace Ford[/autotag]. [autotag]Dasan McCullough[/autotag], who figures to factor in at Cheetah, played EDGE for Indiana in 2022 and accumulated four sacks as a true freshman. In Bothroyd, Ford, and McCullough, the Sooners added 28 career sacks to their defensive end room.

Then there are the incoming freshmen like [autotag]Adepoju Adebawore[/autotag], [autotag]Taylor Wein[/autotag], [autotag]Ashton Sanders[/autotag], and [autotag]Markus Strong[/autotag]. Adebawore is the five-star edge rusher that is long and super athletic. Wein flew under the radar until late in his senior year, but he’s also a very good athlete in his own right. Sanders and Strong offer good size and athleticism in the middle and can be disruptive. It only remains to be seen how quickly the freshmen can acclimate and help add to the Sooners’ depth along the defensive front.

If there’s truly strength in numbers, the Oklahoma Sooners have turned what was a weakness a year ago into a strength ahead of the 2023 football season. The talent added to the development they had in-house will be a big reason why the Oklahoma Sooners improve from the six-win team they were a year ago.

The Sooners raised their talent floor along the defensive line for 2023. Although we won’t be able to truly evaluate the pass rush until they get into Big 12 play, and the Texas game in particular, this team has added talent to rush the passer. They’ve raised the talent floor, minimizing any dropoff the Sooners might see from their starters to their rotational guys. That improved talent and more experience will help Oklahoma win on the rush a lot more frequently than it did in 2023.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1366]

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on Twitter @john9williams.

WATCH: Chiefs DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah ‘putting in work’ at camp

#Chiefs rookie Felix Anudike-Uzomah showed some great burst on this exceptional pass rush at Tuesday’s practice.

With only a couple of training camp practices left, Chiefs rookie defensive end Felix Anudike-Unomah (or “FAU”) has been grinding in preparation for his second NFL preseason game.

On Tuesday, the Chiefs shared a video of FAU on that grind, putting in work against offensive tackle Lucas Niang:

Though perhaps not an encouraging sign for the fourth-year veteran Niang to be beaten by a rookie, it’s a positive development for FAU to beat a veteran tackle in camp. That’s the nature of camp practices, though – good players make other good players better. Iron sharpens iron, so to speak.

Another encouraging sign is the fact that both of these two had solid games in the Chiefs’ Week 1 preseason loss against the New Orleans Saints. Niang didn’t allow any pressures in 15 snaps at right tackle, while FAU earned a tackle and three quarterback pressures on 34 snaps at defensive end.

It remains to be seen whether Niang makes the team and earns time as the Chiefs’ swing tackle during the regular season, and whether FAU earns significant (even starting) snaps at defensive end in the wake of Charles Omenihu’s six-game suspension to begin the season. The good thing is both players are trending in the right direction.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]

WATCH: Chiefs rookie Felix Anudike-Uzomah shows off pass rush moves

Felix Anudike-Uzomah showed some serious juice during the #Chiefs’ Tuesday practice session in St. Joseph.

The Kansas City Chiefs selected Kansas State product Felix Anudike-Uzomah with the 31st overall pick in April’s draft to bolster their pass rush. The young defensive end showed plenty of potential as a collegian but got off to a slow start at Kansas City’s offseason workouts and training camp as he recovered from an injury sustained during his 2022 campaign in Manhattan.

Now back to full health, Anudike-Uzomah showcased his elite burst off the line during the Chiefs’ 1-on-1 drills at Tuesday’s training camp practice session. Sports Radio 810 WHB got a great look at his exceptional rep and posted a video of the twitchy pass-rush move to Twitter.

Anudike-Uzomah will be counted on to produce early in his rookie season after the suspension of lineman Charles Omenihu was announced over the weekend, He will pair with fellow first-round pick George Karlaftis as a presence on the edge for Kansas City’s pass rush, and should be able to make some plays if his impressive film from practice can translate into live-game action.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]

Leo Chenal talks adjusting to pass rush role in second season with Chiefs

Second-year linebacker Leo Chenal told reporters that he is being used more as an asset in the Chiefs pass rush. | from: @WesleyRoesch

From the beginning of the Patrick Mahomes era to now, the Kansas City Chiefs linebacker group has gone from being a weakness to a solid strength.

Several capable contributors make up the team’s deep linebacking squad. Each player has his own unique and versatile traits. Among them is second-year linebacker Leo Chenal, who plans to expand his role in defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme in 2023.

Chenal typically played in the box last season for the Chiefs, but Spagnuolo may have different plans for the Wisconsin product in his sophomore season.

“Coach Spags is having us try out different positions on the [defensive] line, dropping from inside the line as that joker role,” Chenal said during Saturday’s post-training camp press conference. “It’s … an unfamiliar position to be in as an off-ball linebacker. Willie (Gay) and I have been taking that role of getting on the line and rushing. A guy like him, he’s got a ton of speed, so just learning from each other, learning from guys like George (Karlaftis), you know that’s been really nice.”

The “joker” role Chenal referred to is an edge rusher role, lining up on the perimeter outside the offensive tackle or tight end – whoever is furthest out. The joker will often rush the passer, but will occasionally drop into coverage off a two-point stance.

Chenal lined up as an edge rusher outside the offensive tackle 58 times in 2022, almost 20 percent of his defensive snaps. Could Chenal be in for an increased role as an edge rusher for the Chiefs this year? It’s entirely possible, especially given defensive end Charles Omenihu’s recent six-game suspension.

It’s worth noting that, in limited snaps, Chenal garnered four quarterback pressures last season, with one of those (a sack) coming during the Super Bowl. Perhaps the Chiefs’ depth at the linebacker position will allow for Spagnuolo to get creative in his defensive sandbox and use his linebacking toys in ways his opponents may not expect.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]

WATCH: Felix Anudike-Uzomah pulls off successful rush vs. Donovan Smith

Felix Anudike-Uzomah gave Donovan Smith the business during this rep at #Chiefs training camp on Friday.

The Kansas City Chiefs defense has started showing signs of life at the team’s training camp in St. Joseph, and rookie Felix Anudike-Uzomah was the first player to flash his brilliance at Friday’s workouts.

During the linemen’s 1-on-1 drills, Anudike-Uzomah matched up against veteran tackle Donovan Smith, who was outmatched by the rookie’s speed as he rushed the simulated edge. The good folks at Kansas City Sports Network got a great view of the action and posted a video of the repetition to Twitter.

Plays like this are indicative of why Kansas City saw Anudike-Uzomah as a worthy pick in the first round of April’s draft, and the Chiefs will hope that his bend and speed translate as well to live game action as they do to practice snaps.

Watch for Anudike-Uzomah to keep putting in work at Missouri Western State University as he gears up for his first NFL preseason game next week.

George Karlaftis describes Chiefs legend Tamba Hali as his ‘mentor’

Karlaftis described #Chiefs legend Tamba Hali as his mentor when telling reporters about his preparation for the 2023 season after practice.

The Kansas City Chiefs have selected edge rushers in the first rounds of consecutive drafts and are committed to getting after opposing quarterbacks with extreme prejudice during the 2023 season.

One of the team’s most legendary pass rushers, Tamba Hali, has even stepped in to help Kansas City develop their newest crop of defensive ends, as second-year lineman George Karlaftis explained to reporters after Wednesday’s practice.

“Tamba [has] taught me a lot from a mental and physical perspective,” Karlaftis told the media. “Pass rushing, run stopping, the mentality. Just a lot. He’s a great friend and mentor.”

Hali’s continued presence with the Chiefs in his retirement should be a welcome sign for fans who remember the legendary seasons he put up with Justin Houston and Jared Allen in the 2000s and 2010s.

Now in the 2020s, it seems that Kansas City is keen to rejuvenate their defensive system with top-tier bookend pass rushers in Karlaftis and 2023 first-round pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]

How Isaiah Rodgers’ suspension impacts Colts

How Isaiah Rodgers Sr.’s suspension impacts the Colts.

[anyclip pubname=”2103″ widgetname=”0016M00002U0B1kQAF_M8036″]

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Isaiah Rodgers Sr. is expected to receive a season-long suspension from the league for violating the NFL’s policy on gambling.

The news was handed down Wednesday in response to an investigation that raised concerns that Rodgers was part of numerous bets on NFL games, reportedly including some that involved the team.

The expected unavailability of Rodgers casts serious doubt on the strength of the Colts’ cornerback unit. Despite returning veteran Kenny Moore II, the group is fragile regarding experience.

Several players are limited in starting experience, instead having niche skillsets related to special teams. Not to mention, the remaining unit is exceptionally young including this year’s draft class haul of Julius Brents, Jaylon Jones, and Darius Rush.

If the team chooses not to sign a veteran cornerback to replace Rodgers, fifth-round pick Darius Rush could get the nod to start in his place. Rush has elite athleticism with long arms that could help his assimilation into the role. However, asking Rush and several rookies to start in the secondary will be very challenging for the Colts and defensive coordinator Gus Bradley.

What could help these young players is a quick, explosive pass rush that can disrupt games and stop passing attacks. The team’s 11th-ranked defense, which produced 44 sacks and a pressure rate of 22% in 2022, will need to step up again to help mitigate the secondary youth. Additionally, this could be a prime opportunity for Kenny Moore to shine.

Before the beginning of last season, he wanted a new contract that matched his belief that not only was he the best slot corner in the NFL, but one of the best in the league, period. This is his chance to prove that as he enters his second year in Bradley’s system. Elite play on the field and accompanying mentorship could help lessen the weight of Rodgers’s absence.

The most important thing for fans to remember is that this will continue to be fluid. The coaching staff will continue to tweak the lineup based on production, matchups, and specific packages. Patience is needed and warranted.

Broncos aim to generate pressure with waves of pass rushers in 2023

“[We need] enough of those guys that can affect the quarterback, especially in our division,” Sean Payton said of a pass-rush rotation.

[anyclip pubname=”2103″ widgetname=”0016M00002U0B1kQAF_M8036″]

The Denver Broncos plan to use a frequent pass rush rotation to affect opposing quarterbacks in 2023.

The team’s outside linebackers will be primarily responsible — but not solely responsible — for providing Denver’s pressure this fall.

“Hopefully, our outside linebacker position are guys that we look at as pressure players,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said on June 13. “You don’t have to be an outside linebacker to be a pressure player. You can be an interior lineman that is exceptional, but there are some traits. … We use that term when evaluating talent. ‘Does this guy have the potential to be a pressure player?’

“I think Frank [Clark] does. I think there are a number of players on our team that have those traits, but if you lack those traits in your lineup, then you are forced by scheme to create pressure. Then, you get into a whole other game. I think that it’s evolved to more of a passing game. You have to be able to sub guys in and out. It’s a hard position to play 60-70 snaps.”

Clark just signed with the team earlier this month and he will join an OLB depth chart that already includes Randy Gregory, Baron Browning, Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto, among others.

“That depth is important because it’s a constant fight,” Payton said. “It’s like wrestling. If you have ever wrestled with somebody, it’s exhausting. [It’s about] having enough of those guys that can affect the quarterback, especially in our division.”

Typically, the Broncos will only have two outside linebackers on the field at a time, but Gregory, Browning, Clark, Cooper and Bonitto could all see snaps in the same game as Denver rotates through pass rushers to keep them fresh.

The Broncos recorded just 36 sacks last year, tied for the ninth-fewest in the NFL (the Philadelphia Eagles led the league with 70 sacks). With Clark added to the rotation, Denver will hope to generate more pressure in 2023.

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

Khalil Mack on new Chargers DC Derrick Ansley: ‘He’s excited’

Khalil Mack noted Derrick Ansley’s excitement to take over as the team’s defensive coordinator.

The Chargers’ hopes for serious playoff contention in 2023 hinge on the play of their defense, which will be led by first-year coordinator Derrick Ansley next season.

Despite retaining nearly every key starter in the offseason, the team will face an uphill battle in the loaded AFC. Still, hopes are high that they can rise to the top at OTAs this week, and one veteran, in particular, seemed bullish on the new leadership that Los Angeles has in place.

Khalil Mack told reporters on Wednesday about his thoughts on the matter, giving Anlsey a ringing endorsement.

Ansley, Mack said, was quick to reach out to him after his promotion to defensive coordinator, formerly held by Renaldo Hill, and has carried an infectious enthusiasm with him to the Chargers’ offseason program.

“He pulled me in right away, we had a conversation,” Mack explained of Ansley’s transition to coordinator. “We chopped it up. You could tell that he’s excited to be in that position. He is going to make the most of it, as well, and try to get the best out of all of his guys on defense.”

Given the defensive star power that Los Angeles hosts, it wouldn’t be a stretch to project that they could be one of the best units in the league if players manage to stay healthy through the regular season and into the playoffs.

Ansley will need to do his best to manage workloads, adjust on the fly, and get creative to live up to Mack’s expectations and bring the Chargers to postseason glory in 2023.