Tag: pass rusher

Report: Broncos interested in bringing back OLB Jeremiah Attaochu

The Broncos will likely negotiate a potential new contract with outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu.

The Denver Broncos “have expressed interest” in bringing back edge defender Jeremiah Attaochu, according to a report from KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. Attaochu is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on March 18.

Attaochu (6-3, 252 pounds) won’t be among the marquee players signed during the first wave of free agency but he might be re-signed by Denver after the team addresses some big holes at other positions.

Attaochu entered the NFL as a second-round pick out of Georgia Tech with the San Diego (now Los Angeles) Chargers. He was productive when healthy (totaling 10 sacks in 34 games) but struggled to stay on the field with the Chargers.

After spending his first four seasons with the Bols, Attaochu had short stints with the San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs. He totaled two sacks in 11 games with the Jets in 2018 before suffering an injury.

Denver signed Attaochu last October after Bradley Chubb suffered a season-ending ACL injury. Attaochu made a big impact as a rotational outside linebacker, recording 21 tackles and 3.5 sacks.

If he can stay healthy, Attaochu would be an excellent backup edge defender for the Broncos in 2020.

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Cowboys News Links: Cooper talks heat up, Jones’ big messages

Also, Jerry speaks from Indy, Leighton Vander Esch’s injury, David Irving’s possible return, elite pass rushers, and a pumped-up punter.

Questions about if and when the current CBA’s tag structure will change have kickstarted talks between the Cowboys and two of their high-profile free agents. But Jerry Jones still found an hour-plus to spill the tea on a variety of topics- including his recent shower thoughts- to the media assembled in Indianapolis. Mike McCarthy also held court at the combine and provided a sneak peek at what the 2020 Cowboys may look like.

All that plus news on Leighton Vander Esch’s injury recovery, David Irving’s possible reinstatement, and Dak Prescott’s self-appointed advisory committee. There’s also linkage to elite pass rushing options, the Great Dallas Interception Drought, the ratings bonanza that is America’s Team… and a punter showing off his guns. Here’s the News and Notes.

Cowboys ready to intensify Amari Cooper talks amid CBA setback :: Dallas Morning News

Now that the Cowboys know that using a transition tag on Amari Cooper will likely only result in them having to rescind it if a new collective bargaining agreement is approved, contract talks with wideout Amari Cooper’s camp have taken on a new sense of urgency. The two sides met Thursday evening in Indianapolis; a Byron Jones conversation is also on the immediate itinerary.

10 biggest things Jerry Jones said from Indy :: The Mothership

In a wide-ranging 80-minute sit-down aboard the team bus, the big boss dished on Byron Jones’s status, Jason Witten’s future, Robert Quinn’s “real deal”-ness, Dak Prescott’s familial standing with him and Jimmy Johnson in the Ring of Honor.

Mike McCarthy’s 1st big test, can he outrank Jerry Jones :: Cowboys Wire

McCarthy thinks he has more say over the roster than he did in Green Bay. He’s going to have to outweigh the most powerful man in all of sports.

What’s going on with LB Leighton Vander Esch? :: Inside The Star

With neck issues dating back to his college days, will this be a permanent concern going forward?

Cowboys Draft Digest No. 5: Top pass-rushers are safe picks. Can Dallas find one? :: The Athletic

Historically speaking, collegiate pass rushers who earn “elite” status end up being studs on Sundays.

 

Irving reinstatement journey comes with side-eye, but Cowboys watching :: Cowboys Wire

The David Irving saga may have another chapter left to be written after all.

Mailbag: Why the continual lack of INT’s?:: The Mothership

One notable thing the Cowboys defense has lacked is turnovers. It’s a mystery that has seemed to plague this unit for years, and one that needs to change in 2020.

America’s Team: Cowboys still winning in TV ratings :: Front Office Sports

Last season’s 8-8 record notwithstanding, the Cowboys are anything but mediocre in the Nielsen numbers. One industry insider theorizes that a Super Bowl appearance would be an absolute record-breaker.

Punter Michael Turk steals show at combine on bench press :: ESPN

The Arizona State punter, who recently made a list of punters the Cowboys should consider drafting, may have improved his stock Thursday night when he absolutely smoked the 225-pound bench press in Indianapolis. Michael Turk’s 25 reps were better than all 33 wide receivers and all but one tight end who participated.

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Should Seahawks keep an eye on Yetur Gross-Matos at the combine?

The Seahawks could select another defensive end in this year’s draft and should keep an eye on Penn State’s Yetur Gross-Matos at the combine.

The Seattle Seahawks, along with the rest of the teams in the league, will be keeping a close eye on this year’s prospects at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine later this month in Indianapolis.

Always seeking to improve their pass-rushing capabilities, the Seahawks could very well look to snag another defensive end in April’s draft.

In his recent piece on naming one player for each club to watch, NFL.com’s media analyst Charley Casserly believes Seattle should take a closer look at Penn State’s Yetur Gross-Matos.

“Jadeveon Clowney is a free agent and the Ziggy Ansah experiment did not work,” writes Casserly. “The success of Seattle’s defense starts with having a good pass rush. The athletic Gross-Matos is a playmaker, as evidenced by his 17.5 sacks and 35 tackles for loss as a two-year starter at Penn State.”

While Ansah and his injuries might have been a disappointment for Seattle, Clowney potentially signing a contract extension isn’t outside of the realm of possibility.

The combine kicks off Sunday, Feb. 23, so be sure and follow our complete coverage here at Seahawks Wire.

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Broncos add new member to defensive coaching staff

John Pagano has been named the Broncos’ new outside linebackers coach.

The Broncos have hired John Pagano as their new outside linebackers coach, Denver head coach Vic Fangio announced Thursday. Pagano coached under Fangio for three seasons as a defensive assistant with the Colts from 1999-2001 (Fangio was the Colts’ defensive coordinator at the time).

John is the younger brother of Chuck Pagano, who interviewed for the Broncos’ head coach position last year. Chuck now serves as the Bears’ defensive coordinator. The brothers grew up in Boulder, Colorado.

Pagano has 25 years of coaching experience in the NFL, including two stints as a defensive coordinator (Raiders, 2017 and Chargers, 2012-2016). He most recently served as the Texans’ senior defensive assistant and outside linebackers coach from 2018-2019.

Pagano will be responsible for coaching up Broncos superstar outside linebackers Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. When they were both healthy and played in all 16 games in 2018, Miller and Chubb combined to record 26.5 sacks and forced six fumbles.

Pagano is replacing former Broncos OLBs coach Brandon Staley, who left the team to become the Rams’ defensive coordinator earlier this year.

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Von Miller ‘super excited’ about Bradley Chubb’s return

Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller is super excited about Bradley Chubb returning to the field in 2020.

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The Broncos’ official media team caught up with outside linebacker Von Miller at the Super Bowl media row this week to ask him about 2019 and the upcoming season.

“I was super encouraged,” Miller said of the Broncos’ 4-1 record to close out the 2019 season. “A lot of young guys got a lot of experience and that’s really the only thing you can take from last season. We’ll be ready to go and more experienced this coming season.”

Miller was also asked about teammate Bradley Chubb, who had his 2019 season cut short by an ACL injury. Chubb has been making great progress in his recovery and should be back in time for OTAs in the spring.

“I’m super excited, man,” Miller said of Chubb’s looming return. “It was an unfortunate injury but he’ll come back bigger and stronger and faster and I’m super excited to get Bradley back.”

When Miller and Chubb played in all 16 games in 2018, they combined to record 26.5 sacks and forced six fumbles. Expect similar totals in 2020.

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Broncos interview John Pagano for open OLB coach position

The Broncos interviewed John Pagano for their outside linebackers coach position.

The Denver Broncos interviewed longtime NFL assistant coach John Pagano for their vacant outside linebackers coach position on Thursday, according to The Denver Post’s Ryan O’Halloran. John is the younger brother of Chuck Pagano, who interviewed for the Broncos’ head coach position last year.

Pagano, 52, coached under Denver coach Vic Fangio for three seasons as a defensive assistant with the Indianapolis Colts from 1999-2001 (Fangio was the Colts’ defensive coordinator at the time). Pagano is not the only candidate the Broncos have interviewed but he appears to be the favorite to get the job.

Pagano has been coaching in the NFL since 1996. He served as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator with the Oakland Raiders in 2017 before joining the Houston Texans as their senior defensive assistant and outside linebackers coach, a position he held the last two seasons.

Denver was left with an opening out OLBs coach after Brandon Staley left the team to become the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive coordinator.

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Broncos should re-sign pass rusher Jeremiah Attaochu this offseason

The Denver Broncos need to find a way to re-sign pass rusher Jeremiah Attaochu after he stepped up during the 2019 season.

The Denver Broncos had a disappointing season — at least for those who may have thought the team was going to the playoffs and had a chance to win the Super Bowl — but there were still many small victories this season.

One of those was the signing of Jeremiah Attaochu.

Even the Broncos had to be surprised in what they found in Attaochu, who was only brought in after a season-ending injury to Bradley Chubb. With the season already in great peril at that time, the Broncos had to hit the free agent market and find some sort of pass rusher.

Attaochu, a former second-round pick of the Los Angeles Chargers, was sitting there and likely would have sat out the entire season and maybe sat out for good had Denver not signed him.

Attaochu was with the Kansas City Chiefs in the preseason but did not make the team’s final 53-man roster. There is a good chance that could have been the end of the road in his NFL career, but the Broncos came calling.

In 12 games with the team, he registered 3.5 sacks, five hits on the quarterback and a fumble recovery. He frequently got pressure and pushed the quarterback outside the pocket on his defensive snaps.

Attaochu did everything the Broncos could have asked for and hoped of him, but he is now set to be an unrestricted free agent after just signing on with the Broncos for this season.

Attaochu, who will turn 27 years old this month, could still have plenty of football left in him and with his play this season, it’s possible he caught the eye of other teams around the league.

It’s said that a team can’t have enough pass rushers and a good situational pass rusher can be a defensive coordinator’s best chess piece. Attaochu can be that.

When the Broncos lost Chubb, fans immediately lamented the fact that Shaquil Barrett was no longer with the team. Barrett was busy leading the entire NFL with 19.5 sacks for his new team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Hindsight is always 20/20 and there is no doubt the Broncos would have liked to have found a way to keep Barrett. However, the move to bring in Attaochu following the injury to Chubb was not only a big surprise, but it could also pay off in years to come.

Teammates have taken note of Attaochu’s talent and would undoubtedly like to see him back for the 2020 season.

“Jerry’s a beast,” defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones said on Dec. 22. “I knew it from Day 1. I’ve always heard about his story — being at the Chargers and then injuries occurred. I’ve always known how talented Jerry was. To see him go out there and play and improve himself each week against every team is a credit to him and his work ethic.”

The Broncos have something in Attaochu as he could easily slide into the role that Barrett use to be in for the foreseeable future. The team needs to find a way to re-sign him this offseason.

Don’t sleep on this guy.

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Ex-Broncos OLB Shaq Barrett earns Pro Bowl nod after leading NFL in sacks

In his first season as a full-time starter, former Broncos outside linebacker Shaq Barrett leads the NFL in sacks.

After spending the first five years of his career as a rotational pass rusher behind Broncos stars including Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware and Bradley Chubb, outside linebacker Shaq Barrett became a free agent in March.

Barrett made it clear that he wanted to go somewhere where he could be a starter and he picked the Buccaneers, betting on himself to win a starting job. Denver couldn’t offer him a starting position over Miller or Chubb.

Barrett’s gamble paid off as he quickly emerged as a starter in Tampa Bay and had a breakout season in 2019, leading the NFL with 16.5 sacks through 14 games. His previous career-high was 5.5 sacks in 2015. Earlier this week, Barrett was selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career.

Barrett’s success as a starter hasn’t been a surprise to Miller.

“I’m definitely not surprised,” Miller said in October. “All the plays that he’s making, he made them in practice. The spin versus the Rams, he’s done stuff like that. Interceptions, he’s done stuff like that here in practice.”

Barrett is scheduled to become a free agent again in 2020. Bucs coach Bruce Arians said earlier this week that Barrett “ain’t going nowhere.”

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