Tag: patrick surtain

T.J. Watt finishes 4th in DPOY voting

T.J. Watt had his worst season since he was a rookie in 2024.

Thursday night the NFL Thhanded out their annual award at the NFL Honors. The only Pittsburgh Steelers who was in the running for any of the end-of-season awards was edge defender T.J. Watt. He was a finalist for Defensive Player of the Years but the odds were against him.

Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II won the award and rightfully so. Surtain was far and away the best cornerback in the NFL. Watt ended up finishing fourth behind Surtain, Bengals EDGE Trey Hendrickson and Browns EDGE Myles Garrett. Watt did get three first-place votes.

Here’s how the voting broke down for the top four.

Patrick Surtain II 26-11-2-4-1: 330
Trey Hendrickson 11-10-9-8-2: 205
Myles Garrett 5-11-12-8-5: 162
T.J. Watt 3-7-8-11-3: 114

Watt finished 2024 with 11.5 sacks. This was his worst season since his rookie year if you exclude 2022 where he missed six games with injury. Watt failed to put up any stats in the team’s final two games which was completely out of character for him and really hurt the final numbers.

The reality is Watt’s teammate, defensive tackle Cam Heyward was a far more deserving candidate after racking up eight sacks and 11 passes defended as a defensive tackle.

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Former Alabama DB Patrick Surtain named NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the PFWA

PFWA names Denver Broncos Patrick Surtain NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

The Denver Broncos knew they were getting a special player when they selected former Alabama Crimson Tide DB Patrick Surtain No. 9 overall in the 2021 NFL draft. However, the three-time Pro Bowler and two-time First-Team All-Pro has been even better than anticipated with 232 tackles, 47 passes defended, and 11 interceptions in his young career.

Behind Surtain and rookie QB Bo Nix, the Broncos made their first Playoff appearance in eight seasons this year but were knocked out by the Bills in the Wild Card round. In 2024, Surtain had 92 coverage snaps against five AFC Pro Bowlers and only allowed six receptions on 16 targets for 56 yards, no touchdowns, two interceptions and an 8.3 passer rating. He is the best corner in the game right now.

For Surtain’s dominant 2024 season, the Pro Football Writers of America have named him the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year. He becomes the first Bronco to win the award, which is quite remarkable when you think of the defensive talent that has come through Denver like Von Miller and Champ Bailey.

The NFL Honors will be released in February where Surtain will have a good chance at sweeping the award.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Pat Surtain’s dad was not happy with Broncos during ‘Thursday Night Football’

“Sean [Payton] run the ball. Man,” Pat Surtain’s dad tweeted during ‘Thursday Night Football.’

The Denver Broncos had a wild sequence just before halftime against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football in Week 16. The team’s mismanagement of the game left fans — and Pat Surtain’s dad — frustrated.

Following a Kris Abrams-Draine interception, the Broncos took over at their own 18-yard line with 41 second remaining until halftime while leading 21-10. Instead of attempting to run out the clock, Denver coach Sean Payton called pass plays on first and second down.

The first pass to running back Javonte Williams went for negative-three yards. The second pass fell incomplete, stopping the clock. Williams then rushed for one yard on third down and the Broncos were forced to punt.

Surtain’s dad — Patrick Surtain Sr. — then chimed in on Twitter/X: “Bad clock management on both sides. [Jim] Harbaugh use your timeouts, Sean [Payton] run the ball. Man.”

On the ensuing punt, Denver cornerback Tremon Smith was penalized for kick catch interference. After that 15-yard penalty spotted the ball at the Broncos’ 47-yard line, L.A. elected to kick a rare fair catch free kick to cut the deficit to 21-13 going into halftime.

Surtain Sr.’s response to the sequence: “Just DUMB…smh.”

Denver went on to lose the game 34-27. Surtain’s dad final tweet after the game was an emoji: “🤷🏾‍♂️.”

Up next for the Broncos is a road game against the Cincinnati Bengals (6-8) next Saturday (Dec. 28). With two games remaining, Denver needs to win one game to clinch a spot in the NFL playoffs.

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We have yet another Player of the Week come out of matchup with Raiders

Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson is the latest to earn Player of the Week honors from teeing off on the Raiders.

It seems like an almost weekly occurrence now. Player who face the Raiders this season having their best games and being named Player of the Week because of it. The latest is this week’s AFC Defensive Player of the Week Trey Hendrickson.

Hendrickson put up a career-high four sacks along with a pass breakup and forced fumble in the Bengals’ 41-24 win over the Raiders on Sunday. He took full advantage of the Raiders’ injury issues at left tackle, getting his first sack while facing primary backup Andrus Peat and the other three while lining up across from third stringer Thayer Munford.

A couple of Hendrickson’s rushes again Munford made the rounds on social media. One in which he was run around flat footed and the other where he was knocked onto his back.

This is the third time in the past five weeks a Player of the Week came out of a matchup with the Raiders.

The first time was Week 5 AFC Defensive Player of the Week CB Patrick Surtain who had two interceptions, including a pick six in the Broncos’ 34-18 win over the Raiders.

The other time was  Week 7 NFC Defensive Player of the Week Cobie Durant who had and interception, two pass breakups, and a forced fumble that was returned for a touchdown in a 20-15 win over the Raiders.

This is getting to be a real theme for the Raiders this season. They’ve often been called the cure for what ails you, but lately they’ve been the gift that keeps on giving.

A premier matchup will be missing from ‘TNF’ due to injuries

Patrick Surtain and Chris Olave are injured with concussions, robbing fans of a great duel in Saints vs. Broncos on ‘Thursday Night Football:’

Unfortunately for the fans, injuries have prevented the biggest head to head matchup on “Thursday Night Football” this week. The New Orleans Saints square off against the Denver Broncos on Thursday night.

Under normal circumstances, fans could look forward to Chris Olave lining up across from Patrick Surtain II. That would feature a matchup of a young ascending wide receiver against one of the best cornerbacks in the league.

Circumstances aren’t normal, however. Both Olave and Surtain suffered concussions in last week’s games. Surtain left after the first play of the game. Olave didn’t make it much further. He took a helmet to helmet hit and left the game on the third play.

The short week makes it a foregone conclusion each player will miss Thursday’s game. For the Saints, it thins out an already thin position room. The issue is only made worse by an injury to Rashid Shaheed. The Saints will be depending on receivers they thought wouldn’t even be a factor in 2024.

For the Broncos, losing your best cornerback will naturally make the pass coverage. The impact was noticeable a week ago. It wouldn’t be surprising to see them recover. Denver has an excellent set of cornerbacks, including Riley Moss. Against a hampered wide receiver corps, the advantage still goes to Denver.

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Key things to know about Chargers’ Week 6 opponent: Broncos

Here are some important things to know about the Broncos ahead of the Week 6 matchup with the Chargers.

The Chargers are on the road to face the Broncos on Sunday, Oct. 13, at 1:05 p.m. PT.

To get you prepped for the Week 6 bout, here are five key things to know about Los Angeles’ opponent ahead of the matchup.

Last 3 out

The Broncos are on a three-game winning streak, defeating the Buccaneers, Jets, and Raiders. Denver is currently 3-2 and second in the AFC West.

Checking in on the rookie

The Broncos selected former Oregon quarterback Bo Nix in the first round of this year’s draft in hopes of him being the long-term answer at the position. After a slow start, Nix has gotten more comfortable at the pro level. He’s coming off his best performance against Las Vegas. Nix completed 19 of 27 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns while running for a score.

Bottom of the barrel offense

Even though Nix showed some promise in Week 5, Denver’s offense is still a work in progress. The Broncos are 28th in the league in total offense (270.6 yards per game), tied for 22nd in scoring (19.2 points per game), 28th in passing (163.8 YPG), 21st in rushing offense (106.8 YPG).

Dominant defense

Vance Joseph is known for engineering top-tier defenses, and it’s no different this year for the Broncos. Denver ranks second in points allowed (14.6 per game), third in total yards (271.2 per game), fifth in passing yards (159.8 per game), tenth in rushing yards (111.4 per game), third in sacks (19) and seventh in interceptions (five).

Look out for…

Zach Allen. Allen should present a tough challenge for the Chargers’ interior offensive line with how he’s been playing. He has 29 quarterback pressures, tied for the second-most in the NFL, trailing only Lions’ Aidan Hutchinson. He also has the second-most run stops among all interior defenders (10).

Steelers WR George Pickens swaps messages with Patrick Surtain III ahead of Broncos matchup

Pittsburgh Steelers George Pickens will face his toughest challenge since being promoted to WR1.

There’s nothing but respect between Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens and the guy expected to follow him on Sunday, cornerback Patrick Surtain III.

Pickens and Surtain know each other well from their days at Georgia and Alabama. In his last outing against Surtain in 2020, Pickens was targeted four times for two catches and 21 yards. We all know the pros are a different ballgame, but the matchup will be one to watch, as these two are some of the best at their respective positions.

“I went up against Pat Surtain in college. So, a lot of this stuff isn’t new for me,” Pickens told Steelers reporters on Wednesday. “He’s just a good player. I’m a good player. There’s a lot of good players around the league.”

Pickens knows that no matter Denver’s plan, he has to be himself.

“Just hope they have their plan correct. I don’t really know or care what they’re going to do,” Pickens said.

And good recognize good.

“I think he has elite body control in the air,” Surtain said of Pickens. “He can track the ball well. He has great ball skills. He’s a playmaker, for sure. He’s a great player.”

Surtain is going to present a tough challenge for Pickens, but it’s one that he should be up for.

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Champ Bailey dubs Pat Surtain best cornerback in the NFL

“This kid is the best in the game right now,” Champ Bailey said of Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain.

Before Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain was rewarded for his elite play with the richest deal for a defensive back in NFL history earlier this week, he was lauded by Hall of Fame cornerback and Broncos legend Champ Bailey.

“This kid is the best in the game right now,” Bailey said during a recent interview with Zach Gelb of Infinity Sports Network. “When he came out of college, I said he has Pro Football Hall of Fame potential. … There is no doubt in my mind he will continue to excel.”

The Broncos certainly think highly of Surtain as well. On Wednesday, Surtain was given a history-making, four-year, $96 million contract extension that ties him to the team through 2029.

Bailey is no stranger to being a star cornerback. During his 15-year career, Bailey was always on the opponent’s best receiver, as Surtain is today.

Denver solidified its defensive cornerstone for the foreseeable future and hopes that Surtain can continue to play at the elite level he is performing at. He is already a two-time Pro Bowler and a one-time first-team All-Pro, three years into his career.

Surtain will be one of the faces of a youth movement in Denver, hopefully to become one of the foundational pieces in what fans hope to be a team built for many years of success down the road.

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Former Alabama CB Patrick Surtain II becomes highest-paid DB ever

Denver Broncos make Patrick Surtain II the highest-paid DB ever in new four-year deal.

It has been the off-season of the Alabama Crimson Tide with former players amassing over a billion dollars in NFL contracts. The Miami Dolphins led the charge by signing WR Jaylen Waddle to a three-year $84.75 million deal and QB Tua Tagovailoa to a four-year deal worth $212.4 million.

The Denver Broncos and CB Patrick Surtain II have agreed on a new four-year contract worth $96 million ($77.5m guaranteed). The deal makes him the highest-paid defensive back in the NFL, and it makes sense for the NFL’s No. 1 CB.

Surtain has never missed a game in the NFL and has started all 50 games the Broncos have played over the past three years. He was named a First-team All-Pro in 2022 and has posted 187 total tackles, seven interceptions and batted down 36 passes.

There was no chance that Denver would ever let their former No. 9 overall draft pick test the free agent market, but it’s awesome to see him get paid right before the start of the season. Plus, Surtain didn’t even hold out or make a big deal about it, he just showed up and worked.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Broncos sign Pat Surtain to massive contract extension

#Broncos sign Pat Surtain to massive contract extension:

There is a new highest-paid defensive back in NFL history.

The Denver Broncos have inked cornerback Pat Surtain to massive contract extension. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, it’s a four-year, $96 million deal that also includes $77.5 million guaranteed which makes him the new No. 1 on the list:

 

Surtain, 24, is considered one of the NFL’s best players at his position.

Denver selected Surtain the first round of the 2021 NFL draft. He is a two-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro. Surtain has totaled 187 tackles, 36 pass breakups and seven interceptions through his first three seasons in the NFL.

Earlier this offseason, the Broncos signed guard Quinn Meinerz to a four-year, $80 million deal.

Surtain’s extension comes after Denver moved on from safety Justin Simmons this spring.

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