Tag: Riq Woolen

Seahawks CB Riq Woolen earns 10th-biggest performance bonus for 2023

While most accounts have Woolen’s second season as being a disappointment, he played well enough to earn himself a sizable bonus.

No team in the NFL may be as blessed as the Seahawks are at the cornerback position. Last year they spent a fifth overall pick on Illinois corner Devon Witherspoon, who came into the league a fully-formed superstar. The previous year they landed a gem in the fifth round of the draft in Riq Woolen out of UTSA.

While most accounts have Woolen’s second season as being a disappointment, he played well enough to earn himself a sizable bonus. Yesterday the league announced the performance-based pay distributions for players around the NFL from last season and Woolen earned $839,154 which was the 10th most in the league.

Like his rookie year, Woolen continued to do strong work in coverage in 2023, earning a 75.0 overall grade from PFF and posting two interceptions and a 79.8 passer rating allowed. However, he got poor marks for his run defense (37.3) and missed nine tackle attempts (14.5%). Woolen was even benched at one point in favor of Mike Jackson.

If he wants to hang onto that right boundary spot in the long run, Woolen will have to show more willingness to help out in run D and put his nose in there to make tackles. However, he has all the physical tools he needs to be an All-Pro in the future, the same as Witherspoon.

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Twitter can’t believe the Seahawks compared Riq Woolen to Pat Surtain

The Seahawks posted a graphic that implied Riq Woolen was comparable to Pat Surtain. Fans on Twitter/X did not approve.

The Seattle Seahawks posted a bizarre graphic on their official Twitter/X page last week that seemingly suggested Riq Woolen is comparable to Pat Surtain.

The graphic showed targets against Surtain and Woolen (93 vs. 71), completions allowed (56 vs. 41), interceptions (1 vs. 2), TDs allowed (3 vs. 3) and yards allowed (701 vs. 391). A key stat Seattle did not mention: Surtain played 1,121 snaps whereas Woolen played 939 snaps.

Surtain was named a Pro Bowler this season. Woolen, a Pro Bowler last year, was benched during the 2023 season.

Surtain responded to the graphic last week: “lol this is crazy ! And I didn’t give up nowhere near 700 yds btw.”

Pro Football Reference credits PS2 with allowing 660 receiving yards in 2023 and Woolen with allowing 384 receiving yards.

Surtain clarified in a follow-up tweet that his response was not a knock against Woolen: “And I got nothing but respect for Riq that’s my boy lol 💯.” It seems that Surtain was merely surprised to see the Seahawks make the comparison. Denver Broncos fans were also shocked.

Takeaways and observations from Eagles 33-25 win over Giants in Week 16

We’re looking at takeaways and observations from the Philadelphia Eagles 33-25 win over New York Giants in Week 16

Philadelphia snapped a three-game losing streak and needs to beat Arizona next week and defeat the Giants again in the season finale to finish atop the NFC East.

The Eagles (11-4) now hold a one-game lead over the Cowboys in the NFC East after their 33-25 win over the Giants on Christmas Day.   Philadelphia is 11-0 at the Linc against New York since 2014 and beat the Giants three times last season in Brian Daboll’s first season.

With the matchup complete, here are takeaways and observations of the ugly win.

Instant analysis of Eagles 33-25 win over the Giants on Christmas Day

We’re looking at the instant analysis of the Philadelphia Eagles 33-25 win over the New York Giants on Christmas Day at Lincoln Financial Field

It wasn’t pretty, but the Eagles (11-4) now hold a one-game lead over the Cowboys in the NFC East after their 33-25 win over the Giants on Christmas Day.

Philadelphia snapped a three-game losing streak and needs to beat Arizona next week and defeat the Giants again in the season finale to finish atop the NFC East.

The Eagles are 11-0 at the Linc against New York since 2014 and beat the Giants three times last season in Brian Daboll’s first season.

With the matchup complete, here’s an instant analysis of the ugly win.

Highlights and takeaways from first half as Eagles hold a 20-3 lead over Giants

We’re looking at takeaways from the first half as the Philadelphia Eagles hold a 20-3 lead over the New York Giants on Christmas Day

The Eagles needed some good vibes at Lincoln Financial Field, and through one half of play, Matt Patricia’s defense has been stout while holding Brian Daboll’s offense to three total points.

On offense, A.J. Brown broke DeVonta Smith’s record for receptions in a season, while Jalen Hurts moved past Cam Newton for rushing touchdowns in a season.

Philadelphia is up 20-3, with room for more efficiency.

With the second half underway, we’re looking at highlights and takeaways from the first half.

Eagles vs. Giants inactives for Week 16: Ben VanSumeren to make 1st NFL start

The Philadelphia Eagles released their list of inactives and rookie linebacker Ben VanSumeren will start in place of Nicholas Morrow and Zach Cunnnigham

The Eagles released their list of inactives for Christmas Day, and rookie linebacker Ben VanSumeren will play a critical role, with Zach Cunningham and Nicholas Morrow ruled out.

With the linebacker depth already thin, Philadelphia will counter Saquon Barkley with Shaquille Leonard, VanSumeren, and Brandon Smith, who was elevated from the practice squad for today’s game.

Guard Cam Jurgens will start at right guard after missing last week’s game in Seattle. Wide receiver DeVonta Smith was a limited participant at practice on Saturday but has no game status designation and will play.

Eagles’ game-day roster for Christmas Day matchup vs. Giants

We’re looking at the Philadelphia Eagles gameday roster for Monday’s Christmas Day matchup against the New York Giants

The New York Giants (5-9) are in Philadelphia on a Monday afternoon for an intriguing Christmas Day matchup against the Eagles (10-4) to help close out the Week 16 slate of games.

Avonte Maddox (pectoral) will wait another week before he returns from Injured Reserve despite being a full participant this week.

Philadelphia will also be without linebacker Zach Cunningham (knee), Pro Bowl left guard Landon Dickerson (thumb), and Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay (knee).

The Eagles will regain starting right guard Cam Jurgens, who missed the Monday night game in Seattle with a pectoral injury.

With on-field warmups underway, we’re looking at the updated 53-man roster for Week 16.

5 Questions with Giants Wire: What we learned about New York ahead of Christmas Day

We’re looking at 5 questions With the Giants Wire managing Editor Dan Benton to preview the Eagles Christmas Day matchup against the Giants

The New York Giants (5-9) are set to visit the Philadelphia Eagles (10-4) on Monday afternoon in a Week 16 matchup at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Eagles opened the week as 10.5-point home favorites, and that spread has increased with the New York-listed at +13.5 underdogs.

With this matchup on tap, we sat down with Giants Wire managing editor Dan Benton for five questions.

Eagles elevate Tristin McCollum, Brandon Smith from the practice squad for Christmas Day game vs. Giants

Eagles elevate Tristin McCollum, Brandon Smith from the practice squad for Christmas Day game vs. Giants

With Nicholas Morrow and Zach Cunningham dealing with injuries, the Eagles elevated linebacker Brandon Smith from the practice squad for the Christmas Day matchup against the Giants.

Cunningham was ruled out for Monday’s game with a knee injury, while Morrow is questionable with an abdomen injury.

Morrow did not practice all week.

Philadelphia elevated second-year defensive back Tristin McCollum, adding depth on special teams.

McCollum made his NFL debut in Week 4, playing 20 special teams snaps in an overtime victory against the Washington Commanders.

He has spent the rest of the season on the practice squad.

Smith is a second-year linebacker out of Penn State and will make his Eagles debut against the Giants.

A fourth-round Panthers pick in 2022, Smith played 12 games with one start for Carolina last season.

He made five tackles in 53 defensive snaps.

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Eagles Week 16 rooting guide: Who should Philadelphia support?

We’re looking at the Eagles Week 16 rooting guide and pondering who Philadelphia fans should support down on Sunday and Monday night

The Eagles are home Monday afternoon for a must-win NFC East matchup against their hated rivals, the New York Giants.

A win for Philadelphia would keep Nick Sirianni’s team in line for an NFC East title and potential No. 2 seed in the conference based on what happens with San Francisco and Detroit.

The Eagles are currently the No. 5 seed, if they win out, they could land as high as No. 1 with a bye, or potentially settle for the No. 2 or No. 3 seed, putting the club on pace to host a home game at Lincoln Financial Field on Wild Card Weekend.

With the early Sunday games quickly approaching, we’re looking at Philadelphia’s Week 16 rooting guide.