Tag: sacks

Cameron Jordan praises coaching change after Saints’ 8-sack performance

Cameron Jordan commended coach Brian Young for a quick turnaround on the defensive line after the Saints’ 8-sack performance against the Washington Commanders:

The New Orleans Saints had quite the day on the defensive line, as they were generating an immense amount of pressure against the Washington Commanders, and ended the game with a whopping eight sacks for 37 yards. This was one of the best defensive performances we have seen from the Saints front-seven unit in a decent amount of time, and veteran defensive end Cameron Jordan credited their new position coach Brian Young for the improvement we have seen in recent weeks.

Young replaced Todd Grantham as defensive line coach a few weeks back, in the wake of Dennis Allen being dismissed as head coach. Grantham was reassigned to work as a senior assistant but left recently to join Oklahoma State’s staff.

“Just the way he’s able to realize talents and utilize the D-line to the best of its abilities since he’s sort of took over. And you can see the night and day (difference),” Jordan told reporters after the game. “When you have a guy who’s been a D-lineman for 30-plus years, you can see its effects.”

The last two weeks especially, there has been a significantly improved output from the Saints in terms of pass-rush success, and one of the most notable turnarounds has been Chase Young, who ended the day with two sacks after a 12-pressure performance last week.

Young’s biggest issue early in the season was generating pressure but not impacting the opposing quarterbacks with hits or sacks, however as of late that has not been the case, and the Saints have found a way to unlock his potential. Hopefully coach Brian Young will be able to continue this turnaround, and the Saints can find the defensive line success they had in years prior.

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Cameron Jordan had his first multi-sack game since 2022 season

Cameron Jordan had his first multi-sack game since 2022 against the Washington Commanders. The New Orleans Saints pass rush is heating up:

This time of year is usually prime time for New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan.

On Sunday against the Washington Commanders, Jordan achieved his first multi-sack game since late in the 2022 season, back on New Year’s Day 2023 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Jordan tallied up three sacks on Eagles backup Gardner Minshew in a game in which they would win 20-10.

Jordan had two sacks against Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, to bump his total to three on the season. Coincidentally, Jordan’s three sacks in 2024 have all came during interim head coach Darren Rizzi’s tenure.

It has been very evident that Cam’s play as of late has been much more impressive in this second half of the season. On Sunday, his play was crucial in containing a player like Daniels and making sure that he doesn’t extend plays on the perimeter.

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New Orleans Saints set season-high in sacks vs. Commanders

In just the first half, Saints have recorded their most sacks in a game this season vs. the Commanders and rookie QB Jayden Daniels:

It’s only the first half, but the New Orleans Saints have already recorded five sacks. That’s more than New Orleans has recorded in an entire game this year. To make it more impressive, they are doing this against the elusive Jayden Daniels

Ugo Amadi,  Demario Davis, Willie Gay, Cameron Jordan, and Chase Young all recorded a sack in the first 30 minutes.

Containing Washington Commanders was a point of emphasis for the New Orleans Saints. Joe Woods told reporters this week that “We’re going to have different ways to control him and keep him in the pocket.”

There have been a few plays Daniels has used his legs to extend a play, but the Saints have done a better job than expected against him. You have to tip your hat to the secondary as well, because some of these sacks have been a product of Daniels having nowhere to go.

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Cameron Jordan sacked the 48th quarterback of his 14-year career

Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan sacked the 48th quarterback of his 14-year career, bringing down Washington Commanders rookie Jayden Daniels on Sunday:

Cameron Jordan sacks Jayden Daniels for his 119.5th sack. Daniels is the 48th quarterback Jordan has sacked in his Saints career.

— John (@johnsigler.bsky.social) December 15, 2024 at 1:45 PM

The New Orleans Saints defensive line started strong against the Washington Commanders in Week 15, and 14-year veteran defensive end Cameron Jordan managed to bring down Jayden Daniels in the first half. This sack was good for the 48th different quarterback he has sacked in his career, which brings his career total to 119.5.

Jordan has had a slow season in that category so far, with this being only his second sack on the season which would tie 2023 as his second lowest total (aside from his rookie year, in which he only had one). This brings him ever closer to 22nd on the all-time sacks list as well, where he looks to pass Clyde Simmons who has a total of 121.5. We will see where Jordan ends up finishing his career in this category, but regardless it will be very close to the top of the list.

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There is a statistical basis behind starting Jake Haener in Week 15

There may be a statistical precedent showing why the Saints chose Jake Haener to start Week 15 over Spencer Rattler:

The New Orleans Saints decided to go with Jake Haener to start in their Week 15 game over Spencer Rattler, who started three games the last time Derek Carr went down. This choice was one that many had not anticipated, as Rattler had the experience with this offense this season, and would have been presumed as the incumbent.

However, Haener had been listed as the No.2 quarterback for the whole season, while Rattler was listed as the emergency No. 3, so logistically this was the option on paper that was going to happen. Beyond that, there may be a statistical precedent for starting Haener in this game over Rattler.

As WWL Radio’s Jeff Nowak noted, in the three weeks Spencer Rattler started, the opposing teams accrued a whopping 16 sacks, over five a game on average. However, in the weeks Derek Carr has started, they have allowed only 8 sacks, half the total in over three times the games. This was one of the biggest issues for the Saints under Rattler, is he had immense trouble sensing pressure and getting away from it on time, and with the injuries to the Saints offensive line previously, that made things even more difficult.

Jake Haener may give you the alternative in that he will get the ball out quicker and get away from pressure, but obviously we do not know that as his playing time is limited to only 61 total snaps, and in those he has taken 3 sacks. Regardless, the Saints having another option at quarterback allows them to try this out and just see if it works, and test out Haener to see what he has in the tank.

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Chiefs DT Chris Jones shares his thoughts on Myles Garrett’s impact: ‘Hope he has no success’

Kansas City #Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones shares his thoughts on Myles Garrett’s impact: ‘Hope he has no success’ | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro Chris Jones spoke with reporters on Thursday about his counterpart on the Cleveland Browns, Myles Garrett. He shared his thoughts on Garrett’s success and hopes he doesn’t replicate that against the Chiefs offense on Sunday.

“Myles (Garrett) is amazing. (He) won Defensive Player of the Year last year, was well deserved, and has a lot of respect for his game,” said Jones. “Yeah, I have much respect for him and hope he has no success against us.”

Garrett is tied for second in the league in sacks with eleven and has three forced fumbles, maintaining his dominance as the top defensive end.

“Anytime you get on the field as a competitor,” said Jones. “You want to outdo anyone you get on the field with a few competitors. So I think that aspect speaks for itself. But I happen to hope he has no success.”

Jones hasn’t had many sacks this season due to constant double teams, but he has created opportunities for teammates. On Sunday, Garrett’s presence on the other sidelines could fuel the star defensive lineman in Cleveland.

Chase Young tied his career-high in pressures against the Giants

Next Gen Stats: Chase Young has the fourth-most quarterback pressures in the NFL, having tied his single-game career-high against the Giants on Sunday

Chase Young led the New Orleans Saints in pressures. against the New York Giants. He may not have brought down Drew Lock, but, per Next Gen Stats, Young recorded 10 pressures, nine of which came against Joshua Ezeudu. This performance ties Young’s career high in pressures.

No Saint has recorded this many pressures in a game this year. To make it even more impressive, Young registered six pressures in less than 2.5 seconds. That’s the most quick pressures by a Saints defender since 2018.

In a way, this game is a microcosm of Young’s season with the Saints. Sacks continue to elude the free agent acquisition, but he’s been getting pressures all year. He entered the game with the fifth-most pressures in the NFL, and moved into fourth place after Sunday’s high output.

Some feel as if Young isn’t living up to the hype because of low sack numbers. He’s only at 3.5 on the season, which ranks fourth on the team. On a similar note, that would be one of the reasons his game could have flown under the radar.

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Bryan Bresee credits his teammates for jump in sack production

Bryan Bresee has already exceeded his sack total from his rookie season. What changed from Year 1 to Year 2? He credits his teammates:

Bryan Bresee has surpassed his sack total from his rookie year, and he has a chance to lead all defensive tackles in sacks this season. Dexter Lawrence leads the league with 9 sacks at the position but is on injured reserve. The New Orleans Saints won’t have to face him when they play the New York Giants this week.

When the New Orleans Saints drafted Bresee in the first round, explosiveness was one of his featured traits. That quickly translated to his ability to get after the quarterback in the NFL.

What has contributed to the bump from 4.5 sacks a year ago to 6.5 sacks with five games remaining this season?

Bresee said how sacks are a team stat: “I think a lot of people look at sacks as a single person stat, but at the same time you have to look at the defensive backs covering. You have to look at the other defensive linemen you’re running games with. There’s a lot that goes into sacks.”

On an individual level, the improvement came from a better grasp of the game. Bresee continued, “Being able to understand what I’m going against every week, who I’m going against, what I think is going to work on them and being able to develop plans.”

It wasn’t immediate, but Bresee has began to piece together what he needs to craft a more intentional pass rush plan. It’s resulted in a more productive sophomore season.

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Chiefs DT Chris Jones comments on Charles Omenihu’s Week 13 return: ‘It was good to get him back’

Kansas City #Chiefs DT Chris Jones comments on Charles Omenihu’s Week 13 return: ‘It was good to get him back’ | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro defensive lineman Chris Jones is a leader for his unit and has commanded so much attention from offensive lines this season. He spoke with reporters Thursday about his excitement to have veteran sack specialist Charles Omenihu in the lineup against the Las Vegas Raiders for Week 13.

“It was fun. It was fun; It was good to get him back. He worked his butt off to be back and to have him back out there doing what he does best, rushing the passer.” said Jones. “I think he played more than we actually planned for him to play, and he looked really, really good. So we’re excited about that. We’ve got to keep him going and continue to get better with that. You know, he can bring a lot of versatility to our pass-rush unit. So, we always can do more sacks, man.”

Jones took advantage of Omenihu’s return to the lineup with two sacks on Raiders quarterback Aiden O’Connell. He now owns 80.5 career sacks, breaking a tie with Justin Houston to move into fourth place for most
sacks in franchise history. Jones already owns the franchise record for most sacks by a defensive tackle.

Nik Bonitto has matched an impressive Von Miller stat

Nik Bonitto and Von Miller are the only players in Broncos history to record 10+ sacks and grab a pick-six in the same season.

Denver Broncos pass rusher Nik Bonitto had another huge performance in a 41-32 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football in Week 13.

Bonitto recorded a sack and grabbed a 71-yard pick-six in the win. Following that impressive play, Bonitto became just the second player in franchise history to record at least ten sacks and a pick-six in the same season, joining Broncos legend Von Miller.

Nix’s 71-yard return was the third-longest by a linebacker in franchise history, only trailing Randy Gradishar (93 yards in 1980) and Tom Jackson (73 yards in 1977).

Bonitto reached a top speed of 19.88 mph on his return, the second-fastest among linebackers carrying the ball this season, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.

Following the play, the father of Broncos star cornerback Pat Surtain called for Bonitto to win the Defensive Player of the Year award.

Surtain Sr. certainly isn’t alone in his stance.

Bonitto still has another year on his contract after this season, but after giving Jonathon Cooper a big extension, Bonitto’s deal should be the team’s next priority.

“I’ve been trying to tell people I used to play safety back in the day and people are surprised,” Bonitto said after the game. “Just trying to do my job. When I saw a chance to break on the ball, I kind of just went and did that.”

Bonitto’s 11 sacks this season rank second in the NFL, only trailing Trey Hendrickson (11.5). He’ll look to build on that total after the bye when the Broncos host the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15.

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