Tag: sacks

From the UFL to NFL, Dondrea Tillman is making the most of his opportunity with Broncos

Dondrea Tillman joined the Broncos after winning three titles with the UFL’s Birmingham Stallions. He recorded two sacks in his NFL debut.

Dondrea Tillman has had quite a football journey.

After playing college football at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Tillman spent two years out of football. He then got an opportunity to play in The Spring League in 2021.

The pass rusher’s performance in that league impressed coaches from the Birmingham Stallions, who used a third-round pick to select Tillman in the 2022 USFL draft. Tillman went on to win three straight titles with the Stallions (two in the USFL and one in the UFL this spring).

Tillman dominated spring football and the Denver Broncos signed him following the conclusion of the UFL’s 2024 season. After the Broncos lost Baron Browning to a foot injury, Tillman was promoted to the 53-man roster ahead of the team’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3.

Making his NFL debut on Sunday, Tillman became the first Denver player since at least 1970 to record two sacks in his debut.

https://twitter.com/Broncos/status/1838247470415155682

“We weren’t going to just let the other three play 60 snaps or 50 snaps,” coach Sean Payton said of the outside linebacker rotation. “A guy like that was coming up, he’s got to be playing in the kicking game and then getting snaps on defense. I was pleased with his effort.

“He’s strong. I’ve mentioned earlier in the week, we’ve seen a lot from him. I was excited to see him take advantage of the opportunity.”

The Broncos’ defense dominated from start to finish with seven sacks and two takeaways in a 26-7 victory. Tillman finished the day with three total tackles and his two sacks resulted in the loss of 18 yards for Tampa Bay.

https://twitter.com/mikeklis9news/status/1837950675134677318

“It feels great,” Tillman said after the game, via the Denver Post‘s Parker Gabriel. “It’s been a lot of time. I’ve been waiting for this. It’s a dream come true. It’s really a blessing.”

After impressing in his first NFL game, the 26-year-old Tillman figures to remain a part of Denver’s pass rush rotation going forward.

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Chris Jones is approaching a Chiefs legend on the franchise’s most career sacks list

Chris Jones is approaching a Kansas City #Chiefs legend Justin Houston on the franchise’s most career sacks list | @EdEastonJr

The 2024 regular season is entering its third week, and multiple players are already approaching milestones for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones spoke to the media on Thursday about moving up the franchise’s most career sacks list.

“Listen, those are the guys that came in here and laid the foundation for me to look forward to and try to one day even get close to their names and stuff,” said Jones. “When you go from players like (Chiefs 2024 Hall of Fame Inductee) Tamba Hali, (Former NFL player) Justin Houston, and most importantly (PFHOF) Derrick Thomas, who is the all-time (sack) leader, I think, at 126.5 (sacks) – but who’s counting?

Jones is trailing four Chiefs legends on the all-time sacks leaders list, with Justin Houston being the closest to overtake this season. Houston stands at 78.5 sacks, with Jones currently only two behind after having last week’s half a sack rescinded by the NFL.

“You look up to those types of guys because they set the foundation of what greatness should look like and what to be superior looks like,” said Jones. “When my name is even mentioned at the bottom of that category, it’s an honor, but there’s still a lot of more work to do.”

Jones was unhappy about his half-sack being taken away but is poised to continue to add to his career resume.

Chiefs DT Chris Jones responds to NFL stat correction: ‘Give me my half a sack back’

Kansas City #Chiefs DT Chris Jones responds to NFL stat correction: ‘Give me my half a sack back’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs are 2-0, and that’s the most important stat for a team heading into Week 3. However, another essential statistic is that one of their star players is unhappy with the league’s decision.

Chiefs All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones didn’t hold back his frustration with the NFL during Thursday’s press conference for removing his half-a sack initially credited to him from Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

“Alright, listen, I’m trying my best not to get fined, but in my nine years of playing, three days later, my hand was clearly on him. I don’t know who viewed it. I can’t tell you how many eyes viewed this play.” said Jones. “Play 29, but who’s counting that we both touched him at the same time.”

Jones is known for being very detailed regarding his sack statistics, as evident in securing his contract incentive bonus during Week 18 last season.

“I look at it like this. We go back to last year. I wrap up Russell Wilson, bringing him down. George (Karlaftis) touched him as he was going down to give him a half (sack), right? I don’t report it, but if we (are) that critical on sacks, It would have put me at 11 sacks last year. “Said Jones. “This year, I said I worked so hard to get half (a sack) we’re gonna pull it. We need to get more eyes on it.”

The veteran pass rusher comically declared he’s bringing this to everyone’s attention to help the many sports betting and fantasy football players affected by the stat change.

“We are only human. We make mistakes, but I’m trusting in the league,” said Jones. “and all the individuals that partake in the statistic-wise, and all the fantasy players that whoever won Sunday and lost yesterday, that we able to redeem that and get their money back, because I’m on you guys side.”

Jones would reference finding out about the situation on X (Twitter) and continue venting, hilariously mentioning George Karlaftis’ offer to buy him dinner.

“On Twitter, and honest to God, out of my nine years of plan, I never seen it. I never seen it happen. It never, never happened to me. It was a first for me.” said Jones. “I was traumatized and destroyed by it. Very emotional, as you can see, I don’t want the dinner. I want my half a sack. Okay, keep that dinner. I don’t want the dinner, just give me my half a sack back. I worked for it. I’m not asking for anything that I didn’t earn.”

ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky: Bills defensive line is ‘starting to show itself’

ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky: ‘(Bills’) defensive line is starting to show itself’

After a slow start in the first half of Week 1, the Buffalo Bills’ pass rush has been dominant to start the season, and it has national media personalities buzzing about their potential this year.

ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky joined the Bills’ radio program “One Bills Live” this week and complimented the Bills’ D-line, more specifically the pass rush.

“It’s two weeks into the season, but I do think the [Bills’] defensive line is starting to show itself when it gets to Ed [Oliver], [AJ] Epenesa, Greg [Rousseau], and Von [Miller] in some of those obvious pass situations,” Orlovsky said.

There were concerns about the pass rush going into the season after losing Leonard Floyd to the San Francisco 49ers, but Rousseau has taken his game to another level in year three and Miller looks like his old self. Parlay that with a steady force in Oliver in the middle, and this puts their pass rush among the best in the league to start the season.

“I think the way that Buffalo is handling Von is really smart… I think Greg is really starting to show himself… Ed obviously had another big game,” Orlovsky said.

According to Pro Football Focus, the Bills have the fourth-best pass-rush grade in the NFL, trailing only the Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns. The run defense has looked middle-of-the-pack thus far, but it has done enough to put the opposing offenses in second-and-long and third-and-long situations. That is when the pass rush is getting there in a blink, some ending in sacks but most affecting the throw from the quarterback.

Through two weeks, the Bills are tied for tenth in sacks (6), and tied for fourth in interceptions (3).

The Bills’ pass rush will try to disrupt the Jacksonville Jaguars’ offense on “Monday Night Football,” much like the Browns did in Week 2 when they posted ten hurries and four sacks on 17 total pressures.

“You do not want either of those tackles single blocking Rousseau and or Von right now,” warned Orlovsky regarding the Jaguars’ offensive tackles.

[lawrence-related id=140400,140367,140385]

Broncos OLB Jonathon Cooper posted the NFL’s best pressure rate in Week 1

Broncos OLB rusher Jonathon Cooper generated pressure on 41.2% of his pass rush snaps in Week 1, the best percentage in the NFL.

Denver Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper posted the NFL’s best pressure rate (41.2%) in the team’s season opener against the Seattle Seahawks, according to The 33rd Team.

That pressure led to a pair of sacks for Cooper, tied for third-most in the league. The pass rusher would have traded those sacks for a win.

“It’s okay, it’s good,” Cooper said of the sacks after a 26-20 loss in Seattle. “It wasn’t enough because we didn’t win. I feel like the win is what’s most important. Always, always. It doesn’t matter if I have five sacks in the first half. If we don’t get that win, then what’s the point?”

Cooper’s performance in Week 1 did not surprise defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.

“I’ve been a fan of ‘Coop’ for years,” Joseph said Thursday. “He’s only improved each year I’ve been here in the last two years. He is a good football player. Versus the run and versus the pass, he wins his one-on-ones. He is the same every day, so I’m not surprised that he was winning one-on-ones.”

This week, Cooper will go up against a Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line that allowed two sacks in Week 1. Cooper will aim to build on his sack total in a winning effort on Sunday.

“The one thing you always see from ‘Coop,’ number one, he’s a downhill straight-line, he’s a physical player,” coach Sean Payton said. “So that becomes a load if you’re a tight end or even if you’re a tackle. You feel a strong presence.

“He’s certainly one of our edge players that we rely on. Not only for pressure in the passing game, but also setting an edge in the run game.”

After leading the team with 8.5 sacks last season, Cooper is well on his way to the first double-digit sack campaign of his career.

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Saints vs. Cowboys features 3 of the NFL’s top 5 sacks leaders

The Saints offensive line has to be ready for a Cowboys defense who had two players register multiple sacks in Week 1, plus Micah Parsons:

You may see the quarterback on the ground quite a bit when the New Orleans Saints travel to Arlington, Texas to take on the Dallas Cowboys. This showdown features three players who registered multiple sacks in Week 1.

There’s good and bad news on this front.

The good news is the Saints have the player with the most. Alontae Taylor leads the league in sacks with three from Week 1. The bad news is the Cowboys have the other two players. It gets even worse when you realize neither of those two players are Micah Parsons. DeMarcus Lawrence and Eric Kendricks notched two sacks on Sunday.

Kendricks is a linebacker, so, like Taylor, he rushes the passer on blitzes. Expect Mike Zimmer to call Kendricks’ name a couple times on Sunday. Unfortunately for the Saints, Taylor’s blitzing will likely be minimal because of the Cowboys receiving corps

Two players who registered multiple sacks and a two-time All-Pro? That’s a scary sight for an offensive line still looking to prove themselves. It’s important for the Saints’ defensive line to register pressure of their own. The story of Week 2 could easily be told in the trenches.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Alontae Taylor snubbed for Defensive Player of Week 1 recognition

Alontae Taylor was snubbed for the NFC Defensive Player of Week 1 award. Not everyone gets a Will Levis pick-six thrown right to them:

Credit where it’s due: Tyrique Stevenson made a big play when the ball was thrown to him. The Chicago Bears defensive back intercepted Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis and scored a game-changing touchdown on the return that left the second-year passer falling to his knees with his helmet in his hands in disbelief.

But come on. Anyone can intercept Levis. New Orleans Saints nickel Alontae Taylor was the first defensive back to record three sacks in a single game in team history. It’s just the thirteenth time in NFL history that a cornerback or safety has done that. But it was Stevenson recognized as the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 1.

Look a little deeper. Pro Football Focus charting found that Taylor was targeted 4 times against the Carolina Panthers, but he yielded just 35 yards and a single first down on 2 receptions, with a pass breakup. Stevenson was targeted 9 times and allowed 3 catches for 42 yards, each reception converting a first down, including a touchdown. He also had a pass breakup and that pick-six. In the official NFL gamebook, Taylor was credited with 5 tackles plus an 1 assist. Stevenson had 2 tackles and as many assists.

Both players enjoyed strong performances. But only one of them made history. Taylor will just have to wait for his recognition another day.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Chase Young makes an instant impact in Saints debut

Chase Young registered six pressures in his first game with the Saints according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Disruption is production:

The New Orleans Saints brought Chase Young in with one clear intention in mind: amplify the pass rush. In his first game with the Black and Gold, he achieved this objective. It’s admittedly a small sample size against a poor Carolina Panthers offensive line, but so far he has done what the Saints brought him in to do.

You may look at the box score and question this sentiment because Young didn’t register a sack. Per NFL Next Gen Stats, however, Young recorded six pressures. That was the best on the team and better than double the next closest player on the team.

This is the desired effect everyone hoped for. Pressures are like the forgotten child of the pass rush family at times, but they help tell the full story of how well a player is getting after the quarterback. Disruption is production.

Those pressures will need to turn into sacks eventually, but for the season debut it’s a good start.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Broncos coach Sean Payton pleased with QBs not taking sacks

Broncos QBs were not sacked in the preseason opener, much to the delight of coach Sean Payton: “That was a big issue for us a year ago.”

Russell Wilson was sacked 100 times in two seasons (30 games) with the Denver Broncos from 2022-2023.

It’s obviously not an apples-to-apples comparison because regular season football and preseason football differ greatly, but it is a positive sign that Denver’s quarterbacks were not sacked once in their preseason opener on Sunday.

The offensive line obviously deserves a lot of credit, but the Broncos’ quarterbacks also released the ball quickly, which is something coach Sean Payton preaches.

“Yeah listen, ball out,” Payton said after a 34-30 win over the Indianapolis Colts. “I like the timing, the tempo of when we’re releasing it. That was a big issue for us a year ago with the minus plays. We were towards the back, back half of the league – I think fourth [worst]. So, I was pleased with the timing of what we were doing throwing the ball. It’s important.”

Jarrett Stidham started the game and while he only got two drives, the QB was kept upright.

“Yeah, first off, I thought our o-line – they played great tonight, or today,” Stidham said after the game. “They did great. I mean they’ve been practicing super, super well all training camp. And super proud of those guys.

“And our job is to get the ball out of our hands and find the open guy and if it’s not there, then move around, make some plays with our feet. So, I thought we did a good job of that today. And like I said, that o-line played amazing.”

Broncos rookie Bo Nix replaced Stidham late in the first quarter and he led four scoring drives. Nix was protected well and when things did break down, he made plays with his legs. Nix finished the game with three rushes for 17 yards, and he also bought time to find receivers down field several times.

“It’s really important not to take sacks,” Nix said. “It’s all about knowing where your outlets are, knowing when you’re hot, having a good feel for the pocket, and it’s just being on time, being in rhythm. If you’re one or two is not there, getting to three in a quick manner. I always say I feel like I can take a three hitch and throw and get the ball out without them physically being able to get to me. You know, I think it’s all about a quarterback’s timing.

“The offensive line did a great job today, keeping us up, and they’re going to continue to work to master picking up blitzes and making sure that we’re on the same page of protections. But all that is is work throughout the week, but it was good to get out there in a real game and feel that pocket, and like we say, just get the ball out on time, and usually you can avoid sacks.”

Zach Wilson finished the game with the third-string offense and he did not take any sacks, either. It’s only preseason, of course, but Sunday’s performance reflects well on the offensive line’s depth and Denver’s quarterbacks getting the ball out quickly. We’ll see if that trend continues against the Green Bay Packers in Week 2 of preseason.

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Countdown to Kickoff, Day 94: Cameron Jordan is the Saints Player of the Day

Countdown to Kickoff, Day 94: Cameron Jordan is the New Orleans Saints Player of the Day. What are expectations for him in 2024?

There are 94 days to go until the New Orleans Saints kick  off their 2024 season with the Carolina Panthers, which means Cameron Jordan — the current owner  of the No. 94 jersey — is our Saints Player of  the Day. We’re counting down to kickoff by highlighting each player in the corresponding jersey number until Sept. 8.

Jordan is coming off of a down year, which may feel inevitable this late in his career. But before we get to his goals for 2024, let’s reflect on the road that brought him here:

  • Name (Age): Cameron Jordan (34)
  • Position: Defensive end
  • Height, weight: 6-foot-4, 287 pounds
  • Relative Athletic Score: 8.86
  • 2024 salary cap hit: $13,852,250
  • College: California
  • Drafted: First round in 2011 (New Orleans Saints)
  • NFL experience: 14 seasons

Jordan is the Saints’ official all-time sacks leader (with 117.5 of them) but he only had two sacks last season before an ankle injury limited his snap counts. In 2022, 5 of his 8.5 sacks came in just two games. He isn’t the same pass rusher he once was, and the Saints shouldn’t keep asking him to play the same role in their defense. But they don’t have many better options with Payton Turner and Isaiah Foskey developing so slowly. Tanoh Kpassagnon’s injury takes  him off the board, too. The hope is Chase Young can add enough to thee pass rush opposite Carl Granderson to make up for Jordan’s decline, but he’s dealing with his own injury.

It isn’t a great situation. By all accounts the Saints are still intending on Jordan playing a lot of snaps and starting with Granderson. Until someone steps up to help Jordan shoulder the load, he’s going to continue playing heavy minutes on Sundays. He maintained an impressive pace of at least 7.5 sacks per season from 2012 to 2022, but those days may be behind him.

If that’s the case, we’re saying Jordan should aim for 5.5 sacks in 2024. That would be an improvement and tie Rickey Jackson for the Saints’ unofficial all-time record at Pro Football Reference. Sacks were not officially tracked until 1982, which didn’t include Jackson’s rookie season in 1981, so his unofficial total is 123. Seeing Jordan tie that would be good. Beating it would be great.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]