Tag: safety

Steelers’ safety is ranked 1st by PFF in run defense

Steelers’ safety DeShon Elliott has been great through seven games of football. PFF has recognized him as the best run defending safety.

Pro Football Focus has decided to give Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott his flowers. The former Raven was acquired in free agency by Pittsburgh during the 2024 offseason and has made his presence felt immediately. While Steelers free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick hasn’t had his usual success this season, struggling to record any splash plays, Elliott has played at an elite level thus far. 

PFF has an interesting reputation in Pittsburgh, as the polarizing grades of Steelers players have sometimes left a lot to be desired. However, Elliott is currently being graded by the organization as the best safety in the 2024 NFL season against the run. 

While many were aware of the talent Elliott possessed, no one could have truly predicted the impact the Pittsburgh strong safety would make when he signed his two-year, $6.0 million dollar contract back in March.

Elliott is a key component to this Steelers’ defense and why it has played at such an elite level in 2024, and will look to continue his dominance against the run when his team takes on the NY Giants in Monday Night Football, on October 28th at 8:15 PM EST.

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Legendary Steelers safety credits his NFL career to Danny Smith

Ex-Steelers safety Ryan Clark credited his former special teams coach Danny Smith with giving him his first NFL start.

When fans think of a Steelers legend who consistently poured his heart and soul out on the field for the team, they look no further than former safety Ryan Clark.

Clark is regarded as one of the many great safeties to come through the Steel City, and none of it would have been possible without one coach in particular. The former safety turned ESPN analyst credited Danny Smith, who is now the Steelers special teams coach, with giving him his first shot in the NFL with the Washington Redskins.

Smith made headlines last week on “Sunday Night Football” when he displayed his passion for his unit’s elite set of plays, one of which was incorrectly called back.

Clark’s admiration for Smith speaks volumes about the type of environment that Pittsburgh has fostered for generations.

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Broncos cut 2 players from active roster on Tuesday

The Broncos cut LB Kristian Welch and DB Tanner McCalister from the active roster on Tuesday.

The Denver Broncos cut two players from their active roster on Tuesday, according to a report from KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

The Broncos released inside linebacker Kristian Welch and waived safety Tanner McCalister from the 53-man roster. Both players could be potential candidates to return on the practice squad.

Welch signed with Denver on Aug. 29. He played in the first six games of the season, earning one start. He played 97 snaps on special teams and 36 snaps on defense over the last six weeks.

McCalister joined the Broncos in January and he dressed for three games this season, playing exclusively on special teams (54 snaps).

Denver opening up two spots on the active roster might mean that two players are on the verge of returning from injured reserve. Broncos right tackle Mike McGlinchey (MCL), outside linebacker Baron Browning (foot) and cornerback Damarri Mathis (ankle) are all eligible to return from IR this week.

Denver will face the New Orleans Saints on Thursday Night Football on Oct. 17.

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37-year-old T.J. Ward (jokingly?) says he could help Cowboys on defense

Former NFL safety T.J. Ward, 37, informed the Cowboys that he can still tackle, and he told the team to call him.

The Dallas Cowboys were absolutely embarrassed by the Detroit Lions in a 47-9 loss at AT&T Stadium on Sunday.

Former NFL safety T.J. Ward apparently watched the game and he (jokingly?) suggested on Twitter/X that he could help the Cowboys.

“Ay @dallascowboys I can still tackle. Hit my phone,” Ward tweeted.

Ward is 37 years old (he’ll turn 38 in December) and he last spent time in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals in 2020. He retired from the NFL in 2021.

Ward played for the Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cards during his eight-year career in the NFL. He clearly was not impressed with Dallas’ performance against Detroit:

https://twitter.com/BossWard43/status/1845608615216140331

Ward was a key member of the Broncos’ famous “No Fly Zone” secondary that helped the team win Super Bowl 50 following the 2015 season. A two-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro, Ward totaled 607 tackles, 44 pass breakups, 10 forced fumbles, 8.5 sacks and eight interceptions in his career. We’ll see if the Cowboys give him a call.

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Caden Sterns has had an insane tenure with the Eagles

Caden Sterns has been signed, cut, signed, cut, signed, cut, signed and cut by the Eagles this season.

Former Denver Broncos safety Caden Sterns has had a crazy tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles this season.

The Eagles released Sterns from their practice squad again on Thursday, marking the team’s eighth transaction involving the safety in 2024.

Sterns is apparently still attempting to bounce back from the knee injury he suffered last season with the Broncos and he’s struggling to hold down a spot in Philadelphia. Here’s a look back at the safety’s timeline since his injury:

Sterns will turn 25 next month, so he’s clearly still young enough to have a future in the NFL. We’ll see if the Eagles end up bringing him back yet again.

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Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo explains the legacy left by former All-Pro Safety

Kansas City #Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo explains the legacy left by Tyrann Mathieu | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs’ defense has dramatically improved over the years, primarily due to veteran talent that changed the culture.

During Friday’s press conference, Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo praised former star defensive back Tyrann Mathieu.

“Listen, I’ve got a special place in my heart for (Saints S) Tyrann (Mathieu), right? He’s a special guy. It’ll be great to see him” said Spagnuolo. “I think the last time – I think we saw him when we went down there (to New Orleans) (for the) preseason game. Yeah, that’s the last time we got the chance to give him a big hug, but (I) love Tyrann.

Mathieu signed with his hometown, New Orleans Saints, before the start of the 2023 season but made sure to leave an ongoing legacy within the Chiefs secondary.

“You know, I see it every day. It’s a little thing, but our DBs, before we – you guys aren’t out there until we get to stretch, right?” said Spagnuolo “Usually, about 10 minutes before that, all of the DBs are out on the field, and they’re doing footwork and (Defensive Backs Coach) Dave’s (Merritt) with them and (Safeties Coach) Donald’s (D’Alesio) with them, but that was really established with Tyrann all the way back (in 2019). He was pulling those guys out of the locker room 10 minutes early, so that’s a leadership thing.”

Mathieu spent three seasons in Kansas City, earning Pro Bowl selections twice, first-team All-Pro honors in 2020 and second-team honors in 2019. He made an impression on a young L’Jarius Sneed, who has then passed on traits to current lead defensive back Trent McDuffie.

“I think he laid a foundation here, especially in the secondary, of some of the things that we do quite frankly and the way (that) they operate,” said Spagnuolo. “I know those years. Looking back on when he was first here (Titans CB L’Jarius Sneed), LJ was young at the time, and I remember him learning from Tyrann. Then, Tyrann left, and LJ was teaching Trent (McDuffie), so there’s been a trickle down, and I think we owe Tyrann a lot for what he did when he was here.”

If he’s available to play on Monday, Mathieu should expect some applause and appreciation from the Arrowhead Stadium crowd.

Broncos worked out 2 defensive backs on Thursday

The Broncos worked out defensive backs Marquise Blair and Alex Johnson on Thursday.

The Denver Broncos brought in a pair of defensive backs for workouts on Thursday, according to the NFL’s transaction wire (via KPRC-TV’s Aaron Wilson).

The Broncos hosted Marquise Blair and Alex Johnson on a tryout basis. As of the time of this writing, neither defensive back has been signed.

Blair (6-1, 196 pounds) entered the league as a second-round pick out of Utah with the Seattle Seahawks in 2019. He spent the first three years of his career in Seattle, totaling 49 tackles and three pass breakups in 22 games (three starts) from 2019-2021.

After being waived by the Seahawks in 2022, Blair played in three games with the Carolina Panthers before later joining the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023. He returned to Seattle this summer and spent part of the season the Seahawks’ practice squad before being released on Sept. 24. Blair is a safety who can also play as a slot cornerback.

Johnson (6-0, 185 pounds) is a rookie out of UCLA who spent time with the New York Giants this summer. He is a nickel cornerback who spent six seasons at the college level. Johnson grabbed five interceptions and broke up three passes in his final season with the Bruins last fall.

Broncos worked out two players

  1. DB Marquise Blair (Utah)
  2. DB Alex Johnson (UCLA)

The 53-man roster and 17-player practice squad are both full, so if the Broncos add a defensive back, they will need to make room on the team with a corresponding roster move.

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Broncos DB Brandon Jones is PFF’s No. 1 safety this season

Broncos defensive back Brandon Jones is PFF’s highest-graded safety (90.0) through four games this season.

Four games into his career with the Denver Broncos, Brandon Jones is currently graded as the NFL’s best safety by Pro Football Focus.

PFF has given Jones an overall grade of 90.0, with an 87.9 coverage grade. The 26-year-old safety joined Denver after the team released Justin Simmons this spring.

“I’m pleased because there’s a little bit of unknown just not having him and, man, he’s got real good football instincts, savvy, the ball finds him,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said when asked about Jones following the team’s 10-9 win over the New York Jets on Sunday. “He’s doing well.”

Jones is Denver’s first player since 2015 to record at least one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in the team’s first four games of a season. The last player to do it was Darian Stewart, a member of the No Fly Zone defense that won Super Bowl 50.

Jones has totaled 24 tackles, two pass breakups and two takeaways through four games with the Broncos. He was an excellent signing this offseason.

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WATCH: Broncos score TD after Brandon Jones intercepts Baker Mayfield pass

What a great play by Broncos safety Brandon Jones!

Denver Broncos safety Brandon Jones intercepted a Baker Mayfield pass intended for Mike Evans on Sunday afternoon.

Here’s video of the play, courtesy of team’s official Twitter/X page:

Following that turnover, the Broncos scored on an impressive one-yard Jaleel McLaughlin touchdown run:

At the time of publication, Denver now leads 14-0 in the first quarter.

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NFL fined P.J. Locke (twice) for sequence that upset Sean Payton

P.J. Locke got an earful from Sean Payton after he was penalized and slammed his helmet in Week 2. Now the NFL has fined the safety.

Denver Broncos safety P.J. Locke’s hit on Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III in Week 2 proved to be a costly play.

Locke was penalized for unnecessary roughness after his hit on a defenseless receiver, then the safety slammed his helmet on the ground in frustration. After the penalty and outburst, Locke got an earful from Broncos coach Sean Payton on the sideline.

Now the NFL’s also letting him hear it in the form of fines.

Yes, plural fines — Locke was fined $13,972 for the hit (unnecessary roughness) and another $13,972 for removing his helmet (unsportsmanlike conduct), according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

That’s a total of $27,944 worth of fines for Locke in Week 2.

Broncos center Luke Wattenberg was also fined $5,872 for a blindside block against the Steelers, an unnecessary roughness offense that was not penalized during the game. The NFL handed down that fine after reviewing Sunday’s film.

Last week, Denver safety Brandon Jones was fined $11,255 for unnecessary roughness and pass rusher Nik Bonitto was fined $8,791 for a roughing the passer penalty. Through two games this season, Broncos players have been fined a total of $53,862.

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