Tag: special teams

Texans 100: Facts and Figures for Patriots on Sunday Night Football, No. 76-100

The facts conclude with a look at the NBC Sports broadcast crew, and a few Houston Texans and New England Patriots defense and special teams stats.

The Houston Texans and the New England Patriots get ready for Sunday Night Football at NRG Stadium, and we finish up the 100 facts with a look at the clubs’ special teams, defense, and a few top performers.

Facts and Figures for Patriots, No. 1-25

Facts and Figures for Patriots, No. 26-50

Facts and Figures for Patriots, No. 51-75

broadcast facts

Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

76. This is the fifth game in the series to be in prime time, including playoffs.

77. NBC will be broadcasting their second game in the series. Here is the breakdown by network:

CBS: 9

NBC: 1

ESPN: 1

NFL Network: 1

 

78. The Texans are 5-5 on NBC with a 2-0 record in postseason.

79. The Texans are 3-5 when Al Michaels calls their games.

80. The Texans are 4-5 when Collinsworth does color commentary for their games.

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Seahawks have a plan at fullback if Nick Bellore is out

The Seattle Seahawks have a backup plan if fullback Nick Bellore is unable to suit up on Monday, but Pete Carroll won’t say what it is.

Seattle Seahawks fullback Nick Bellore exited Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles with a quad injury, and it looks like the veteran might be out for Monday night’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.

“Nick’s not able to practice right now,” coach Pete Carroll confirmed on Wednesday. “He’s got a pretty good quad injury. We’re gonna wait a little bit on him.”

Bellore does most of his work on the special teams for Seattle, having only been targeted once on the season, which went for a 20-yard gain.

However, Bellore is Seattle’s only fullback, and if he is unable to play in Week 13 the team will either have to play without a fullback, or find someone else who can play the position.

Carroll indicated on Wednesday that, if Bellore is out, they do have a backup plan at fullback. However, he didn’t want to divulge any secrets as to what that plan might be.

“You’re gonna have to wait and see on that one,” Carroll said. “Why would we tell them now?”

Seattle could certainly opt to use one of their tight ends, potentially Luke Willson if he’s healthy, at that spot. Additionally, while none of their running backs have the prototypical build and skill set to play in that role, Carroll could certainly get creative and utilize someone like Travis Homer if need be.

Lastly, the team doesn’t use fullbacks on too many offensive sets as it is, so they could opt to just go without if Bellore has to sit out.

Regardless of what the team opts to do, it’s clear Carroll won’t make that information available before the game, as a way to maintain his competitive advantage.

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David Moore will continue to return punts for Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks replaced Tyler Lockett with David Moore as a punt returner on Sunday, and he may continue in that role going forward.

Seattle Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett was able to suit up and play on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, but the scary leg injury he suffered late in Week 10 against the San Francisco 49ers was clearly still impacting him.

Lockett only hauled in one reception, on two targets, and he was not utilized in his usual role as the team’s kick and punt returner – a role he was named an All-Pro for back in 2016.

David Moore served as the team’s punt returner in Lockett’s place, and looked very solid. He had an opportunity to return three punts and gained 20 total yards for a 6.7 average yards per return.

The heavy wind made kicking, and catching, extremely difficult all game long, making Moore’s performance all the more impressive.

“It was a very difficult game to catch punts, he made it look easy,” coach Pete Carroll said on 710 ESPN’s Pete Carroll show. “Obviously, he’s a natural back there. He did a really good job. We’ve always known that, he’s just been behind Tyler (Lockett). It really helps us out. Tyler didn’t get to practice this stuff all week long the way he normally does, and so David did and he came through in great fashion. He made it look like he was right at home there.”

Moore didn’t return any punts last year, but he did serve as a return man while in college at East Central Oklahoma.

Lockett’s leg injury is expected to be fully healed by Seattle’s next game, Monday night against Minnesota, but Carroll indicated Moore may get additional opportunities as a returner this season.

“He will be part of it for sure, as we move forward,” Carroll continued. “We’ll pick and choose how we do it.”

The Seahawks finally return home after a long Thanksgiving week, where they will host the Vikings on Monday night at 5:15 p.m. PT.

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Ex-Broncos punter Marquette King lands in XFL

Former Raiders and Broncos punter Marquette King plans to play in the XFL in 2020.

Former Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos punter Marquette King was selected by the St. Louis BattleHawks in the supplemental round of the XFL draft last week. King will begin playing in the new league in February.

After spending the first six years of his career with the Raiders, King signed a three-year, $7 million contract with the Broncos last April. His time in Denver was shortlived due in part to a thigh injury.

Before being placed on injured reserve (and later being released), King averaged 44.1 yards per punt in four games last year with a net average of 39.7 yards per punt. He was replaced by Colby Wadman.

Wadman hasn’t exactly been a fan favorite since taking over punting duties. The second-year punter is averaging 43.8 yards per punt this season with a net average of 38.4 yards per punt. Both of those averages are below King’s totals from 2018.

Last week, King tweeted a message of support for the punter that replaced him.

King implied that the Broncos’ coaching staff had him change his punting technique last year which hurt his consistency. King seems to believe that the same thing is happening to Wadman this year.

Tom McMahon has been Denver’s special teams coordinator since 2018.

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New Award Names Notre Dame Senior A Finalist

Because aside from a speed bump late against Virginia Tech, he hasn’t messed up in those 37 games.

John Shannon has started the last 37 games for Notre Dame, a stretch that has seen the Irish go 31-6 and compete in the College Football Playoff.

But chances are unless you’re an absolute diehard fan, that you don’t recognize the name.

That’s because aside from a speed bump late against Virginia Tech, he hasn’t messed up in those 37 games.

John Shannon is Notre Dame’s long-snapper and despite having a remaining year of eligibility, it appears he may be headed to the FBI or Secret Service instead of returning to Notre Dame for one final season in 2020.

Before Shannon ultimately makes that decision though, he’ll go down as one of the best in the country at the specific task as Monday saw him named a finalist for the inaugural Patrick Mannelly Award.

Joining Shannon as finalists are Liam McCullough of Ohio State and Steven Wirtel of Iowa State.

The winner of the inaugural award will be announced December 14 in Lake Bluff, Illinois.

Patrick Mannelly is widely-regarded as the best long-snapper of the modern NFL era (Award websites words, not mine). The longtime Chicago Bears long snapper played more games as a Bear (245) than any other player in history.

What will the Texans miss with LB Dylan Cole out for the season?

Linebacker Dylan Cole tore his ACL in Week 12 and is done for the year. What will the Houston Texans miss with Cole out of commission?

Dylan Cole did not play more than 39% of defensive snaps in any single game in 2019. However, when the Houston Texans lost him for the season on Thursday to a torn ACL, they felt it.

Cole, the team’s special team captain, wasn’t a superstar on the Texans’ 53-man roster. However, his loss to the team was as profound as when J.J. Watt suffered a torn pectoral in Week 8. The third-year linebacker is a leader.

“I think any time you lose a guy like Dylan, like when we lost J.J., you lose guys that — forget about the team for a second, just the personal part of that,” coach Bill O’Brien told reporters Monday. “It means so much to those guys to play. Dylan was a captain, special teams captain, was a leader in the locker room. Was really, really good at his role, like one of the better players in the league at his role.”

Cole played a unique role for the Texans. Since going undrafted out of Missouri State, the undersized linebacker (6-0, 237) had earned praise for his electric athleticism, intensity and speed in special teams.

Cole also excelled as a coverage linebacker for the Texans. Often, Houston brought him out to play third downs. He recorded a below-average 91.9 passer rating in coverage before the injury, per Pro Football Reference.

“So, now the next guy has to step up, whoever that guy may be,” said O’Brien. “There’ll be a couple of guys that may have to step into those roles that he played.”

The lead candidates to fill-in for Cole include inside linebackers Peter Kalambayi and Tyrell Adams. Veteran outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo could also see an uptick in snaps.

However, there is no replacing Cole’s on-field presence as a leader. He is much more than a special teams body — like anyone who suits up.

“It’s more personal when that happens, for me, because I have a lot of respect for Dylan and I know how hard he works and how well he plays,” O’Brien said. “So, it’s just a tough thing.”

Quick hits, key stats and instant analysis of Cowboys 13-9 loss to NE

The Cowboys had another chance to prove themselves this season, but failed to score a touchdown in a 13-9 loss to New England.

It could’ve been a statement game, but it was more than the New England rain that ruined the Cowboys’ chances against the Patriots Sunday afternoon. The conditions were indeed miserable but it wasn’t hard to see which side was more prepared to succeed in them.

Dallas entered the game with hope but left with question marks and a 13-9 defeat on their ledger. Time is running out for the Cowboys in 2019 as they currently sit just a single game above .500 with five games left to play.

It was over when . . .

. . . Amari Cooper’s 20-yard reception on 4th-and-11 was reversed, turning the ball over to the Patriots and effectively ending the game. It briefly looked like Dak Prescott would have a shot to steal one in Foxborough, but the would-be game winning drive ended after just five plays.

Game balls

RB Ezekiel Elliott

Elliott accounted for 126 of Dallas’s 308 total yards. He took 21 carries for 86 rushing yards, slugging out tough runs in the wet conditions, especially in the first half. The team leaned heavily on Elliott and he delivered in moving them down the field.

WR Randall Cobb

Cobb’s recent surge continued, as he led the team in both targets (seven) and receiving yards (86). His 59-yard pickup and averted disaster in the fourth quarter was the Cowboys’ longest play of the game, and set up their best shot to reach the end zone.

Hot Boyz defensive line

The Dallas pass rush kept the Patriots offense in check, harassing Tom Brady for most of the game (two sacks, one fumble). DeMarcus Lawrence, Michael Bennett, and Maliek Collins combined for six tackles for loss and two QB hits, and Robert Quinn also recorded an early strip sack. They really forced the issue, and kept the Dallas offense in the game.

Key stat: 15%

The Cowboys were just two of 13 on third-down attempts in the game. On the season, they’ve been able to convert third downs 52% of the time, but New England’s league-leading defense was able to end drives and get off the field.

The Patriots themselves were only slightly better on third downs, going three of 14, highlighting just how close this game was.

Quick Hits:

  • The difference in the game however, was special teams. The Dallas special teams ranked just 25th by DVOA, and committed multiple gaffes against the Patriots that cost them both points and valuable field position. It was an embarrassing and eye-opening effort for the Dallas coaching staff, especially compared to the opposite sideline.The Patriots blocked a punt which led to the only touchdown of the game, and utterly confused the Dallas punt team late in the third quarter, causing them to take two penalties and resulting in just a 32-yard kick. Brett Maher also missed his seventh field goal of the season.
  • Dak Prescott went toe-to-toe with Tom Brady, nearly matching him across the board. It wasn’t the best game for the the MVP candidate however, who to put on gloves after starting without them. Prescott finished 19 of 33 for 212 yards, an interception, and no touchdowns.
  • Tyron Smith was flagged three times, and committed one of the two tripping penalties called against the Cowboys offensive line. Travis Frederick committed the other, setting them up for failure during their comeback attempt.
  • WR Amari Cooper was held without a catch for just the third time in his career. He’s been uncharacteristically quiet for the past two weeks, ceding big plays to Cobb and Michael Gallup.
  • The Dallas run defense had another poor game, allowing 101 yards on the ground to the Patriots. Sony Michel’s 85 rushing yards were the most he’s recorded in a game since Week 6 against the Jets. New England only averaged 3.7 yards per rushing attempt, but still seemed to spring costly runs with ease. The Cowboys also had issues bringing down players, especially evident during WR Jakobi Meyers’ 32-yard catch and run in the second quarter.
  • Jeff Heath’s valiant pass break up was the defensive play of the game, providing yet another highlight for the polarizing DB. He laid a legal hit with his shoulder to force out the ball, but paid the price in obviously aggravating his injured shoulder.
  • This game represented yet another opportunity for this Cowboys team to establish itself amongst the league’s best, and yet again they fell just short. Perhaps the sea really has parted between them and the true title contenders this season, or eventually these close games will start to end in their favor. However, it still pains to think about this team’s true potential, and what they’re capable of.
  • At 6-5, Dallas next faces the Bills on Thanksgiving Day. It’ll be a quick turnaround, and no easy task entering a crucial part of the season.

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Saints shuffle roster posts, lose Austin Carr to injured reserve

The New Orleans Saints sent WR Austin Carr to injured reserve and called up practice squad TE Jason Vander Laan, adding RB Ricky Ortiz.

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The New Orleans Saints shuffled the bottom of their depth chart on Friday in a series of roster moves. Third-year wide receiver Austin Carr was sent to the injured reserve list after missing practice with an ankle injury; in his place, the Saints called up practice squad tight end Jason Vander Laan. The open spot on the practice squad was filled by Ricky Ortiz, who the official NFL transactions wire listed as a running back.

Ortiz’s (6-foot-0, 233 pounds) exact position is a little unclear, though it doesn’t mean much in the bigger picture (teammate Taquan Mizzell, also on the practice squad, is listed as a wide receiver but wears No. 44, a number restricted to running backs and fullbacks). Oritz’s previous NFL experience came as a fullback with the Atlanta Falcons, where he was listed as a fullback and appeared in a dozen games last season, totaling 139 snaps on offense and 89 snaps on special teams.

Vander Laan (6-foot-4, 245 pounds) has been on the Saints practice squad since Oct. 23. His NFL experience has been limited to appearances with the Indianapolis Colts, Carolina Panthers, and New England Patriots practice squads. Before that, he played quarterback at Ferris State, where he set the NCAA all-division record for rushing yards (5,953).

With starting fullback Zach Line sidelined by a knee injury and backup tight end Josh Hill returning from a mild concussion, opportunities are there for fresh faces like Vander Laan and Ortiz to make an impression right away. Carr’s loss on offense is minimal; he’s proven to be a capable blocker out of the slot, but struggles to get open or catch the ball when it’s thrown to him. The Saints are working with second-year wideout Keith Kirkwood in his return from injured reserve in the next few weeks. Hopefully he’ll be able to create a spark where Carr couldn’t once he’s back.

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Is it time for Seahawks rookie Ugo Amadi to get more opportunities?

Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll confirmed rookie defensive back Ugo Amadi will get more opportunity on defense this season.

Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll likes to have his rookies develop on the special teams early in their first season before he gradually works them in on either offense or defense as they get more accustomed to the speed of the NFL game.

DK Metcalf emerged right away as an impact piece on Seattle’s offense, and safety Marquise Blair was starting at free safety for a few weeks, but most of the rest of the rookie class has settled into roles on special teams – with an eye on making that jump in the coming weeks.

Next on the list appears to be defensive back Ugo Amadi, a 2019 fourth round pick who has excelled on the special teams this season after impressing throughout training camp and the preseason.

“He’s doing really well,” coach Pete Carroll said on Monday. “He has been a playmaker on special teams throughout. His opportunities will continue to come about because he has been so consistent in everything he is doing. He hasn’t done anything that isn’t good. His effort is great. His playmaking, his decision making, the savvy, the situations that he’s been in; he’s just been really good. So, I’m anxious for him to contribute more. He’s one of those guys that have been with us long enough, it’s time for him to get some more opportunities so we’re looking for that.”

Carroll also confirmed that Amadi is working primarily at the nickel cornerback position, although he’s still an option at safety as well.

Veteran Jamar Taylor has been the team’s starting nickel all season, but he’s had a rough year and that was never more apparent than last Monday against the 49ers, when he was burned repeatedly early in the game.

“He’s been up and down, and he had a couple plays last week that got away,” Carroll said. “He’s in a competitive situation, and he’s got to keep doing well to hold his spot just like everybody else.”

It sounds like Amadi is right on Taylor’s tail for playing time at the nickel spot, and Sunday’s game against the Eagles could be a chance for Amadi to take the job going forward.

“Coming off the break we have a chance to revisit some of that stuff,” Carroll continued. “If it fits with different positions, and guys, and individuals, we’re looking to take advantage of that.”

The 8-2 Seahawks will take on Philadelphia on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. PT.

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How Seahawks’ trade for Jadeveon Clowney has panned out so far

The Seattle Seahawks sent a pair of players to Houston in exchange for Jadeveon Clowney and neither one is making huge waves for the Texans.

Much to the excitement of Seattle Seahawks fans and players, star defensive end Jadeveon Clowney finally broke out in Week 10.

He was named the Defensive Player of the Week thanks to his five tackles, five hits on the quarterback, one sack, a forced fumble and a defensive touchdown against the 49ers.

His outing was the first of, hopefully, many great performances for the Seahawks’ big offseason trade acquisition. While Clowney hasn’t been bad, it seemed everyone was waiting for the breakout to happen.

Clowney’s big game begs the question, how are things going for the members of the trade package who went to Houston?

Barkevious Mingo

The Browns selected Mingo sixth overall in 2013. He spent three years in Cleveland before two, year-long stints with the Patriots and Colts. He finally seemed to put things together in 2018 with the Seahawks, starting 14 games with 48 tackles – both career highs.

Since being dealt to the Texans, Mingo has not been a part of their defense. He’s only been on the field for eight defensive snaps through Houston’s first nine games. He didn’t factor into Sunday’s game against the Ravens either, leaving his 2019 tackle total at one.

The story for Mingo in a Texans uniform is as a member of special teams. He’s been on the field for more than 50 percent of special teams snaps each week.

Jacob Martin

Martin was taken by the Seahawks in the sixth round of the 2018 draft. He showed some worth as rookie, recording nine tackles, three sacks, and even caused a pair of fumbles.

During his first year with the Texans, Martin is having a fairly similar year. He has six tackles and forced a fumble so far in 2019, but no sacks. That includes his two-tackle day against the Ravens in Week 11.

Like Mingo, Martin also sees special teams snaps. Where Martin’s snap counts differ is that there has yet to be a game where he hasn’t seen some time on defense. He’s seen as many as 19 defensive snaps in a game.

Conclusion

The only remaining unknown of the Clowney trade deal at this point is the 2020 third-round draft selection Seattle sent to Houston. For now, the Seahawks seem to have done very well for themselves in this trade.

Clowney will look to build on his Defensive Player of the Week performance in Seattle’s Week 12 matchup against the Eagles following their bye week.

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