Tag: tackle

Chiefs Dave Toub discusses Matt Araiza’s physicality: ‘He doesn’t have to make a tackle’

Kansas City #Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub discusses Matt Araiza’s physicality: ‘He doesn’t have to make a tackle’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs have had plenty of unsung heroes this season, including standouts on special teams. Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub spoke to the media on Thursday about the physical tackles from his punter Matt Araiza during last Friday’s game.

“We talked about this before,” said Toub. “I don’t want him down there making tackles. I’d rather have him make a big play with his leg and punt the ball high enough to where he doesn’t have to make a tackle.”

Araiza has been one of the better punters in the league in his first season with the Chiefs. The six-foot-one, 200-pound San Diego, California native isn’t afraid to make a play, collecting impressive tackles in Week 13.

“He’s a football player in his mind, and he’s going to get down there and do what he has to do. If he needs to make the tackle, he will. I mean, we know that.” said Toub. “So, I don’t want to take that edge away from him. But you know, at the same time, we got to be smart about it, too.”

According to a recent X post from teammate Drue Tranquill, the former Ray Guy Award winner could play linebacker.

Two former Wisconsin Badgers lead NFL in tackles entering Week 2

Two former Wisconsin Badgers lead NFL in tackles entering Week 2

Wisconsin is one of the few programs with a true claim as ‘Linebacker-U.’

The Badgers currently have seven former linebackers playing in the NFL. That list is headlined by all-world defensive star T.J. Watt, Andrew Van Ginkel and Leo Chenal.

Related: How Braelon Allen, every former Wisconsin Badger performed in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season

It should not be surprising that two former Badger linebackers currently lead the entire NFL in tackles after Week 1: Philadelphia Eagles ILB Zack Baun (15 tackles) and Chicago Bears ILB T.J. Edwards (15).

Baun and Edwards led their teams’ defensive efforts in their opening games. Baun emerged out of nowhere to pace the Eagles’ defense with those 15 tackles, one tackle for loss and two sacks. Edwards, meanwhile, continues to live up to the lofty contract that lured him back to his hometown Bears.

Edwards’ high total is no surprise. His six-year NFL career includes 559 total tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 17 quarterback hits, five fumble recoveries and five interceptions. He has been one of the NFL’s better-tackling linebackers for a half-decade.

Baun, on the other hand, barely saw the field on defense during his four years with the New Orleans Saints. The Eagles signed him this offseason to a one-year deal, with the plan to move him back to his more natural stand-up position. That has already paid dividends with his Week 1 performance. Baun’s 15 tackles are already halfway to his career high of 30.

The two former Badgers will be back on the field in Week 2 as they look to continue to pace the NFL in its most important defensive statistic.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

2024 NFL draft: Chiefs trade up with San Francisco 49ers in Day 2

The Kansas City #Chiefs traded up with the San Francisco #49ers to pick BYU OL Kingsley Suamataia in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft.

The Kansas City Chiefs traded up one spot in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft to select BYU offensive lineman Kingsley Suamataia.

After making a trade on Day 1 with the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City turned to the San Francisco 49ers to take Suamataia in Round 2.

The teams haven’t yet announced details of Friday’s deal, but the return that the Chiefs got in Suamataia should prove to be worth their trouble to trade up one spot in the second round.

A gifted people-mover with a ton of raw ability, the BYU lineman was projected to be a first-round pick in some mock drafts and became a cult favorite among scouts after his rock-solid results at the 2024 NFL Combine.

Andy Reid, a former BYU lineman himself, is sure to be pleased with the pick and should have no problem getting Suamataia involved in his offense next season with Kansas City’s first-round selection Xavier Worthy.

Chiefs HC Andy Reid explains his celebratory tackle of Chris Jones after Super Bowl LVIII

Andy Reid told reporters about his celebratory tackle of Chris Jones after the #Chiefs’ win in Super Bowl LVIII.

[stnvideo key=”zHJwRRmTle-3390970-7503″ type=”float”]

The head coaching career of Andy Reid is seemingly destined to end with an enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Kansas City Chiefs adding a third title has put them in the same conversation as some of the league’s greatest dynasties.

Reid’s trust and passion for his players’ success has made him a favorite wherever he’s coached. The viral video of the 65-year-old coach playfully tackling defensive tackle Chris Jones was a prime example of his relationship. He explained the moment to reporters during Tuesday’s press conference.

“I was so happy for him (Chris Jones),” Reid explained. “I kind of had been riding him a little bit. We needed him in there, and he was spent; he was tired, but he sucked it up, and he got out there, and he pushed himself probably further than he thought he could push himself.

“He took himself to that state, that wrestling state where you got to really reach down in there and kind of get through that evil thing that is kicking your butt internally. He did that, and I was so proud of him for that.”

The question remains regarding the future of Jones in Kansas City as his one-year deal is over, and he can test free agency this offseason. Reid reminded reporters of general manager Brett Veach’s comments about focusing on retaining the All-Pro defensive tackle.

“I think (General Manager Brett) Veach has said it before, we’d love to have him (Chris Jones) back,” said Reid. “They just have to work all that out, but I think that the effort will be there probably on both parts to try to get something done.”

The prospect of signing Jones is always up for discussion because of the type of money he could demand. The Chiefs will still need to figure out how to re-sign cornerback L’Jarius Sneed.

Broncos’ leading tacklers from 2023 season

Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton led the team with 177 tackles in 2023, setting a new single-season franchise record.

We’re continuing our look at the Denver Broncos’ statistical leaders from the 2023 season today with a list of the team’s leading tacklers.

Broncos inside linebacker Alex Singleton led the team with 177 tackles, setting an official single-season franchise record. It should be noted that Singleton has the benefit of playing in the 17-game era, but he holds the record nonetheless.

It’s also worth noting that it’s an official record because unofficially, the team credits Randy Gradishar with 2,049 career tackles. Gradishar played 10 seasons so if that total is accurate, he would have averaged more than 200 tackles per season. The NFL did not begin fully tracking tackles until after Gradishar retired, so stats from his era can be unreliable and even if they are accurate, they are not official.

With all of that said, here’s a quick look at Denver’s leading tacklers from the 2023 season. Check out previous lists of the team’s passing, rushing, and interception leaders.

Broncos’ offensive line took a big step forward in 2023

The Broncos’ offensive line was ranked 21st by PFF in 2022. After Sean Payton made several changes, the unit ranked 7th in 2023.

When Sean Payton arrived last offseason, one of his first big tasks was fixing the Denver Broncos’ offensive line.

By the end of the 2022 campaign, the team’s starting offensive line was Cam Fleming, Quinn Bailey, Graham Glasgow, Quinn Meinerz and Billy Turner. Payton quickly made big changes.

Glasgow was cut and Turner walked in free agency. Fleming and Bailey were re-signed as backups. Garett Bolles and Lloyd Cushenberry returned from injuries and Meinerz was the only Week 18 2022 starter assured of keeping his job in 2023.

When free agency opened, Payton immediately gave big contracts to guard Ben Powers and right tackle Mike McGlinchey to give the team a new starting lineup of Bolles, Powers, Cushenberry, Meinerz and McGlinchey.

Pro Football Focus is not infallible, but the website is useful. PFF ranked Denver’s offensive line 21st out of 32 units in 2022. After the 2023 regular season wrapped up, the Broncos’ offensive line was ranked 7th by PFF.

That represents a huge turnaround up front for Denver. Cushenberry is now scheduled to become a free agent, but the Broncos appear confident that 2023 seventh-round pick Alex Forsyth will be prepared to start in 2024.

Cushenberry’s free agent status gives the unit some uncertainty going into the offseason, but a Bolles-Powers-Forsyth-Meinerz-McGlinchey lineup would still be a much better scenario than Denver’s lineup in 2022. There’s always room for improvement, but the Broncos’ offensive line took a step forward in Payton’s first season.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=482983128]

Cleveland Browns OT Jedrick Wills undergoes season ending knee surgery

Former Alabama OT Jedrick Wills undergoes season ending knee surgery

[autotag]Jedrick Wills[/autotag] was the No. 10 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft to the Cleveland Browns and has been a sensational pick for the organization. In 2020, the former Crimson Tide stand out was named to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie team and has been the starting left tackle ever since.

On Tuesday, it was announced that Wills’ 2023 campaign will be cut short as he underwent season ending knee surgery today at the University Hospitals Drusinsky Sport Medicine Institute. He suffered the injury in a 27-0 win over Arizona and was placed on the injured reserve on Nov. 7. The surgeons said the operation went smoothly and he will be back to action in 2024 as good as new.

The Browns have faced injury setbacks all season long including starting quarterback Deshaun Watson. Joe Flacco has filled in for Watson and kept the team afloat, but a team can only fight so long without their starting left tackle.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Packers miss season-high 16 tackles in loss to Steelers

The Packers missed a season-high 16 tackles in a loss to the Steelers on Sunday.

The Green Bay Packers hit a new low for tackling on Sunday against Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

According to data collected by Pro Football Focus, the Packers missed 16 total tackles against the Steelers, setting a new season high in 2023.

The team’s previous high was 13 misses, which most recently happened in Denver during a loss to the Broncos.

The majority of the damage was done against the run, where the Packers missed 10 tackles. Overall, the Steelers gained 119 yards after first contact and averaged 3.5 yards after first contact per rush. Warren forced a game-high nine missed tackles as a runner, three more as a receiver and had five runs of 10 or more yards.

The Packers had six players miss two or more tackles and nine total players miss at least one. Safety Rudy Ford was the worst offender with three misses, but edge rusher Lukas Van Ness, cornerback Corey Ballentine, linebacker Isaiah McDuffie, safety Jonathan Owens and defensive lineman Kenny Clark all missed two.

Of the players who played at least 15 snaps for the Packers defense, only five didn’t have a missed tackle against the Steelers.

Tackling has been hit or miss for the Packers all season. Last week, the defense had just two misses against the Los Angeles Rams. But the defense also struggled mightily in the tackle department during losses to the Broncos and Detroit Lions.

It doesn’t get any easier in terms of tackling this week. The Packers will welcome dynamic Chargers running back Austin Eckler to Lambeau Field in Week 11.

Seahawks OTs vs. Cowboys DEs key matchup to watch tonight

The Seattle Seahawks could very well have their first glimpse at one of the better defensive lines in the NFL

When it comes to the NFL preseason, there is not always a ton to learn. Teams are mostly playing for fine tuning purposes, to determine who makes the roster cut, and iron out some position battles. They are not installing complex gameplans or playing with the intensity of an actual regular season game.

But sometimes, there are important matchups to learn important lessons early on. For the Seattle Seahawks, they very well could have their first glimpse at one of the better defensive lines in the NFL – and one they will have to contend with in Week 13.

The Dallas Cowboys are a lot to handle for any team with Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence bearing down. Parsons has recorded at least 13 sacks in each of his two years in the NFL, and Lawrence had yet another Pro Bowl season in 2022. Needless to say it will be a tall order for Seattle’s bookend tackles – Abe Lucas and Charles Cross – to deal with, in whatever capacity tonight.

Getting a little iron-sharpens-iron action early for Lucas and Cross should help them as they ramp up for 2023. Especially since Parsons, Lawrence and company are coming to town in Week 13.

Of course, all of this is determined by how much either team is willing to play their starters – if at all.

More Seahawks Wire stories

Seahawks announce 7 roster moves

8 takeaways from last open practice

Seahawks complete player ratings for Madden 24

Seahawks 90-man roster: Preseason Week 2

Creed Humphrey hints at extra grit, cohesion brewing along Chiefs’ offensive line

Creed Humphrey is excited for the pads to come on in St. Joseph on Friday as the #Chiefs offensive line continues building chemistry. | from: @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs opened training camp conducting practices without their players in pads. They have been following a strict low-to-no contact guideline throughout their workout sessions to this point, but plan to ramp up their intensity on Friday.

Center Creed Humphrey is among the Chiefs waiting most anxiously to get back to full-pace high-stakes action. He gladly revealed to reporters after practice on Wednesday which of his teammates felt the same way.

Humphrey sparked laughter at the podium, with his comment on guard Trey Smith, in particular.

“He gets to hit people, and he has pads,” Humphrey joked.

Smith earned a reputation for his brutal blocks last season, much to the delight of his teammate Humphrey. The team’s offseason additions, though,  were also favored by the decorated center. Players like tackles Wanya Morris, Donovan Smith, and Jawaan Taylor all seemed to have made great first impressions on Humphrey through four days of practices in St. Joseph, Missouri.

“They’ve been great so far,” Humphrey explained. “Everybody has been really eager to learn, everybody has been really eager to grow together, build chemistry together, so it’s been really good. I say this all the time, when you’ve got five guys up front who’ve got the same mindset and everything like that, it’s going to lead to good results. I feel like they did a good job of bringing in guys that have the same mindset as us.”

Humphrey and the rest of the line will do their best to continue playing with an edge and fostering unit cohesion as the Chiefs look to defend their Super Bowl LVII victory in 2023.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]