Tag: University of Maryland

Sunday is a homecoming for Titans DC Dennard Wilson

Dennard Wilson grew up near Northwest Stadium and began his NFL journey with Washington.

One name that should be on the radar of NFL teams needing a head coach is Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson. In his first season as a DC, Wilson has the Titans ranked second in total defense, first in pass defense, and eighth in run defense.

Not bad for a 42-year-old first-time coordinator.

On Sunday, Wilson returns home as the Titans travel to Landover, Maryland, to face the Washington Commanders. Wilson was born and raised near the Commanders’ Northwest Stadium in Prince George’s County, Maryland. He played collegiately at the University of Maryland and signed with the then-Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2004.

An injury ended Wilson’s playing career before it began, but he quickly made an impact as a coach.

“It’s not about me; all I care about is going back to Washington and getting a win,” Wilson said on Thursday. “All I care about is this defense having success.”

Wilson then reflected on growing up in the Washington area.

“Obviously, I love being from the East Coast, being from the Maryland/DMV area,” he said. “A majority of my family is there. I have great memories. High school was right down the road; my grandmother lived right across the street from the stadium. I grew up probably 10 minutes away from it. Being from there is a helluva thing, and I represent it well.”

The Titans have struggled to pick up victories in 2024, but you can’t blame Tennessee’s defense, which is why you’ll start hearing Wilson’s name when the offseason hiring cycle kicks off.

Commanders to move business operations to University of Maryland

The Commanders moving their business offices to College Park.

It’s not the end of the season yet, but the Washington Commanders are already making changes. On Friday, Washington announced a big change — and no, this doesn’t impact the on-field product. The Commanders are moving their business operations from FedEx Field to the University of Maryland.

Washington’s new offices will be at the Discovery District at UMD’s College Park campus. College Park is less than 10 miles and around 20 minutes from FedEx Field.

The reason for the change is due to increased demand for the suites at FedEx Field. Since the new ownership group led by Josh Harris took over in July to accommodate more fan demand, the Commanders have sold out all six home games thus far this season. Washington has struggled on the field, though, falling to 4-9 after Sunday’s home loss to the Dolphins in a game where FedEx Field was taken over by Miami fans.

Here’s a statement from Commanders president Jason Wright:

“Commanders fans are eager to support their team, and we’re dedicated to ensuring the best experience possible both on and off the field,” Wright said. “Moving our headquarters will provide exciting new spaces to take in home games and will provide for greater collaboration for our business staff and partnership with the University of Maryland.”

Here’s more on the new location:

The location of the new offices on the fourth floor of the building at 4600 River Road was chosen to foster connection between the university, local businesses and community. It is in the heart of the Discovery District, a 150-acre hub of research and innovation on the east side of the UMD campus, whose 60-plus tenants include federal agencies such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, businesses including Capital One, Adobe and Raytheon, and amenities including The Hotel at the University of Maryland and the Hall CP.

University of Maryland chief strategy officer for economic development, Ken Ulman, welcomed the Commanders:

“The University of Maryland proudly welcomes the Washington Commanders to campus as part of our growing Discovery District,” Ulman said. “The proximity to this new home for the Commanders is an incredible opportunity for our students pursuing invaluable internships and our emerging sports management program. We look forward to all the possibilities for partnership.”

The Commanders are expected to move into their new offices in early 2024.

NFL.com predicts Ravens will select CB in latest mock draft

Tom Fornelli predicted that the #Ravens would select University of Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks in his latest mock draft

The 2023 NFL draft is just a month away, and speculation abounds regarding the Baltimore Ravens’ big board heading into the annual selection meeting. No movement on quarterback Lamar Jackson’s contract seems imminent as the offseason wears on, and Baltimore has needs on both sides of the ball that will need to be addressed before the new season begins.

NFL.com analyst Tom Fornelli released his latest mock draft on Saturday and predicted that the Ravens would look to shore up their defense in the first round by selecting cornerback Deonte Banks. A University of Maryland product, Banks would be a great pickup for Baltimore, and a natural fit in their defense.

“Banks has everything you want from a corner as far as size, speed and athleticism are concerned. However, there is concern about his instincts as a defensive back. He only had one full season as a starter in college, so he may have to be brought along slowly, but the potential for an All-Pro corner exists.”

Banks’ six-foot-one frame and sub 4.4- forty yard dash time are exactly what scouts look for in modern boundary corners, and with Marcus Peters’ status for the 2023 season still undetermined, the former Terrapin would fill an immediate need for the Ravens.

Though the upside is evident for this blue-chip prospect, Banks still has some work to do on his technique and footwork to accel at the NFL level. He only managed to secure two interceptions over the course of his college career, which is a bit concerning, though not necessarily an indication that he won’t be able to produce at the next level with proper coaching and time to develop.

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Day 4 winners, losers as DBs close out 2022 combine, Texas boys dominate

Tyler Browning (@DiabeticTyler) talks about who out of the CBs and safeties saw their stock rise fall as Texas colleges took center stage.

The 2022 NFL combine has officially come to its end. On Sunday defensive backs and special teams took the field and showcased their talents. The Dallas Cowboys saw Trevon Diggs take a massive Year-2 leap, while they didn’t see much from Day 2 rookies Kelvin Joseph and Nahshon Wright. While Anthony Brown is under contract through the next year, Jourdan Lewis is under contract until 2023. It is not out of the realm of possibilities to see the Cowboys go corner yet again at some point in the draft.

Meanwhile, the club is barren at safety once again. Starters Damontae Kazee and Jayron Kearse, along with rotational safety Malik Hooker were all one-year rentals. Donovan Wilson enters the final year of his deal. So who saw their stock rise on the last day of the combine? Who saw it fall?

Teams will now head back to their respective headquarters to get their draft boards in sync and get ready to send scouts out to school’s pro days. Pro days are also an important time in the evaluation process, as some players elect not to work out at the combine and rather wait for their pro day. But for those who did show up in Indy, here’s the winners and losers from the final day of workouts.