Latest news with #DefensiveRookie
Yahoo
03-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dan Quinn on Micah Parsons: 'I'll be connected with him for life'
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons has made no secret his love for Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn. Quinn was in his first season as the defensive coordinator for the Cowboys when Dallas selected Parsons with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft. It was Quinn who realized that Parsons would be best employed as an edge defender, and Parsons quickly proved him correct. As a rookie, Parsons finished with 13 sacks and 20 tackles for loss, won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award, and was named first-team All-Pro. In 2022, Parsons was again named first-team All-Pro and was second-team All-Pro in 2023. After the 2023 season, Quinn departed to become the head coach of one of Dallas' primary levels. Parsons spoke of his appreciation for Quinn every chance he got. Well, in case you haven't heard, Parsons requested a trade from the Cowboys on Friday. He and the team are at odds over a new contract, as Parsons felt Dallas misled him. Owner/GM Jerry Jones has stated he will not trade Parsons, and the goal remains to sign him to a long-term deal. This weekend, Bleacher Report was in Ashburn for a training camp practice, and, of course, Quinn was asked about Parsons. "Yeah, I loved coaching him, I really did, and I'll be connected with him for life," Quinn said. "He had the versatility to do different things, so he challenged me as a coach. What if we line him up here? What if I put him here? And sometimes I would be like, 'That didn't look so good.' Another time, 'We got something.' So he pushed me as a coach to think differently, and it allowed us to be more versatile. I had an absolute blast coaching him." Quinn has to be careful in discussing Parsons, but his affinity for his former player is apparent. Parsons revealed last season that he and Quinn still communicate. What does this mean? Absolutely nothing. Quinn would do anything to acquire Parsons, but do you think that Jerry Jones would trade Parsons to Washington? First, the Cowboys aren't trading their best player. Secondly, if they did, it would not be to Washington, Philadelphia, or the New York Giants. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Dan Quinn on Micah Parsons: 'I'll be connected with him for life'
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Baltimore Ravens Key Defender Nate Wiggins Bulks Up Ahead of 2025
Baltimore Ravens Key Defender Nate Wiggins Bulks Up Ahead of 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Ahead of his second season in the NFL, Baltimore Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins joined a teammate in adding some weight. Advertisement On the heels of the news that linebacker Odafe Oweh bulked up this offseason with another 20 pounds head of mandatory minicamp, second-year cornerback Nate Wiggins said on Friday that he's done the same. 'It was a big offseason for me to just gain weight and get stronger,' Wiggins said. 'I gained like 10 pounds. I'm a lot stronger and a lot bigger.' That could be a big 10 pounds for Wiggins, who was listed at 6-1 and just 173 pounds coming out of Clemson as the 30th overall pick in the first round of last year's NFL Draft. In Wiggins' NFL Draft profile, Lance Zierlein didn't directly mention his size, but did discuss his toughness. Advertisement "He needs to become a tougher player in run support and when contesting catches against NFL size," Zierlein wrote. "Wiggins' speed, scheme versatility and playmaking instincts should make him the most sought-after cornerback in the draft." Sometimes, size, especially muscle, can increase toughness. Wiggins appeared in 15 games last season as a rookie with six starts. He registered 33 total tackles with 25 solo, and added 13 passes defended, an interception return for a touchdown and a forced fumble. He finished 11th in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting and ended the season with a 70.7 overall grade per Pro Football Focus. That's good enough for sixth-best for rookie cornerbacks last season. Advertisement Related: Ravens QB Lamar Jackson Misses Roster Bonus by Skipping OTAs ... Again Related: Ravens Cornerback Makes Top 10 Position Rankings Ahead of 2025 NFL Season This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
Washington Post
04-06-2025
- General
- Washington Post
Rams pass rusher Jared Verse ready to build on strong rookie season
LOS ANGELES — Jared Verse came as advertised in his debut season for the Los Angeles Rams, offering explosive pass rush prowess en route to AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors . After totaling 77 pressures, 11 tackles for loss and 4 1/2 sacks last season, the outside linebacker isn't worried about a sophomore slump.
Associated Press
03-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Rams pass rusher Jared Verse ready to build on strong rookie season
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jared Verse came was as advertised in his debut season for the Los Angeles Rams, offering explosive pass rush prowess en route to AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. After totaling 77 pressures, 11 tackles for loss and 4 1/2 sacks last season, the outside linebacker isn't worried about a sophomore slump. 'I don't really feel too much pressure,' Verse said Tuesday after practice during organized team activities. 'If I'm who I am, if I take the strides needed to take, I'm going to be the best version of me, and I'm going to be able to help the team in any facet or way that they need.' Verse already has one year of dealing with immense expectations under his belt. Drafted 19th overall in 2024, the Florida State product had to handle the belief he would help the Rams to navigate the retirement of eight-time All-Pro defensive lineman Aaron Donald. The pass rush was able to do just that, but Verse said it came from a collective effort rather than his or any other individual performance. Verse, fellow Seminole rookie Braden Fiske and second-year standouts Kobie Turner and Byron Young combined for 28 1/2 sacks and 43 tackles for loss in the regular season. It took time for Verse and Fiske to recognize fully integrating into the defense required more than working off one another the way they had in college. 'I think we did good, but I think we became more so focused on helping the team than trying to do our own thing and have a good little duo going on,' Verse said. 'But I think we kind of have learned the opportunities that we have to work together.' Combined with Verse's improved understanding of how quickly the game moves in the NFL as the season went on, he closed out the campaign with a fumble return for a touchdown in an NFC wild-card round win over the Minnesota Vikings and two sacks and three tackles for loss in a six-point divisional round loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. 'The number one thing you hear is how much faster the game is at this level versus college,' Verse said. 'Everybody's always like, 'Oh, it's not.' The hell it is, man. You're thrown in that fire, nah, it's a lot faster. Yeah, it was surprising, but once I got the hang of it, it became just like college, it became just like high school, slowed down a lot more.' Verse already feels well ahead of where he was at this time last year. He was determined to make the most of a full offseason without having to prepare for the draft or handle the uncertainty that comes with going through everything for the first time. That included a full review of all of Verse's game film from last season. The study allowed him to see how many chances he missed out on as a rookie. 'Probably the biggest thing I realized was how many sacks, not even just sacks, but big plays I missed out on,' he said. 'You know, dropping in coverage I could have done this, or rushing the passer could have done that. Even in the run game a couple times, there's a couple things where I'm a little too far inside, a little too far outside, and I could have made a big impact play. So realizing that this really is a game of inches, whether it's just like stopping the ball or actually just doing your job, there's a couple things I could have done better.' All those steps, along with continued development from his work with outside linebackers coach Joe Coniglio and defensive line coach Giff Smith, were evident to defensive coordinator Chris Shula in Verse's work during practice. 'You can tell he's really taken the techniques that Joe and Giff are really teaching him and applying them on the field,' Shula said. 'And I think things have slowed down for him a little bit, and he's playing really fast right now.' Verse has one more week of work in Southern California before the Rams hold their mandatory minicamp in Maui. The loquacious Verse is looking forward to a return visit after vacationing there for first time earlier this year, but don't expect to see him wading out in the Pacific Ocean during his free time. 'I don't know what's out in that water,' Verse said. 'I'm good.' ___ AP NFL:
