Latest news with #DefensiveRookieoftheYear
USA Today
15 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
WATCH: Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. pulverizes tackling dummy at practice
Will Anderson Jr. is a bad, bad, BAD man. Will Anderson Jr. is looking scary for the Houston Texans as he prepares for a contract year. That's a good thing for DeMeco Ryans' defense and a nightmare for everyone else in the NFL/ During Tuesday's open practice, Anderson was seen working drills in front of fans, where he dismantled the dummy and nearly decapitated the stunt machine during position drills. Here's a look at the clip below of the defensive line working drills. Anderson, who last season nearly doubled his sack total from his Defensive Rookie of the Year season, is poised to eventually become one of the highest-paid defensive ends this time next season. While still building off his Pro Bowl season of 2024, Ryans has remained impressed by Anderson's consistency and growth as he enters Year 3. 'Will has done a really good job of taking his game to the next level when it comes to his pass rush. I haven't seen a person that's more dialed in when it comes to what moves he's trying to execute and not pre-determining moves but truly playing instinctive, playing off of what set the offensive line is giving him, whether he needs to play speed to power, whether he needs to be a little more finesse, working the edge, working the inside," Ryans said Tuesday. "He's just doing a really great job of really developing that pass rush repertoire. "I have to keep him away from my quarterback because he's getting a little too close. But, he's doing a great job.' The Texans return to training camp in front of fans on Wednesday morning before the off day on Thursday.
Newsweek
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Stephen A. Smith Blasts Cowboys Exec For Micah Parsons Remarks
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Heading into Dallas Cowboys training camp, one of the biggest storylines was Micah Parsons and his contract. Following an executive's choice remarks on the situation, Stephen A. Smith decided to chime in with his thoughts. Since entering the NFL, Parsons has been one of the league's most dominant defensive talents. Now in the final year of his rookie deal, he wanted an extension worked out before camp got underway. Though that didn't happen, Parsons still has been in attendance to be with his teammates. However, he's been limited in practice due to back tightness. Through the early days of camp, fans have constantly been chanting at Jerry Jones and other members of the front office to give Parsons what he deserves. This led to Executive Vice President Stephen Jones speaking on the matter, to which he gave a rather head-scratching response. Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys defends against the Washington Commanders during an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium on January 5, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys defends against the Washington Commanders during an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium on January 5, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. Photo by/Getty Images "It doesn't change anything," Jones said. "We want to pay Micah, too. He's got to want to be paid, too." Also read: Former Cowboys Pro-Bowler Gives Heartfelt Response to New Contract During Monday's episode of First Take, Stephen A. Smith reacted to Jones' comments about Parsons. He too was baffled by such a statement and did not hold back when giving his thoughts on the Cowboys' EVP. "What Stephen Jones said about Micah Parsons in terms of he has to want to get paid. I think that's an egregious statement," Smith said. "Jerry Jones needs to get his act together. But as egregious as his actions have been, it's nothing compared to what Stephen Jones said. I respect Stephen Jones, but that is one of the most ignorant statements I have ever head come out of the mouth of an executive." .@stephenasmith sounds off on Cowboys' Stephen Jones saying Micah Parsons has to "want" to be paid 😯 "Respect to you, my brother, but if it wasn't for your daddy would you be a COO in the NFL?" — First Take (@FirstTake) July 28, 2025 Also read: CeeDee Lamb Weighs In on Dallas Cowboys Star's Contract Dispute In terms of production, Parsons has shown he wants to get paid in a big way. He captured Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2021, been named to two All-Pro teams, and was in the top three in DPOY voting in three of his four seasons. Looking at Parsons' stats, the only other players with comparable numbers are T.J. Watt and Myles Garrett, who each make over $40 million annually. Most teams would do anything to have a player as talented and impactful as Parsons leading their defense. Meanwhile, Jerry Jones and the Cowboys are in no rush to lock him down to a sizable extension. It's highly doubtful Dallas doesn't give him a new deal, but it remains unclear when this standoff will come to an end. For more Dallas Cowboys and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Eagles' All-World cornerback Cooper DeJean makes his debut on the NFL's Top 100 list
After becoming a finalist for the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year award, Eagles all-world slot cornerback Cooper DeJean made his debut on the Top 100 list at No. 60 The Eagles drafted Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean in the first two rounds of last April's NFL draft, and the results were championship-worthy. Philadelphia was 2-2 entering the Week 5 bye, but lost one regular-season game after DeJean was inserted into the lineup in place of Avonte Maddox. The Eagles defeated the Chiefs in Super Bowl 59, and finished the year with both Mitchell and DeJean being finalists for the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award. With James Bradberry and Darius Slay departing, DeJean will have an even more critical role in Vic Fangio's defense this season, and he's spent the offseason working out with NFL Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain. After a dynamic rookie season, DeJean was just ranked No. 60 best in the NFL's Top 100 Players of 2025, becoming the first Eagle to make the list this year. DeJean logged 51 tackles (38 solo) as a rookie, including 0.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries across 16 regular-season games in 2024. DeJean's biggest and best moment came in Super Bowl LIX against the Chiefs, when he picked off Patrick Mahomes for a 38-yard interception return for a touchdown on his birthday.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
4 things we've learned through 3 days of Steelers training camp
The Pittsburgh Steelers have had three training camp practices so far, and all the new pieces on this roster appear to be working well with the returning players. The Steelers have one practice cut short due to weather, and the heat has been brutal, but so far, so good on the injury front. Now the Steelers can turn some of their attention to preparing to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in their first preseason game of the year. Now that we've had a chance to dig into the team over the course of three practices, here are four things we've learned. The running game is going to be good Last season, the Steelers averaged 4.1 yards per carry that was among the worst in the NFL. We feel confident in saying that from what we've seen from Kaleb Johnson and Jaylen Warren, this rushing attack is going to be far more dynamic and explsoive. Derrick Harmon is the real deal Depending on how things play out, the Steelers could have a legitimate Defensive Rookie of the Year contender in Harmon. So much of his game reminds us of Cameron Heyward but in a younger and more explsoive body. Jalen Ramsey still have plenty left in the tank It's been a while since the Steelers had a cornerback the caliber of Ramsey on the roster. Think Joe Haden when he first came over the the Browns. Just over the course of a few days, Ramsey has made his presence felt despite only spending one practice as an outside cornerback. Aaron Rodgers is still an unknown Unfortunately, training camp hasn't given us a great look at just what Rodgers can still do. He's making simple throws for the most part and under no real duress so it's hard to get a read on how much Rodgers has left physically or just how invested he is in the team.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Chris Shula compares Jared Verse's work ethic to Aaron Donald's
Shula continues to see signs of greatness in edge rusher Verse, likening his approach to that of Donald Defensive coordinator Chris Shula had the privilege of witnessing Rams legend and future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald up close for seven seasons in various assistant coaching roles with the Los Angeles Rams. Just before getting the opportunity to fully coach Donald a year ago, after being named DC, the Rams' defensive great announced his retirement. And just like that, the team began life without No. 99 and knew right then and there that they had an irreplaceable hole on the defensive front. While finding a player like the former three-time defensive player of the year is no easy task, the team managed to come away with OLB Jared Verse in last year's draft, who would go on to win Defensive Rookie of the Year while providing the defense with a future foundation in the post-Donald era. Just now entering his second season, Shula is beginning to see shades of the all-time great in his young edge rusher. "They work hard, they love to be coached hard, and they love football, Shula said. 'It's really easy to coach guys like that. Aaron Donald was the same way. He was the hardest worker on the team, led the defense, and held everyone accountable for playing hard. Jared Verse is clearly taking steps in that direction, and that's exactly where he's at right now." Verse finished his rookie season recording 66 tackles, 11 for loss, 4.5 sacks, and 33 pressures in 16 starts. The former 2024 first-round pick will look to build off his promising rookie campaign and grow more into a leader for the defense that Donald led for 10 seasons, which included a Super Bowl victory in 2021; Donald and the defense came to the team's rescue in the final minute of that win. As we all know, to emulate the best, one must surround oneself with greatness. Verse did just that recently, as he recounted a story about his intense and amusing workout with the defensive stalwart. "We go to the weight room. It's all arms, that's why he's big as hell," Verse said. "We go to the weight room. It's eight different circuits. All arms, four sets each. I'm there for an hour and a half. His wife came in laughing at me. I told her to call the police. I'm dead serious. I'm not even joking. I'm dead serious. I told him to call the police. She wouldn't do it. I tried to lie and say my mom was at my house and I had to go let her in. He told me to give my keys to his management or assistant and that they would go let my mom in. So I wasn't leaving. Finished the workout. I'm dead tired, I'm exhausted. I had a plan to go jump in the sauna afterwards, didn't happen. I had plans to watch film, didn't happen. Went home and I didn't work out for another day and a half because I couldn't move my body.' Safe to say Verse may rethink his decision to work out with Donald. All jokes aside, the Rams are hoping to see continued growth in the 24-year-old and certainly hope to have found another Donald-like player to help lead the defense for years to come. After his award-winning rookie season, it's clear Verse is on the right track. Follow Rams Wire on X, Facebook and Threads for more coverage!
