Latest news with #ProtectoroftheYearAward
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Bills' Dion Dawkins honored to have impact on Protector of the Year Award
Bills' Dion Dawkins honored to have impact on Protector of the Year Award It was announced that the NFL will be introducing a new player award for the upcoming season, the Protector of the Year award, which will be given to the league's best offensive lineman at the NFL Honors following the season. The big guys up front are finally getting some recognition. For Buffalo Bills guard Dion Dawkins (2017-present), this award coming to fruition means a lot, and he was a big reason why it came about. He spent the last few years spreading awareness of the importance of his position, expressing that the o-line is the backbone of every team. "This Protector of the Year award is finally giving the big boys up front the respect we deserve,' Dawkins said. 'I've been knocking on doors and spearheading this movement because offensive linemen are the true foundation of every team's success. We might not have all the fancy stats as the skinnies or end up on a highlight reel every week, but without us, there's no rushing titles, passing titles, or touchdowns. This award is for all the unsung heroes who put in work every snap. I won't stop fighting to give offensive linemen the respect and recognition we deserve.' For the NFL, it's about time they show the big guys love. Right now, there are probably a lot of retired greats who played offensive line that are upset they never got a chance to take home this award. But, they have to be happy about the introduction of the award, and it's better late than never. The league definitely got it right, and Dawkins deserves a lot of the credit. "We've been talking about this for the last three years," Dawkins said to the media during Bills OTAs. "Me having meetings with Roger [Goodell] and Troy [Vincent] and some of these other guys... that's what did it. I'm honored that no matter what, that's a part of my legacy... and that's what I wanted. "I'm honored to change football... we changed football," he continued. "There will be an award for offensive linemen now. Now all the kids... they don't have to be fast... they'll be happy with something to push after and achieve." Dawkins has been extremely vocal regarding him and his fellow offensive linemen getting the love they deserve. Now, after years of knocking down doors and spreading awareness, Dawkins was the major force behind getting this award into the NFL. As for the award itself, it will be based on five categories of performance from offensive linemen: skill metrics; impact; leadership; durability; strength of opponent. The panel who will select the recipient of the award features six former NFL offensive linemen: LeCharles Bentley; Jason Kelce; Shaun O'Hara; Orlando Pace; Will Shields; Andrew Whitworth. Watch below to get Dawkins' full thoughts regarding the Protector of the Year award from this week's Bills OTAs:
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Two Raiders offensive lineman with a real shot at new NFL Protector of the Year Award
Two Raiders offensive lineman with a real shot at new NFL Protector of the Year Award It's a pretty widely accepted concept that a football team's offense is only as good as the offensive line. Quarterbacks talk about how without time to throw, they can't scan the field and the wide receivers can't get open. And running backs credit linemen for opening holes for them while the rest of us give credit and lay blame for the whether they have room to run. Despite these commonly held beliefs, offensive linemen are never considered for awards like offensive player of the year or MVP and there has never been an individual award that recognized the work the offensive line. Until now. The NFL unveiled the Protector of the Year Award last week. Giving a few Raiders offensive linemen something to strive for. For the past few years, left tackle Kolton Miller has been the Raiders top offensive lineman. So it would seem he would have the best shot at the award. Though, obviously, it would require him to have his best season. Despite being a full time starter since his rookie season and a solid left tackle fo the Raiders the past six years, he has never made the Pro Bowl. And you'd have to figure those who are already established as being the best at their position would have the inside track on being recognized for their efforts. Mainly because it isn't like there are solid stats that come into play for linemen the same way there are for most other positions. Jackson Powers-Johnson would figure to have a decent shot being that he was the top drafted center in last year's draft and is entering his first season as the full time starter at the position. Should he excel right away, he could earn recognition. None of the other offensive line spots for the Raiders have a sure starter. That isn't to say there isn't one on the team, but just who will start where has yet to be decided.
USA Today
25-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
49ers should have an easy favorite for NFL's newest award
49ers should have an easy favorite for NFL's newest award At the NFL league meetings this week, the league announced a bunch of news and notes, including that the league will not be banning the "Tush Push," the modified quarterback sneak that the Philadelphia Eagles have made famous in recent years. Among the other announcements from the league meetings was the NFL's executive vice president of football operations, Troy Vincent, sharing that the league will be introducing a new Protector of the Year Award following the 2025 season. According to the league, the winner will be decided by a panel that will include some of the greatest offensive linemen in the history of the game. This is great news as it will give some recognition to the big men in the trenches who usually only hear their names mentioned when they mess up. With this voted on by some former players, it also may mean more to winners than those who are named All-Pro by the Associated Press. While there will certainly be quite a few offensive linemen in the running for the league's newest award, San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams should be among the early favorites for the honor. Williams, 36, has been one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL since Washington took him with the fourth-overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft out of Oklahoma. Since then, he's made 11 Pro Bowls and four All-Pro teams (three first-teams and one second-team). In 2024, Williams was limited to just 10 starts at left tackle due to an ankle injury that kept him out for the final six weeks of the season. Despite missing time, Pro Football Focus still gave him an 85.6 overall grade for his performance, ranking him sixth out of 140 qualified offensive tackles. He also earned an 84.5 pass-blocking grade (ninth) and an 81.4 run-blocking grade. If Williams is healthy and on the field, he'll be one of the best offensive linemen in football, even as he creeps into his later 30s, and if that's the case, he should be in consideration for the first Protector of the Year Award. More 49ers: 49ers veteran has eyes on one specific matchup on 2025 schedule
USA Today
24-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Two Rams legends will be on the panel for the NFL's new Protector of the Year Award
Two Rams legends will be on the panel for the NFL's new Protector of the Year Award The NFL is introducing a new award this year called the Protector of the Year. It recognizes the best offensive lineman in the league each season, rewarding a position that rarely gets the credit it deserves from fans and analysts. Andrew Whitworth and Dion Dawkins spearheaded the movement, campaigning for the NFL to create an award that will be handed out annually at the NFL Honors alongside MVP, Offensive Player of the Year and others. Not only did Whitworth campaign for the award, but he'll also be one of the people voting on it each year, as will another Rams legend: Orlando Pace. The NFL announced the six-person panel that will decide the winner, picking the top five nominees before selecting one winner from the list. Here's the complete panel, according to the NFL's official site: LeCharles Bentley – center/guard (New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns, 2002-2007), two-time Pro Bowl Selection and first-team All-Pro Jason Kelce – center (Philadelphia Eagles 2011-2023), seven-time Pro Bowl Selection, six-time First Team All-Pro, named to NFL's 2010s All-Decade Team, and Super Bowl LII champion Shaun O'Hara – center (Cleveland Browns and New York Giants, 2000-2010), three-time All-Pro and Super Bowl XLII champion Orlando Pace – tackle (St. Louis Rams and Chicago Bears 1997-2009), five-time All-Pro, named to NFL's 2000s All-Decade Team, and Super Bowl XXXIV champion Will Shields – guard (Kansas City Chiefs, 1993-2006), 12-time Pro Bowl selection, three-time First-Team All-Pro, 2023 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee (2015) Andrew Whitworth – tackle (Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams, 2006-2021), two first-team All-Pro Selections, 2021 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, and Super Bowl LVI champion This is an award Whitworth probably would've won at least once in his career, given his sheer dominance as a pass-blocking left tackle. The Rams could have a couple of candidates up for the honor in 2025, including Alaric Jackson, Kevin Dotson and Rob Havenstein. Follow Rams Wire on X, Facebook and Threads for more coverage!
USA Today
22-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL announces new award that is primed for Tristan Wirfs to win
NFL announces new award that is primed for Tristan Wirfs to win The NFL has done a tremendous job of marketing its players over the decades, on offense and defense alike. In unique cases, they have even been able to market some kickers and punters. That being said, offensive linemen have seemingly always been forgotten. Much like defense in the NBA, they are one of the most integral parts of the game, but they are often overlooked. When people talk about Michael Jordan, they talk about the scoring titles and championships, not the nine times he was named to the first-team all-defensive NBA team. When it comes to the offensive linemen in the NFL, the league is starting to fix that. On Wednesday, the NFL announced a new award, the Protector of the Year Award, to be given each year at NFL Honors. The league has long wanted to recognize the men who keep their star quarterbacks upright and able to make plays. As for who could be a favorite for that award, Tristan Wirfs should be one of the favorites for award considering his history of accolades. He remains the only offensive lineman to earn All-Pro honors as both a right and left tackle, along with multiple Pro Bowl honors. Wirfs may be the best offensive lineman in the NFL, with or without an award.
