Latest news with #passrusher
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jared Verse added a pass-rush move this offseason that tackles will 'be scared of'
Jared Verse wasted no time making his presence felt last season as a rookie. The Los Angeles Rams star was immediately one of the most powerful pass rushers in the NFL, something that blew away former Pro Bowl tackle Terron Armstead. 'Bull rush is different. Dog, it's different,' Armstead said. 'You know that it's coming, you brace yourself. He's different. Jared Verse is different. He will be a Defensive Player of the Year one of these days. Mark my words.' Verse often used a bull rush to go through opposing offensive tackles on his way to the quarterback, but he's developing another way to generate pressure and sacks. He told Dan Pompei of The Athletic that he added a speed rush to his repertoire that will strike fear in linemen. Verse estimates he used a power rush 90 percent of the time as a rookie. He beat Dolphins left tackle Terron Armstead with a power move, and Armstead later said Verse was one of the players who led him to retire. In the offseason, however, Verse has developed his speed rush as a complement. 'That will give tackles something to be scared of,' he says. For a player who's 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds, Verse has exceptional speed and overall athleticism. He ran a 4.58 in the 40-yard dash and posted a 7.31 in the three-cone drill, which was third-best among edge rushers. Verse certainly doesn't lack speed so he shouldn't have much trouble running around offensive tackles en route to the quarterback – especially when they're preparing for a ferocious bull rush to the inside. The reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year could be on a path to winning Defensive Player of the Year sometime soon, potentially as early as this coming season. With a more developed repertoire of pass-rush moves, he's going to be a force to be reckoned with in 2025. Follow Rams Wire on X, Facebook and Threads for more coverage! This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams' Jared Verse added pass-rush move that OTs will 'be scared of'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jaguars' Josh Hines-Allen makes appearance on NFL's top 100 player rankings
On the NFL's top 100 player rankings, which are voted on by the players, Jacksonville Jaguars' defensive end Josh Hines-Allen comes in at No. 63. Once again, Hines-Allen was one of the more disruptive pass rushers in football during the 2024 season. Advertisement According to PFF's metrics, Hines-Allen was tied for 10th among his position group in pressures with 63. He was also 17th in win rate and recorded eight sacks. This offseason, Hines-Allen is back to his more natural playing weight after former defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen had him, along with several other defenders, bulk up last season. "I was 285," Hines-Allen said of his playing weight last season. "I was much bigger. My mindset was always to be as dominant but it was, obviously, holding a little bit more weight puts a little more wear and tear on the body. "It was a lot. Too much. Again, learned to adapt, have know what works best for you, something I tried, and something I'm like, alright, probably don't want to do that again. So we're working on maintaining a good goal for me this year and put some good tape out there." Advertisement Hines-Allen is one year removed from tallying 90 pressures and 17.5 sacks in 2023. Helping him potentially get back to that level of production will be Anthony Campanile's defensive scheme, where there will be more movement and a more attacking play style. This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: 2025 NFL player rankings: Jaguars' Josh Hines-Allen appears at No. 63
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Is Tuli Tuipulotu the next Joey Bosa for the Chargers? Edge rusher 'does it all'
Tuli Tuipulotu is still finding his voice. Naturally, he speaks through force on the field — a relentless pass rusher with a patented spin move that is disruptive to most offenses. Yet the third-year edge rusher for the Chargers remains reserved and soft-spoken in the locker room, still growing into his presence. 'He's a quiet dude,' said Khalil Mack. 'But when he speaks up, everybody listens.' In the past, the homegrown talent — a Lawndale High product who played just 10 minutes from the Chargers' facility — identified himself as an 'underdog.' Now, he's coming into his own vocally, stepping out of that label and doing it so convincingly that Mack, a future Hall of Famer, wants even more from him. Read more: With Mike Williams gone, Quentin Johnston confident he can deliver for Chargers 'When we're on the field, signals being called on the sidelines, he kind of calls it,' Mack added. 'He's always been that guy anyway. Just to hear him speak in the room and speak in a group, amongst the defense, everybody hears him loud and clear.' Since his rookie year, Tuipulotu has filled in as a spot starter. But with franchise stalwart Joey Bosa's departure to Buffalo in the offseason, Tuipulotu could be primed for a breakout season, becoming a central piece in what was the top-ranked defense last season. Even with more snaps and higher expectations, his standard hasn't changed. 'I've been starting since my rookie year, and if that's my role this year, then it's going to feel the same,' Tuipulotu said. 'I don't think it's anything different from what I've been doing.' What has changed is Tuipulotu's role as a leader. Read more: Chargers got more 'Tongan Power' than expected when they drafted Tuli Tuipulotu 'That comes with credibility,' he said. 'You can't just talk and not have stuff to back you up. I wouldn't say I've been talking too much, but I've been talking enough.' Last season, Tuipulotu boosted his credibility by filling in for Mack, who missed time because of an injury, and Bosa, who could never get fully healthy when trying to return from injury. Despite starting just nine games, Tuipulotu logged 732 defensive snaps — a heavy workload that showcased his rising potential. He led the Chargers with 8½ sacks and emerged as a key piece of a defense that ranked top seven in total sacks (46). The conversation now shifts to Tuipulotu's ceiling. With Bosa gone, he'll take over a starting role and see a major uptick in snaps. Still, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and veterans such as Mack remain measured — careful not to pile too much pressure or expectation on the 22-year-old. Even so, those around him can't help but be impressed by his playmaking ability and growing comfort in Year 2 of Minter's system. 'The really good players — can they do what you want them to do, but also have that little magic where sometimes they go outside of their realm and make a play?' Minter said. 'They've always been that way, and he can be that.' Opposite him on the edge, Mack says he is 'taking all the steps and is playing all the different roles — inside, outside, dropping [into coverage]. He does it all.' 'I want to see him ball and make plays this year,' Mack added. 'Not putting too much on him. I know what I expect from him this year … [It's] just letting it happen naturally, just putting the action to it and not speaking on it too much.' Early in his career, Tuipulotu's versatility kept him on the field, particularly on special teams — a role that might now take a back seat despite his influence. As a backup, he logged 339 snaps on kickoff and field-goal units, second most on the team. While Tuipulotu stays willing to contribute wherever needed, his coaches remain cautious, careful not to overextend him or slow his defensive development. Read more: With Chargers back in San Diego, players hope to win back their traditional fan base 'You wish you could clone and have a bunch of him,' special teams coach Ryan Ficken said. 'But there's some give and take. Now you gotta take [his starting role] into consideration. … He wants to do it all. He wants to play on all those phases, and it's just going to depend on the situation.' Those around Tuipulotu are noticing his growing confidence — through his actions on the field and his voice off it. Building that confidence has been a key focus early in training camp, and he aims to carry it through the season. With his elevated responsibilities, confidence will be key to his success as he steps into a new position that comes with leadership expectations and greater demands. For now, though, he isn't making it bigger than it needs to be. 'It's a game,' Tuipulotu said, nonchalantly. 'It's not hard to go out there and do your best. This is what we do. This is what we love to do.' Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Trey Hendrickson's Bengals contract spat continues while stock soars
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson continues to enjoy high stock. Contract dispute or not, Hendrickson's play over the last few years in Cincinnati has him held in high regard around the NFL. Advertisement Over at ESPN, Jeremy Fowler polled NFL executives about edge rushers and Hendrickson ranks sixth, up three spots from last year's ranking. "His ability to get to the quarterback by any means necessary is truly impressive," an AFC scout told Fowler. "He can beat you with technique and relentless motor." RELATED: Cincinnati Bengals' 53-man roster projection following 2025 offseason An NFL personnel evaluator added something many fans would agree with: "He's probably taken for granted a little bit." That's not meant to imply the Bengals are taking Hendrickson for granted, of course. There's a very real, understandable leverage battle happening between the team and a 30-year-old pass-rusher who has threatened holdouts over contracts for a few years now. Advertisement But as many would rightfully point out, the fact Hendrickson had 49 percent of his team's sack production and 32.2 percent of the total pressures means the Bengals should probably find a way to make it all work before training camp starts. RELATED: Joe Burrow feelings on Trey Hendrickson contract standoff revealed This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Trey Hendrickson's Bengals contract spat continues while stock soars
Al Arabiya
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Bengals' trey hendrickson does not report to training camp amid contract dispute
All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson will not be with the Cincinnati Bengals for the start of training camp. As Bengals veterans reported on Tuesday, Hendrickson posted on his Instagram reel that he is in Florida. Hendrickson is seeking a long-term extension with an amount of guaranteed money that matches what the leagues top pass rushers are earning. He is scheduled to earn 15.8 million in base salary this season and has a cap number of 18.7 million. He did not attend last month's mandatory minicamp but did make an appearance during an offseason workout in May to vent his frustrations about negotiations. 'I'm not looking to offend Trey by saying something, and I'm not looking to try to justify where we are. I think we're in a good spot,' owner Mike Brown said on Monday. 'I hope this thing comes together soon, and I'm just going to leave it at that. You guys can say what you want. I'm not going to say very much until it gets done, and then I'm just going to say we're glad to have him.' Hendrickson led the league with 17 1/2 sacks last season. His 57 sacks since joining the Bengals in 2021 are third most in the league over the past four seasons. Hendrickson's frustration has continued to mount since the Bengals signed wide receivers JaMarr Chase and Tee Higgins to lucrative extensions in March. Chase's 161 million contract made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL at the time, and Higgins' 115 million deal made him one of the leagues top 10 highest-paid receivers. 'We get to this point in the year, and there's always Chase to sign or there's Joe Burrow to sign this year, Hendrickson to sign. There seems to be somebody, and that's alright, that's how the system works. We try to get it done, and we're still in there trying,' Brown said. Hendrickson is a valuable piece to a defense looking to improve with Al Golden in his first season as coordinator. The Bengals (9-8 last season) finished 25th in the league in total defense (348.3 yards allowed per game) and lost four games last season in which they scored at least 30 points. The Bengals are also missing first-round pick Shemar Stewart, as the two sides are deadlocked over contract language that could void future guarantees if there are any off-field incidents. The defensive end, the 17th overall pick in April's draft, is the only first-round pick who hasn't signed.
