Latest news with #sacks
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Titans' Jeffery Simmons sheds 20 pounds, aims for more sacks in 2025
Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) walks to the next drill during practice at NFL football minicamp Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) walks to the next drill during practice at NFL football minicamp Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee coach Brian Callahan and Jeffery Simmons both agree on what they want to see more this upcoming season from the Titans defensive lineman. More sacks. The three-time Pro Bowl lineman had just five sacks in 2024, his fewest since his second NFL season in 2020. Simmons ranked third on the Titans behind linebacker Harold Landry III, released in March, and linebacker Arden Key. Advertisement Worse, the Titans tied Carolina with 32 sacks for third fewest in the NFL behind only New England (28) and Atlanta (31). Callahan said the goal is to see Simmons do more than just affect quarterbacks and take those players to the ground more. He knows the six-year veteran and first-round pick in 2019 can be better at that. He also believes Simmons is driven to do just that. 'He's always working at something, and I think he's grown as a person,' Callahan said Tuesday. 'He continues to grow as a player. You'd like to feel like he's sort of hitting his prime at this point with the experience that he has and the amount he's played to get the best version of Jeff this year.' Simmons was on the field as the Titans started their mandatory three-day minicamp Tuesday. Simmons said he's lost about 20 pounds and weighed in Tuesday morning at 301. Advertisement The Titans have been talking about how to improve their sack numbers. Simmons said it's a big emphasis for him and the defense knowing that simply pressuring quarterbacks doesn't win games. 'We got to stop saying just affect the quarterback,' Simmons said. "We've got to sack the quarterbacks.' Simmons, the 19th pick in 2019 from Mississippi State, finds himself as the longest-tenured member of the Titans' defense along with safety Amani Hooker, a fourth-round pick that same draft out of Iowa. Tennessee is trying to snap a skid of three straight losing seasons, the last a 3-14 mark in Callahan's debut as head coach. Advertisement Simmons is a key piece of a defense that ranked second in the NFL in giving up 177.3 yards passing and 311.2 total yards per game. The Titans also were 26th against the run, allowing 133.9 yards and 30th in points per game (27.1). That led to Simmons' absence from the voluntary offseason program being criticized by outsiders. Simmons said working out on his own was a personal decision. 'It was a lot of different things that I did," Simmons said. "The biggest thing was being consistent with my every day living from my meal prep to the way I was training. ... I weighed in today on a good note.' Simmons showed off his speed carrying fewer pounds, breaking through at one point for what would have been a sack of rookie Cam Ward — the No. 1 overall draft pick. Simmons also gave Ward a nice taste of trash talking having heard how good the rookie is at that part of football. Advertisement 'I haven't spent much time around them and talking smack to me and get back in the huddle and able to operate the offense, that's exciting,' Simmons said. 'And like I say, he got a lot of confidence.' Waiting on Sneed Callahan said cornerback L'Jarius Sneed probably won't be seen during this minicamp on the field. The Titans traded for Sneed last offseason, and the two-time Super Bowl champ played only five games before landing on injured reserve. The Titans coach said what they've seen from Sneed has been fantastic and they know his track record as a player. Now Callahan said Sneed has to prove that in Tennessee, which he hasn't done yet. 'We just hope we need to get that version of him out here for us,' Callahan said. ___ AP NFL:
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Titans' Jeffery Simmons sheds 20 pounds, aims for more sacks in 2025
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee coach Brian Callahan and Jeffery Simmons both agree on what they want to see more this upcoming season from the Titans defensive lineman. More sacks. The three-time Pro Bowl lineman had just five sacks in 2024, his fewest since his second NFL season in 2020. Simmons ranked third on the Titans behind linebacker Harold Landry III, released in March, and linebacker Arden Key. Worse, the Titans tied Carolina with 32 sacks for third fewest in the NFL behind only New England (28) and Atlanta (31). Callahan said the goal is to see Simmons do more than just affect quarterbacks and take those players to the ground more. He knows the six-year veteran and first-round pick in 2019 can be better at that. He also believes Simmons is driven to do just that. 'He's always working at something, and I think he's grown as a person,' Callahan said Tuesday. 'He continues to grow as a player. You'd like to feel like he's sort of hitting his prime at this point with the experience that he has and the amount he's played to get the best version of Jeff this year.' Simmons was on the field as the Titans started their mandatory three-day minicamp Tuesday. Simmons said he's lost about 20 pounds and weighed in Tuesday morning at 301. The Titans have been talking about how to improve their sack numbers. Simmons said it's a big emphasis for him and the defense knowing that simply pressuring quarterbacks doesn't win games. 'We got to stop saying just affect the quarterback,' Simmons said. 'We've got to sack the quarterbacks.' Simmons, the 19th pick in 2019 from Mississippi State, finds himself as the longest-tenured member of the Titans' defense along with safety Amani Hooker, a fourth-round pick that same draft out of Iowa. Tennessee is trying to snap a skid of three straight losing seasons, the last a 3-14 mark in Callahan's debut as head coach. Simmons is a key piece of a defense that ranked second in the NFL in giving up 177.3 yards passing and 311.2 total yards per game. The Titans also were 26th against the run, allowing 133.9 yards and 30th in points per game (27.1). That led to Simmons' absence from the voluntary offseason program being criticized by outsiders. Simmons said working out on his own was a personal decision. 'It was a lot of different things that I did,' Simmons said. 'The biggest thing was being consistent with my every day living from my meal prep to the way I was training. ... I weighed in today on a good note.' Simmons showed off his speed carrying fewer pounds, breaking through at one point for what would have been a sack of rookie Cam Ward — the No. 1 overall draft pick. Simmons also gave Ward a nice taste of trash talking having heard how good the rookie is at that part of football. 'I haven't spent much time around them and talking smack to me and get back in the huddle and able to operate the offense, that's exciting,' Simmons said. 'And like I say, he got a lot of confidence.' Waiting on Sneed Callahan said cornerback L'Jarius Sneed probably won't be seen during this minicamp on the field. The Titans traded for Sneed last offseason, and the two-time Super Bowl champ played only five games before landing on injured reserve. The Titans coach said what they've seen from Sneed has been fantastic and they know his track record as a player. Now Callahan said Sneed has to prove that in Tennessee, which he hasn't done yet. 'We just hope we need to get that version of him out here for us,' Callahan said. ___ AP NFL:
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Myles Garrett hopes to add Aaron Rodgers to the 'graveyard' of QBs he's sacked
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Myles Garrett has sacked 31 quarterbacks during his eight years in the NFL, and Aaron Rodgers is not among them. The Browns' star pass rusher is hoping to add Rodgers to the list after the four-time MVP signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers last week. Cleveland plays at Pittsburgh on Oct. 12 and hosts the Steelers on Dec. 28. Advertisement 'I think it's a good opportunity to put him in the graveyard,' Garrett said with a smile after the Browns finished their first minicamp practice on Tuesday. Garrett has 13 sacks in 15 games against the Steelers. He took down Russell Wilson four times in two games last season. Garrett has decorated his front yard for Halloween since 2021 with tombstones or other ghoulish displays symbolizing every quarterback he has sacked. Last year's display was inspired by the 'Terminator' movie franchise and featured replicas of slain cyborgs wearing the jerseys of QBs taken down by Garrett. Garrett has faced Rodgers only once — a Christmas Day game in 2021 at Green Bay. He was held without a sack and the Browns lost 24-22. Advertisement After signing a record four-year contract extension worth $204.8 million, Garrett knows more is expected of him on and off the field. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz last year said he believes Garrett is going to have the best season of his career and quoted another popular franchise, 'Spider-Man,' saying: 'With great power comes great responsibility.' When he heard what Schwartz said, Garrett asked, 'So that would make him my Uncle Ben, right?' 'I mean, I look forward to having my best season for sure, and I think it's trending that way,' Garrett said. 'I like where we are as a defensive unit. It's really firing, really rolling, and I think it's really clicking as far as the scheme and the plays, especially early on. That's big.' Advertisement The four-time All-Pro edge rusher requested a trade at the end of last season before agreeing to the extension, which made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history for a couple of weeks until Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase got an even more lucrative deal. Garrett was in Japan for part of the Browns' voluntary team activities, but he noted he made multiple trips to the team complex before this week's mandatory minicamp began. When Garrett asked for a trade, he said he didn't think the Browns were in a position to win, especially coming off a 3-14 season in which he had 14 sacks and became the first player since sacks became an official statistic in 1982 to have four straight seasons with at least 14. The roster remains a work in progress, but Garrett is determined to be a leader. Advertisement 'If they don't get it, you make them get it. Like I said, being that leader, setting that standard and showing guys how it's done instead of expecting them to know it,' he said. 'Guys come from different places, come from college, and you got to push them in the right direction. You got to guide them. I know they'll be better. I know we will be better.' ___ AP NFL:
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Myles Garrett hopes to add Aaron Rodgers to the 'graveyard' of QBs he's sacked
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Myles Garrett has sacked 31 quarterbacks during his eight years in the NFL, and Aaron Rodgers is not among them. The Browns' star pass rusher is hoping to add Rodgers to the list after the four-time MVP signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers last week. Cleveland plays at Pittsburgh on Oct. 12 and hosts the Steelers on Dec. 28. 'I think it's a good opportunity to put him in the graveyard,' Garrett said with a smile after the Browns finished their first minicamp practice on Tuesday. Garrett has 13 sacks in 15 games against the Steelers. He took down Russell Wilson four times in two games last season. Garrett has decorated his front yard for Halloween since 2021 with tombstones or other ghoulish displays symbolizing every quarterback he has sacked. Last year's display was inspired by the 'Terminator' movie franchise and featured replicas of slain cyborgs wearing the jerseys of QBs taken down by Garrett. Garrett has faced Rodgers only once — a Christmas Day game in 2021 at Green Bay. He was held without a sack and the Browns lost 24-22. After signing a record four-year contract extension worth $204.8 million, Garrett knows more is expected of him on and off the field. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz last year said he believes Garrett is going to have the best season of his career and quoted another popular franchise, 'Spider-Man,' saying: 'With great power comes great responsibility.' When he heard what Schwartz said, Garrett asked, 'So that would make him my Uncle Ben, right?' 'I mean, I look forward to having my best season for sure, and I think it's trending that way,' Garrett said. 'I like where we are as a defensive unit. It's really firing, really rolling, and I think it's really clicking as far as the scheme and the plays, especially early on. That's big.' The four-time All-Pro edge rusher requested a trade at the end of last season before agreeing to the extension, which made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history for a couple of weeks until Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase got an even more lucrative deal. Garrett was in Japan for part of the Browns' voluntary team activities, but he noted he made multiple trips to the team complex before this week's mandatory minicamp began. When Garrett asked for a trade, he said he didn't think the Browns were in a position to win, especially coming off a 3-14 season in which he had 14 sacks and became the first player since sacks became an official statistic in 1982 to have four straight seasons with at least 14. The roster remains a work in progress, but Garrett is determined to be a leader. 'If they don't get it, you make them get it. Like I said, being that leader, setting that standard and showing guys how it's done instead of expecting them to know it,' he said. 'Guys come from different places, come from college, and you got to push them in the right direction. You got to guide them. I know they'll be better. I know we will be better.' ___ AP NFL:
Reuters
3 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Report: Bengals contact Trey Hendrickson, gain no traction toward deal
June 10 - NFL sacks leader Trey Hendrickson remains on the sideline with stalled contract talks with the Cincinnati Bengals pointing to a prolonged absence from the team. The Athletic reported the Bengals reached out to Hendrickson on Monday but conversations were fruitless. The defensive end is expected to be absent from minicamp as he looks for a new deal or trade that would bring him the payday he desires. Cincinnati did get rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart in the building in a relative sign of progress. But Stewart, a first-round pick, is unsigned and ESPN reported he won't participate on the field this week without a contract. With a base salary of $15.8 million, Hendrickson believes he's underpaid relative to the market value of the top-paid players at his position. He has a salary cap hit of $18.6 million this season and led the league with 17.5 sacks in 2024. No player has more sacks combined over the past two seasons than Hendrickson (35). Hendrickson, 30, hasn't been with the team for a month -- since he came to the facility on May 13 for a face-to-face meeting with head coach Zac Taylor. Taylor told Hendrickson at the time the Bengals would have no choice but to fine him if he didn't come to mandatory minicamp and training camp in July. "A little bit transpired between me and Zac," Hendrickson said. "We've tried to keep it as least amount as personal as possible, but at some point, in this process, it becomes personal." Stewart, 21, is not planning to sign with the Bengals until they adjust the language in their contract offer to match the outline of the team's previous two first-round selections, according to multiple reports. --Field Level Media
