Latest news with #defensiveplayers
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Myles Garrett ranked as the top defender in the NFL according to top analytics company
Sports Info Solutions, one of the leading sports analytics companies in the world, recently published its top defensive players in the NFL. Browns star pass rusher Myles Garrett was the number one player in their rankings. The company relies heavily on using film to inform its data. Their 'total points' metric is a great statistic to track the effectiveness of individual players. The company recently discussed the best defensive players in a recent podcast. The podcast was split between the scouts, Bryce Rossler, and SIS CEO Matt Manocherian, a former scout for the Browns, and the stats, represented by James Weaver and Alex Vigderman. Both sides compiled top ten lists of the best defensive players in the NFL. The stats side used total points over the past three seasons to determine who the best players are. The scout side used their eyes and mouths to make their case. Both sides unanimously agreed that Garrett is the best defensive player in the NFL. The case was easy for both sides to make. Garrett has been one of the most productive players in football over the past three years from a statistical outlook. On the field, he's been the most dominant defensive lineman. He's constantly demanding offenses to double and triple-team him. And despite the efforts, no team has been able to stop him. Garrett was an easy choice for SIS to make. Listen to their podcast, Off the Charts, to hear the rest of the players in the top ten. This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Myles Garrett adds another accolade to his list: named top defender
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
6 Indianapolis Colts defenders to watch during training camp
Training camp is almost here for the Indianapolis Colts. The rookies will report on July 21st, the veterans on July 22nd, and the first practice will take place on the 23rd. There are always numerous storylines to watch for as camp unfolds, many centered around positional battles. But for now, we will focus our attention on specific players. After highlighting one player at each of the offensive position groups to watch during Colts' training camp, let's now do the same on the defensive side of the football. Defensive end: Laiatu Latu The recipe for Latu to make a Year 2 leap certainly exists. He finished the 2024 season ranked 27th among defensive ends in PFF's pass rush win rate metric, and oftentimes, where there is consistency, the production will follow. He's also now playing in a defensive scheme under Lou Anarumo that should benefit the defensive front with its more aggressive approach and varying alignments. So with that said, you'd like to see signs from Latu over the next several weeks that a big jump this season is on the way. Defensive tackle: Tim Smith Smith is in a position as a sixth-round pick to carve out a role and help right away. The playing time at defensive tackle behind DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart is up for grabs this summer, and as a run-first defender who has experience playing across multiple gaps, Smith is a good fit for Anarumo's defense and can provide help where it is needed. Linebacker: Jaylon Carlies Carlies is the presumed starter next to Zaire Franklin, and while he impressed as a rookie, showing that he is a sound tackler while also limiting pass catchers to only 6.0 yards per reception, he's still inexperienced as well, with just 242 career snaps on defense. So with that inexperience comes unknowns. As a former college safety, his coverage experience will be valuable in Anarumo's defense. Carlies missed the on-field portion of offseason programs, still recovering from shoulder surgery. Cornerback: Justin Walley Walley grabbed the attention of his teammates and coaches with his play during OTAs and minicamp. He brings excellent speed to the cornerback position, is versatile, and had good ball production in college. He's tailor-made for Anarumo's aggressive and disguise-heavy defense in the secondary and will be competing for playing time opposite of Charvarius Ward. Safety: Rodney Thomas and Hunter Wohler We know Cam Bynum and Nick Cross will be starting at safety, but who will secure that third spot on the depth chart? During Anarumo's time in Cincinnati, he used three safeties on the field relatively often. So whoever earns that spot on the depth chart could play a role defensively this season. This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts training camp: 6 players to watch on defense during practices
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Meet our 10 best Tennessee Titans defensive players in franchise history
The summer Tennessee Titans slow down is underway. The Titans are off until late July. So, while we wait for fall camp to begin on July 22, we've ranked the 10 best defensive players in Tennessee Titans history since the organization moved to Nashville in 1997. Everyone selected for this list played a minimum of one season in Nashville as a Tennessee Titan to be eligible. How long they spent within the organization was also considered. Let the debate begin. 1. Keith Bulluck Bulluck played linebacker for the Titans from 2000 to 2009. He was named to the All-Pro first team twice and second team once. The linebacker was also selected to the Pro Bowl in 2003. Bulluck recorded 1,057 total tackles and 18 sacks during his time in Tennessee. 2. Kevin Byard Byard was drafted by the Titans in 2016 out of Middle Tennessee State and played in Nashville until 2023. He led the NFL in interceptions in 2017 with eight. The safety was a two-time All-Pro first-team member and two-time Pro Bowler. Byard recorded 27 interceptions during his time in Nashville, which is tied for fourth most in franchise history. 3. Jurrell Casey Casey was drafted by the Titans in 2011 and stayed in Nashville until 2019. He was a five-time Pro Bowler and named to the All-Pro second team in 2013. Casey is seventh on the list for most sacks in franchise history with 51. The defensive tackle recorded 493 total tackles as a Titan. 4. Jevon Kearse Kearse was drafted by the Titans in 1999 and stayed until 2003. He then returned and played the 2008 and 2009 season in Nashville. In 1999, he was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and First-team All-Pro. That season, he was the NFL co-leader in forced fumbles. The defensive end was also a three-time Pro Bowler as a Titan. He has the sixth most sacks in franchise history with 52. 5. Michael Griffin Griffin was drafted by the Titans and played in Tennessee from 2007-2015. In his first season, he was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. In 2010, Griffin was named an All-Pro second-team member. The safety was also a two-time Pro Bowler. Griffin's 25 career interceptions gives him the ninth most in franchise history. 6. Albert Haynesworth Haynesworth played for the Titans from 2002-2008. During his time in Tennessee, he was named a two-time All-Pro first-team member as well as a two-time Pro Bowler. The defensive tackle recorded 24 career sacks as a Titan. 7. Kyle Vanden Bosch Vanden Bosch played for the Titans from 2005-2009. As a Titan, he was selected to the Pro Bowl three times. The defensive end was named First-team All-Pro in 2007. Vanden Bosch has the 12th most career sacks in franchise history with 38.5. 8. Samari Rolle The cornerback was drafted by the franchise in 1998 and played in Tennessee until 2004. In 2000, he was named First-team All-Pro and selected to the Pro Bowl. During his tenure with the team, Rolle recorded 27 interceptions. The cornerback was part of the Titans team that went to Super Bowl XXXIV. 9. Jeffery Simmons Simmons was drafted in 2019 and is heading into his seventh season with the Titans. The defensive tackle has been named Second-team All-Pro twice and to the Pro Bowl three times. He has 31.5 sacks, which is 13th most in franchise history. 10. Cortland Finnegan Finnegan played for the Titans from 2006-2011. In 2008, the cornerback was named a Pro Bowler and First-team All-Pro. The seventh-round draft pick recorded 473 total tackles and 14 interceptions during his time in Nashville. 3 Titans who just missed the list Blaine Bishop Bishop was drafted by the franchise in 1993 and played with the Titans until 2001. He was an All-Pro second-team member in 2000 and was a four-time Pro Bowler. The safety led the team in tackles in 1995, 1996 and 1999. Harold Landry III Landry played for the Titans from 2018-2024. The linebacker was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2021. He recorded 50.5 sacks during his tenure in Tennessee, which is the eighth most in franchise history. Landry combined for 397 total tackles as a Titan. Derrick Morgan Morgan played his entire career as a Titan from 2010 to 2018. He recorded 44.5 sacks, which is 10th most in franchise history. During his tenure, the linebacker recorded 305 total tackles, 26 deflections, five forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: 10 best Tennessee Titans defensive players in franchise history
