Latest news with #DefensivePlayeroftheYear
USA Today
16 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Texans punter Shane Lechler, DE J.J. Watt named to NFL All Quarter Century team
Texans punter Shane Lechler, DE J.J. Watt named to NFL All Quarter Century team The Houston Texans have been an above-average roster over the past several seasons and they've had some impactful players along the way. Perhaps bigger than defensive end J.J. Watt, who is expected to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer when the time comes in 2027. Who else deserves love? How about the punter that set up Houston's defense in the 2010s, Shane Lechler, a prominent figure in the locker room and around the league for decades. Well, ESPN believes he might be the G.O.A.T. of the 2000s in special teams. Aaron Schatz and Seth Walder unveiled their NFL All Quarter Century team, which includes a slew of Hall of Famers, future Hall of Famers and some of the most impactful players in the game. Technically, four players made the cut, but only two are known for their time in H-Town: does anyone really think of Houston star Ed Reed or Vince Wilfork? Watt is the first in a long line of promising defensive ends in Houston, where he established himself as perhaps the league's best past rusher for over five season. He spent 10 seasons with Houston, and reamins the franchise's all-time leader in tackles for loss (172) and sacks (101). Watt was named first-team All Pro five times and was selected to the Pro Bowl five times. He also earned Defensive Player of the Year three times, starting in 2012 after recording a franchise leading 20.5 sacks. "We wanted to save a spot for Watt because he can play as an edge rusher or interior lineman," Schatz wrote. "He is one of only three players in history to win Defensive Player of the Year three times, and he has the best plus-EPA of any player since 2000 (minimum 50 games)." "Another way to describe Watt's greatness is with a look at defeats. That's a metric that adds together turnovers, tackles for loss and plays that prevent a conversion on third or fourth down. There have been only a dozen seasons of more than 40 defeats since 1991. Watt has three of them, including a record 57 defeats in 2012." Lechler is widely considered the best punter of the new century and his consistency with hang time, arch angle, plus length of punt easily clears all other participants. He was only in Houston for five seasons, but it made the difference in helping Houston win multiple division titles. "One of the greatest and longest-tenured punters in NFL history, Lechler was named a first-team All-Pro in his rookie season. Throughout his 18-year career, he racked up more first-team All-Pro selections (six) than any other punter in NFL history (no one has had more than four). Lechler led the league in gross punt average in five seasons, and his career average in yards per punt is an NFL record for punters who have played over 120 games." The Texans open up the regular season on the road against the Los Angeles Rams.
USA Today
21 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Broncos' updated cornerback depth chart with Mario Goodrich
Broncos' updated cornerback depth chart with Mario Goodrich The Denver Broncos' crowded secondary added another member this week. The Broncos signed United Football League cornerback Mario Goodrich on Wednesday, adding an 11th cornerback to their 90-man offseason roster (a safety was waived to make room). It's still easy to predict the top of Denver's cornerback depth chart, but the backup roles are getting tough to project. Pat Surtain, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, will continue to start on the outside as the team's CB1. Riley Moss is still the early favorite to play across from PS2, but it remains to be seen if rookie Jahdae Barron will play primarily in the slot or outside. If Barron ends up outside, Moss could move to the slot. Ja'Quan McMillian, the team's previous slot cornerback, now becomes a very valuable depth/rotational player. Kris Abrams-Draine proved last season that he is a capable reserve option as well. Beyond those top five is a toss-up. Damarri Mathis is the most experienced, but the Broncos could save $3.4 million if he's cut this summer. Goodrich will also be competing with Quinton Newsome and Reese Taylor, plus undrafted rookies Jaden Robinson and Joshua Pickett. Broncos cornerback depth chart CB1 : Pat Surtain : Pat Surtain CB2 : Riley Moss : Riley Moss Slot : Jahdae Barron, Ja'Quan McMillian : Jahdae Barron, Ja'Quan McMillian CB5 : Kris Abrams-Draine : Kris Abrams-Draine Depth : Damarri Mathis, Mario Goodrich, Quinton Newsome, Reese Taylor : Damarri Mathis, Mario Goodrich, Quinton Newsome, Reese Taylor UDFAs: Jaden Robinson, Joshua Pickett The cornerback depth chart will shake out this summer following a competition at training camp. The Broncos will release their first official depth chart when preseason begins in August. Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
USA Today
a day ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Pat Surtain shown in Madden 26 preview -- perfect rating to follow?
Pat Surtain shown in Madden 26 preview -- perfect rating to follow? Madden 26's deep dive update features a PS2 pass breakup: — Jon Heath (@ByJonHeath) June 18, 2025 Denver Broncos star cornerback Pat Surtain should get a ratings boost in this year's version of the NFL's popular video game made by EA Sports. Earlier this week, "Madden NFL 26" released its first "deep dive" preview of upcoming features in the game, including a new "Custom Zones" feature for defenses. In a video demonstrating the new coverages, EA Sports showed Surtain breaking up a pass against the Las Vegas Raiders. Surtain, 25, was Denver's highest-rated player in last year's version of the video game with an initial overall rating of 95 (it increased to 97 during the season). "See, that's a good start," Surtain said of his initial rating last year. "That's a good start, Madden. That's a good start. I'mma get that 99 soon. In due time, for sure. Trust it. Truss." After winning the Defensive Player of the Year award last season, it would not be surprising to see PS2 join the prestigious "99 Club" in "Madden NFL 26." Ratings will be announced later this summer. Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
USA Today
a day ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Steelers' hilarious Bill Cowher and James Harrison story resurfaces
Steelers' hilarious Bill Cowher and James Harrison story resurfaces The hilarious back-and-forth between Steelers legendary HC Bill Cowher and DC Dick LeBeau in trying to get James Harrison off the field has resurfaced — and it's still just as funny almost four years later. The clip in question, from A Football Life: James Harrison, retells a 2004 story in which OLB Joey Porter was ejected during pre-game warmups against the Browns, giving Harrison his first starting opportunity — one that Cowher claims he refused to leave the field on: "[LeBeau] goes, 'Coach, [Harrison] won't come out,'" Cowher said. "I go, 'Make him come out.' He goes, 'You make him come out. He won't come out.' I go, 'No, I'm not making him come out.' I said, 'He already told me he wasn't coming out either.' So I said, 'We both got the same dilemma.' I said, 'Just let him play. I've already cut the guy three times — I'm not going to tell him to come out of the game. I've already done that. I'm done cutting the guy.'" Harrison's drive and desire to be great — as evident in Cowher's hilarious retelling — is why the legendary defender will one day be inducted into the Hall of Fame, as the 2008 Defensive Player of the Year, four-time All-Pro, and two-time Super Bowl champion was nothing short of excellent. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
NBC Sports
2 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
2025 WNBA MVP Odds: Betting, futures, predictions including Caitlin Clark, Napheesa Collier, frontrunners
We are in Week 5 of the WNBA season and the award races are heating up as two of the biggest names in women's basketball returned from minor injuries. Caitlin Clark balled out in her return to upset the undefeated Liberty with 32 points, 9 assists, and 8 rebounds to put some heat on Napheesa Collier for MVP as the two will meet in the Commissioners Cup Championship on July 1st. Paige Bueckers also came back from a minor injury and put up eye-popping numbers with a career-high 35 points on 13-of-17 from the field and 5-of-7 from three. The conversation between A'ja Wilson and Napheesa Collier for Defensive Player of the Year appears to be a two-player race, but I think there is another name worth targeting in that field and it's more open than we think, so let's talk about it. All odds are courtesy of DraftKings and subject to change. WNBA MVP Ladder: Caitlin Clark (+275) went nuts in his return with 32 points, 9 assists, and 8 rebounds to knock off the Liberty, while Napheesa Collier (-370) continues her impressive 50/40/90 shooting splits this season with 3.6 combined blocks and steals on the defensive end. It'll be a two-player race all year with the sports books and myself rooting for Collier. Clark had over 70% of the handle and bets to win MVP entering the season, so her being plus money will only drive that figure higher. Collier and the Lynx could be the best team in the WNBA and with Collier's two-way play through 10 games, she is the rightful favorite for MVP. A'ja Wilson (+7500) suffered an injury and has missed two games, so she has dropped out of the race, while Breanna Stewart (+5000) is the latest long shot to enter the chat. Stewart averages 19.8 points per game on the season and has six 20-plus point games, but her career-low 15.6% from three-point distance will keep her out the MVP race. WNBA DPOY Ladder: Despite being out with a short-term injury, A'ja Wilson (+250) is tied or right behind Napheesa Collier (+225) for the DPOY award in multiple markets. While either aren't a bad bet, nor Collier's teammate, Alanna Smith (+600) who is gaining steam, but I think there is value in the field right now as the sports books will be rooting against both Wilson and Collier. Jonquel Jones (+3000) made her return from a short stint with an injury to help lead the Liberty in a comeback win over the Dream. Jones double-doubled with 10 points and 10 rebounds extending her undefeated streak with New York when doing so. Jones ranks 3rd in defensive win shares, 4th in defensive rebound percentage, 8th in defensive net rating, and 11th in blocks per game, but the downfall is she ranks 50th in minutes played at 24.7 per game. If her minutes increase, Jones is a great bet for this award, so I only threw a half-unit on Jones to win DPOY at +3000. WNBA ROY Ladder: Paige Bueckers (-950) returned from injury and lit up the Mercury for 35 points and 5 assists in a losing effort. She followed that up with 20 and 16 points, with six and seven combined assists and rebounds over the next two games. Bueckers has three 20-plus point games this season, while the rest of the rookie class has three combined. Kiki Iriafen (+750) has one of those 20-point games and the former Trojan has separated herself from the rest of the field as the main competitor to Bueckers. However, with 8.6 points and 6.3 rebound over the last three games, Iriafen has dwindled off in the race. Vaughn Dalzell's WNBA Futures Bets: 2 units: Stephanie White to win Coach of the Year (+115) 2 units: Minnesota Lynx to win Championship (+340) 2 units: A'ja Wilson to win MVP (+225) 2 units: Napheesa Collier to win MVP (+150) 0.5 unit: Jonquel Jones to win DPOY (+3000) 0.5 unit: Napheesa Collier to win MVP (+300) 0.5 unit: Angel Reese to win DPOY (+2000) 0.5 unit: Aliyah Boston to win DPOY (+3500) 0.5 unit: Kamila Cardoso to win DPOY (+5500) 0.5 unit: Aliyah Boston to win Most Improved Player (+1500) 0.5 unit: Kamila Cardoso to win Most Improved Player (+3000) Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700. Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff: - Jay Croucher (@croucherJD) - Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) - Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) - Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
