Latest news with #EdReed
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
5x All-Pro Watt among Texans selected to ESPN NFL All-Quarter Century Team
5x All-Pro Watt among Texans selected to ESPN NFL All-Quarter Century Team originally appeared on Athlon Sports. With June marking the halfway mark of 2025, that means it's list season for a lot of NFL publications. And with 2025 marking the quarter mark of the 21st Century, we get some exclusive lists. On Wednesday morning, ESPN released its NFL All-Quarter Century Team. Advertisement The article named a full 53-man roster and coaching staff comprised of what the publication thought were the best NFL players since 2000. The Houston Texans ended up having five representatives on the team, with four players and one coach making the final cut. Former Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt was among five representatives from the Texans named to ESPN's NFL All-Quarter Century Team on Wednesday.© Thomas Shea-Imagn Images Defensive end J.J. Watt (2011-2020) was the most notable representative from Houston to make the list. The 5x All-Pro and Texans Ring of Honor member was listed as the team's "versatile defensive lineman". "We wanted to save a spot for Watt because he can play as an edge rusher or interior lineman," ESPN writer Aaron Schatz said of Watt's selection. "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)." Along with Watt, Vince Wilfork and Ed Reed were also named to the team, at the nose tackle and safety positions respectively. Wilfork and Reed both spent a short amount of time in Houston, with Wilfork wearing the blue and red from 2015-2016 and Reed spending seven games with the Texans in 2013. Advertisement Shane Lechler was selected as the team's punter. Lechler spent five seasons in Houston from 2013-2017 following a 12-year long tenure as the Oakland Raiders punter. Lechler retired in 2017 but was still impressing until the end, leading the league in punt yardage in his age 41 season with Houston. "One of the greatest and longest-tenured punters in NFL history, Lechler was named a first-team All-Pro in his rookie season," Schatz said of Lechler. "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 didn't just have players represented on the list, as former defensive coordinator and interim head coach Wade Phillips was selected as the team's defensive coordinator. Phillips was on Gary Kubiak's staff from 2011-2013 and took over as interim head coach following Kubiak's dismissal after starting 2-10 in 2013. Advertisement Speaking on Phillips' time in Houston, Schatz said, "He took the Texans' defense -- with some help from rookie J.J. Watt, of course -- from 30th in 2010 to eighth in 2011. Then he took the Broncos to No. 1 in defensive DVOA in both 2015 and 2016, with a Super Bowl championship. Including Phillips' stops as a head coach (Bills and Cowboys), his defenses have ranked in the top half of the league in 15 of 18 seasons since 2000." This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
CBS News
14 hours ago
- Sport
- CBS News
Are the 2025 Baltimore Ravens the most talented team in franchise history?
Is this year's Baltimore Ravens roster their most talented in franchise history? Sure, on paper, this team appears loaded. However, former Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith said during a taping of WJZ's Purple Playbook to pump the brakes. "Let's not get carried away," Smith told WJZ Sports Anchor Alex Glaze. "The Ravens defense, historically, people think of Baltimore, regardless of how great (quarterback) Lamar Jackson is, as a defensive team. You have Ray Lewis and Ed Reed." SOUND OFF: As currently constructed on paper is this the most talented #Ravens team in franchise history? If not, who are you going with? #RavensFlock @wjz @TorreySmithWR — WJZ Sports (@WJZ13sports) June 19, 2025 Since football returned to Baltimore 30 years ago, the Ravens have won the Super Bowl twice -- claiming the 2000 championship and the 2012 championship. The Super Bowl-winning Ravens never had a quarterback like Jackson, who has won two league MVPs. However, those defenses were historically great. "These guys (currently) are great players, ain't no way I'm going to say that (this is the most talented)," Smith said. "Forget playing for the Ravens, the kid in me playing on Madden with that 2000 defense, there's no way I could say that." A Hall of Fame past Those Baltimore Super Bowl champions had eventual Hall of Famers Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Jonathan Ogden, Shannon Sharpe, and Rod Woodson, as well as other key contributors. The list continues with Ray Rice, Joe Flacco, Marshal Yanda, Terrell Suggs, Jacoby Jones, Jamal Lewis, and Tony Siragusa. 11 All-Pro players on the Ravens roster The 2025 Baltimore Ravens have 11 players who have been named to the NFL All-Pro Team. Cornerback Jaire Alexander, who just signed with the Ravens, is the latest to join the roster. There are five former All-Pro performers on defense -- Alexander, linebacker Roquan Smith, defensive end Nnamdi Madubuike, cornerback Marlon Humphrey, and safety Kyle Hamilton. Additionally, there are six on offense who have won All-Pro accolades, including quarterback Lamar Jackson, running back Derrick Henry, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, fullback Patrick Ricard, tight end Mark Andrews, and offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley. "This is an extremely talented group, and the defense can be up there with anyone," Smith said. "The only weakness right now is the pass rush. It's not for a lack of talent, it's just for the lack of execution in the moment." "Super Bowl or bust" Torrey Smith credits the Baltimore Ravens for always fielding a competitive team. Since 1996, the Ravens have two Super Bowl championships, two AFC titles, eight division championships, and 16 playoff appearances. In 2023, the Ravens lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 17-10 in the AFC Championship Game, and in 2024, they lost to the Buffalo Bills 27-25 in the divisional round of the playoffs. "Overall, this team will always give you a chance to win the Super Bowl," Smith said. "This is a Super Bowl-caliber defense, on paper and going into the season." And with the roster the way it is currently constructed, Smith believes a third Super Bowl championship will be in Baltimore. "It's always Super Bowl or bust," Smith said.
