Latest news with #sacks
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
How many of last season's sacks were on Commanders' Jayden Daniels?
One of the biggest metrics we use to analyze defenses, offensive lines, and quarterbacks is sacks. How many sacks did a defense (or player) record? How many sacks did an offensive line allow? How many sacks did a quarterback take? We use this because sacks have such a profound impact on the game. Sacks impact more than field position; sacks affect every player's ability to focus on the game rather than the potential mistake they made. However, determining who is at fault for sacks taken by the quarterback is difficult. Often it's the result of a defender bursting through the line too fast, but there are times when the quarterback holds the ball too long, or he tries to scramble and fails, or any other number of things. Credit is always given to the opposing defender, but who takes the blame? A new graphic released today shows how each quarterback fared in 2024. Forget how many sacks each quarterback took and take a closer look at which ones were deemed the fault of the quarterback versus the ones that are not their fault. Caleb Williams took the most sacks in 2024, but less than 45% of them were his fault. By contrast, Matt Stafford took among the fewest sacks in 2024, yet almost 72% of them were his fault. Advertisement Now, let's look at Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels. Daniels took the sixth-most sacks in the NFL in 2024, but only 40.4% of those sacks were his fault. That number is consistent with the likes of Jalen Hurts, Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Brock Purdy, and Jared Goff. Adam Peters made some additions and adjustments to the offensive line and the offense through free agency and the draft. With Daniels entering his second season and having a better idea and understanding of how the game works and what to expect, plus the changes made by Peters, Daniels should suffer fewer sacks in 2025, which will help the offense keep the ball on the field and open more opportunities to score points. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders' Jayden Daniels is elite in yet another categotry
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Giants' Thibodeaux Chasing T.J. Watt
Giants' Thibodeaux Chasing T.J. Watt originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt might not be the best edge rusher in football, but his consistent presence among the top defensive players in football earns him a spot in that conversation. He may not finish his career with the most sacks or Defensive Player of the Year Awards. He might not remain in the pantheon of the elite as long as some others. Advertisement But until somebody earns 23 sacks in a season, Watt will have an accomplishment separating him from the pack. Watt is tied with New York Giants legend Michael Strahan for the most sacks in a single season, posting 22.5 in 2021. Now another New York edge rusher is gunning for his title. Kayvon Thibodeaux, the Giants' 2022 first-round pick, is chasing down the Steelers star, setting the bar extraordinarily high for his 2025 performance. 'More [sacks] than I ever had,' Thibodeaux told reporters on Tuesday. 'Every time I come out on the field, I want to have more sacks than I ever had, more tackles than I ever had and whatever I got to do to help the team. So yeah. I'm still going for the record, I'm going to go for the record every year.' Advertisement Granted, Thibodeaux's career-best sack total is 11.5, set in 2023. That was largely the result of exceeding his pass-rushing peripherals, although he improved upon those marks in 2024 while injuries limited him to 5.5 sacks. A jump could be in store for Thibodeaux, and he's looking to prove himself after an underwhelming third season. Making good on his draft capital after his fifth-year option was accepted will certainly get him paid like a star, even if he hasn't ascended just yet. 'I've always been hungry,' he added. 'I grew up poor and this is an opportunity to make more money than you'll ever make in your life. So, there's no added pressure, there's no added motivation. I think the motivation is not only to get here, but to stay here and then once you're here, you're in a land full of lions, you got to come out on top. So, for me, I just want to be the best now. That's kind of what my motivation is and that's what I'm here to do.' Thibodeaux breaking Watt's record would be as unforeseen of a breakout as any in recent memory. Further, his job got harder in 2025, at least in terms of raw production. The Giants drafted edge rusher Abdul Carter with the No. 3 pick. When on the field together, Carter stands to alleviate pressure from Thibodeaux (much like edge rusher Brian Burns and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence). With fewer playing time comes fewer opportunities to impact the box score, rendering Thibodeaux with little chance at a sack title, much less the record. Advertisement He isn't in line for hardware, but both Thibodeaux and Watt have something to prove in 2025. The former has his eyes on being the best in the sport. The latter wants to hold onto that status for as long as possible. Related: AFC North Rival Sets Bar for Watt Extension Related: Steelers Legend Chimes in on T.J. Watt's Absence This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Giants' Thibodeaux aiming to bounce back, get double-digit sacks every year and chase the NFL record
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Kayvon Thibodeaux expects a lot more from himself this season. Especially sacks. The New York Giants edge rusher had just 5 1/2 of them last season after setting a career best with 11 1/2 in 2023. Thibodeaux, who missed five games with a broken bone in his left wrist, has clear — and what he believes are realistic — goals heading into this season. 'I think I'm a consistent double-digit sack guy and I've got to do that, you know?' Thibodeaux said Tuesday after the first practice of the Giants' three-day mandatory minicamp. 'It's been three years, going on four now, and it's been a lot of ups and downs in my career and as a team. 'But I think this is a team that can win and I can help that.' The fifth overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft out of Oregon had four sacks as a rookie after being rated among the top edge rushers coming out of college that year. Thibodeaux showed impressive progress in 2023 and further raised expectations for last season when he made headlines by saying he was aiming for the NFL's single-season sacks record of 22 1/2, held by former Giants star Michael Strahan and current Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt. And the 24-year-old Thibodeaux isn't backing off that lofty aspiration. 'Every time I come out on the field, I want to have more sacks than I ever had, more tackles than I ever had, and whatever I've got to do to help the team,' he said. 'Yeah, I'm still going for the record. I'm going to go for the record every year.' But after last year's disappointing showing, Thibodeaux spent a chunk of the offseason watching his performance snap by snap while critically assessing his play. 'I didn't finish,' Thibodeaux said. 'I think I had like five half-sacks, which should've been whole sacks. I had probably like four or five missed tackles at the sack point, so just finishing my plays and just being able to come out on top in every situation.' Thibodeaux enters this season feeling great — 'I'm healthy, I'm fast, I'm strong, I'm excited' — and is part of a Giants pass rush that includes Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence and rookie Abdul Carter, the third overall pick this year. 'He gives us another guy up front to rush,' Thibodeaux said of Carter. 'He's been taking his roles really strongly and he's been doing his thing in the inside, on the outside. So, excited to have another guy to add to the gauntlet.' But the addition of Carter, in particular, prompted some speculation that New York could look to deal Thibodeaux, even though the team insisted it was happy with him and not shopping him. The Giants mostly quelled that talk in April when they picked up the fifth-year option on his rookie deal, keeping him under contract through the 2026 season. 'I don't really think about too far ahead,' he said. 'I think for me, I can only control the now, and the now, I've got to get better pass rushing, I've got to get better at stopping the run. And that's what I'm focused on. I think the more I can do for the team, the better off I'll be. So just hone in on that.' Thibodeaux knows he has his doubters — he hears the outside noise whether it's comments on sports radio or on social media. But he also knows how to handle it better, focusing on what got him to this point. So, his inspiration doesn't come from those critics. Or even from the adversity he has faced. 'I've always been hungry,' said Thibodeaux, a Los Angeles area native. 'I grew up poor and this is an opportunity to make more money than you'll ever make in your life. So, there's no added pressure, there's no added motivation. I think the motivation is not only to get here, but to stay here and then once you're here, you're in a land full of lions, you've got to come out on top. 'So, for me, I just want to be the best now. That's kind of what my motivation is and that's what I'm here to do.' ___ AP NFL:
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- 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
10-06-2025
- 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:
