Feb 5, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA;  Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo in a press conference ahead of Super Bowl LIX at New Orleans Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Unheralded Chiefs defense lauds ‘spiritual muse’ Steve Spagnuolo

NEW ORLEANS — The Kansas City Chiefs’ offense tends to get most of the headlines.

Quarterbacked by a generational talent in Patrick Mahomes with a head coach in Andy Reid so committed to innovation that by at least one account he literally still draws up plays in the dirt on the fly, it’s easy to understand why.

But if the Chiefs are to emerge with a record third straight Super Bowl championship against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday in Super Bowl LIX, they’ll need a total team performance.

Enter the Kansas City defense, which despite being less flashy and heralded than its offensive counterpart, still brings talent as well as a clear identity to the proceedings.

That’s a reflection partly on Reid and the culture he has built in Kansas City. But on Wednesday, Reid and several players pointed to longtime defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and his aggressive vision as being integral to their team’s success.

“Spags was able to come in (in 2019) and has done a great job with the guys,” Reid said. “I think the thing I appreciate most is watching the trust that the players have in him. That means that you’re doing a whole lot of things right.

“They trust his scheme, he’s a good teacher, they trust him as a person, knowing that he’s going to try his best to put you in the best position for your skill that he possibly can to try to highlight that.”

Star defensive end Chris Jones spoke about how their relationship has evolved, with the 65-year-old Spagnuolo moving him around more to get to the quarterback, which he loves.

“That’s my guy. He’s a spiritual muse for this team,” said Jones, a six-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time first-team All-Pro. “I have so much love and respect for Coach Spags and also his wife. They play a huge part in the defense and the team’s success.”

Jones emphasized the family-like environment that Spagnuolo has created, wherein his wife, Maria, will regularly cook for the players.

“She’s bringing us the meatballs this week,” Jones said. “That’s pivotal to the success of the team.”

Still, beyond good vibes and meatballs, an effective coordinator also has to call the plays that allow his players to succeed. And in that realm, Spagnuolo has been pushing a lot of the right buttons of late.

His play-calling instincts came shining through in the biggest moment of the season late in the AFC Championship Game, when Spagnuolo dialed up Trent McDuffie’s number on a cornerback blitz that hurried Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen into an incompletion on fourth down.

“I love how aggressive coach Spags is. To play in a defense like that has been a lot of fun, because he’s going to utilize you in multiple ways,” McDuffie said. “It takes a little bit more discipline to really know your plays, studying to make sure you know certain situations, what we can call, knowing that he will call certain plays, and just knowing at the end of the day, he’s going to trust us to go out there and make plays.

“That gives you a lot of confidence and makes you excited to go out there and make plays for him.”

Jones, who is seeking his fourth Super Bowl ring with the Chiefs, echoed McDuffie’s appreciation for the scheme: “It keeps you on your toes as an offensive coordinator. You never know who’s dropping and who’s coming on defense.”

That creative freedom comes from not only having talented players but also having leaders in the defensive unit who can keep everyone on target.

“There’s a lot of good leadership in that locker room,” Reid said, noting that “they all bring their own personality to it.”

He listed Jones, linebacker Nick Bolton and free safety Justin Reid among the leaders who have helped to build a culture of accountability on defense and singled out Reid for his role in calling plays on the field.

“(Reid) has a good name,” Reid quipped to a round of laughs in the media room. “Justin is a smart kid and a heck of a football player. Very tough — he’ll come up and introduce himself to you aggressively. He has the aptitude to take all the stuff in that Spags throws at him and be able to make the calls back there and get people going in the right direction.”

Reid has confidence in his defensive group should the Chiefs find themselves in another close game.

“The guys, they obviously don’t give up,” Reid said. “They play four quarters.”

–David Gladow, Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) runs for yards after catch as Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (51) pursues during the second quarter U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Vikings’ Brian Flores traces roots of rebuilding dominant ‘D’

Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores told his defense to “do what we’ve been doing and a little bit more” as Minnesota seeks a 3-0 start to the regular season for the first time since 2016.

Unheralded outside linebacker Pat Jones II had two sacks of Brock Purdy in Week 2 and leads the team with 4.0, but his play on early downs and attention he drew on third downs stands out to Flores.

“It’s those other snaps I’m looking at. I like the sacks too, don’t get me wrong,” Flores said of Jones’ strong start.

There was heavy offseason speculation about the demise of Minnesota’s pass rush after Danielle Hunter left in free agency. But the Vikings have 10.0 sacks, four takeaways and allow 11.5 points (third in the NFL) during a perfect start some didn’t see coming.

“We play team defense. I don’t know whose going to make the play. What I like to see is a number of players making plays, it’s not a one-man show,” Flores said. “We’ve just got to keep our head down and keep working.”

Minnesota knows not to overreact in Week 3. The Vikings began last season 0-3, then won six of seven games only to collapse under the weight of injuries — to wide receiver Justin Jefferson and then-quarterback Kirk Cousins — and finished 7-10.

Back in 2016, they started 5-0 only to wrap the year at 8-8.

But as first steps go, the Vikings like where they stand in September — the lone undefeated team in the NFC North.

Flores felt the tide was turning after developing a vision of what his defense could be in free agency. He collaborating with the scouting staff and front office knowing the plan was “a little different.” He felt finding footing early in the season was a critical launch point, and the Vikings executed the vision to perfection with wins over the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers.

“It’s not a grocery list — there’s other factors, budgets, salary cap. But there’s certainly a vision early on. To watch it kind of come to life has been pretty cool. But it’s still early. We’ve got to continue to build.”

One critical signing that helped significantly was bringing in Eden Prairie, Minn., product Blake Cashman. Raised a Vikings’ fan, Cashman and his brother used to mow lawns for NFL players including running back Adrian Peterson.

A cornerback and linebacker for a high school state champion in the same town the Vikings’ team headquarters is located as a teammate of Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr., Cashman was lightly recruited to the University of Minnesota.

Cashman developed with the Houston Texans after being drafted in the sixth round by the New York Jets. Flores pushed for his signing after recalling a conversation with Cashman’s linebackers coach at Minnesota, Mike Sherels.

Sherels’ perspective: praise and projection of his potential impact was off the charts.

Flores crafted a vision for Cashman, and the Vikings landed him in March with a $22.5 million, three-year deal. Thus far, Cashman is exceeding expectations, especially in terms of communication and getting people in the right place, Flores said.

“He’s big on ‘where’s my help and how can I help someone else?’ It’s a big part of team defense,” Flores said. “I’m excited to have him. Excited to keep working with him.”

Hunter landed with the Texans (2-0) and heads to Minneapolis as a key figure in Houston’s pass rush. He has 1.5 of the Texans’ 9.0 sacks in 2023.

–Field Level Media

East Rutherford, NJ     December 3, 2023 -- Jets quarterback Tim Boyle is sacked in the first half. The Atlanta Falcons topped the NY Jets 13-8 at MetLife Stadium on December 3, 2023 in East Rutherford, NJ.

Arthur Smith credits defense as Falcons eye three-game win streak

After a three-game losing streak, the Atlanta Falcons are in position to piece together a three-game winning streak Sunday when they host the rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Following a 13-8 road win over the New York Jets, Atlanta is 6-6 overall and 3-0 in the NFC South. If the season were to end this week, Atlanta would earn the fourth seed in the NFC playoff bracket. The rival Bucs and New Orleans Saints are each one game back in the division race.

“You are going to hit adversity in some seasons. There have been some really great teams that have had a three-game skid,” Smith said.

“In the NFL, very rarely has anybody had a perfect season. Everybody strives for it, but what you’re seeing is, everybody is going to have adversity. But if you don’t have the right people, it can go sideways in a hurry.”

Smith praised his defense for helping to right the ship. The Falcons haven’t allowed a touchdown in two weeks — the Saints made five field goals in Atlanta’s 24-15 two games ago before the Jets were limited to two field goals and a safety Sunday.

In the win over New York, the Falcons recorded four sacks, forced four fumbles (two of which were recovered) and had one interception.

The Jets had the ball late in the fourth quarter with a chance to take the lead, but Trevor Siemian was sacked by Arnold Ebiketie, which put New York in a fourth-and-17 situation on its 37-yard line.

On the next play, Bud Dupree nailed Siemian, which forced an errant throw and ended the game.

“This is the NFL, people are going to make plays, but don’t give up (and) turn those into disasters and let them get momentum,” Smith said. “That’s a credit to mindset, but a lot of things we’ve been trying to work on week to week, certainly coming out of the bye, and we’ll continue to try to do that.”

Ebiketie leads Atlanta in sacks with 5.5, while Dupree has five. Despite the losses of Pro Bowl defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, starting defensive linemen Calais Campbell, David Onyemata and Kentavius Street have joined Ebiketie and Dupree in making it tough on opposing offenses.

“When those guys are rolling, you can have the best scheme but it’s going to come down to the fundamentals,” Smith said about his team’s defense. “We have some guys that are heavy-handed and play with good technique and leverage.

“You may think you have Calais Campbell doubled, but Calais is a grown man out there. He makes it hard to run close-sided on him, and David is as good as anybody. His stats may not show up in the stat sheet, but if you ask any player or coach in this league they’ll tell you he’s a real dude inside.”

Atlanta ranks 10th in the league in total defense (315.9 yards per game) and seventh in scoring defense (20.0 points per game).

Tampa Bay (5-7, 2-1 NFC South) is coming off a 21-18 win over Carolina. Star wide receiver Mike Evans has scored five touchdowns in the past four games, so Atlanta’s secondary could have its hands full, especially if top cornerback A.J. Terrell is sidelined. Terrell left the game against the Jets and is in concussion protocol.

Regardless, Smith wants his team to keep stacking wins.

“It’s a big game. But we’re looking forward to it,” Smith said.

–Smith said the injuries to Terrell, right tackle Kaleb McGary and linebacker Nate Landman were “not long-term” and he would know more about their status Wednesday.

McGary and Landman are dealing with knee injuries.

“It may be a week or two weeks, but luckily it’s not season-ending for Kaleb or Nate,” Smith said.

–Field Level Media

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Nakobe Dean (17) almost intercepts a late fourth quarter Florida pass near the end zone. The Florida Gators fell to the Georgia Bulldogs 34 to 7.in Jacksonville, Florida Saturday, October 30, 2021. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]

Syndication Gainesville Sun

No. 1 Georgia continues making history on defense

Every time top-ranked Georgia takes the field, the Bulldogs’ defense will be facing more than an opposing offense.

The Bulldogs’ underlying opponent each week is history.

Georgia’s defense, through nine games, has rivaled any unit that has ever played. The Bulldogs have given up 59 points — and average of 6.56 per game — after holding Missouri to just two field goals in a 43-6 win last week.

Georgia is the first team since Alabama in 1992 to hold each of its first nine opponents under 14 points. And even 2011 Alabama, which featured at least statistically, the best defense that coach Nick Saban has fielded in Tuscaloosa, allowed 64 points through nine games and 106 in 12 regular-season games before blanking LSU, 21-0, in the BCS title game.

This season, the Bulldogs (9-0, 7-0 SEC) could have given up 73 more points than they’ve allowed so far and they’d still be leading the Football Bowl Subdivision, ahead of Texas A&M who is ranked second having allowed 132 points (14.67 points per game).

The Bulldogs have also done it against one of college football’s toughest schedules, as four of Georgia’s wins are against teams that were ranked at the time of the teams’ meeting — Clemson (No. 3), Arkansas (No. 8), Auburn (No. 18) and Kentucky (No. 11). Those four opponents scored 26 points combined.

The Bulldogs’ 59 points are the fewest the program has allowed through nine games since the 1971 squad allowed just 53 en route to finishing 11-1. Georgia gave up 115 points that year.

Georgia’s final three regular-season opponents — Tennessee (5-4, 3-3 SEC), Charleston Southern (3-5) and Georgia Tech (3-6) — should all face a daunting challenge moving the ball against the Bulldogs. Georgia ranks second nationally in total defense (231.8 yards per game), first downs allowed (119), rushing defense (80.7 yards) and passing defense (151.1 yards

But all Georgia coach Kirby Smart is focusing on is stopping Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker and the Volunteers, who are averaging 38.2 points per game, on Saturday in Knoxville, Tenn. Hooker threw for a career-high 316 yards and four touchdowns in a 45-42 win at then-No. 18 Kentucky last week.

“Hendon Hooker is a tremendous athlete,” Smart said Monday. “He’s hard to tackle. He’s big, physical and has a strong arm.

“They’ve got an extremely good group of wideouts. They’re extremely physical, big, have size and speed. They are really fast on tape. We know the players they are running past. They are good football players that they are running past, making explosive plays.”

The Bulldogs have shown balance throughout their defense.

Seven players have made at least 29 tackles, led by Channing Tindall (45), Lewis Cine (40) and Quay Walker (39). Eight have at least one interception, led by safety Christopher Smith and linebacker Nakobe Dean, who each have two.

Fourteen players have at least one sack and four have at least three, including Dean (3.5), Travon Walker (3.5) and Jalen Carter (3). Linebacker Adam Anderson, who leads the team with five sacks, was suspended indefinitely last week after being accused of raping a 21-year-old woman.

“They are big, long, physical, athletic and they play with speed,” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said. “They do a great job of retracing on perimeter screens, and when you think you got space, it closes down pretty quickly. … The depth of their football team is a big part of their success.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 7, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive back Marquise Blair (27) breaks up a pass intended for Los Angeles Rams wide receiver DeSean Jackson (1) during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Seahawks’ defense on pace to allow record number of yards

The Seattle Seahawks find themselves on pace to break an unenviable record following Thursday night’s 26-17 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

The Seahawks’ defense was ranked last in the NFL in total yards heading into Thursday night’s game. Seattle surrendered 476 total yards to the Rams, boosting its total to 2,254 yards through five games.

That’s an average of 450.8 yards a game, and puts the Seahawks on pace to surrender 7,663.6 yards in a 17-game season. That would be the most in NFL history, according to Pro Football Talk.

The current record for yards allowed in a season is 7,042, set by the New Orleans Saints in 2012. That Saints surrendered 440.1 yards a game over a 16-game season. That means the Seahawks wouldn’t set the record solely based on the new 17-game schedule.

The Seahawks (2-3) return to action against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 17.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2019; Denver, Colorado, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia during the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Lions’ Patricia gives up defensive play calling

Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia is turning over the play calling on defense to first-year defensive coordinator Cory Undlin.

Patricia called the bulk of the plays last season when Paul Pasqualoni served as defensive coordinator. But with Undlin in charge of the plays, Patricia told reporters Monday that he’ll have more opportunity to help the Lions make in-game adjustments on offense and on special teams.

“Just in general, philosophy for me as a head coach is to manage the game, and make sure that I’m there for all three phases when questions come up and certainly (when) we’re talking through scenarios, situational football as it comes up through the course of the game, penalties, things like that, and then obviously input,” Patricia said.

“It’s free rein where I get to help and sometimes I see the game a little bit differently from my lens as the head coach as opposed to when you’re a coordinator and you’re dialed in to that call, that play, the next call or the next situation. Sometimes bigger picture stuff I can help with.”

Patricia’s record in his first two seasons leading the Lions is 9-22-1. He was the defensive coordinator for Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots for six seasons prior to moving on to Detroit and was with the Patriots from 2004-17.

Last season, the Lions’ defense was last in passing defense (284.4 yards per game) and 21st in rushing defense (115.9 yards). The Lions could have as many as six new starters on defense in 2020.

“Cory has been grinding away,” Patricia said. “He’s our defensive coordinator. He’s been working to understand everything that we’re doing defensively and obviously has his input.

“Cory and I have known each other a long time. Certainly without the spring it was obviously going to be interesting to see how training camp went and the operation and all that. He’s ready to go; he’s ready to call it and do what he’s got to do. He’s the defensive coordinator.”

Undlin will be calling the plays from the field instead of the booth. For the past five seasons, he was the defensive backs coach for the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Lions are scheduled to open the season against the Chicago Bears on Sept. 13 in Detroit.

–Field Level Media