Jonathan Greenard Has a Case for Defensive Player of the Year
Plus, another former Gator takes the much-traveled Gainesville-to-KC path
Happy Thanksgiving! I am so grateful for you checking in on my weekly look at Gators in the NFL between bites of turkey and pie. In the spirit of the holiday, I know I’m not the only one thankful for the vibes in Gainesville right now. The past couple of weeks have felt like old times. Despite the struggles and chaos of the past few years, the University of Florida is a special place. The football program still has a long way to go, but it sure feels like the dark clouds have parted. Now let’s check in on the professionals.
—------------------------
Just three days after his 30th birthday, D.J. Humphries faced the toughest challenge of his football career. The nine-year veteran tore his ACL on New Year’s Eve last season, and with almost 100 games of mileage on his tread, there were no guarantees NFL teams were going to want to kick the tires on a big man coming back from a knee injury.
Humphries was released by Arizona shortly after the season ended and had to set out on rehabbing the injury without a team or its training staff. At the time, he surely weighed whether or not it was worth it. He has had a fine career, making the Pro Bowl in 2021, and playing at a consistently high level for the past five years. He’d also made north of $80 million at that point.
To his credit, Hump wasn’t willing to give up on his professional career. He bet on himself and was rewarded with a contract that could pay up to $4.5 million for the rest of the season. Oh and he’s joining the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs. And once he’s fully healthy, in shape, and has a solid grasp of the playbook, he’ll be manning Patrick Mahomes blind side.
Not only wasn’t he willing to give up, he was shocked some people thought he might. In his introductory press conference this week, he said that was the hardest part about his entire ordeal.
When Humphries does crack into the Chiefs’ lineup, he’ll join Jawaan Taylor as tackle bookmarks on the offensive line in front of Mahomes. Taylor plays on the right side, and despite his proclivity for penalties, he’s… fine. He’s a middle of the pack tackle. But the Chiefs have shuffled a couple of guys at left tackle who have been well below average and are looking for Humphries - who has played on the left side almost his entire career - to just play to his capabilities. While he’s not quite Pro-Bowl caliber anymore, he is still a good player. At the time he was hurt last season, he had allowed the ninth-fewest pressures among all starting tackles.
The Gainesville-to-KC pipeline keeps pumping. Hump is the 11th former Gator to play for the Chiefs during their current Super Bowl dynasty run, and he hopes he’ll be the eighth one to nab a ring.
BEST PLAYER OF WEEK 12
You won’t hear his name when national pundits are discussing defensive player of the year, but Jonathan Greenard absolutely needs to be in the conversation. He leads the league in quarterback pressures and is sixth in sacks and fifth in tackles for loss. This past Sunday, he put on another show.
His first sack of the day features a little shimmy inside that makes quick work of the Bears left tackle and is too fast for the guard coming over to try to double. There was a time when Greenard was mostly a speed rush guy around the edge, but he’s developed into one of the best pass-rushers in the game by adding many different ways of getting to the QB.
That said, I’ve never seen a sack quite like Greenard’s second on the day. It came on second and long in overtime and basically ended the Bears chances of winning the game. Greenard said after the game that the tight end and running back did a nice job of stymieing him early. But Greenard never quits - and thanks in part to his teammate and fellow Gator Jonathan Bullard’s containment - finally gets to Caleb Williams.
An underrated part of the play is Greenard keeping his arms up as Williams looks to dump the ball to one of the two players who were just blocking. Greenard doesn’t allow the dump off, doesn’t allow Williams to scramble away, and brings him down to get the ball back to his offense for the game-winning score.
Greenard isn’t going to win DPOY and probably won’t finish in the top five. He’s not even among the ten best odds right now. So disrespectful and just plain wrong.
BEST PLAY OF WEEK 12
Dameon Pierce isn’t getting any run in the Texans backfield, but he’s become a massive weapon in the return game.
That 80-yarder is the longest play to open a game this season. Pierce did it with his trademark tough running style, too. Of all players with at least five kick returns this year, Pierce is second in the league with a 37.1 average return.
NEWS AND NOTES
Marcus Maye and I now have two things in common. We’re both Gators and we’ve both now moved from South Florida to Southern California. Maye was claimed off waivers by the Chargers after the Dolphins released him.
Marco Wilson has joined the Bengals after being released by the Patriots last week.
TOP 10 WEEK 12 PERFORMANCES
*And something to be thankful about with every former Gator*
1 - Jonathan Greenard, EDGE, MIN
Week 12: 2 sacks, 6 tackles, 4 TFL, 1 FF, 2 QB hits, 70 snaps (92%)
Season: 9 sacks, 37 tackles, 13 TFL, 15 QB hits, 2 FF, 2 PD
What To Be Thankful For: The Greenard Kick - or Hop. His sack celebration is among the best in the league.
2 - C.J. Gardner-Johnson, DB, PHI
Week 12: 5 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 FF, 56 snaps (88%)
Season: 2 INT, 48 tackles, 7 PD, 1 TFL, 1 FF
CJGJ was a shaky tackler earlier this season, missing four tackles in Philadelphia’s first two games. In the nine games since, he’s missed one - and hasn’t missed a single tackle in the past six games. Plays like this one against Cooper Kupp show just how effective he’s been.
What To Be Thankful For: Ceedy’s mouth - he’s the best trash talker in the NFL
3 - Gervon Dexter, Sr., DT, CHI
Week 12: 5 tackles, 1 PD, 1 QB hit, 50 snaps (70%), 8 ST snaps (26%)
Season: 4 sacks, 35 tackles, 15 QB hits, 3 TFL, 1 PD, 1 FR
What To Be Thankful For: A bright future in Chicago. The Bears can build around Caleb Williams on offense and Dexter on defense.
4 - Jonathan Bullard, DL, MIN
Week 12: 5 tackles, 31 snaps (41%)
Season: 27 tackles, 6 TFL, 2 QB hits, 2 PD
One play before Greenard’s overtime sack, Bullard holds the edge and snuffs out a Caleb Williams scramble to set up second and long. It’s plays like these that Bullard makes over and over and why he’s quietly having a great season.
Watch that Greenard overtime sack again and you’ll see Bullard doing what the Vikings and Brian Flores absolutely love. Bullard’s job isn’t to take down the quarterback. His job is to control the line of scrimmage and eliminate running lanes. He contains Williams perfectly, allowing Greenard the chance to finish the job. Great defenses need players like Bullard to do the dirty work so that the superstars on the edge can get all the glory.
What To Be Thankful For: Having your best season in year number nine.
5 - Dameon Pierce, RB, HOU
Week 12: 3 KR, 45.0 avg, 6 ST snaps (17%)
Season: 15 rush, 100 yards, TD, 1 rec, 1 yard, 7 KR, 37.1 avg
What To Be Thankful For: Making the most of an opportunity. Pierce has taken the kick returner job and well, run with it.
6 - Demarcus Robinson, WR, LAR
Week 12: 2 rec (3 targets), 15 yards, TD, 51 snaps (80%)
Season: 26 rec (50 targets), 384 yards, 6 TD
Unfortunately, Robinson’s TD catch on Sunday was overshadowed by news he was arrested for DUI early Monday morning. According to the police report, he was clocked at over 100 mph, appeared noticeably intoxicated, and was taken into custody. Disappointing to say the least.
What To Be Thankful For: No one was hurt. Robinson made an awful mistake, but thankfully he didn’t cause an accident that injured someone. Rams coach Sean McVay called Robinson a good person and said he apologized to the team and showed remorse.
7 - Eddy Piñeiro, K, CAR
Week 12: 4/4 FG, Long 33, 1/1 XP
Season: 16/17 FG, Long 53, 18/18 XP
Piñeiro set a season-high with 13 points and stayed perfect on the season with four more field goals. This is your weekly reminder that Eddy has the highest field-goal percentage in NFL history.
What To Be Thankful For: New nicknames. I just noticed that Pro-Football Reference added the nickname “Eddy Dinero” to his page. Given that Money Mac has cashed out for the time being, it’s perfect timing for the new nickname.
8 - Anthony Richardson, QB, IND
Week 12: 11/28 passing, 172 yards, 10 rush, 61 yards
Season: 90/191, 47.1%, 1,402 yards, 5 TD, 7 INT, 61 rush, 335 yards, 3 TD
The passing numbers looked bad again, but Richardson lost over 100 yards and a touchdown due to Colts penalties and drops by his receivers. This was AR’s first full game of the season without a turnover.
What To Be Thankful For: Avoiding sacks. Richardson does it as well as anyone not named Josh Allen.
9 - Van Jefferson, WR, PIT
Week 12: 2 rec (2 targets), 39 yards, 18 snaps (26%)
Season: 16 rec (28 targets), 178 yards, TD
What To Be Thankful For: Small victories. After a couple of weeks without a catch, Jefferson hauled in both of his targets.
10 - Dante Fowler, Jr., OLB, WAS
Week 12: 3 tackles, 32 snaps (48%)
Season: 8.5 sacks, INT, 67 yards, TD, 28 tackles, 10 TFL, 9 QB hits, 1 PD, 1 FF
What To Be Thankful For: Dan Quinn. Find someone who loves you like Dan Quinn loves Dante Fowler.
THE REST OF THE FORMER GATORS
Brenton Cox, Jr., OLB, GB
Week 12: 1 tackle, 1 FF, 22 snaps (45%), 3 ST snaps (12%)
Season: 1 sack, 4 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 FF, 2 QB hits
What To Be Thankful For: Perseverance. Cox has stayed in the fight and is now a part of a playoff-bound defense.
Taven Bryan, DT, IND
Week 12: 2 tackles, 1 QB hit, 20 snaps (28%), 5 ST snaps (21%)
What To Be Thankful For: Shedding labels. Bryan was a first-round bust in Jacksonville, but he’s been in the league for seven seasons now and has embraced his role. Very few players become stars; just making it is worth celebrating.
Brandon Powell, WR/PR, MIN
Week 12: 5 PR, 8.6 avg, 6 snaps (8%), 7 ST snaps (23%)
Season: 5 rec (8 targets), 51 yards, 19 PR, 7.4 avg
What To Be Thankful For: Tenacity. Powell fought just to make the league when no one drafted him in 2018. He fought to stay in the league when no one signed him in 2019 and again in 2021. Once he finally got a shot, he willed himself into becoming one of the league’s most reliable punt returners.
Ricky Pearsall, WR, SF
Week 12: 0 targets, 3 PR, 13.7 avg, 33 snaps (67%), 4 ST snaps (16%)
Season: 11 rec (17 targets), 132 yards, TD, 1 rush, 39 yards, 3 PR, 13.7 avg
What To Be Thankful For: Miracles. Because I’m not sure Pearsall is still here without one.
T.J. Slaton, NT, GB
Week 12: 2 tackles, 19 snaps (39%), 8 ST snaps (32%)
Season: 1 sack, 20 tackles, 1 TFL, 3 QB hits
What To Be Thankful For: Big Beautiful Bodies. Slaton is the epitome of the space-eating nose tackle.
Tommy Townsend, P, HOU
Week 12: 5 punts, 48.0 avg, 46.8 net
Season: 55 punts, 47.5 avg, 441. Net
What To Be Thankful For: Long hair, don’t care.
Jawaan Taylor, RT, KC
Week 12: 74 snaps (100%)
Season: 763 snaps (100%), 10 penalties
Taylor was flagged twice more on Sunday, although one was declined. He’s now up to 10 penalties on the season, tied for fifth most in the league.
What To Be Thankful For: Giving back.
Jeremiah Moon, OLB, PIT
Week 12: 1 tackle, 12 ST snaps (60%)
Season: 6 tackles
What To Be Thankful For: Mentors. If Moon is going to become an effective outside linebacker in the NFL, there is no one better to watch and learn from than his teammate T.J. Watt.
Amari Burney, LB, LV
Week 12: 1 snap (1%), 29 ST snaps (85%)
Season: 6 tackles
What To Be Thankful For: Plays we’ll never forget. Burney made one of those.
Justin Shorter, TE, LV
Week 12: 4 snaps (5%), 15 ST snaps (44%)
Season: 22 snaps (7%), 67 ST snaps (48%)
What To Be Thankful For: Position changes. Shorter has made the transition from receiver to tight end. Without it, he’s likely not in the league.
Marcus Maye, S, LAC
Week 12: 14 ST snaps (50%)
Season: 30 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PD
What To Be Thankful For: Sunshine. Trading Miami for L.A. will keep Maye warm this winter.
Fred Johnson, OT, PHI
Week 12: 2 snaps (3%), 7 ST snaps (25%)
Season: 400 snaps (53%), 53 ST snaps (19%), 3 penalties
What To Be Thankful For: Answering the call. After years of barely playing, Johnson was thrust into action and delivered. In fact, his ability to fill in for a couple of injured starters on the offensive line helped turn the Eagles season around.
Zach Carter, DT, LV
Week 12: 3 snaps (4%)
Season: 0.5 sack, 9 tackles, 1 QB hit
What To Be Thankful For: Hanging on. Sometimes, it’s all you can do. Hang on long enough until you can figure out what’s next. Carter was cut by Cincinnati and he’s barely playing in Vegas. But keep hanging on and hopefully you can figure it out.
Kyle Trask, QB, TB
Week 12: Did Not Play
Season: 2 rush, -2 yards
What To Be Thankful For: Best job in the world - backup quarterback.
BYE WEEK
Kyle Pitts. TE, ATL
What To Be Thankful For: The glimmers of hope. When Pitts has been involved, he’s delivered big plays. It’s not his fault the Falcons are so up and down.
Ventrell Miller, LB, JAX
What To Be Thankful For: Comebacks. Miller has had plenty and he keeps defying the odds and coming back even better.
Evan McPherson, K, CIN
What To Be Thankful For: Unplugging. Sometimes we just need a break. McPherson says he unplugged during the bye week and spent some time on the golf course. Hopefully it helps him break out of his slump.
Marco Wilson, CB, CIN
What To Be Thankful For: Forgiveness. If you still think about the shoe, it’s time to let it go.
O’Cyrus Torrence, G, BUF
What To Be Thankful For: Being drafted by a contender. Torrence was always going to be a 10-year-starter in the league. It could have been for a team like the Jets. Instead, he’s lining up in front of Josh Allen and because of that, he’s going to have a shot at the Super Bowl every year.
Kaiir Elam, CB, BUF
What To Be Thankful For: Free Agency. Elam will find a new home this off-season, and he’ll have a chance to be a starter again in the league. He can play, he just needs a fresh start.
INACTIVE
None
PRACTICE SQUAD
Kadarius Toney, WR, CLE
Trey Dean III, S, CLE
La’Mical Perine, RB, PIT
Malik Davis, RB, DAL
Kingsley Eguakun, C, DET
Richard Gouraige, OT, BUF
David Sharpe, OT, HOU
INJURED RESERVE
Alex Anzalone, LB, DET
C.J. Henderson, CB, PIT
Trent Brown, RT, CIN
Stone Forsythe, OT, SEA