Is Anthony Lynn trying to turn the Los Angeles Chargers into the Buffalo Bills West Coast? If so, he made a solid move to do it, freeing the Bills of a huge draft mistake by trading a conditional pick for back up quarterback Cardale Jones.
Jones has appeared in only one game since the Bills drafted him last season in the fourth round. He completed six passes for 96 yards and tossed a pick.
Excited for the new start, can't wait to get to work @Chargers ⚡️
— Cardale Jones (@CJ1two) July 26, 2017
Jones led the Ohio State Buckeyes to a national title in 2014 as a sophomore, completing 60.9 percent of his passes for 860 yards and seven touchdowns with two interceptions. He rushed for 296 yards and a score. The very next season, he would split time with J.T. Barrett at quarterback, unable to nail down the solo starting role. For some reason, he entered the draft and, the even bigger mystery, was actually drafted.
Lynn was the former offensive coordinator for part of the season in Buffalo last year before finishing out the year as interim head coach. Lynn began the season as the running backs coach.
Jones will battle incumbent back up Kellen Clemens and second-year Mike Bercovici. I don’t see him even getting within sniffing distance to Clemens, but, as Lynn’s pet, Jones could unseat Bercovici. Bercovici was a two-year starter at Arizona State. His senior year he completed 59.9 percent of his passes for 3,854 yards, 30 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Hawkins turns in his fez and tie tack
What looked like a dream scenario for a former undrafted free agent who had toiled in relative obscurity with the Cleveland Browns for the last three seasons came to an end Tuesday night. Wide receiver Andrew Hawkins announced his retirement from the NFL via Uninterrupted. Hawkins had just signed a free agent deal with the New England Patriots this off-season.
BREAKING NEWS: @Hawk announces his retirement on UNINTERRUPTED. pic.twitter.com/oufm3Whzzw
— UNINTERRUPTED (@uninterrupted) July 25, 2017
Hawkins cited his age and not feeling up to training camp. More likely, he was on the outside looking in with a loaded Patriots receiver corps and decided he was done.
Hawkins started 30 games in his six-year career, including the entire 15 games of 2014 for the Browns. He was originally signed out of Toledo by the Cincinnati Bengals and spent three years there before heading over to the Browns.
Hawkins’ best season was that 2014 year. He caught 63 passes for 824 yards and two touchdowns.
Cowboys get good legal news for once
Hey, look! A Dallas Cowboy player doesn’t have to go to jail. Yes, late Tuesday news broke that cornerback Jourdan Lewis, who was charged with misdemeanor domestic violence was found not guilty at trial in Ann Arbor, Mich.
“We thought all long that Jourdan would be totally exonerated and he was,” Lewis’ agent, Kevin Poston, told NFL Network. “Justice was served.”
Congratulations to @JourdanJD. Now comes the real trial and @DezBryant is the judge, jury and X-ecutioner.
You ready? #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/vGC2K68V6E
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) July 25, 2017
Attending his trial, Lewis missed the first two days of Cowboys training camp. This, along with all the other off the field problems Dallas has faced, likely helped push wide receiver Lucky Whitehead out the door.
The alleged event happened before Lewis was drafted so he’ll not face any “act of justice” from the NFL. Lewis was drafted in the third round of April’s NFL Draft out of Michigan. In his senior season with the Wolverines, Lewis recorded 27 tackles, 3.5 for a loss, two interceptions and nine passes defended.
Dolphins add Verner, lose Misi
The Miami Dolphins signed free agent cornerback Alterraun Verner to a contract Tuesday. Verner was cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this off-season after getting benched last year. Verner started three games for the Bucs but played in all 16, recording 12 tackles, seven passes defended and an interception.
Verner was a full time starter his first year in Tampa Bay after he signed with the team, joining them from the Tennessee Titans. Verner was a star in the league for his first five seasons, with his 2013 season with the Titans as the high water mark. He recorded 57 tackles, two fumble recoveries, 23 passes defended, five interceptions and one return for a touchdown.
Got my hands on Alterraun Verner's Dolphins contract. It's one year at $900,000 (minimum for players with his service time). Zero guaranteed
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) July 26, 2017
The Dolphins added Verner after losing Koa Misi for the year with a neck injury. They placed the linebacker on Injured Reserve Tuesday.
Misi missed nearly all of last season with an injury. He was Miami’s starting outside linebacker since he was drafted in the second round in 2010. Over the last three seasons he’s struggled to stay on the field with health issues. Getting put in IR now likely ends his tenure with the Dolphins for good.
Other NFL News
The Philadelphia Eagles signed Canadian National Rugby team member Adam Zaruba this week to play tight end. Zaruba is 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds. He last played football in high school.
Houston Texans left tackle Duane Brown appears to be holding out for a new contract. After missing every single off-season program with the team, Brown has not reported to training camp. The Texans put Brown on the the reserve/did not report list. Brown currently has two years left on his current contract. His hold out has triggered a de-escalator clause in that deal, costing about $150,000 already.
Gary Kubiak is rejoining the Denver Broncos as a scout. Kubiak, who coached the Broncos to their Super Bowl 50 title, retired this past off-season due to health issues. Kubiak will scout for the team in the Texas area, where he lives full time and his official title will be senior personnel advisor.
Former NFL quarterback Michael Vick is dipping his toe into coaching. He’s joined the Kansas City Chiefs as a coaching intern during training camp. Vick played under Chiefs head coach Andy Reid for four seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles.
The New Orleans Saints placed linebacker Dannell Ellerbe on injured reserve due to a foot injury. Once he’s healthy, the team has said they will cut the veteran linebacker as he is no longer in their plans. Ellerbe has appeared in only 16 games over the last three seasons.
The Jacksonville Jaguars and wide receiver Allen Robinson are working on a contract extension. Robinson, the Jaguars top wide receiver, is still playing on his rookie deal. Robinson was a second round pick out of Penn State for Jacksonville in 2014. Last season he caugth 73 passes for 883 yards and six touchdowns. A year before he had 80 catches for 1,400 yards and a league-leading 14 scores.
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