Just a few days after offensive tackle Branden Albert informed the Jacksonville Jaguars that he was retiring, it appears he’s had a change of heart. Albert, who the Jaguars acquired in a trade with the Miami Dolphins, informed the team Monday that he wants to return to the team and play out his contract.
Why?
Well, one reason is Albert would have to cough up what’s left of his prorated signing bonus, $3.4 million, if he wanted to stay retired. My guess is he looked at those numbers, checked out his bank account and suddenly rediscovered the fire in his belly for football.
Interesting development: Brandon Albert has changed his mind about retirement and will report back to Jaguars training camp.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 8, 2017
There are still some issues to be worked out, mainly a $40,000 a day fine Albert has accrued for skipping training camp. My guess is the team will waive that to get the guy they’d slotted in as their starting left tackle back in the fold. Albert is a two-time Pro Bowler in 2013 and 2015 and has started every game which he was healthy with the exception of two in his nine year career. Albert was banged up most of last season, but still suited up for 12 starts.
Albert, when he does report, will make $8.875 million in base salary this season. That’s a nice little chunk of money and certainly better to add to his bank book than subtract $3.4 million.
Jarvis Landry under investigation for some reason
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry is currently under investigation for domestic battery. There’s only one problem with that. The person he was supposed to have battered said it did not happen.
Estrella Cerqueira, the mother of Landry’s child, is supposedly the victim, but she has made it clear that nothing happened. She released a statement via her publicist to NFL Network.
When the situation arose months ago, police came & looked into it. Did not prosecute. Jarvis Landry cooperated & provided info to #Dolphins
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 7, 2017
“In March of 2017 the father of my child and I had a vocal disagreement that resulted in someone calling 911,” Cerqueira said. “I, myself did not call the police. When the police arrived they determined that there was no cause for any arrests nor was there any concern for my physical well-being. There were no arrests made, there were no criminal charges, I was not in any way physically harmed. Yes, we are going through a civil family court case and emotions are high, but I would like to make it very clear that Jarvis would never, ever do anything to harm me or anyone else. Jarvis and I are happily raising our beautiful daughter and I would like to make a plea to the media that they refrain from spreading this completely false story.”
That should have settled it, but for some reason the Broward County State’s Attorney’s office is reviewing the allegations against the wide receiver.
Dolphins head coach Adam Gase told the NFL Network that the team is aware of the report, even though there should be nothing to report.
Landry is entering his fourth NFL season after being drafted by Miami in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Last year he caught 94 passes for 1,136 yards and four touchdowns.
Jets lose Quincy Enunwa for the year
The New York Jets had one real bright spot on offense heading into this season, but that brightness was snuffed Monday. Quincy Enunwa will miss the entire 2017 NFL season with a bulging disc in his neck. Enunwa will go under the knife to fix it and will miss the next six to nine months.
Big loss: Jets are placing WR Quincy Enunwa on injured reserve with a neck injury, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 7, 2017
Enunwa apparently suffered the injury during Saturday’s practice. The wideout’s absence will open up an opportunity for a couple of rookies, ArDarius Stewart out of Alabama and Chad Hanen (who I really like) out of California. Robby Anderson and Charone Peake have likely locked down the other two starting spots.
Last year Enunwa caught 58 passes for 857 yards and four touchdowns, even with the Jets’ dumpster fire quarterback situation. It was a situation that looked even worse this season.
Anquan Boldin signs with the Bills
If you need a mercenary wide receiver, Anquan Boldin remains your man. Monday Boldin signed a one year deal with the Buffalo Bills so that Tyrod Taylor can overthrow him for the next four months.
Anquan Boldin is signing with the Buffalo Bills this afternoon. 1 year deal. @gmfb @nflnetwork @NFLonFOX
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) August 7, 2017
Boldin is entering his 15th year in the league and will be playing for his fifth team. His best seasons were with the Arizona Cardinals from 2003-2009. He won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens in 2012, then got traded to the team they beat, the San Francisco 49ers the very next season.
Last year Boldin was with the Detroit Lions and caught 67 passes for 584 yards and eight touchdowns.
Vince Wilfork decides he wants more from life than football and he wants it covered in barbecue sauce
Former Houston Texans and New England Patriots defensive tackle Vincent Wilfork is finally done with football and can turn his attention to his real passion; food. Monday, Wilfork announced he was retiring from the NFL
Wilfork is now entering the high powered world of the competitive barbecue circuit. That’s right, Big Vince is about to show us what created that belly that no one could consistently block.
Well y’all – it’s been a great run, but the time has come. @Kingsford #Sponsored pic.twitter.com/DXfDzholBi
— Vince Wilfork (@wilfork75) August 7, 2017
Wilfork was a first round pick of the New England Patriots in 2004 and played there through 2014, appearing in four Super Bowls and winning two. Wilfork retires with 565 career tackles, 16 career sacks, five forced fumbles, 12 fumble recoveries, 24 passes defended and three interceptions. Wilfork was currently a free agent after spending the last two seasons with the Houston Texans.
Flowers retiring too
Wilfork isn’t the only free agent deciding to hang up his cleats. Former San Diego Chargers cornerback Brandon Flowers told the NFL Network that he will be officially retiring Tuesday.
Flowers began his career with the Kansas City Chiefs after the team picked him in the second round out of Virginia Tech. Flowers started at KC from his rookie season until he left for San Diego as a free agent in 2014.
Just spoke to former Chiefs and Chargers CB Brandon Flowers. He told me that he will officially retire Tuesday @nflnetwork
— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) August 8, 2017
Flowers started and played in six games last season due to injury. He recorded 28 tackles, defended five passes, picked off a pass and returned it for a touchdown. In his career, Flowers recorded 490 tackles, three sacks, four forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, 111 passes defended, 21 interceptions and four touchdowns.
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