NFL - NEWS & NOTES

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) ? The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed second-round draft pick Myles Jack.

Under the NFL's rookie slotting system, the former UCLA linebacker signed a four-year deal worth about $6.3 million Friday.

Jack became the fourth of Jacksonville's seven rookies to sign. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey (first round), defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (third) and defensive tackle Sheldon Day (fourth) remain unsigned.

Jack had been considered a top-10 pick, but concerns about a knee injury that kept him out most of 2015 caused him to slip. The Jaguars traded up two spots to grab him with the 36th overall selection. Jack had 88 tackles in 2014 and was named Pac-12 freshman of the year in 2013 on offense and defense. He scored seven touchdowns and had 75 tackles that season.

 

AP source: Jones in final stages of talks with Dolphins

MIAMI (AP) ? A person familiar with the situation says defensive end Jason Jones is in the final stages of negotiations with the Miami Dolphins on a deal.

The person confirmed the contract talks to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday because the Dolphins had not commented. A deal is expected Monday.

Jones would provide depth behind another Miami newcomer, Mario Williams, and Cameron Wake, who is coming off Achilles tendon surgery.

Jones started 31 games the past two seasons for the Detroit Lions. The eight-year NFL veteran also has experience at tackle, and has 65 career starts and 28 sacks.

 

Jason Jones to sign free-agent deal with Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins are adding some more depth to their defensive line.

FL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Friday that defensive end Jason Jones is headed to Miami to sign a deal with the Dolphins, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

Jones gives the Dolphins another option on the edge with Cameron Wake working his way back from a torn Achilles tendon. Jones started 31 of 32 games for the Lions over the past two season, collecting 9.5 sacks in that time. He'll turn 30 later this month and is currently recovering from offseason knee surgery. Jones has already come back from a torn patellar tendon suffered early in the 2013 season.

Jones and the Dolphins had been in talks for weeks, according to reports, making Friday's news somewhat expected. Jones also met with the Cowboys during his extended period of free agency.

 

The Baltimore Ravens struggled to defend the pass last season. Though they finished the year 10th in passing yards allowed, they also ranked 19th in opponent's completion percentage, 17th in yards allowed per attempt, 22nd in touchdowns allowed, dead last in interceptions, 27th in opponent's quarterback rating, and 25th in Football Outsiders' pass defense DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average, which adjusts performance for down, distance, and opponent).

Not typically big spenders in free agency, the Ravens made one big move early this offseason to help solidify the back end of their defense, signing former Chargers safety Eric Weddle. On Saturday, they made another move to improve the secondary, inking former Colts and Cardinals cornerback Jerraud Powers to a one-year deal. The Ravens announced the deal via their official website.

Because Powers was signed after May 12, he will not cost the Ravens in the compensatory pick formula for the 2017 draft. After losing guard Kelechi Osemele to the Raiders on a big deal, they're likely in line to receive either a third or fourth-round pick next year.

 

Titans waive Mettenberger, clearing space for 4 new signees

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) ? The Tennessee Titans have waived quarterback Zach Mettenberger, making space to sign four players who earned jobs after trying out during rookie minicamp.

Mettenberger, a sixth-round draft pick out of LSU in 2014, is 0-10 in his career as a starter. The Titans didn't need him after bringing in Matt Cassel to back up Marcus Mariota. They also have Alex Tanney on the roster.

The Titans on Monday also added Rutgers fullback Sam Bergen, wide receiver Ben Roberts of Montana, defensive end Mike Smith of Southern Mississippi and cornerback Bennett Okotcha of Texas-San Antonio.

They waived defensive end Iosia Iosia, tight end Kevin Greene and wide receiver Rashon Ceasar.

 

Panthers release cornerback Brandon Boykin

Brandon Boykin didn't last long on the Carolina Panthers' roster.

The team announced Monday it cut ties with the cornerback after signing him to a one-year, $840,000 deal in March.

Boykin started just one game in Pittsburgh last season after several solid seasons as a slot corner in Philadelphia. He didn't get much of a chance to compete for a gig in Carolina.

It's a surprising move for corner-needy Carolina to jettison Boykin after less than two months. We expected the 25-year-old to battle for the slot corner job. Once thought to be a promising player Chip Kelly was trying to get rid of, Boykin is now searching to find his fourth team in less than a year.

Cutting Boykin speaks to the faith the team has in the three rookies drafted this season, and the staff's ability to coach them up in short order.

After jettisoning Boykin, the Panthers depth chart sits with Bene' Benwikere (coming off a broken leg), Robert McClain (got torched last season) rookies James Bradberry (second round), Daryl Worley (third round) and Zack Sanchez (fifth round), Shaquille Richardson (zero NFL snaps), Lou Young (zero NFL snaps) and Teddy Williams (zero NFL starts in five seasons; one pass defensed).

Coach Ron Rivera said over the weekend the team had no immediate plans to add a veteran corner.

After rescinding the franchise tag on Josh Norman, general manager Dave Gettlemen said "sometimes the answer is on your roster."

The Panthers are betting on those youngsters being the answer in 2016.

 

does anyone sign boykin now?

 

Other than veteran mentorship and/or comfortability with the station of being the backup, I have a hard time understanding why TEN would prefer Cassel to Mettenberger at this point. Will be interested to see what kind of action he generates on the waiver wire...I'd've bet he was a player that could've netted them something in trade.

 

Bills announce that Rookie 1st round pick DE Shaq Lawson will have shoulder surgery and miss about 4-6 months. He will likely be put on the PUP list and not be allowed to play until at least week 8. Originally it was assumed the surgery would be postponed until the following offseason but both parties felt it was wise to sacrifice at least half this season to get him 100% healthy.

 

That takes the glow off an outstanding draft. I expected Shaq to be a day-one starter. Could be better for the long haul to force him into filmroom and other study. Still was looking forward to seeing what the ACC D-player of the year, and the SEC D-player of the year could do together.

 

Cam Newton: runaway MVP winner again in 2016 or runaway MVP winner again in 2016? Basically a guarantee one of those 2 things happen this season.

 

Doubt it. After walking out on the press conference at the SB, the press will walk out on him when it comes to voting.

 

This shows why the Titanns suck. I get that Mariota is your future and Cassell comes with a world of experince including som Belichick strategem, but we've otherwise seen the best he has to offer. Mettenberger can be a starter in this league at least as good as Ryan Fitzpatrick right now imo. He had that failed drug test for weed at the Combine and ACK recovery which was nothing short of astounding. There hasn't been any hint of trouble since, but they found themselves top-heavy at QB. He was a damn good LSU QB:

They should've been able to find a trade partner in this QB needy league even as a developmental player for a 7th rd pick. Now some team will likely benefit from their lack of faith. As I said, this shows why the Titans suck.

 

If that happens it's just the typical racist press trying to hold back the best offensive player in football.

 

It has nothing to do with racism.

 

Bills' Sammy Watkins breaks foot, expected to be back for regular season

The Bills' offseason capsized and plunged nose-first into Lake Erie on Monday.
Roughly two hours after the Bills' announcement that first-round pick Shaq Lawson will have pre-emptive surgery on his shoulder and will reportedly miss up to six months hit the airwaves, news of another injury emerged. Tyler Dunne of The Buffalo News is reporting that wide receiver Sammy Watkins broke his foot and had a screw inserted roughly a month ago. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the surgery occurred about three weeks ago.

The Bills confirmed the news on their website, adding that he's not expected to miss any regular-season games. According to reports, Watkins might be back in time for training camp. Key word: might.

According to Dunne, "the team is hopeful" of that possibility.

 

Well, it's a good thing I got the Sabres 'cause today is a rough one for a Bills fan. (The Sabres will not suck next year.)

 

A jerk is a jerk is a jerk. Race doesn't enter it.

 

if anyone holds newton back, it's himself, with his antics!