Page 14 - Florida Sentinel 7-31-18

Sports
Duane Brown Reportedly Gets 3-Year, $36.5 Million Extension From Seahawks
Buccaneers' Coach Won't Commit To Starting Jameis Winston After QB's Suspension End
If Jameis Winston was hoping to get a public vote of confidence from the Bucca- neers this week, that defi- nitely didn't happen after the team's first practice of train- ing camp.
With Winston set to miss the first three games of the season due to suspension, one of the interesting ques- tions in Tampa is whether or not the beleaguered quarter- back will be getting his start- ing job back after he returns to the team in Week 4. Dirk Koetter was asked about that exact situation on Thurs- day, and let's just say that the Bucs head coach definitely sounded non-committal about starting Winston in Week 4.
"Week 4 is a long ways away," Koetter said, via Joe- BucsFan.com. "So, you know, let's worry about Week 4 in Week 4. Right now, let's worry about preseason and getting ready for the Saints."
On the other hand, this is the NFL and anything can happen, so why commit to a starting quarterback for a game that won't be played until Week 4.On one hand, if Koetter was absolutely con- fident that Winston was
JAMEIS WINSTON
going to be his quarterback, then he could have offered a simple, "The plan is for Jameis to start." That would have been a vote of confi- dence for Winston, but would have still left Koetter some room to change his mind down the road.
The Bucs will be going into the season with Ryan Fitz- patrick as their starter and if he were to open the year with a 3-0 record against Tampa's brutal opening schedule (at New Orleans, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh), then there would be no rea- son to send him to the bench right away.
The Cleveland Browns may be the new frontrunners to land Dez Bryant.
According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, the Browns have had initial dis- cussions with Bryant’s camp about a one-year deal that would see him get significant playing time with Josh Gor- don sidelined.
If talks go well, Bryant could visit Cleveland to be- come familiar with the organ- ization, and then sign if that step goes off without a hitch. Bryant is represented by Roc Nation, the same com- pany that represents head coach Hue Jackson, which could help any deal along.
Bryant wouldn’t be play- ing for a contender if he joins the Browns, but it sounds like he does have a chance at get-
DEZ BRYANT
ting the one-year “prove-it” deal he sought in free agency. With Gordon’s status un- clear going forward, he’d have the chance to be a big part of the offense and prove that he’s still a quality re- ceiver before hitting free agency again next offseason.
DUANE BROWN
Duane Brown indicated this offseason that he was not worried about his contract sta- tus. That was for good reason.
The Seattle Seahawks took care of Brown and gave him a 3-year, $36.5 million extension.
Brown missed time at the start of last season due to a con- tract issue with the Houston Texans. He was eventually traded to the Seahawks, for whom he played 10 games. Seat- tle obviously liked what they saw, because they are keeping the soon-to-be 33-year-old around longer.
Brown has been named to four Pro Bowls during his 10- year career.
Browns, Dez Bryant Have Discussed One-Year Deal
Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott Calls National Anthem Protests Inappropriate
Dallas Cowboys quarter- back Dak Prescott is going against the grain with his re- cent statement that kneeling during the national anthem at NFL games is not the right place to protest, the Star- Telegram reports.
Prescott is one of few NFL players to publicly sup- port the NFL’s new no kneel- ing policy. As the NFL and the players union work out the kinks of the deal that deals with penalties, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones doubled down Wednesday saying that his team must stand for the an- them, and can’t stay in the locker room.
Prescott said he won’t be taking a knee no matter what. Free agent Colin Kaeper- nick started the protest to help fight police violence against brown bodies.
Black Twitter, of course, was quick to respond.
“I don’t think that’s the time or the venue to do so,” Prescott said, via the Star- Telegram.
“The game of football has always brought me such a peace and I think it does the same for a lot of other people, people playing the game, peo- ple watching the game and any people that have an im- pact on the game. So, when you bring such a controversy to the stadium, to the field, to
DAK PRESCOTT
the game, it takes away. It takes away from the joy and the love that football brings a lot of people.”
“I do exactly what I’m doing and what I stand by whether I was wearing the star or not, whether I was playing for Jerry Jones, Stephen Jones or any other owner. I believe in what I be- lieve in and that’s that,” he said.
But Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenk- ins, who first raised his fist during week two of the 2016 season, is determined not to be silenced.
“At the end of the day, I’m fighting for people,” Jenkins told NBC Nightly News’ Lester Holt. “I’m fighting for Americans and citizens that have been disen- franchised, that have been systemically oppressed for centuries.”
Jadeveon Clowney Reportedly Won’t Get Contract Extension This Year
Falcons, Julio Jones Agree On Revised Contract
The Atlanta Falcons and Julio Jones figured out a way to resolve the receiver’s contract situation.
Atlanta announced on Wednesday evening that Jones will be present when the team’s training camp opens on Thursday.
The two sides agreed on a revised contract to adjust his salary for the season.
Jones was set to make $10.5 million for the upcom- ing season and wanted to be paid more. Both sides worked in good faith to ensure Jones
JULIO JONES
would be in camp on time and not provide a distraction for the season.
JADEVEON CLOWNEY
Like several other defensive stars across the NFL, Jade- veon Clowney is entering the final season of his rookie con- tract. The star defensive end is not holding out from training camp, however, and it sounds like he won’t be getting a new deal before the start of the 2018 season.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Clowney is ex- pected to play out the final year of his contract, with the Texans likely keeping a close eye on his health.
Aaron Donald and Khalil Mack — two other defensive linemen who were selected in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft — did not report to train- ing camp this week. Clowney’s situation is a bit unique in that he has battled injuries through- out his first four NFL seasons, so he may have slightly less leverage and more motivation to prove he can stay healthy.
PAGE 14 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, JULY 31, 2018