Page 12 - Florida Sentinel 8-20-19

Sports
Bucs GM Jason Licht
Jets Starting LB Avery Williamson Out For Season With Torn ACL
AVERY WILLIAMSON
Preseason injuries are an unfortunate part of every new year in the NFL, and line- backer Avery Williamson and the New York Jets are the latest to fall victim to one.
Williamson suffered a torn ACL this week and will miss the entire 2019 season.
Williamson signed a three-year, $22 million deal with the Jets last offseason and was incredibly productive in his first year with the team. He recorded a career-high 121 total tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles while ap- pearing in all 16 games. Williamson was expected to be a key part of New York’s defense this year alongside new acquisition CJ Mosley.
Keenan Allen Could Miss Rest Of Preseason With Ankle Injury
KEENAN ALLEN
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen is dealing with an ankle injury that could knock him out for the rest of the preseason, ac- cording to a report.
Allen suffered an ankle injury at practice this week but it is not considered seri- ous. Allen could miss the rest of the preseason, he is ex- pected to be ready for Week 1.
After dealing with injuries early in his career, Allen has been able to play all 16 games the last two seasons and has developed into a go-to option for Philip Rivers.
Josh Gordon Being Reinstated By NFL
Signing Extension Is
Signal Winston Will
The New England Patriots appear to be getting a huge boost entering the regular season.
The NFL is reinstating wide receiver Josh Gordon. Though Gordon will not be eligible to play in the team’s upcoming preseason game, he will be set to play in the regular season.
Gordon was acquired by the Patriots in a trade with Cleveland last September. He played in 11 games for the Pats, catching 40 passes for 720 yards and three touch- downs.
The 28-year-old an- nounced in December he would be stepping away from
Be Here Long-Term
The Tampa Bay Bucca- neers signed general man- ager Jason Licht to an extension through 2022. The deal includes a club option for 2023 and it runs parallel with the deal head coach Bruce Arians signed.
However, this deal had already happened some time ago.
A few days after hiring Arians, the team signed Licht to a new five-year con- tract, including a club option for 2023.
Terms of the contract are undisclosed, but it’s clear that without Licht remain- ing as GM, the Bucs may have had a tougher time talk- ing the 66-year-old Arians out of retirement.
This was a smart move by Tampa Bay. Licht was an important piece of the puzzle for Arians to come and be the head coach of the Bucca- neers.
JASON LICHT AND JAMEIS WINSTON
Another important piece to the puzzle is quarterback Jameis Winston. Arians has said for some time he wanted to coach Winston and has faith that the former first overall selection by Licht is the answer.
And with both Arians and Licht under contract who both believe in the young quarterback, I think it’s safe to assume Winston may be the next name to sign an extension here soon.
JOSH GORDON
the team. He had violated terms of his conditional rein- statement from the league, reportedly by failing multiple drug tests.
Gordon signed a fran- chise tender with the Patriots over the offseason to ensure he would remain with the team if he were reinstated.
Calvin Johnson Partners In Marijuana-For-CTE Research
Bruce Arians Did Not Hold
Former Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson and his business partner, ex- NFL lineman Rob Sims, have partnered with Harvard University to research the benefits of medical marijuana in the areas of chronic trau- matic encephalopathy, more commonly known as CTE, and the management of pain.
Johnson and Sims co- own the cannabis company Primitive. They announced the partnership, which in- cludes a six-figure donation with the option for future
CALVIN JOHNSON
money, to the International Phytomedicines and Medical Cannabis Institute at Harvard during the Cannabis Capital Conference in Detroit on Thursday.
Back When Critiquing
The Bucs' Performance
Against The Dolphins
Dwayne Haskins Fires
The Tampa Bay Bucca- neers got a victory Friday night against the in-state rival Miami Dolphins thanks to rookie Matt Gay’s game- winning field goal.
While the game certainly wasn’t as exciting to watch as last week’s preseason opener against the Pittsburgh Steel- ers, it gave this group of play- ers another chance to get their feet wet and prove to the Bucs coaching staff that they de- serve a spot on the roster.
Despite the first unit doing some good things, especially on the defensive side, head coach Bruce Arians was none too pleased with the penalties his squad racked up, a total of eight for 81 yards. And, if you are a player on the second unit, you should be grateful today isn’t cut day.
Again, one thing we love about Arians is his candor, and he certainly has every
Back At Critics Who Say
He Can’t Throw Deep
BRUCE ARIANS
right to be upset. The meeting room is sure to be filled with some colorful language when Arians throws on the tape from this game.
While it’s probably no consolation to him, the Dol- phins committed a total of 13 penalties for 122 yards. Yikes.
The Bucs will need to clean up their act before next Friday’s game against the Cleveland Browns.
Dwayne Haskins is still fighting for a starting job with the Washington Redskins, and he made a pretty good case for himself with the deep touchdown pass he threw during Thursday night’s pre- season game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Rather than let his play do the talk- ing, the former Ohio State star was quick to throw it in face of his critics.
One of the concerns some people have expressed about Haskins is his inconsistency with throwing deep passes. His touchdown pass in the second quarter on Thursday was a perfect strike that trav- eled 45 yards in the air and
DWAYNE HASKINS
came in the face of pressure. After Washington’s 23-13 loss, Haskins mocked those who claim he can’t throw
deep.
Haskins obviously still
has plenty to work on, and he is not the frontrunner to earn the Week 1 starting job as of now.
PAGE 12 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2019