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SPORTS Friday 14 december 2018

Jets’ well-traveled Roberts hopes to book trip to Pro Bowl

By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. a kickoff for a score with
AP Pro Football Writer Washington in 2015. He
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) has been a consistent re-
— Andre Roberts is a trav- turn threat since his college
elin’ man whose passions days at The Citadel, and
include hitting the links at was drafted by Arizona in
golf courses all over the the third round in 2010.
world. He has not been as much
You name a destination of a factor in the passing
and there’s a good chance game as he was early in
the New York Jets kick re- his career with the Cardi-
turner has been there. After nals and Redskins, but has
all, Roberts has visited all certainly found his niche in
seven continents. the league. “I still play re-
Yes, even Antarctica. ceiver,” Roberts said, “but I
There’s one place, though, definitely embrace the role
he has never been: the Pro and I feel very comfortable
Bowl. But Roberts is doing with it and I’m making it my
all he can to book a trip life now.” So is traveling,
there this season. something not unexpected
“Yeah, I think I’m a Pro from a guy who grew up in
Bowl-caliber returner,” Rob- a military family with both
erts said. “I’ve done well parents serving in the U.S.
this year. I’m tops in the Army. He was born in Alas-
league in a lot of catego- ka, and moved to places
ries, so I think I’ve done a In this Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, file photo, New York Jets’ Andre Roberts (19) runs with the ball during such as Texas, South Caro-
good job this year.” That’s the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y. lina and St. Croix — after
an understatement. Rob- Associated Press his parents were deployed
erts leads the NFL in punt what he’s done this year, I Roberts said. “And you the season opener, and to South Korea. “I moved
return average (15.3 yards) don’t think there’s a better know teams have seen has been on the verge of around a little bit,” he said
among qualified players, returner in the game.” that I can do the return stuff scoring several times since with a smile. “I’ve heard
and is tops in the league Roberts has stabilized what at a high level, so I still feel on both punt and kickoff others do a lot more than
with 841 yards on kick re- has been a position of flux like I’m ascending. Age returns. that, but it’s been fun.”
turns. He also has eight re- the past few years as the ain’t nothin’ but a number, “He’s been great for us,” The travel bug was in-
turns of 40 or more yards Jets tried the likes of Kalif but I feel good right now special teams standout Ter- grained in him at an early
— five on kickoffs and three Raymond, JoJo Natson, and hope I can just keep rence Brooks said. “When age, so he has always
on punts — while the next- ArDarius Stewart, Jalin Mar- going.” Roberts is a free he hits those holes, he just wanted to explore. He set a
closest player has no more shall, Nick Marshall, Jeremy agent after the season and goes. We love blocking for personal goal of seeing all
than three. Ross and C.J. Spiller in the there’s uncertainty as to him, man. We want to get seven continents — North
“I don’t know too many re- return game. the futures of both coach him in the end zone. It’s America, South America,
turners in this league that None could provide a con- Todd Bowles and general been a while, but we’re Europe, Asia, Africa, Aus-
are dual returners that have sistently reliable option on manager Mike Maccag- going to try to get anoth- tralia and Antarctica — by
done what he’s done this special teams. The Jets nan. But, Roberts, who is er one before the season the time he turned 30.
year,” special teams coor- signed Roberts in the off- also a part of the offense as ends.” Mission accomplished.
dinator Brant Boyer said. season, and the 30-year- a wide receiver, has prov- Roberts has three punt re- Larry Fitzgerald, his buddy
“You have some guys that old veteran has been a en himself to be a key con- turns for touchdowns in his and former Cardinals team-
are slightly better on kick re- big-time spark. tributor for the Jets this sea- career, with the other two mate, joined him on sever-
turn or whatever. But if you “Yeah, special teams has son. He had a 78-yard punt coming in 2016 with De- al of the trips — including to
look at the dual stats and kept me in the league,” return for a touchdown in troit. He also brought back Antarctica in 2013. q

NFL to play 4 games in London, 1 in Mexico City in 2019

NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL stadiums — the Los Angeles games at Wembley Sta- The NFL has played regular- ticipate in an international
will stage four games in teams will move into a new dium in London — one of season games in London game as part of their bid
London and one in Mexico facility being built in Ingle- those was scheduled for since 2007. It played one to host the Super Bowl in
City next season, with the wood that won’t be ready Tottenham’s new stadium, in Mexico City in 2005, then 2021. They’ve played twice
Jaguars, Chargers, Rams, next year — and the Raid- but was switched to Wem- not again until 2016 and in London, losing to the
Raiders and Buccaneers ers will be leaving Oakland bley because the Spurs’ ‘17. Patriots in 2009 and Bears
serving as hosts. for Las Vegas in 2020. building was not ready. “Our league’s global pres- in 2011. “I’ve been associ-
When the games will be Days after the Chiefs-Rams Previously, the NFL an- ence continues to grow ated with games out of the
played and who the op- game scheduled for Az- nounced that two of the and expand through the country before,” coach
ponents will be won’t be teca Stadium was moved 2019 London games would success of the NFL Interna- Dirk Koetter said, “and
announce until the spring, to Los Angeles because be at Wembley, the other tional Series and we look when you get to them, I
when the league schedule of poor field conditions in two at Tottenham forward to showcasing the think the players do enjoy
for 2019 is released. November, the NFL an- Earlier this year, the Se- Buccaneers organization that week. Trips are long,
The Jaguars have a deal nounced it would be re- ahawks beat the Raiders to an international audi- usually you’re rewarded on
to play annually in London. turning to play a regular- 27-3, the Chargers defeat- ence,” said Brian Ford, the the back end with your bye
The Chargers, Rams and season game in Mexico ed the Titans 20-19, and the team’s chief operating of- week. Once you’re over
Raiders are considered to City in 2019. Eagles beat the Jaguars ficer. there, it’s football. It’s new
be playing in temporary This season had three 24-18. The Bucs agreed to par- and it’s different.”q