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SPORTS Monday 2 SepteMber 2019

New York Jets’ Taylor Bertolet (1) kicks a field goal during the first
half of a preseason NFL football game against the Philadelphia
Eagles, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J.
Associated Press
Jets claim K

Vedvik from Vikings,

cut Bertolet, 3 others Miami Dolphins running back Patrick Laird (42) dives over the pile in the first half of an NFL
preseason football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019.
Associated Press
By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. undrafted free agent out Flores says it again: Dolphins
AP Pro Football Writer of Marshall. The Jets have
NEW YORK (AP) — The New had interest in him since aren’t tanking in 2019
York Jets addressed their last year and are intrigued
kicking woes by adding by his dual-threat ability as By STEVEN WINE Ross. gether and play together.”
a kicker who had his own a placekicker and punter. AP Sports Writer So are they tanking? Miami completed the
struggles this summer. New York thought it had its MIAMI (AP) — First-year “No, we’re not,” Flores said. trade Sunday that sent Tun-
Kaare Vedvik was claimed kicking situation in place coach Brian Flores has “We’re going to try to win sil, Stills, a 2020 fourth-round
off waivers from the Min- entering training camp, been saying it since March every game. It’s disheart- pick and a 2021 sixth-round
nesota Vikings on Sunday, but Chandler Catanzaro and said it again Sunday: ening to hear people even pick to the Texans for 2020
replacing Taylor Bertolet, abruptly retired after strug- The Miami Dolphins are not say that. For a guy who re- and 2021 first-round picks,
who was waived. gling in the first preseason tanking in 2019. spects the game, as much a 2021 second-round pick,
The Jets also claimed wide game. The Jets brought The claim sounded less as the game has done for tackle Julién Davenport
receiver Braxton Berrios in Bertolet, who spent last convincing after Miami me, when people say that and cornerback Johnson
from New England, defen- summer with them, but he parted with three veterans — they shouldn’t say it.” Bademosi.
sive end John Franklin-My- had an up-and-down sum- in deals that netted mostly To explain the roster purge, “This was something we
ers from the Los Angeles mer that included him miss- draft picks. the Dolphins made Flores couldn’t turn down,” Flores
Rams and defensive back ing two extra points in his Even before the Dolphins available rather than gen- said. He said the departure
Bennett Jackson from Bal- first game. With a chance swung the two weekend eral manager Chris Grier. of Stills was about football
timore. To make room on to solidify his spot in the trades, they were widely Ross has said little publicly and not politics. Stills re-
its 53-man roster, New York preseason finale, Bertolet expected to be among in recent months about his cently criticized Ross’ sup-
waived wide receiver/punt made two field goals to the NFL’s worst teams. The team, but Flores said the port of President Donald
returner Greg Dortch and account for all the scoring departures of left tackle La- owner is on board with the Trump, and he has been
safety Doug Middleton and in a 6-0 victory over Phila- remy Tunsil, receiver Kenny direction. kneeling during the nation-
released linebacker Albert delphia — but missed three Stills and linebacker Kiko “He has been very support- al anthem for the past four
McClellan. The 25-year-old other tries. Berrios spent last Alonso, who made a com- ive,” Flores said. “This entire seasons to protest racial
Vedvik, a native of Norway, season with the Patriots bined 137 starts in 2016-18 organization is on the same inequality and police bru-
was acquired by Minne- and could replace Dortch for the Dolphins, increase page.” tality. Alonso was traded
sota last month from Balti- as the Jets’ primary punt re- the likelihood they’ll bring That includes the play- to the Saints for linebacker
more and missed three of turner. Franklin-Myers adds up the rear this year. ers, the coach said, even Vince Biegel, who has yet
four field goals while punt- depth at New York’s edge The deals also make it more if they’re dismayed that to start an NFL game.
ing five times for an aver- rusher spot. He had a strip- probable the Dolphins will three longtime teammates The deals leave the Dol-
age of 45.2 yards for the sack of Tom Brady in the Su- go first in the 2020 draft, have been traded. phins with a passel of draft
Vikings. He was released by per Bowl in February. which fits neatly with the “I understand there are re- picks in the next two years,
Minnesota on Saturday. Jackson is a versatile de- need for a franchise quar- lationships that are built,” and a salary cap situation
Vedvik spent last season fensive back who can terback as part of the re- Flores said. “But the guys that will be the envy of the
on the Ravens’ injured list play both safety and building project ordered in in the locker room, I think NFL. But that won’t help in
after being signed as an cornerback.q January by owner Stephen they’re going to band to- 2019. q