Wide receiver Vincent Jackson remains property of Chargers
Holdout wide receiver Vincent Jackson remains the property of the San Diego Chargers despite his agent saying he had deals in place with several teams before Wednesday’s deadline.
Agent Neil Schwartz said he heard from multiple general managers that the Chargers were asking for “wholly unreasonable” compensation for Jackson, a Pro Bowl receiver who had two straight 1,000-yard seasons. Schwartz said another GM told him that Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith seemed to be “squatting” on Jackson.
Schwartz said the legal language with one team was already drawn up and ready for Jackson to read and sign. That was a one-year deal with an option, with an average salary of more than $9 million. Schwartz declined to identify that team, but it was widely reported that the Vikings were a major suitor.
Under terms of a deal arranged by the NFL and the players’ union, Jackson had to sign a new contract by 4 p.m. EDT Wednesday in order to play for a new team in Week 5. Now, he’ll have to finish serving the remainder of his three-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, and serve a three-game suspension on the roster exempt list if he does sign.
Had a deal been done before the deadline, Jackson would have been placed on the commissioner exempt list for three games, retroactive to Game 2. That essentially would have rolled six games worth of suspensions into four games.
Those suspensions seem to be moot because Schwartz said it’s unlikely Jackson will play this season under terms of the team’s contract tender.
“Not now, not ever,” Schwartz said. “Again, it’s up to the Chargers. He’s got nothing with Norv Turner. He loves the city of San Diego. He loves catching the ball from Philip Rivers.”
Unhappy over not receiving a long-term deal in the off-season, Jackson refused to sign the one-year, $3.268-million contract he was tendered as a restricted free agent.
Smith didn’t return a call seeking comment.
Gradkowski to start for Raiders
Five months after acquiring Jason Campbell to be their starting quarterback, the Oakland Raiders benched him in favor of Bruce Gradkowski beginning with this week’s game at Arizona.
Coach Tom Cable announced the switch after practice Wednesday, hoping the spark Gradkowski provided in the second half of last week’s 16-14 win over St. Louis can carry over for the rest of the season.
“The reasons are pretty simple,” Cable said. “First and foremost is the energy and the level of intensity that was brought into the huddle when he came into the game. The way the guys responded around him. And obviously scoring points. That’s what we’re about. If we can get this thing to where we can score 24 points a game, I think we’ll be very tough to beat.”
Jackson suspended for one year
Tampa Bay safety Tanard Jackson has been suspended for a minimum of a year without pay for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
The league made the announcement Wednesday, saying Jackson has been suspended indefinitely but will be eligible for reinstatement beginning Sept. 22, 2011.
The fourth-year pro sat out the first four games of the 2009 season while serving a previous suspension for violating the substance abuse policy.
Despite the four-game ban last season, Jackson finished with five interceptions in 12 starts. He had 13 tackles in two games this season, helping Tampa Bay to its first 2-0 start in five years.
Hill will start for Lions
Detroit Lions Coach Jim Schwartz says quarterback Shaun Hill will start at Minnesota on Sunday.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford did not practice Wednesday. Schwartz says Stafford is doing well with his rehabilitation, but the coach and player haven’t said what the timetable is for his return.
The No. 1 pick in the 2009 NFL draft injured his right shoulder in the season-opening loss at Chicago and missed Week 2 against Philadelphia. He missed six games last year with an injured left shoulder and right knee.
Saints sign Betts
Two days after Reggie Bush broke his leg, the New Orleans Saints have brought back veteran running back Ladell Betts, who the club had released after the preseason.
Betts, who played eight years for Washington, is trying to come back from a serious left knee injury last season. He played in two exhibition games with the Saints, rushing nine times for 53 yards and making five catches for 24 yards.
Etc.
New England running back Kevin Faulk says he’ll miss the rest of the Patriots’ season with a torn knee ligament he injured in Sunday’s 28-14 loss at the New York Jets…. All-Pro fullback Leonard Weaver, who sustained a season-ending injury in Philadelphia’s loss to Green Bay in Week 1, had surgery on his left knee…. The Minnesota Vikings signed free-agent receiver Hank Baskett to a one-year deal…. The Jacksonville Jaguars put punt returner Scotty McGee on injured reserve and signed linebacker Jacob Cutrera…. Seattle linebacker Leroy Hill will miss several games with an injury to the Achilles’ tendon area of his right leg…. Cornerback Cary Williams has been added to the Baltimore Ravens’ roster after serving a two-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy…. New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis will not play against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday because of a strained left hamstring.