Kareem Jackson - Pro Football Rumors

AFC Mailbags: Jags, McFadden, Chiefs, Jets

January 24th, 2015 at 8:58am CST by Ben Levine

It’s Saturday, and that means ESPN.com’s NFL writers are opening their mailbags and answering questions from readers. Let’s start off the morning by checking out some notes from the AFC…

As he’s mentioned previously, Michael DiRocco believes the Jaguars will pursue a big-name free agent. The writer mentions safety Devin McCourty, tight end Julius Thomas, and wideouts Randall Cobb and Demaryius Thomas.
When asked if running back Darren McFadden would play for the Raiders next season, Bill Williamson wonders if the 27-year-old may try to “salvage his career” in a different offensive system.
Adam Teicher writes that linebacker Tamba Hali, defensive end Mike DeVito and wideout Dwayne Bowe could all be cut by the Chiefs this offseason. Meanwhile, the writer expects safety Eric Berry to reduce his salary as opposed to getting released.
Rich Cimini explores the veteran quarterback options for the Jets, bringing up names like Brian Hoyer, Jake Locker and Mark Sanchez. The writer believes the team could take a flyer on T.J. Yates, and he also suggests the team could pursue Texans quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, assuming the veteran is eventually a cap casualty.
Cimini also mentions that he’d prefer the Jets handing out a longer, more expensive contract to a young cornerback instead of spending on a veteran like Antonio Cromartie. Specifically, Cimini points to Kareem Jackson and Byron Maxwell.

Panthers Links: Free Agents, Offseason

January 18th, 2015 at 6:02pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Packers are officially in offseason mode, but their front office still needs a little time to adjust to a devastating loss to the Seahawks, blowing a 16-0 halftime lead and wasting a great defensive effort against Russell Wilson and company.

We will surely check in with them later on. For now, we’ll turn our focus to the Panthers – the team eliminated by the Seahawks a week ago (in far less dramatic fashion) – as their offseason is in full swing.

Here are some stories surrounding the Panthers 2014 season as they head into a very important offseason where they try to win the NFC South for a record-extending three straight years.

Head coach Ron Rivera might be disappointed in how the team’s season ended, but he is looking forward to taking the next step in 2015, writes Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. “I got off the airplane excited about it, when I had the opportunity to talk to the team, it really was about going forward more than anything else,” said Rivera. “I think if we can take a big step we can put ourselves in position to win the Super Bowl. We’re close. I think we can get even closer.”
Person also hands out some grades to position groups for the 2014 NFL. Among the positions that received awful grades are the offensive tackles, safeties, and special teams units. Those positions need to improve if the Panthers want to take that next step, and with Person giving the coaching staff a C grade, Rivera himself needs to be better next year.
The Charlotte Observer also puts together a list of the contract status for every Panthers player, including not only those under contract, but free agents (restricted, unrestricted, and exclusive rights) as well.
While Person is focused on some of the players the Panthers will look to retain, his colleague Jonathan Jones examines the free agent market at some of their positions of need. Assuming a few big name players re-sign with their current teams, the Panthers could realistically benefit from the additions of players like offensive tackle King Dunlap, cornerbacks Kareem Jackson and Walter Thurmond, and safeties Nate Allen and Da’Norris Searcy. Jones also picks out four receivers the team should target in Randall Cobb, Cecil Shorts, Torrey Smith, and Dwayne Bowe.

AFC Mailbags: Jets, Chiefs, Jags, Titans

January 17th, 2015 at 10:30am CST by Ben Levine

We took a look at ESPN’s NFC mailbags earlier today. Let’s now check out some notes from the AFC…

Cornerback is the Jets biggest need heading into the offseason, and Rich Cimini expects the team to add a veteran such as Antonio Cromartie or Kareem Jackson.
Chan Gailey‘s experience with the spread offense could increase the Jets’ chances of drafting quarterback Marcus Mariota, writes Cimini.
Adam Teicher believes Albert Wilson and De’Anthony Thomas are the Chiefs wideouts most likely to return next season. Meanwhile, the writer says backup linebacker Joe Mays could be a cap casualty.
Michael DiRocco guesses that Greg Olson and Nathaniel Hackett are the favorites for the Jaguars‘ offensive coordinator opening.
Looking towards the impending free agency of Cowboys stars DeMarco Murray and Dez Bryant, Paul Kuharsky writes that the Titans should avoid the running back and only pursue the star wideout.
Coley Harvey can envision the Bengals going two ways with their first-rounder: an offensive tackle or a pass-rusher.

AFC Notes: Jaguars, Bills, Pats, Texans

November 4th, 2014 at 4:19pm CST by Luke Adams

Through nine weeks, there aren’t many teams in the AFC that can truly be considered out of the postseason hunt. Besides the Titans, Jaguars, Jets, and Raiders, none of whom have more than two wins, no AFC club is more than two games out of first place in its division. That group also includes an impressive 11 teams over .500, which should make for a pretty interesting second half as contenders jockey for position.

Here are a few Tuesday items from across the AFC:

With the Jaguars prepared to play the Cowboys in England this weekend, Gene Frenette of the Florida Times-Union takes a look at the team’s relationship to London and how it will affect the franchise going forward. “Some people view London as a threat to the Jaguars,” said Jaguars president Mark Lamping. “I view it the exact opposite. London is going to be one of the things that protects Jacksonville as an NFL market. It stabilizes a franchise that was unstable a few years ago.”
Cornerback Brandon Smith, who has fully recovered from the broken leg he suffered earlier this year, worked out for the Bills this week, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Smith has previously spent time with both the Bills and Jets.
Long snapper Tyler Ott, who was with the Patriots in training camp, was among the specialists to try out for New England today, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
As first reported by Jayson Braddock (via Twitter), Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson suffered a sprained MCL and is expected to be sidelined for three or four weeks. If Houston looks to promote a player from the practice squad for depth purposes, cornerback Charles James looks like the top candidate.
Browns general manager Ray Farmer spoke to reporters today, but the GM’s comments about Brian Hoyer‘s and Johnny Manziel‘s futures in Cleveland weren’t too revealing. Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com has a few details and quotes from Farmer.

AFC South Notes: Blackmon, Jackson, Texans

June 3rd, 2014 at 1:44pm CST by Luke Adams

Let’s round up the latest items out of the AFC South….

The Jaguars don’t know when – or even if – wide receiver Justin Blackmon will be reinstated from his indefinite suspension for multiple violations of the NFL’s substance abuse policy, but the club doesn’t intend to cut him, says Ed Werder of ESPN.com. Although Jacksonville doesn’t anticipate having Blackmon at all during the 2014 season, it sounds like there’s still a chance he could play for the team down the road.
Speaking to reporters today, Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson said his reps haven’t had any contact with the team about a new contract, tweets James Palmer of CSNHouston.com. Jackson, a 2010 first-round pick, is entering the final year of his rookie contract and will be eligible for unrestricted free agency in March if he doesn’t have a new deal in place.
Running back Andre Brown, who signed with the Texans this offseason, has struggled with injury problems so far in his career, but is determined to stay healthy and prove his worth to his new team this season, writes Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle.
After weeks of engaging in mock negotiations on a contract extension for J.J. Watt and the Texans, former agent Joel Corry and former Jets executive Ari Nissim provide their concluding thoughts on the series at the National Football Post.