NFL ▶Giants sign former Titans cornerback Adoree Jackson to a 3-year, $39 million contract.
Adoree Jackson signs 3-year, $39 million contract after team uses college tactics
The New York Giants gave it the old college try in signing cornerback Adoree Jackson and using free agency to fill another glaring need.
Hours after signing a three-year, $39 million contract, Jackson said he felt like a college recruit the way players and coaches pumped up the team in trying to get him to join the Giants.
Second-year cornerback Darnay Holmes, a buddy from Los Angeles, sent him texts. Former Tennessee Titans teammate and fellow defensive back Logan Ryan had dinner with the 25year-old Jackson. Safety Jabrill Peppers was in his ear telling him about the improving Giants, who went 6-10 in Joe Judge’s first season as coach and just missed the playoffs.
“It meant a lot, just to have people reach out and be able to pick their brains and see what they were like, what they knew about the team and what they disliked,” Jackson said Tuesday. “But everybody spoke highly of it. So (it) was just great to have people want me to come here.”
The signing of Jackson is the latest move by general manager Dave Gettleman to fill gaps on both sides of the ball.
It started with re-signing defensive lineman Leonard Williams to a capfriendly $63 million deal that gives New York spending space this year. That paved the way to sign playmaking wide receiver Kenny Golladay, two-time Pro Bowl tight end Kyle Rudolph, fellow Vikings defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo, quarterback Mike Glennon, and other veterans who probably will be role players.
Jackson gives the Giants an experienced starting cornerback opposite James Bradberry. Bradberry shut down opposing receivers last season, but Pat Graham’s defense struggled to find a player to handle the other side.
More Giants: Less than a week after signing inside linebacker Reggie Ragland, the Giants have reached a deal with another former Alabama linebacker. A person with knowledge of the contract talks said the Giants have a tentative agreement on a one-year, $1.2 million contract with outside linebacker Ryan Anderson. He spent
the past four seasons with Washington, playing in 52 games with four starts.
Jets: Intrigue and uncertainty have surrounded the New York Jets’ quarterback situation all offseason. Corey Davis might have provided a little clarity. Or just inadvertently added to the mystery. The former Tennessee Titans wide receiver said Tuesday he signed with the Jets last week with the belief that Sam Darnold will be the team’s quarterback this season — despite speculation New York might go elsewhere with the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL draft next month. “I’m coming in with my understanding that Sam is the guy,” Davis said during a video conference call. “That doesn’t scare me away at all. I’ve seen Sam do great things. I have every belief in him and whatever direction they decide to go, it’s on me to make sure that I’m ready and control what I can control.”
Bills: Buffalo is welcoming back a dynamic receiving, running and return threat after reaching an agreement to re-sign Isaiah Mckenzie to a one-year contract.
Bears: Chicago signed veteran linebacker Christian Jones and offensive lineman Elijah Wilkinson to one-year contracts.
Bengals: Cincinnati signed free agent cornerback Eli Apple to a one-year contract.
Broncos: Veteran safety Kareem Jackson agreed to return to Denver on a one-year deal worth up to $5 million.
Eagles: Philadelphia signed veteran quarterback Joe Flacco.
Packers: Cornerback Kevin King is staying with Green Bay after agreeing to a one-year deal worth $6 million.
Panthers: Carolina agreed to terms one a oneyear contract with starting right guard John Miller and added free agent linebacker/special teams player Frankie Luvu from the New York Jets.
Raiders: Marcus Mariota agreed to take a pay cut to remain as backup quarterback for a second season for Las Vegas. Mariota had been due to be paid $10.5 million in the second year of his contract with the team after making $7.5 million last year.
Steelers: Pittsburgh released veteran cornerback Steven Nelson.
Titans: Tennessee agreed to terms on a oneyear deal with wide receiver Josh Reynolds.
Note: An attorney for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, who’s accused of sexual assault and harassment in lawsuits filed by 16 women, on Tuesday questioned the allegations against the NFL player, claiming they were made following a failed attempt to blackmail his client for $30,000. The women, in lawsuits filed in state court in Houston, accuse Watson of exposing himself, touching them with his penis or kissing them against their will while he got a massage. All of the women who have sued Watson are either licensed massage therapists or worked in a spa or similar business. Rusty Hardin, Watson’s attorney, alleged in a statement that his legal team has “strong evidence” an accusation made by a woman they believe filed one of the lawsuits is false. In her lawsuit, the woman alleged Watson forced her to perform oral sex during a massage in December and that she “blacked out for a few minutes from the fear” of her encounter with Watson, which left her “terrified.” Hardin alleges that in January, the woman demanded $30,000 in exchange for her “indefinite silence” for a consensual encounter she had with Watson.