Jaguars coach thinks Fowler, Ngakoue can coexist on team
Jacksonville defensive ends skirmish; Bryant to visit Browns
Jacksonville Jaguars coach Doug Marrone believes defensive ends Dante Fowler and Yannick Ngakoue (Maryland) can coexist in the same locker room, in the same meeting room and even in the same huddle.
They probably only have to do so for another five months.
Marrone provided little insight Tuesday into what prompted the players’ post-practice skirmish two days earlier and declined to divulge why Fowler was suspended and Ngakoue was not. Marrone made it clear, though, that he expects both guys to be able to work together moving forward.
The Jaguars declined to pick up the fifth-year option in Fowler’s contract, likely making this his last season in Jacksonville.
“In my experience, I’ve seen a lot,” Marrone said. “Things happen, and they’ll take care of it.”
Marrone suspended Fowler and AllPro cornerback Jalen Ramsey for a week for violating team rules and conduct unbecoming a Jaguars football player.
Neither one is traveling to Minnesota for two days of joint practices with the Vikings and a preseason game. The teams play Saturday.
“I’ve spoken to both players and obviously those conversations are private, and that’s really all I’m really going to say about it,” Marrone said. “I know that everyone has to ask it but, again, those decisions are internal and it is team violations and those are private.”
Fowler was involved in several fights Sunday, including one after practice with Ngakoue in which they had to be separated repeatedly. No punches were thrown.
Ramsey was one of several teammates in the middle of it. He shouted profanities at media members who captured the altercation on video and later took to Twitter to threaten reporters with “war” for releasing the video.
Ramsey also defended his actions on Twitter, saying “I’m always gone take up for my teammates kus I know what type of men and players they are forreal! Love my dawgs! If you don’t like it, oh well.”
“It’s just brothers being brothers,” said Jaguars defensive tackle Abry Jones, a 320-pound reason Fowler and Ngakoue couldn’t get at each other. “That’s all pretty much (what) I can equate it to. I mean, the same passion that you saw there is the same passion they have on Sunday. There was no problem. The only problem that we had is that it wasn’t in a controlled environment. We like to control everything that’s on this team so that’s the only problem that we had.” Bryant to visit Browns: Dez Bryant’s going to meet with the Browns. Depending on how things go, he could stay awhile.
The free agent wide receiver has scheduled a visit with Cleveland on Thursday, and the anticipated stopover could lead to the three-time Pro Bowler signing with a team craving more playmakers.
Bryant, who released by the Dallas Cowboys in April after eight seasons, has shown previous interest in joining the Browns. Last week, Bryant posted on Twitter that he intended to speak with the team and a Browns spokesman confirmed the sides will talk later this week.
But while Bryant would certainly be a talent upgrade for a team coming off a 0-16 season, Browns coach Hue Jackson said it’s vital to make sure he fits with Cleveland’s culture.
“It’s not just a given,” Jackson said following Tuesday’s practice. “I think you have to work through whatever conversations we have and feel good about it.”
Cleveland needs receiving help and receiver Jarvis Landry and quarterback Tyrod Taylor have lobbied for Bryant, who has 531 career receptions for 7,459 yards and 73 touchdowns. Wentz’s status: Carson Wentz expects to participate in 11-on-11 drills next week, but it’s uncertain whether he’ll be ready for the season opener.
The defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles host the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 6. Wentz’s goal since having surgery last December to repair a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee has been to be ready for that game.
“It’s no secret that it’s going to be close,” Wentz said after the Eagles completed training camp Tuesday. McCoy proceedings: The eviction proceedings that LeSean McCoy filed against his ex-girlfriend have been finalized and she is no longer living in his Atlanta-area home, a lawyer for the Buffalo Bills running back said Tuesday.
McCoy began eviction proceedings in June against Delicia Cordon. Attorneys for McCoy met with Cordon, her attorney and a mediator Tuesday afternoon and then presented an agreement to the Fulton County magistrate judge overseeing the case. McCoy was not present.
Attorney Michael LaScala said in a text message to The Associated Press after the mediation that the eviction is finalized and Cordon is no longer living in the house.
The handwritten agreement signed by the parties and attached to the order closing the case says a sheriff’s deputy will accompany Cordon to the home on Monday to retrieve personal items.