Titans’ Blaine Gabbert on 8th offense in 8 years
NASHVILLE — Quarterback Blaine Gabbert quickly stopped the reporter asking him about learning his fourth offense in four years.
“Eighth in eight years,” he said.
The Tennessee Titans, who signed Gabbert in March to back up Marcus Mariota, are the fourth team that the quarterback has played for since being drafted by Jacksonville in 2011. But coach Mike Vrabel is his ninth different head coach and has the eighth different scheme that Gabbert has had to learn since he entered the NFL out of Missouri.
“There’s going to be bumps in the road,” Gabbert said. “We’re installing new plays every night, but at the same time it’s about mastering all the little things. Not getting ahead of yourself and kind of run the system.”
It’s a bit of a coincidence that Gabbert finds himself back in the AFC South where his professional career began. The Jaguars drafted him at No. 10 overall in 2011, two picks after Tennessee selected quarterback Jake Locker out of Washington. Locker retired from football when his rookie contract expired in March 2015, and Gabbert already was in San Francisco with his second team, preparing to work with his fifth different head coach.
“Football careers go many different ways,” Gabbert said. “That was eight years ago.”
Packers’ Rodgers expects to make preseason debut this week
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Aaron Rodgers is speaking with a heightened sense of urgency as he enters his 14th NFL season.
No critical words from the Green Bay Packers quarterback on Monday, a week after expressing displeasure with the effort from some young players during a portion of practice.
“I care about winning, number one, and I’m going to say and do the things that I feel like can advance us,” Rodgers said. “It’s going to be tough at some points. It’s not a popularity contest all the time.”
Rodgers said he expects to make his preseason debut Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers. To earn the trust of the two-time NFL MVP, young receivers have to work hard consistently in practice.
Bills’ McCoy sued by ex-girlfriend following home invasion
LeSean McCoy’s ex-girlfriend is suing the Buffalo Bills running back for failing to protect her after she was bloodied, beaten and had $133,000 worth of jewelry stolen during a home invasion last month.
Delicia Cordon also alleged in a lawsuit filed in Fulton County, Georgia on Friday that McCoy would “often brutally beat his dog,” and would also “aggressively, physically discipline and beat his young son.”
Without blaming McCoy for playing a role in the home invasion, Cordon accused him of breaching his duty to protect her because he owned the home. She also alleged McCoy “permitted a hazardous condition to exist” by installing a new security system and cameras and denying her access to arm the system.
Cordon’s face was bloodied during a home invasion in the early hours of July 10.
Seahawks-Raiders at Wembley as Tottenham stadium isn’t ready
LONDON — The new stadium being built for English Premier League club Tottenham isn’t ready to host the NFL this year.
The first NFL game at Tottenham was due to feature the Seattle Seahawks and Oakland Raiders on Oct. 14. That will now be played across north London at Wembley Stadium on the same day.
Tottenham said “issues with the critical safety systems” had been exposed during tests.
“We appreciate the support our partner the NFL has shown since the extent of this issue became evident today,” Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy said Monday.
Wembley also will stage the Oct. 21 game between the Tennessee Titans and the Los Angeles Chargers and the meeting between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Jacksonville Jaguars a week later.
Tottenham’s 62,000-capacity venue is being built on the site of the now-demolished White Hart Lane stadium.
49ers bringing in veteran running back Alfred Morris
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Alfred Morris is coming to join the 49ers’ injury-depleted running back corps with a legitimate shot at making the opening-day roster, coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday at training camp.
Morris first will have to pass a physical Tuesday in Houston, where the 49ers are embedding themselves the rest of this week for joint practices ahead of Saturday night’s exhibition.
“I told him I wouldn’t have waited him so long to invite him unless I believed he had a chance to make the team,” Shanahan said. “I do believe he has a chance to make the team here. That’s all Alf wants, a chance to compete. With some of these injuries, he does have a chance.”
The 49ers practiced without their top three running backs. Starter Jerick McKinnon strained his right calf Sunday and is out this week and likely all exhibition season; backup Matt Breida separated his right shoulder in Thursday’s exhibition; and, Joe Williams missed the past two practices to attend his brother-in-law’s funeral in New Jersey but will meet the 49ers in Houston.