Jaguars suspend Ramsey, Fowler for roles in fight
JACKSONVILLE, FLA. » The Jacksonville Jaguars suspended All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey and defensive end Dante Fowler on Sunday for violating team rules and conduct unbecoming a Jaguars football player.
Neither one will make the trip to Minnesota on Tuesday for two days of joint practices and a preseason game. The teams play Saturday.
Fowler was involved in several fights Sunday, including one after practice with fellow defensive end Yannick Ngakoue. Ramsey shouted profanities at media members who captured the altercation on video and later threatened reporters with “war” for releasing the video. Ramsey made his threat via Twitter.
The team released a onesentence statement Sunday evening announcing the suspensions. Coach Doug Marrone is expected to address the decision Tuesday.
The whole thing seemingly started during practice and carried off the field.
Ngakoue and Fowler exchanged words while leaving practice, prompting a skirmish in which no punches were thrown. Ngakoue and Fowler got into it again outside the practice-field gates and had to be pulled apart by teammates, coaches and security personnel. General manager Dave Caldwell could be seen leading Ngakoue away by the wrist.
Browns ‘sticking’ with plan to start Taylor over Mayfield
BEREA, OHIO » He’s still Baker the backup.
Despite rookie Baker Mayfield’s stellar performance in his NFL preseason debut, the Cleveland Browns are not moving the No. 1 overall pick into the starting lineup ahead of Tyrod Taylor.
“National hype,” quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese said, downplaying the outside push to elevate Mayfield after one game. “We have our plan, we’re sticking to it and when it changes we’ll all know.”
Mayfield won over some doubters on Thursday night in a 20-10 win over the New York Giants. The Heisman Trophy winner from Oklahoma threw two touchdown passes to tight end David Njoku and showed pocket poise and awareness while completing 11 of 20 passes for 212 yards.
The reviews on Mayfield were exceptional, leading to cries that he should jump Taylor, who went 5 for 5 for 99 yards and posted a perfect 158.3 rating during his two series.
Following Sunday’s practice, Browns coach Hue Jackson began shaking his head the moment a reporter began framing a question about the QB situation.
“Nothing’s changed. Tyrod Taylor is our starter,” Jackson said. “Baker Mayfield is a young, talented player. We have a bright, bright future here with that young man.”
Zampese was pleased with everything he saw from Mayfield, but he cautioned against making too much of his first taste of pro football.
“He’s had 22 preseason NFL snaps,” Zampese said. “He has a long way to go and we’re encouraged with where he’s at right now.”
Unsigned Roquan Smith among issues facing Bears as camp ends
BOURBONNAIS, ILL. » It has become a familiar refrain for Chicago Bears coach Matt Nagy.
Nagy has often repeated the words “nothing new” over the past 3½ weeks regarding contract talks with first-round draft pick Roquan Smith, and the situation remains status quo.
Nagy’s first training camp with the Bears concluded Sunday, and it remains uncertain when defensive coordinator Vic Fangio can plug the former Georgia linebacker into the lineup.
And that’s not the Bears’ only problem as they head into a week of practices in Denver before playing the Broncos on Saturday in their third preseason game.
Asked Sunday if missing all of camp would limit Smith’s ability to be defensive field general on opening day, Nagy did not mince words.
“I think it does,” Nagy said. “You’re playing at that position and there are a lot of calls that go on, very similar to a quarterback, there’s a lot going on. But I have full confidence in Vic and his staff that when he does get here, they’ll get him up to speed and whenever that is, we’ll see.
“But again, that’s why we all get paid as coaches is to try to help our players out as much as possible and that’s kind of where we’re at.”
Neither the Bears nor Smith’s agents have openly discussed the reason for the standoff.