Former Seahawks join new teams
The Seattle Seahawks waived last year’s kicker and punter Monday. On Tuesday, they found new homes.
The New York Jets claimed kicker Jason Myers off waivers, one day after Sebastian Janikowski won Seattle’s kicking competition.
Myers was signed by Jacksonville as an undrafted free agent out of Marist in 2015. He has converted 64 of 79 field-goal attempts, including 10 of 19 from 50 yards or longer.
The Buffalo Bills signed punter Jon Ryan to a oneyear contract, a day after the 12-year NFL veteran was released. The Canadian-born Ryan spent 10 seasons in Seattle and had been the longest active player on the team’s roster.
Ryan was responsible for one of the most important touchdowns in Seahawks history. He completed a touchdown pass on a trick play in the NFC championship game after the 2014 regular season that helped Seattle reach its second straight Super Bowl. Ravens’ Smith suspended Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith has been suspended for four games without pay for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
The suspension, announced Tuesday, stems from Smith’s behavior toward his former girlfriend.
The Ravens released a statement that in part read: “The Ravens fully support the NFL’s decision. The NFL found evidence of threatening and emotionally abusive behaviors by Jimmy toward his former girlfriend that showed a pattern of improper conduct. Our player’s behavior was inappropriate and wrong.”
The suspension will take effect after the final mandated roster cuts on Sept. 1 and extend through Baltimore’s game at Pittsburgh on Sept. 30.
Smith, in a statement issued by the Ravens, said: “I promise that I have already learned much and will continue to learn more from this experience. I take full responsibility for my past conduct.”
Smith will be allowed to participate in all of the Ravens’ preseason activities, including games.
Cruz to ESPN
Former New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz has retired.
In making the announcement Tuesday, the 31-yearold Cruz said he plans to join ESPN as an NFL analyst. Cruz will contribute to a variety of shows and make his ESPN debut Wednesday.
Cruz played six seasons in the NFL and was a 2012 Pro Bowl selection. Cruz had 303 catches for 4,549 yards and 25 touchdowns, including an NFL record-tying 99yard catch in December 2011.
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Carolina Panthers left tackle Matt Kalil has undergone arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and will be reevaluated on a weekly basis. The team said Kalil traveled to Florida on Monday for a second opinion on his knee from Dr. James Andrews and the decision was made to have the procedure. ... Panthers coach Ron Rivera says rookie wide receiver D.J. Moore has been “chastised” after the first-round draft pick from Maryland was cited for driving approximately 113 mph in a work zone on Interstate 77 in Charlotte, N.C. The speed limit is 65 mph . ... The Tennessee Titans gave receiver Rishard Matthews an extension through 2019.