ESPN hires outspoken Del Rio as analyst
Jack Del Rio never shied away from giving his opinion as a player and a coach. He isn’t about to change his approach as an ESPN analyst.
ESPN announced the hiring Thursday of the former Jaguars and Raiders coach. His first appearance will be Friday on “NFL Live.”
Del Rio appeared as a guest analyst on ESPN during March. He’ll appear on various programs as well as analyze some games on ESPN Radio during the season.
“This excites me about being able to learn about myself and the media business,” Del Rio said during a phone interview. “I’m not going to be afraid of having an opinion and something to offer.”
Del Rio said he talked to Arizona State coach Herm Edwards about his nine years at ESPN before deciding to take the position. He also joins a roster that features former coaches Rex Ryan and John Fox. Ryan and Del Rio were assistants with the Ravens, with whom they won a Super Bowl in 2000, and Del Rio was Fox’s defensive coordinator with the Panthers and Broncos.
Del Rio spent a year away from the game after being fired by Raiders following the 2017 season. He said he traveled with his wife and only followed the game through his family’s fantasy football league.
Del Rio has quickly plugged back in during the preseason, visiting Saints, Rams, Cowboys and Chargers training camps.
“I think it was healthy to unplug and get away last year. I made the best of a situation that was awkward and abrupt,” Del Rio said. “I haven’t said I am done coaching. This allows me to still talk about and cover the game while reviewing game tape and providing an opinion.”
Rodgers sits: Shortly before their preseason game against the Ravens on Thursday night in Baltimore, the Packers announced that quarterback Aaron Rodgers wouldn’t play because of back tightness.
The Packers said the decision was purely a precaution.
Rodgers didn’t play in the team’s preseason opener last week against the Texans.
Newton to play: Cam Newton is expected to see his first action since Dec. 17 when the Panthers host the Bills on Friday night.
Newton, the league MVP in 2015, missed the final two games of last season and underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder in January. He and the Panthers’ other starters didn’t play in the first preseason game against the Bears.
Judge rules for Moore:
A judge ordered Wednesday that the domestic violence complaint against suspended Giants safety Kamrin Moore be dismissed and the temporary restraining order vacated.
Records show that the court determined the allegations made against Moore weren’t substantiated.
Moore was arrested in mid-July on assault charges. The criminal complaint and affidavit said he was charged with third-degree aggravated assault after allegedly punching a woman, knocking her unconscious and stepping on her neck at his home in Linden, N.J. Police weren’t called to Moore’s home.
Moore has been on the suspended list since the incident.