Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Packer Plus
NFL NOTEBOOK Fitzpatrick will start for the Dolphins
Ryan Fitzpatrick will open the season as starting quarterback for the Miami Dolphins, coach Brian Flores said Monday.
The decision was long expected due to Fitzpatrick’s experience, leadership skills and that he exceeded expectations as a starter in 2019.
“In a year like this with no OTA’s, limited time, this is not groundbreaking news,” Flores said. “He’s done a good job throughout training camp.”
Rookie Tua Tagovailoa, the fifth pick in the last draft, will serve as Fitzpatrick’s backup, since the team has cut Josh Rosen. Jake Rudock will be Miami’s third quarterback, for now resuming his Miami career on the practice squad.
Fitzpatrick, 37, had a 5-8 record as Miami starter last season. In the last game of the year, he led Miami to an upset victory at New England.
The Dolphins open this season at the Patriots on Sunday.
Lions officially sign Peterson: The Detroit Lions announced the signing of Adrian Peterson.
The 35-year-old running back comes to Detroit after being released by Washington. He has rushed for 14,216 yards in 13 seasons.
Peterson is 1,053 yards behind Lions great Barry Sanders for fourth on the career rushing list.
Titans sign Clowney: Jadeveon Clowney made clear for months he wanted to be with a team that can win a Super Bowl, and he’s finally made his choice even if he didn’t get the longterm deal in the process.
The Tennessee Titans announced Sunday they agreed to terms with the three-time Pro Bowl linebacker on a one-year contract. The Titans did not announce the terms Sunday, but ESPN.com reported the deal could be worth up to $15 million.
The Titans also shared on Twitter photos of Clowney next to a plane with controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk.
The No. 1 overall pick of 2014, Clowney went into free agency looking for a mega-contract that never came calling.
The pandemic shut down travel for physicals, and Clowney didn’t visit anyone once the NFL allowed free agents to meet teams in person.
Washington keeps Smith: Alex Smith made Washington’s initial 53man roster, another significant step in his remarkable comeback 22 months since breaking his right leg.
Coach Ron Rivera said the veteran quarterback is on the team and there’s no plan to put Smith on injured reserve in the coming days. Smith might even be Dwayne Haskins’ backup in the season opener Sept. 13 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Smith’s career appeared to be in jeopardy when he broke his right tibia and fibula while being tackled during a game in November 2018. He underwent 17 surgeries to repair that damage, survived a life-threatening infection and was hospitalized for more than a month.
Texans give Watson a four-year extension: Deshaun Watson has agreed to a four-year, $160 million contract extension with the Houston Texans.
Watson announced the signing on Twitter on Saturday.
“As a child growing up in Georgia, it was always my dream to play in the NFL,” Watson wrote in the post. “Today, I couldn’t be more honored and humbled to sign a long-term deal in Houston, the city that I’ve grown to love so much and now call my home.”
The deal makes Watson the secondhighest paid quarterback in the league, behind Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes, who signed a 10-year deal worth up to $503 million in July.
Houston traded up to select Watson with the 12th overall pick in the 2017 draft. He has appeared in 38 games with 37 starts in his first three seasons with the Texans, providing stability at quarterback after years of problems at the position.
The 24-year-old threw for 3,852 yards and 26 touchdowns last season when he led the Texans to the divisional round of the playoffs.
Watson has thrown for 9,716 yards and 71 touchdowns and ran for 1,233 yards and 14 scores in his three-year career.
Allen rewarded: Keenan Allen has signed a four-year extension with the Los Angeles Chargers that will make him the league’s second-highest paid receiver in average money.
A person familiar with the deal says it is worth $80.1 million with $50 million guaranteed.
Allen is going into his eighth season and has made the Pro Bowl each of the past three seasons.
Heyward signs new deal with Steelers: Cam Heyward is getting his wish. The veteran All-Pro defensive tackle is set to be a Pittsburgh Steeler for life.
The Steelers signed Heyward to a five-year contract worth around $75 million. The 31-year-old was entering the final season of a six-year deal he signed in 2015.
Heyward said repeatedly his goal was to remain in Pittsburgh for the entirety of his career. He’ll now have that chance. Heyward posted on Instagram “this is where I belong” when the deal was completed.
Real games:
Now we won’t have to hear about how AJ Dillon’s calves are twice the size of a ham.
Crack commentary:
The Jaguars are being accused of tanking before they’ve played a game. Are they making Trevor Lawrence Jacksonville jerseys already?
Overthinking:
The Patriots gave both their kickers the boot on cutdown day. Isn’t this game called football?
Mike McCarthy:
He cut Ha Ha Clinton Dix? OK, who will get the last laugh?
AJ Dillon was a second-round pick last April.