Jets veteran McCown last of the ’02 QB class
Hurricane Irma leads to changes in Miami-T.B. game
Josh McCown’s NFL journey began 15 years ago as the fourth of 16 quarterbacks selected in the 2002 draft.
He’s the only one still playing, and it’s been that way for a while.
The 38-year-old McCown is a study in perseverance, a guy who has been all over the league the New York Jets being his 10th team as a starter, backup and sometimes just a training camp arm. Hundreds of players have come and gone since McCown entered the league, but he’s still going strong.
“It’s funny, I was just thinking that, `Man, there’s not anybody left of our class,’” McCown said. “I try to tell the young guys all the time that you just don’t know. You come in and maybe you’re bummed because you didn’t get drafted here or maybe you went undrafted. You never know how your story can unfold and turn out.”
David Carr, who went No. 1 overall in 2002, last played five years ago and has been doing television as an analyst for NFL Network.
Some other quarterbacks from that class started in the NFL Joey Harrington, Patrick Ramsey, David Garrard while others served mostly as backups, including Rohan Davey, Randy Fasani, Kurt Kittner, Craig Nall and J.T. O’Sullivan. Five never played a snap in the league: Brandon Doman, Steve Bellisari, Seth Burford, Jeff Kelly and Wes Pate. Seventh-rounder Ronald Curry was converted to wide receiver.
Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers is the only other player from McCown’s draft class remaining on an NFL roster.
“To be at this point in a career and to go in and be one of 32 guys that gets to be an opening day starter, is no doubt special. You walk out to the practice field and you go through this week, every minute counts and you make the most of it.”
Miami game in limbo
The Dolphins’ season opener against the Buccaneers will not be played in Miami this week, but may be moved to a neutral site because of Hurricane Irma.
If the game is not relocated, it will be postponed until November, when the teams share the same bye week.
Kickoff had been scheduled for Sunday at 10 a.m. PDT, but Irma is forecast to threaten South Florida this weekend. The NFL decided against switching the game to Thursday night in Miami.
“In the interest of public safety in light of the current state of emergency, the NFL, in consultation with state and local officials as well as both clubs, has decided that playing an NFL game in South Florida this week is not appropriate,” the league said in a statement. “The league will continue to examine other options, including playing the game this Sunday at a neutral site or in Miami later this season.”
Elliott to play Sunday
Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott’s attorneys say his six-game suspension over a domestic violence case has been upheld, but he will play the opener because of the timing of the arbitrator’s decision.
At the start of the hearing, NFL attorney Daniel Nash said Elliott could play Sunday night against the New York Giants because arbitrator Harold Henderson’s ruling came too late in the day for it to be enforced this weekend.
Elliott’s attorneys said they were “extremely disappointed with Mr. Henderson’s inability to navigate through league politics and follow the evidence.” U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant said he would rule on Elliott’s request for a temporary restraining order by Friday.
Notable
The Cardinals beefed up their offensive line by signing guard Alex Boone to a one-year contract. He started 14 games for Minnesota last season. But the offensive line struggled and the Vikings released him in the final roster cuts last week.
The Jets signed former 49ers wide receiver Jeremy Kerley to a one-year deal, reuniting with a player who spent his first five NFL seasons with the franchise. To make room on the roster, the Jets waived fullback Julian Howsare.
Washington signed running back Chris Thompson to a contract extention.He is expected to continue his role as the third-down back and return kicks in Week 1.
The Falcons signed linebacker Jordan Tripp, who played nine games last season for Seattle and Green Bay.
Browns defensive tackle T.Y. McGill was charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession in North Carolina.