Jags’ Posluszny switching positions for 1st time in career

JACKSONVILLE, FLA. >> Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Paul Posluszny is switching positions for the first time in his NFL career, and he doesn’t seem totally comfortable with the decision.

Posluszny said Tuesday that new coach Doug Marrone is moving him from middle linebacker — the spot he’s played since peewee football — to strong-side linebacker. It’s a tricky transition that will require Posluszny, who is entering his 11th season, to play near the line of scrimmage and in coverage more often.

And instead of playing every down, he is likely to have a lesser workload.

“It’s going to be the biggest challenge of my career,” Posluszny said.

Although it might seem like a minor tweak, it’s more like a major overhaul for the former Penn State standout.

“For 10 years I’ve played middle linebacker,” Posluszny said. “My entire perspective of how to play football in the NFL, my entire identity, has been that, and now that’s not the case.”

The Jaguars want to get secondyear linebacker Myles Jack, a secondround draft pick in 2016, on the field and more involved. Jack played sparingly as a rookie, but his speed and athleticism are expected to be an upgrade over the 32-year-old Posluszny.

Posluszny started every game last season, finishing with 133 tackles and 1½ sacks. He’s averaged more than 100 tackles during his decade in the league, rarely being out of position but criticized for not making enough game-changing plays. He has 14½ sacks and 15 interceptions.

Although Posluszny was clearly uneasy about the move, he took the high road and said the right things.

“More important than anything, I just want to win,” said Posluszny, who is 46-114 as a pro in Buffalo and Jacksonville. But he also took the move as a slight.

“I look at it and say, ‘Well, that means I didn’t play at a high enough level to keep that job,”’ he said. “It’s my fault and I don’t have anybody to blame but myself. If I would have played better last year, then maybe we wouldn’t be having this conversation, but that’s not the case. Moving forward, make the adjustment and do the best job I can.”

Browns’ Haden wants Garrett with No. 1 pick

BEREA, OHIO >> Joe Haden has watched the tape and arrived at an easy decision: Myles Garrett.

Cleveland’s front office may still be weighing its options with the No. 1 overall pick in next week’s NFL draft, but Haden has made up his mind and wants Texas A&M’s Garrett, a 6-foot-4, 272-pound defensive end.

“I would be super-excited if they took this guy Myles Garrett,” said the star cornerback.

“If it was my draft, then he would be,” Haden said with a smile. “But don’t get me in trouble.”

Source: Pats sign Bills’ Gillislee to offer sheet

BUFFALO, N.Y. >> The New England Patriots are in position to poach a valuable backup away from their AFC East rival Buffalo Bills for a second consecutive offseason.

The Bills stand to lose running back Mike Gillislee a year after failing to match the Patriots’ offer to sign receiver Chris Hogan.

A person with direct knowledge of the move confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday that Gillislee signed New England’s twoyear, $6.4 million offer sheet. The contract would pay the restricted free agent $4 million this season.