Jets’ Smith says he won’t file charges against Enemkpali
Injured QB has moved on
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Geno Smith insists he has moved on from the punch that rocked the franchise and might have cost him his starting job.
The New York Jets quarterback has no plans to file charges against former teammate Ikemefuna Enemkpali, the linebacker who broke Smith’s jaw when he slugged him in the locker room last month.
Smith, expected to miss at least the first four games, would not address whether Enemkpali apologized to him. Smith also wouldn’t say whether he reimbursed the $600 Enemkpali paid for the quarterback to appear at a youth camp in Texas — Smith later canceled because of a death of a friend — that is believed to be at the root of the dispute that came to a head Aug. 11.
“I really don’t want to talk much about the incident,” Smith said Monday while meeting with reporters for the first time since he was punched. “I’ve put it behind me. We’re focusing on the Cleveland Browns as a team and we’ve got a big game ahead of us, so that’s all that really matters at this point.”
Enemkpali was released by the Jets immediately after the incident, and signed by Buffalo and Rex Ryan, his coach with the Jets last season. The Bill cut Enemkpali over the weekend but signed him to their practice squad on Monday. Enemkpali could face discipline under the league’s personal conduct policy.
Meanwhile, Smith had screws and metal plates inserted into his jaw but says he has been mostly pain-free for the last two or three weeks.
“The first week was tough, but after that, we kind of developed a plan,” he said.
DEVELOPMENTS
Titans D eyes Winston: In three preseason games, Buccaneers rookie quarterback Jameis Winston was sacked seven times and pressured on many other occasions.
Those plays didn’t go unnoticed by the Tennessee Titans, who visit Tampa Bay on Sunday in the season opener. Linebacker Brian Orakpo, who has 40 career sacks, has paid particularly close attention.
“We definitely have been watching the preseason games,” Orakpo said. “Other teams have had some success, so we have to see what works to actually get to him. Hopefully we can emulate that come our game and have some success getting him down.”
Mariota adjusting: One of the biggest transitions Titans rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota faced was taking snaps under center, as opposed to the shotgun attack he played in almost exclusively at Oregon.
He’s pleased with his progress.
“I feel really comfortable under center,” Mariota said. “That’s stuff that I didn’t do in college and I really worked hard throughout the offseason and these coaches have really helped me. It’s come a long way and I do feel comfortable under there and ready to go.”
Center Brian Schwenke has been “hugely” important in helping him avoid mistakes, he said.
“He’s done a great job with me in terms of just making me feel comfortable, taking some extra snaps if we don’t get it,” Mariota said. “He’s done an incredible job with me and made this process a lot easier, for sure.”
Poe back: After missing all of training camp following back surgery, Kansas City Chiefs Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dontari Poe has returned to practice this week.
Depending on how he fares in pads Wednesday, the former University of Memphis star could play in Sunday’s opener in Houston.
“He’ll be limited in the number of reps and we’ll just monitor him,” coach Andy Reid said. “He’s on schedule to possibly have an opportunity to play against the Texans.”
Briefly: Cleveland backup quarterback Johnny Manziel threw passes in practice Monday for the first time since Aug. 23, when a sore right elbow sidelined him and kept him out of the Browns’ final two exhibitions. ... Two months after injuring his right hand in a July 4 fireworks accident, two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul reported to the New York Giants. Although Pierre-Paul has missed all of camp, coach Tom Coughlin would not rule him out for the opener in Dallas on Sunday night. ... Veteran wide receiver James Jones has signed with the Green Bay Packers, who need depth after the season-ending knee injury to wideout Jordy Nelson. Green Bay released second-year receiver Myles White to make room for Jones.