Jacksonville Jaguars not using tag on Allen Robinson

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Allen Robinson spent almost all of last season out of his Jaguars uniform, relegated to the sideline due to injury.

His time in Jacksonville might be finished altogether.

The Jaguars have informed the receiver they will not be using the franchise or transition tag on him, the team’s official site confirmed TuesdayNFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport first reported the news. Continue reading

Packers among teams meeting with Ward at combine

INDIANAPOLIS — Denzel Ward stepped to the podium at the NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday and was immediately peppered with questions about why he sat out of his final college game (the Cotton Bowl against USC).

He handled each with ease, detailing the internal conflict with which he dealt and the support he received from his coaches. The Ohio State cornerback, whose nickname is “Flash”, also made one fact very clear: He won’t be sitting out of the marquee event here at the combine on Monday. Continue reading

Minkah Fitzpatrick out to prove he can be a do-it-all defender

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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INDIANAPOLIS — Minkah Fitzpatrick sits atop Mike Mayock’s safety rankings for the 2018 draft class, but the Alabama defensive back said Sunday he wants to prove to the NFL he can play multiple positions.

It’s one of his main goals during the NFL Scouting Combine, and it turns out, he got a jump on improving at cornerback by spending time with one of the league’s best: Cardinals All-Pro corner Patrick Peterson. Continue reading

Vita Vea shows he’s more than just a menacing defender

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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INDIANAPOLIS — Vita Vea stepped to the podium at the NFL Scouting Combine and declared his desire to make teams aware of who he is as a player and as a person.

He did quite a job with reporters on Saturday.

Vea, a 6-foot-4, 347-pound defensive tackle, recalled tales of his time carrying the football as a running back (“I try to think I was L.T., LaDainian Tomlinson back in the day”) and his crushed quarterback dreams, and talked about the pain caused by cutting back on carbs. Vea also sarcastically called out his former teammate John Ross, telling him he was coming for Ross’ 40-yard dash record and the private island once up for grabs in 2017. Continue reading

Bradley Chubb: I try to be Khalil Mack-Von Miller combo

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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INDIANAPOLIS — As a projected high first-round pick, Bradley Chubb knows his time in the limelight is coming in less than two months. He’s aiming for an even loftier goal once he actually joins an NFL team.

When asked Saturday at the NFL Scouting Combine of who he molds his game after, Chubb selected the league’s premier edge rushers and set the bar even higher. Continue reading

Josh Rosen: I’m not going to show teams ‘fake image of myself’

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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INDIANAPOLIS — One day after his teammates defended him in speaking to reporters, Josh Rosen took the podium.

The main takeaway? He gets it, and he isn’t about to change for anyone.

“I’m not going to present a fake image of myself,” Rosen told reporters Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine. “… I think that you have to be yourself, you have to be authentic and you have to show you’ve learned and grown over the years. You have to own your mistakes. That’s what I’m trying to show. Continue reading

Ozzie Newsome knows Ravens need help at receiver

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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INDIANAPOLIS — Baltimore’s prolonged issue at receiver is nearing its fourth season, and much of it can be traced back to (but not solely blamed on) Breshad Perriman.

The Ravens chose the speedy wideout out of Central Florida with the 26th pick of the 2015 draft with the idea he’d be the ideal No. 1 receiver with high-end speed capable of stretching a field. His selection came on the heels of the free-agency departure of Torrey Smith, Baltimore’s previous go-to speedster. Everything made sense on paper. Continue reading

Ex-UCLA teammate calls Josh Rosen ‘once-in-a-millennium’ QB

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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INDIANAPOLIS — Scott Quessenberry has blocked for Josh Rosen for two seasons at UCLA. As Rosen’s center, Quessenberry has naturally gotten to know his quarterback better than almost anyone.

He’s tired of hearing the negativity surrounding his teammate.

“I don’t know where it comes from. It drives me insane,” Quessenberry said Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine of negative perception of Rosen as a teammate and leader. “I have a really good relationship with Josh and he’ll tell you the same thing about me. We talk. For him to get the rap that he gets, I think it’s BS because of the type of guy he is and the type of stand-up human being that he is. The type of pro that he’s going to be.

“He’s a great dude, I love hanging around him and being with him and whoever gets him is extremely lucky. They’re getting a once-in-a-millennium talent in my opinion.” Continue reading

LSU’s Derrius Guice: ‘I’m going to give your defense hell’

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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INDIANAPOLIS — Derrius Guice spent the early portion of his media availability Thursday making his case for his receiving skills, which were rarely on display during his time at LSU.

But when asked to compare himself to a current NFL player, a pitch wasn’t necessary for Guice, or those assembled around him. The answer was simple.

“Beast Mode,” Guice replied, referring to Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch. “The Skittle man.” Continue reading