The Jacksonville Jaguars sure hope it doesn’t take Matt Jones extra time to learn his new position.

After Jones missed the opening of training camp by holding out – he also missed most of minicamp and several summer workouts because of a sprained left hamstring – the former Arkansas quarterback signed a five-year, $8.45 million contract Tuesday with the Jaguars.

The deal could be worth up to $11.15 million with incentives and he will make $6.3 million his first year.

“I’m definitely excited,” Jones said. “I’m glad that everything got worked out and that I haven’t missed too much. I’m ready to get out there and start making plays and helping the team win.”

The 21st overall pick, Jones is switching to tight end. He finished his Razorbacks career as the Southeastern Conference’s top rushing quarterback, gaining 2,535 yards and scoring 24 touchdowns in 46 games.

“It’s not that so much time has been missed that he’s really behind,” Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said. “We’ll get him caught up to speed, and it should be something that’s in our rear view mirror very quickly.”

Packers

Brett Favre is in his best shape in years, thanks greatly to strength and conditioning coach Ken Croner of Athletes’ Performance in Tempe, Ariz. They worked out in Mississippi for 50 minutes a day through June, and it worked wonders.

Favre reported to camp at 217 pounds, his lightest reporting weight since 1999, when he came in at 214 after giving up beer. Every year since, he had reported in the mid-220s.

Favre, who turns 36 in October, is only throwing once a day during the early part of camp and he’s on a limit of 40 throws per practice or 60 in a day.

Eagles

Eagles president Joe Banner met with Terrell Owens, agent Drew Rosenhaus and coach Andy Reid for the first time Tuesday to try to resolve their differences over an ongoing contract dispute.

“Our expectations would be that he’s here and he’s here to stay,” Banner said. “Things happen that you don’t expect, but what was said privately and what was said in the meeting would lead us to expect he’s here and committed to seeing the season through.”

Owens wants to reopen his contract one season into the seven-year, $48.97 million deal he signed after coming to Philadelphia in March 2004.

Advertisement

Redskins

Carlos Rogers, the No. 9 overall pick in April’s draft, agreed to a five-year, $17.45 million deal just as No. 25 overall selection Jason Campbell reported to camp and signed a five-year, $7.5 million contract. They helped Auburn to a 13-0 record last season.

Campbell’s deal includes $5.3 million in bonus money and could be worth nearly $24 million if all incentives are met.

Rogers, the Jim Thorpe Award winner as the nation’s top defensive back in 2004, severely sprained and bruised his ankle while working out at Auburn in June and is expected to be limited in the first few days of camp. An old stress fracture was found in Rogers’ leg while he was being treated, but the Redskins say that injury is not a concern.

Giants

DB Corey Webster, a second-round draft pick, signed Tuesday. He was the team’s last unsigned player.

“I am not going to hold it against him,” coach Tom Coughlin said of Webster missing the beginning of training camp. “I am disappointed, but that’s part of the business and he’ll be out there later today.”

Webster is expected to contribute as a nickel back and possibly challenge incumbent cornerback Will Allen for a starting slot.

Colts

Center Jeff Saturday missed practice because of a strained right hamstring and most likely will not play this weekend in the exhibition opener in Japan against Atlanta.

Coach Tony Dungy said the team was awaiting results from an MRI to determine the severity of the injury.

Defensive lineman Raheem Brock, also a starter, could be out with a hip flexor.

At least five players, including two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Dwight Freeney, will not travel to Japan. Freeney has not yet practiced after having offseason shoulder surgery and is on the team’s physically unable to perform list.

Advertisement

Dolphins

Miami signed center Alonzo Ephraim a day after center Wade Smith broke his right forearm. Smith is expected to be out until the early part of the regular season.

Ephraim spent the last two seasons with Philadelphia. To make room for him on the roster, Miami waived linebacker Derek Curry.

Cowboys

Tight end Dan Campbell, who had an appendectomy Thursday after arriving in California for the Cowboys training camp, was able to do more than just watch Tuesday.

Campbell rode a stationary bike, did some light weightlifting and also some resistance work by running with a bungee cord attached to his waist.

“I actually felt better today because I got to start doing stuff,” said Campbell, who missed the final 13 games last season with torn ligaments in his right foot. “It’s a step forward.”

Campbell hopes to be back at practice Monday.

Copy the Story Link

Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.