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NFL

Bengals: No 'rash,' fast decisions on CB Jones

INDIANAPOLIS — Cincinnati Bengals player personnel director Duke Tobin said he was ‘very disappointed’ with cornerback Adam Jones, who was arrested in early January on charge of felony harassment with a bodily substance, disorderly conduct, assault and obstructing official business.

“It was disappointing for us to see him display what he displayed. It is a poor reflection of him and it’s not indicative of who he is in our opinion. I think Adam is better than that,” Tobin said.

The Cincinnati Bengals are in no hurry to make a decision on the future of Adam Jones despite the cornerback’s latest off-field issues. The Cincinnati Enquirer via AP

Jones’ legal status is currently pending, as Cincinnati prosecutor Joe Deters publicly said that he would like to see what punishment the NFL might give Jones before proceeding with the case. The NFL has not commented other than to say Jones, who has had multiple off the field issues over the course of his career, will be reviewed under the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

Tobin said the team will not make any quick decisions regarding Jones’ status with the team at this time. A key date for the Bengals could be March 9, when the NFL free agency period officially opens. The Bengals could lose starting cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, who is set to become a free agent. Jones, 33, has two years remaining on his contract, and the team could save as much as $7.5 million against the cap this year if he were released.

“I’m not going to condemn him and I’m not going to condone what he did, but whether there was anything criminal there or not is to be determined by our criminal justice system,” Tobin said. “We’re going to let that work and if there’s an NFL penalty that’ll be determined by the NFL and we’re going to let that work…

“We’re not going to make any rash, harsh, fast decisions about the future of our football team without all the information. We don’t have an update on that. His status on our team is like a lot of players’ status on our team. He’s got to earn his way like everyone else does. Where this goes, I cannot predict it, but we are certainly not going to make a decision on him without more information.”

NFL

Cutler's status as Bears QB 'fluid,' GM says

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace described Jay Cutler’s situation as “fluid” on Wednesday, partly because the quarterback has not been medically cleared following surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right throwing shoulder in December.

The Bears have been actively shopping Cutler since the end of the season and would open up $13 million in salary-cap space if they trade or release the veteran quarterback. But none of that can happen until Cutler is healthy enough to pass a physical.

“Jay’s under contract, so it’s fluid. I would describe it as fluid,” Pace told reporters at the NFL combine in Indianapolis. “There are a lot of conversations going on between us and Bus Cook. I think one of the things with Jay I value is his agent, Bus Cook. We’re close, and I think at times like these that relationship is important because we can be honest and transparent. I think he’s one of the top agents out there, and I think that helps in this process.”

Pace added: “[Cutler] is far along in his rehab. I wouldn’t say he’s there yet, but he’s definitely ahead of [schedule]. He hasn’t gotten to that point yet [where he’s been medically cleared], but he’s ahead of schedule.”

The general manager left the door open for Cutler to return in 2017, although that scenario is highly unlikely.

“At this point we pretty much have everything on the table,” Pace said. “For us, to do it the responsible way, that’s necessary.”

Cutler is under contract through 2020, but there is no guaranteed money left on his deal. His base salary in 2017 is scheduled to be $12.5 million, and he can earn $2.5 million in per-game roster bonuses if he is on the active roster on game day.

The 2017 salary is modest for an NFL starting quarterback, but Cutler is coming off a disappointing season in which he started only five games because of injuries.

The Bears would carry $2 million in dead money — the remaining portion of his restructured prorated signing bonus — with Cutler off the roster.

The Bears are waiting for Jay Cutler to be medically cleared from December shoulder surgery before they can make a move on the beleaguered quarterback. AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast

Cutler, who turns 34 in April, holds almost every passing record in franchise history, but he has led the Bears to just one playoff appearance in eight seasons.

Chicago’s arguably most polarizing athlete, Cutler has been through a tenure with the Bears that has been marked by turnovers. He has 109 interceptions in 102 regular-season games for the Bears, including a career-worst 26 picks in 2009 after the club paid a hefty price to acquire him from the Denver Broncos.

He has cycled through six offensive coordinators in Chicago. The Bears’ revolving door of playcallers also contributed to Cutler’s failure to develop into a premier franchise quarterback.

Cutler did lead the Bears to the NFC Championship Game in 2010 — a contest he left because of a knee injury — and posted a career-best 92.3 passer rating in 2015, but those achievements have been largely overshadowed by his struggles protecting the football.

NFL

2017 NFL scouting combine coverage and schedule

The NFL is holding its annual scouting combine today through March 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. More than 300 players will be evaluated by all 32 teams in preparation for the NFL draft (April 27-29, Philadelphia).

Here’s more:

Combine coverage

Combine schedule

Group 1 (place-kickers, special teams, offensive linemen), Group 2 (offensive linemen), Group 3 (running backs)

Tuesday, Feb. 28: Registration, hospital pre-exam & X-rays, overflow testing, orientation, interviews

Wednesday, March 1: Measurements, medical examinations, overflow testing, interviews

Thursday, March 2: Psychological testing, NFLPA meeting, PK/ST workout, media, bench press, interviews

Friday, March 3: On-field workout (timing, stations, skill drills), depart Indianapolis

NFL DraftRound 1: April 27, 8 p.m. ET
Rds. 2-3: April 28, 7 p.m. ET
Rds. 4-7: April 29, noon ET
Where: Philadelphia

NFL draft home page »

• 2017 NFL draft order »
• Mel Kiper’s latest Mock Draft »
• Todd McShay’s latest Mock Draft »
• Mel Kiper’s Big Board »
• Scouts Inc.’s player rankings »

Group 4 (quarterbacks, wide receivers), Group 5 (quarterbacks, wide receivers), Group 6 (tight ends)

Wednesday, March 1: Registration, hospital pre-exam & X-rays, overflow testing, orientation, interviews

Thursday, March 2: Measurements, medical examinations, overflow testing, interviews

Friday, March 3: Psychological testing, NFLPA meeting, media, bench press, interviews

Saturday, March 4: On-field workout (timing, stations, skill drills), depart Indianapolis

Group 7 (defensive linemen), Group 8 (defensive linemen), Group 9 (linebackers)

Thursday, March 2: Registration, hospital pre-exam & X-rays, overflow testing, orientation, interviews

Friday, March 3: Measurements, medical examinations, overflow testing, interviews

Saturday, March 4: Psychological testing, NFLPA meeting, media, bench press, interviews

Sunday, March 5: On-field workout (timing, stations, skill drills), depart Indianapolis

Group 10 (defensive backs), Group 11 (defensive backs)

Friday, March 3: Registration, hospital pre-exam & X-rays, overflow testing, orientation, interviews

Saturday, March 4: Measurements, medical examinations, overflow testing, interviews

Sunday, March 5: Psychological testing, NFLPA meeting, media, bench press, interviews

Monday, March 6: On-field workout (timing, stations, skill drills), depart Indianapolis

Note: Select players from any group may arrive one day before their scheduled date listed above to assist with medical scheduling. This will be based on flight schedules and medical tests only, and no players arriving early will have advanced contact with teams.

NFL

Receiver Gordon to apply for reinstatement

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon, who has not played since 2014, is applying for reinstatement Wednesday, his business manager said.

“Josh is living with me and is in the best place mentally that he has been in dating back years before entering the NFL,” Michael Johnson said. “He has taken the proper steps to treat his issues and has followed a very strict protocol that the league and our team here has laid out for him.

“He’s also in the best shape of his life and feels even better than he did when he had his breakout year in 2013. This will be a special year for Josh and we are all very proud of the way he has taken the necessary steps to turn his life around.”

Gordon spent 30 days in a New Hampshire rehab facility in October.

The Browns have made it clear they are moving on without Gordon, who was suspended for the entire 2015 season for multiple violations of the NFL’s substance abuse policies.

Gordon’s off-field issues began in college. The talented yet troubled wideout was dismissed from the teams at Baylor and Utah for failing drug tests. The Browns selected him in the second round of the 2012 supplemental draft.

The NFL suspended Gordon for 10 games in 2014 for violating the substance abuse policy, and the Browns suspended him for the season finale for missing the final walk-through the day before. The NFL also suspended him for two games in 2013 for violations of the substance abuse policy.

The Browns welcomed Gordon back after the 2015 suspension, but they also drafted four receivers and gave ex-quarterback Terrelle Pryor a full look at the position.

In 2013, Gordon’s second year in the league, he had 87 catches for a league-leading 1,646 yards, but he played in only five games the next season.

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