Los Angeles Times - 21.09.2019

LATIMES.COM/SPORTS D3

NFL

vance toward her in 2017.

Brown is accused of sending

that woman disturbing texts

Wednesday after the report

came out.

After he was released by

the Patriots, Brown posted

on Twitter and Instagram,

thanking quarterback Tom

Bradyand Coach Bill Beli-

chickand saying, “That was

fun.” He played in one game

for New England on Sunday,

catching four passes for 56

yards in a 43-0 drubbing of

Miami.

“It’s unfortunate things

didn’t work out with the

Patriots,” agent Drew

Rosenhauswrote on Twit-

ter. “But Antonio is healthy

and is looking forward to his

next opportunity in the

NFL. He wants to play the

game he loves and he hopes

to play for another team

soon.”

— Sam Farmer

Newton out, Allen

in for Carolina

The Carolina Panthers

will count on second-year

quarterback Kyle Allento

help them climb out of an 0-2

hole to start the season.

Allen was named Caroli-

na’s starter for Sunday’s

game at Arizona after Cam

Newtonwas ruled out with a

mid-foot sprain.

“He worked through a lot

of the soreness this week and

felt pretty good at the end of

the week,” Rivera said on a

conference call Friday. “The

one thing we don’t want to

do is have another setback.

So we want to make sure he

is ready to roll and his foot

can handle it.”

Shepard knew he

had concussion

New York Giants wide re-

ceiver Sterling Shepard

said he knew he had a con-

cussion in the season opener

against Dallas but played to

try to help the team win.

Speaking on Friday for

the first time since sustain-

ing the concussion on Sept.

8, Shepard said he didn’t

start feeling normal until

this week.

Shepard played the en-

tire game in the 35-17 loss to

the Cowboys. The team

seemingly didn’t find out

about the concussion until

after the game.

Etc.

The Philadelphia Eagles’

receiving corps will have its

depth tested again against

the Detroit Lions. Still heal-

ing from an injured ab-

domen, DeSean Jackson

will miss the home game.

Fellow wide receiver Alshon

Jefferyand tight end Dallas

Goedertare questionable

with calf injuries. ... Seattle

Seahawks defensive end

Ziggy Ansah, wide receiver

David Mooreand defensive

tackle Poona Fordare set to

return to the lineup against

the New Orleans Saints.

Ansah makes his debut for

the Seahawks after being

held out of the first two

games to give his surgically

repaired shoulder time to re-

cover. Moore missed the first

two games with a hairline

fracture in his upper arm.

Ford played in the opener

against Cincinnati but

missed last week’s game

with a hamstring strain.

The New England Patri-

ots released Antonio Brown

on Friday, cutting ties with

the controversial receiver as

abruptly as they signed him

two weeks earlier.

The team released a

statement reading: “We ap-

preciate the hard work of

many people over the past 1 1

days, but we feel that it is

best to move in a different di-

rection at this time.”

Brown, 31, who forced his

way out of his contract with

Oakland after he had been

traded from Pittsburgh, is

facing multiple allegations

of sexual misconduct, accu-

sations he has denied.

The legal troubles sur-

faced for Brown shortly after

he signed a one-year deal

with the Patriots on Sept. 7.

Britney Taylor, a gymnast

from Memphis, Tenn., filed a

civil lawsuit accusing him of

sexual assault and rape

spanning three incidents.

According to the suit, Brown

and Taylor met in 2010 when

they were student-athletes

at Central Michigan.

The filing says the two re-

connected in 2017 when

Brown “indicated he wanted

Ms. Taylor’s help improving

flexibility and strength in his

ankles and fast twitch mus-

cles — areas in which she

had developed expertise

through gymnastics.”

The allegations stem

from subsequent encoun-

ters between the two.

On Monday, a second

Brown accuser surfaced, al-

leging that the player made

an unwanted sexual ad-

AROUND THE LEAGUE

Patriots release Brown

staff and wire reports

It’s been a while since

tight end Gerald Everett

started for the Rams.

He did it twice as a rookie

in 2017 but played behind Ty-

ler Higbeeevery game last

season as the Rams made a

run to the Super Bowl.

With Higbee sidelined be-

cause of a bruised lung suf-

fered in the victory over the

New Orleans Saints last

week, Everett will start Sun-

day night against the Cleve-

land Brown at FirstEnergy

Stadium. Everett said Fri-

day that the starting assign-

ment would not change his

mind-set.

“I’m not really worried

about breaking out or hav-

ing a big game,” he said after

practice. “Just compete to

the best of my abilities and

help the team get a W.”

Higbee was injured dur-

ing the second quarter of the

27-9 victory over the Saints.

He did not practice all week.

Johnny Mundt will back up

Everett, whom coach Sean

McVay described as “a start-

ing-caliber player.”

As a rookie, Everett

caught 16 passes, two for

touchdowns. Last season,

he had 33 receptions, three

for touchdowns. Everett has

three catches for 21 yards

this season.

In the season opener

against the Carolina Pan-

thers, Higbee played 51

snaps. Everett played 39. Be-

fore he was injured against

the Saints, Higbee played 23

snaps. Everett played 48.

His workload could in-

crease against the Browns.

“Gerald will get a chance

to demonstrate why he can

really play on all three

downs,” McVay said.

Offensive lineman Austin

Blythe, who suffered a left

ankle injury against the

Saints on the same play that

Higbee was injured, was lim-

ited again Friday and is

listed as questionable. The

Sunday night kickoff gives

Blythe more time than usual

to continue rehabilitation

and possibly play.

“We’re going to use all the

time that we do have,” coach

Sean McVaysaid. “See if we

can get some of that swelling

out and if he feels good

enough, then we’ll make a

decision on that.”

Defensive lineman Aaron

Donald, who was nursing a

muscle strain in his back,

also is listed as question-

able, but Donald said he

would “100%” play against

the Browns. On Friday,

theories abounded about

what caused an injury that

temporarily sidelined Don-

ald against the Saints.

Donald plays “so physical

and violent,” McVay said, “I

think it was more just the

torque that he created on his

own.”

Joked Donald: “I’m just

so fast. I was moving so fast.”

Too fast for his own

body?

“Too damn fast,” he said.

Donald and fellow defen-

sive lineman Michael Brock-

erscould line up against

Browns left tackle Greg

Robinson, a former team-

mate who was the second-

overall pick in the 2014 draft

by the Rams. The Rams

traded Robinson, 26, to the

Detroit Lions in June 2017.

“Greg’s still a young guy,”

Browns coach Freddie

Kitchenssaid this week dur-

ing a teleconference. “He’s

still kind of learning. ... I see

Greg continuing to get bet-

ter.”

Donald also has seen im-

provement by Robinson.

“He understands the

game a little bit more and

the technique looks more

clean than when he was a

younger guy,” Donald said.

“So expect him to be better.”

Family affair

Linebacker Clay

Matthews always gets a

warm reception from fans in

Cleveland because his fa-

ther, Clay Matthews Jr.,

played 16 of his 19 NFL sea-

sons at linebacker for the

Browns.

Clay Matthews Jr. will be

inducted in the Browns’

“Ring of Honor” during half-

time Sunday. A large family

contingent will be on hand

for the ceremony.

Matthews is happy for his

father, a four-time Pro Bowl

selection who has been a Pro

Football Hall of Fame semi-

finalist three times.

Matthews said his father’s

accomplishments compare

favorably with several Hall of

Fame inductees.

“The reception that

comes to me by way of my

dad is pretty remarkable,”

he said. “Hopefully, that’s

what happens again.”

Etc.

Rather than leaving Fri-

day afternoon, the Rams will

depart for Cleveland on Sat-

urday morning. The Rams’

experience last season

playing on Sunday night at

Chicago influenced the deci-

sion, McVay said. “It felt like

we were there for 2 ½ weeks,”

he said. ... In the wake of the

New England Patriots’ deci-

sion to release wide receiver

Antonio Brown, McVay was

asked whether the Rams

would explore the possibility

of signing him or letting it

pass. “You always look into

things,” McVay said. “We

evaluate, but with the situa-

tion we have specific to the

receiver position, we

couldn’t be happier with the

guys that we do have.”

SEAN McVAY says Gerald Everett has opportunity

to show “why he can really play on all three downs.”

Wally SkalijLos Angeles Times

RAMS REPORT

Everett gets his chance

to start, prove his worth

By Gary Klein

He was the Charger who,
in particular, advised Rod-
eric Teamerwhen the rook-
ie joined the team in May as
an undrafted free agent.
“He told me from the mo-
ment I got here that it
doesn’t matter how you got
here, it’s just the fact that
you’re here,” Teamer re-
called this week. “What mat-
ters is what you’re going to
do now going forward.”
That wisdom came from
Adrian Phillips, who also
went undrafted coming out
of college but has since
forged an NFL career that
last year saw him become an
All-Pro on special teams.
Going forward, Teamer is
set to replace Phillips in a
Chargers secondary that
has been beset by injury.
He’s expected to make his
NFL debut Sunday against
Houston as the starting
strong safety. Phillips suf-
fered a broken arm last
weekend against Detroit.
“I was really upset when
Adrian got hurt,” Teamer
said. “But I told him, ‘I’m go-
ing to hold it down for you
until you can return.’ That’s
what I plan on doing.”
Phillips already was an
injury replacement, filling in
for Derwin James, who is on
injured reserve after having
foot surgery in August.
Teamer, 22, stood out in
the preseason but missed
the first two games because
of a hamstring problem. He
was officially removed from
the injury report Friday and
now will take the next step —
a leap right into the starting
lineup.
“He’s a very intelligent
player,” defensive coordina-
tor Gus Bradleysaid. “He
has very good instincts. I
think when he came in ... he
really stood out because he
seemed to be around the ball
a lot. He made a lot of plays
on the ball or the ball finds
him.”
Bradley praised Team-
er’s studious nature, noting
that he typically sits up front
during meetings and takes
“meticulous notes.”
He said Phillips, who
often is cited by teammates
for his comprehensive
understanding of the de-
fense, has had an influence
on Teamer in that regard as
well.
“I’ve been real focused,
doing what I’ve got to do in
practice, trying to make sure

I gain the trust of not only

the coaches but my team-

mates,” Teamer said. “I

don’t want those guys going

into the game thinking they

have to overcompensate for

anything. I want them to

know I can hold my own.”

If Teamer struggles

against the Texans, coach

Anthony Lynn suggested

the Chargers would replace

him with starting free safety

Rayshawn Jenkins and in-

sertJaylen Watkinsin Jenk-

ins’ spot.

Coming out of Tulane,

Teamer wasn’t invited to the

NFL combine. He decided to

sign with the Chargers be-

cause they were the first

team to reach out to his rep-

resentatives with a potential

free-agent offer, doing so late

in the draft.

“This is what I’ve been

talking about my whole life,”

said Teamer, whose parents

will make the trip from Loui-

siana to be at Dignity Health

Sports Park. “I’ve always be-

lieved in myself and my circle

has always believed in me

and what I could do. All

we’ve ever talked about is

getting an opportunity. Now

I’m getting a chance. I won’t

back down from it one bit.”

Along with the losses at

safety, the Chargers will

again play Sunday without

starting cornerback

Michael Davis, who suffered

a hamstring injury in the

season opener.

Brandon Facyson will

make his second start in

place of Davis. Facyson

struggled at times in Week 1

when Indianapolis made a

point of going after him.

Against the Lions, his cov-

erage was tighter and more

consistent.

“I think he’s a guy that’s

going to continue to improve

every week,” Lynn said. “He

really has no choice because

people are going to challenge

him.”

The Chargers defense

will receive a boost with line-

backers Denzel Perryman

and Jatavis Brown return-

ing to more active roles.

Both have been slowed by

ankle injuries.

Perryman, especially,

should help clog the middle.

He’ll take some of the snaps

that have been going to

Kyzir White. Last year,

Brown typically played in

dime packages and on spe-

cial teams.

“Kyzir is doing a heck of a

job, but he’s got a lot to

learn,” Lynn said. “He’s still

learning. Now that Denzel is

up to speed, we’re going to

get him back in there be-

cause we’re different when

he’s in the game versus the

run.”

Kicking in

Barring a setback, kicker

Michael Badgley is ex-

pected to return Sunday af-

ter missing the first two

games because of a groin is-

sue.

“It’s still a game-time de-

cision,” Lynn said. “We’ll

kick him in pregame and see

how he feels. But I was much

more encouraged by him

this week.”

Center Mike Pouncey

also was removed from the

injury report after missing

practice Thursday with

what the Chargers listed as a

shoulder problem. Lynn

clarified that Pouncey was

just given a rest day.

Tight trip

When Lance Kendricks

came to Costa Mesa to work

out for the Chargers this

week, he didn’t have far to go.

The former Ram is still living

in Calabasas.

In his ninth season,

Kendricks, 31, signed and

will be the Chargers’ third

tight end. He spent the last

two seasons with Green Bay

and opened this year with

New England.

“Feels good to be back in

L.A.,” Kendricks said, “and

get another opportunity to

play ball.”

Etc.

Wide receivers Keenan

Allen and Mike Williams

have been dealing with knee

issues. But both were off the

injury report Friday. ... Line-

backerThomas Davishas 26

tackles, which led the NFL

through Week 2.

CHARGERS REPORT

Teamer

set to fill

lifelong

dream

By Jeff Miller

RODERIC TEAMERis expected to start at strong

safety on Sunday, in place of injured Adrian Phillips.

Rick ScuteriAssociated Press

Okung remains sidelined
after suffering a pulmonary
embolism caused by blood
clots. Safeties Derwin
James and Adrian Phillips
are on injured reserve. Tight
end Hunter Henry is out
with a fractured knee. Cor-
nerback Michael Davis has a
hamstring injury and is
listed as doubtful.
If only the Chargers had
the trade capital to address
the holes that have
emerged.
Oh, right.
Gordon, who is in the
final year of his rookie deal,
continues to hold out over a
contract dispute. He’s look-
ing for an extension worth
similar to what the league’s
top running backs are paid,
somewhere in the neighbor-
hood of $13 million annually.
The Chargers offered him a
deal worth around $10 mil-
lion a year.
This isn’t to say Gordon
isn’t deserving of the con-
tract he demands. The
dispute is simply byproduct
of a salary cap system used
by owners who oppose a free
market only when it cuts
into their earnings.
General manager Tom
Telesco said the Chargers
won’t revisit extension talks
until after the season. Gor-
don has demanded a trade
and the Chargers have
granted him permission to
look for a deal.
The Chargers now have
to take control of the situa-
tion and play a more proac-

tive role in the process.

The NFL’s trade market

has been unusually active,

with deals in recent weeks

including the likes of

Laremy Tunsil, Jadeveon

Clowney and Minkah Fitz-

patrick. All-Pro cornerback

Jalen Ramsey has re-

quested a trade from the

Jacksonville Jaguars.

If the Chargers aren’t

feeling a sense of urgency,

they should.

The clock is ticking. The

calendar pages are turning.

The team’s window is clos-

ing.

Philip Rivers is 37. He has

declared his intention to

play in 2020, but the Char-

gers could very well be

searching for their next

franchise quarterback the

year after that.

And it’s not only Rivers.

They have a couple of

dominant pass rushers in

Melvin Ingram and Joey

Bosa. They have Ingram on

a long-term deal, but Bosa is

nearing the end of his rookie

contract and could depart

as a free agent after the 2021

season.

Henry will be a free agent

at the end of the season.

The Chargers don’t have

the luxury of wasting this

kind of opportunity. They

are in their third season in

Los Angeles, but remain

barely noticed.

That’s OK now, with the

Chargers playing in the

27,000-seat Dignity Health

Sports Park.

That won’t be OK next

year, when they move into

the 70,000-seat SoFi Sta-

dium. Public indifference

next year will translate into

empty seats.

The Chargers have to win

and they have to win now.

Trading Gordon can help

them do that.

Of course, finding a taker

won’t be simple, especially

in the early stages of the

season. Any team that

trades for Gordon will en-

counter the same problems

the Chargers are facing with

him — specifically, they will

have to pay him.

Gordon has to play a

portion of this season to

make his rookie contract

expire. But if a franchise tag

is placed on him next year,

he could threaten to do

what Le’Veon Bell did in

2018, which is to not play and

become a free agent at the

end of the season.

So there are complica-

tions in trading Gordon.

Without a long-term deal

in place, no team will pay

a significant bounty for

him.

At the same time, no

team is likely to give him

that long-term deal.

But Gordon is still an

asset and he could be pack-

aged as part of a larger deal.

This could require a level of

creativity for which the

Chargers aren’t known, but

the rewards of doing some-

thing unfamiliar could be

equally foreign for the long-

underachieving franchise: A

championship.

Trade would be complicated

but it could result in a title

[Hernandez,from D1] NFL WEEK 3

Rams at

Cleveland

AT FIRSTENERGY STADIUM

Sun., 5:15 p.m. PDT, Ch. 4

NFL WEEK 3

Chargers

vs. Houston

AT DIGNITY HEALTH

SPORTS PARK

Sun., 1 :15 p.m., Ch. 2