Thursday’s NFL: Jaguars refresh uniforms, helmets
The old-school Jacksonville Jaguars are going to look like they play in 2018.
The Jaguars unveiled new uniforms and helmets Thursday, switching to a “no-nonsense” style that matches the team’s blue-collar identity.
The franchise showed off their new duds at the team’s annual state of the franchise presentation.
“True to our current identity and what we want to represent for years to come, our new uniforms are no-nonsense, all business and unmistakably Jaguars,” team owner Shad Khan said.
The “official” unveiling actually came a day after workers at Jacksonville International Airport inadvertently put up life-size posters of current players wearing the uniforms.
The Nike Vapor Untouchable uniforms feature much cleaner lines, which some might consider plain. They have three jersey and pants options — black, white and teal. The all-teal combination, including matching socks, can only be worn during Thursday night games.
The high-gloss black helmets replace the two-tone widely mocked the past five years.
Giants cut Marshall
The Giants released veteran wide receiver Brandon Marshall on Thursday, GM Dave Gettleman confirmed.
Not long after, Marshall posted a video on Instagram of him sliding his nameplate off his Giants locker for good.
The move was expected much earlier in the offseason. Gettleman said the Giants released Marshall with a designation of failed physical. Gettleman, asked if he would be interested in free agent receiver Dez Bryant, said: “I have interest in everybody. We do our film work, and you never know.”
Cutting Marshall clears $5.1 million in salary cap space the Giants will need if they’re going to increase Odell Beckham Jr.’s scheduled $8.4 million 2018 cap hit to $17 million or so on a long-term extension.
Trubisky likes changes
Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky can see a huge difference after only three days running new coach Matt Nagy’s offense.
There’s more to it than just the system for Trubisky, as the Bears ended their first minicamp under Nagy on Thursday with a greater knowledge of an offense they hope eventually elevates them from the depths of the NFC North.
“Just having a bunch of brilliant offensive minds around me, I’m just getting a lot of information,” Trubisky said.
It all caused Trubisky to remark: “I feel like these last three days, I’ve been coached more than I ever have.”
The Bears finished 30th on offense and have been ranked in the bottom half of NFL offenses three of the past four seasons. Coach John Fox was fired after going 5-11 in his third season, with Trubisky starting the final 12 games of his rookie year.
Ex-Lion Freeney to retire
Defensive end Dwight Freeney will retire as a member of the Colts on Monday, team officials said.
Freeney was a seven-time Pro Bowler, a three-time first-team All-Pro selection and played in three Super Bowls. He won his only title with the Colts following the 2006 season.
The speed rusher was best known for his trademark spin, a move defensive coaches chided and offensive linemen feared.
Freeney was Indy’s first-round draft pick in 2002 and stayed through 2012. He is second in Colts’ history with 107 1/2 sacks. He also played with San Diego, Arizona, Atlanta, Seattle and Detroit and is tied for No. 17 in league history with 125 1/2 sacks.
Physician to head panel
The NFL has appointed Dr. Nicholas Theodore chairman of the head, neck and spine committee, which plays a major role in the league’s health and safety initiatives.
Theodore is a professor of neurosurgery, orthopedics and biomedical engineering at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He is director of the Hopkins Neurosurgical Spine Center.
Extra points
The Cardinals have signed cornerback Marcus Williams to a one-year deal.
... Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has bought a stake in his namesake horse that is to run in the Kentucky Derby next month.
... The Jaguars announced they plan to be the first NFL team to have a dog park inside the stadium.