nfl News & notes

nfl News & notes

Pittsburgh Steelers: The team have taken a long look at third-string quarterback Landry Jones this preseason. They want to see how the former Oklahoma standout has developed and matured as he enters his third NFL season. The results have been mixed through two extended preseason games. “I thought I’ve had a decent camp,” Jones said. “There’s some good, some bad. I just need to make more plays and go out there and win a game.” Starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger took it easy in the early portions of training camp, while a shoulder injury landed veteran backup Bruce Gradkowski on the physically unable to perform list, giving Jones additional snaps.

The 26-year-old has performed the bulk of the work, but it’s been largely inconsistent, mixing good and bad on the practice field with a pair of up-and-down game day showings as the Steelers are winless through two preseason games. “You try not to repeat the mistakes,” Jones said. “You see the mistakes you made, learn from them and move on.” Jones has handled nearly every snap in preseason games, save for a few Tyler Murphy snaps against Minnesota and an efficient Roethlisberger-led first-team score during the opening series Friday against Jacksonville. Other than that, it’s been all Jones.

Los Angeles: Construction of an NFL stadium in the Los Angeles area could come with another change: a possible shift in division for the Oakland Raiders or the San Diego Chargers. The teams have proposed a shared $1.7 billion stadium in the city of Carson — one of two stadium proposals being considered by the NFL near Los Angeles that could bring professional football back to the region after a two-decade absence. Carmen Policy, a former San Francisco 49ers executive who was hired to help oversee the Carson project, said Monday that the teams have agreed to shift divisions, if necessary, to make the project acceptable to the league. The Chargers and Raiders are rivals in the AFC West, which could make game scheduling and other issues difficult in a shared stadium. The teams have made clear to the league and NFL owners that “you send us to LA and you’ll make the decision as to who plays in what conference or division,” Policy told reporters after detailing stadium plans for business leaders and a sports group at an event in downtown Los Angeles. “There are some very interesting scenarios, depending on how all this turns out,” Policy said.

Buffalo Bills: A person familiar with the decision says the Buffalo Bills have agreed to a contract with free-agent linebacker Quentin Groves. The person spoke Monday night on condition of anonymity because the Bills have not announced the move. ESPN first reported the agreement. Groves is a seven-year journeyman who had three starts in 16 games with Tennessee last season. Groves was selected by Jacksonville in the second round of the 2008 draft and spent two seasons playing for the Jaguars. He also has played for Oakland, Arizona and Cleveland, and has 32 starts in 100 career games. The Bills suddenly have several holes to fill on defense after tackle Jarius Wynn and linebacker Ty Powell sustained potentially season-ending knee injuries over the past four days.

Tampa Buccaneers: The Bucs addressed a need for help on the offensive line by signing right tackle Gosder Cherilus to a two-year contract. The seventh-year pro fills an opening created when Demar Dotson sprained his left knee during last weekend’s preseason opener at Minnesota. Dotson has started 47 of 48 games over the past three seasons, and the Bucs aren’t speculating when he might return. “Demar went down, we needed some offensive line help,” coach Lovie Smith said, confirming the addition of Cherilus after practice Monday. “It’s good that a player like that is available.” Cherilus was released by the Indianapolis Colts last month .

Arizona Cardinals: Running back Chris Johnson have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the team. The Cardinals announced the deal on Monday while the team worked out at University of Phoenix Stadium. Johnson, who turns 30 next month, played last year with the New York Jets after spending his first six NFL seasons with the Tennessee Titans. Adding the three-time Pro Bowl player gives the team a veteran back to complement Andre Ellington, the starter who often lines up as a receiver. Arizona had the NFL’s worst rushing offense last season.

Associated Press