Seattle re-signs reserve CB Kennard Cox
RENTON, Wash. - The Seattle Seahawks have re-signed reserve cornerback Kennard Cox for the 2011 season.
The Seahawks announced the signing on Monday, bringing back one of their top special teams players.
Cox appeared in 11 games last season for the Seahawks. He finished the year with seven total tackles on defense and another three on special teams. Cox also blocked Seattle's first punt in seven seasons. It was recovered for a touchdown against Kansas City.
Cox was signed by Seattle last April. He was originally a seventh-round pick by Buffalo in 2008.
Redskins cut Portis: "Southeast Jerome" is officially gone for good. As well as "Dolla Bill" and "Sheriff Gonna Getcha."
Clinton Portis was released by the Washington Redskins, ending a charismatic and sometimes contentious seven-year stay that, for a while at least, made him the face of the franchise.
Injuries and money led to coach Mike Shanahan's decision. Portis had played in only 13 games over the last two seasons because of a severe concussion in 2009 and a torn groin muscle in 2010.
Portis was scheduled to make $8.3 million next season, and Shanahan made it clear at the NFL combine that the Redskins wouldn't keep the 29-year-old running back at that price.
Jaguars sign backup QB McCown: The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed quarterback Luke McCown to a one-year contract, giving the team an experienced backup to David Garrard.
McCown was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent.
McCown has played in 16 games, with seven starts, in seven seasons. He has completed 154 of 260 passes for 1,739 yards, with nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
The 29-year-old quarterback spent time with Cleveland and Tampa Bay before joining the Jaguars via a trade in September 2009. He was a fourth-round draft pick of the Browns in 2004 and was traded to the Buccaneers in April 2005.
Critical week on NFL labor scene: This is the week hardly anyone expected to actually arrive: deadline time for the NFL and its players' union.
The collective bargaining agreement expires Thursday night, and the owners could lock out the players. Even before that, though, the Players Association is likely to decertify to prevent a lockout and take its chances in court.
Both sides will resume meeting with a federal mediator today and probably Wednesday in Washington; seven recent sessions brought little progress. The 32 team owners have meetings Wednesday and Thursday in nearby Chantilly, Va., where they will be briefed on the status of negotiations before deciding on the next step.
Just ahead stands the unthinkable: a labor shutdown in America's most prosperous and popular sport.