Tag: new england patriots news

Chargers trade J.C. Jackson to Patriots

J.C. Jackson is going back to where he started his career.

J.C. Jackson is going back to where he started his career, as the Chargers traded him to the Patriots on Wednesday.

Los Angeles and New England swapped sixth- and seventh-round picks in 2025. The Chargers are converting most of the $9.33 million Jackson has left in base this year into a signing bonus to facilitate the trade.

After signing a five-year, $82.5 million with L.A. last offseason, Jackson was limited to five games last season due to a ruptured patellar tendon.

Upon returning, Jackson struggled against the Dolphins and Titans in Weeks 1 and 2, thus leading to him being a healthy scratch in Week 3 against the Vikings. He was active in Week 4 but did not play a single defensive snap.

Jackson played in seven games for the Chargers, recording 18 tackles, five passes defended and one interception.

For the Patriots, they get a player who had a lot of success with them, which included 25 interceptions in 62 games.

As for Los Angeles, it’s unfortunate that they didn’t get the All-Pro level of play from Jackson, but they made the right move to deal him now, knowing the situation was not going to get any better and save some money in doing so.

Chargers CB J.C. Jackson ‘confused’ by benching in Week 3 vs. Vikings

J.C. Jackson sounded off on the Chargers’ decision to bench him.

The start of the 2023 season hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows for Chargers cornerback J.C. Jackson. Jackson, who returned from a season-ending patellar tendon injury, struggled in the first two games. As a result, he was a healthy scratch last Sunday in Los Angeles’ win over the Vikings.

This happened a day after a warrant was issued for Jackson’s arrest after he failed to pay a $600 fine and attend a four-hour class on reckless driving from when he was charged with driving 100 mph in South Attleboro, Massachusetts, in 2021 while he was a member of the Patriots.

But Jackson’s benching wasn’t a result of his legal situation or health concerns related to the knee. Brandon Staley said it was a “coach’s decision” after the game and followed it up on Monday by saying, “just the overall product, from the beginning of the week to the end of the week.”

Jackson was asked about being benched and said he was confused by it.

I’m still kind of confused on why. I can’t put my opinion on it. It was a coach’s decision. It was above (me). I’m not in control. This is not my team. So that’s what I’m saying. I can tell you I’m confused, I don’t know what’s going on. But that’s not the real answer of why I didn’t play last week or why I didn’t start. That’s above me.

On Thursday, Jackson admitted that he is still not fully recovered from his knee injury.

“That’s exactly what it is, I’m not 100 percent,” Jackson said. “I know that the doctors know that. I’m not 100 percent so I’m doing my best. We’re giving the team what they want. I’m doing my best and I don’t know what they expect me to do.”

Jackson signed a five-year contract worth $82.5 million with the Bolts last offseason after earning All-Pro honors in his final season with New England. They have yet to see him play at that caliber, but he remains confident that he can get there.

“I know what I can do,” Jackson said. “I know that I can help the team so it kind of frustrates me that I’m not starting and that coach has me sitting out, and I’m one of the best players on the team. I’m one of the best [defensive backs] that we have.”

It remains to be seen if Jackson will play this weekend or what his role will be when the Chargers host the Raiders.

“It is going to be determined by what happens in practice this week,” Staley said.

Chargers CB J.C. Jackson looking forward to ‘revenge game’ vs. Patriots

Chargers CB J.C. Jackson has one game this upcoming season circled on his calendar.

Chargers cornerback J.C. Jackson has one game he anticipates the most this upcoming season.

Jackson has the matchup with the Patriots in Week 13 circled on his calendar. This will mark the first time he faces his former team since he departed in free agency last year.

“It’s a revenge game for me,” Jackson said. “I’m excited to go back and pick Mac Jones off and show them why they should’ve never let me go.”

Despite not returning to New England, Jackson ended up signing a five-year contract worth up to $82.5 million with L.A.

Jackson’s first season with the Bolts wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows as he struggled to find his footing in Brandon Staley’s defense, leading to getting benched. However, once he did start to acclimate to the system, Jackson suffered a season-ending patellar tendon injury.

Since then, Jackson has steadily been working his way back to full health. Recently, he said the goal is to be 100% when the season gets here.

“My No. 1 goal for next year is to have a healthy season,” Jackson said. “To remain healthy this season, that’s my goal. I’m just excited to be out there and compete with the team.”

If he can get back to live-game shape and play like the All-Pro corner he once was, Jackson could really boost the Chargers’ defense and cause problems for his former team.

Twitter reacts: Patriots trade former Georgia RB Sony Michel to Rams

Michel joins former Georgia RB, Rams assistant head coach Thomas Brown and Georgia great Matthew Stafford in L.A.

Former Georgia running back Sony Michel is headed to Los Angeles. The Rams sent the New England Patriots a fifth and sixth-round pick in the 2022 draft for the former first round pick.

Michel spent three seasons with the Patriots, winning one Super bowl and racking up 535 attempts for 2,292 yards with 14 touchdowns and another 258 yards and 26 receptions through the air. The Plantation, Fla., native missed some time last season with a quad injury but has looked effective in the preseason so far.

Now, UGA’s third all-time leading rusher makes the trip to L.A., teaming up with former Georgia Bulldog running back, Rams’ assistant head coach and Michel’s position coach at UGA, Thomas Brown.

Michel also joins former Bulldogs Matthew Stafford, Leonard Floyd and J.R. Reed in L.A.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to the news:

Let us never forget this historic run from Michel in his final season at Georgia. One of the biggest carries in UGA football history.

 

“UGA Football Live with J.C. Shelton” is back! In the podcast’s 2021 kickoff episode, J.C. is joined by former Georgia football greats Tavarres King, Kieth Marshall and Armarlo Herrera to talk about their time in Athens, the 2021 Bulldogs and Georgia vs. Clemson! Listen here:

Former UGA tight end Benjamin Watson takes job with ESPN, SEC Network

Former Georgia Bulldogs tight end Benjamin Watson is joining the SEC Network and ESPN. Who wouldn’t mind a little pro-Georgia bias on TV?

Former Georgia Bulldogs tight end Benjamin Watson is joining the SEC Network and ESPN as an analyst this fall. Watson joins former Georgia Bulldog David Pollack as former Georgia football players with prominent roles at ESPN.

Ben Watson began his college football career with Duke in 1999 before transferring to Georgia. Watson played with the Bulldogs from 2001-2003 under head coach Mark Richt.

He was selected in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft by the New England Patriots. He played most of his career for New England, but also had successful stints with Cleveland, New Orleans, and Baltimore.

Watson’s long NFL career (2004-2019) was quite successful. He won a Super Bowl and finished with 547 receptions, 6,058 yards, and 44 touchdowns. Watson is an excellent representative of the University of Georgia and what it means to be a Georgia Bulldog.

It is always good to have a little bit of pro-Georgia bias on TV. Watson has well-thought out opinions and should excel in his role with ESPN and the SEC Network. The former Bulldog has put together an impressive career on and off the football field.

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Nov 17, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Benjamin Watson (84) reacts after a catch against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Former UGA tight end Benjamin Watson takes job with ESPN, SEC Network

Former Georgia Bulldogs tight end Benjamin Watson is joining the SEC Network and ESPN. Who wouldn’t mind a little pro-Georgia bias on TV?

Former Georgia Bulldogs tight end Benjamin Watson is joining the SEC Network and ESPN as an analyst this fall. Watson joins former Georgia Bulldog David Pollack as former Georgia football players with prominent roles at ESPN.

Ben Watson began his college football career with Duke in 1999 before transferring to Georgia. Watson played with the Bulldogs from 2001-2003 under head coach Mark Richt.

He was selected in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft by the New England Patriots. He played most of his career for New England, but also had successful stints with Cleveland, New Orleans, and Baltimore.

Watson’s long NFL career (2004-2019) was quite successful. He won a Super Bowl and finished with 547 receptions, 6,058 yards, and 44 touchdowns. Watson is an excellent representative of the University of Georgia and what it means to be a Georgia Bulldog.

It is always good to have a little bit of pro-Georgia bias on TV. Watson has well-thought out opinions and should excel in his role with ESPN and the SEC Network. The former Bulldog has put together an impressive career on and off the football field.

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Nov 17, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Benjamin Watson (84) reacts after a catch against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Two former Georgia Bulldog stars join NFL Reserve/COVID-19 list

Two former Georgia Bulldog players have joined the Reserve/COVID-19 list: New England Patriots RB Sony Michel and Jaguars WR Terry Godwin.

Two former Georgia Bulldog players have joined the Reserve/COVID-19 list. New England Patriots running back Sony Michel joins the list. The Patriots additionally added Shaq Mason and Derek Rivers to the list.

If a player is put on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, then it doesn’t always mean that they have the virus. Some players on the list have simply come into contact with people who have tested positive.

New England will be without some key players ahead of Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos. Sony Michel has rushed for 173 yards on only 26 carries this season. Michel hasn’t played since Sept. 27.

The Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad placed a dozen of their players on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, including former Georgia Bulldog wide receiver Terry Godwin. Jacksonville’s starters isolate from their practice squad.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network and Field Yates of ESPN reported the stories. Pelissero included the full list of Jaguar practice squad players on the list:

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Patriots remove RB Sony Michel from PUP list

New England Patriots running back Sony Michel has left the physically unable to perform list after undergoing foot surgery.

New England Patriots running back Sony Michel has been removed from the physically unable to perform list after spending a stint on it this summer. Michel is projected to be New England’s starting running back this season.

Michel, a former Georgia Bulldog, underwent foot surgery this offseason. He has already dealt with knee and ankle injuries in his career.

If Sony Michel remained on the PUP/reserve list he would had to sit out for a minimum of the first six weeks of the 2020 season. Despite being removed from the PUP list, Sony Michel’s situation worth monitoring for Patriot and Bulldog fans.

The Patriots open their season Sept. 13 at home against the Miami Dolphins. Michel will look to improve following a solid second NFL season, where he accumulated 912 rushing yards.

Michel fully participated in practice and appeared to be in good shape. That’s great news for New England fans who have seen their fair share of changes this offseason.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the news of Michel’s return from the PUP list.

Beyond Sony Michel, the Patriots also have Rex Burkhead, Lamar Miller, Damien Harris, James White and J.J. Taylor at the running back position. Their running back position battle will be interesting to watch due to the depth of talent they have at the position.

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Former Georgia Bulldog DL signs with New England Patriots

Former Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Michael Barnett has found a new NFL home with the New England Patriots.

Former Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Michael Barnett has found a new NFL home. Michael Barnett has signed with the New England Patriots ahead of the 2020 NFL season.

Barnett was a key fixture for the Bulldogs top ranked run defense last season. He’s not much of a pass rusher (zero career sacks at UGA). Barnett recorded 47 total tackles in his career at Georgia including 23 during the 2019 season.

This is an excellent opportunity for Barnett, who went undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft. Bill Belichick is notorious for giving undrafted players a fair shot to compete.

Barnett will try to help bolster New England’s run defense. He’ll face an uphill battle trying to make the Patriot roster without any preseason games. If Barnett doesn’t make their roster, he could end on on their practice squad or find a landing spot elsewhere in the league.

Best of luck to Barnett, who is from Ridgeville, South Carolina.

Report: Robert Kraft close to avoiding trial in prostitution case

According to a report, it appears as if the prostitution case against Patriots owner Robert Kraft will be dropped.

Robert Kraft may have to live with the embarrassment of his February 2019 arrest in Florida. However, the New England Patriots’ owner appears on his way to escaping prosecution in the prostitution case.

An appellate court Wednesday upheld a lower court decision to toss video evidence that allegedly captured him paying for sex inside a Jupiter, Fla. spa last year,,

Legal experts told the Boston Globe this should lead to charges being dropped against Kraft.

He was charged based largely on secret video recordings a judge had authorized under a “sneak-and-peek” warrant.

The ruling from Florida’s Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal “is a fatal blow to the State’s case,” said Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor who also served as enforcement director of the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission, via e-mail. “With no video evidence, there is no case, and absent an appeal to the Florida Supreme Court, I expect the prosecution to dismiss the charges soon.”

The Globe spoke to multiple legal eagles.

Defense lawyer, Mark J. Geragos, whose high-profile clients have included pop stars Chris Brown and Michael Jackson, left no doubt about his opinion. 

“A case that never should have been brought will now die a quick death,” Geragos said via email.

He also faulted prosecutors.

“The Trial Court made the correct ruling by tossing the so-called evidence,” Geragos said. “Frankly the arguments by the Prosecutors were rather sophomoric and the Appellate Court called out the State for the circular arguments. Every Judge who has looked at this has been outraged and so should the public.”