NFL quotables: Steven Jackson injured, Raiders exploring relocation options
Steven Jackson suffered a hamstring injury on Monday, but he’s expected to return for the start of the regular season.
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-Mike Smith, Falcons head coach
Atlanta Falcons running back Steven Jackson sustained a left hamstring injury on Monday, which is why he missed practice on Tuesday. He apparently suffered the injury early on in Monday's padded practice, and will miss more than Tuesday's practice. It's likely he'll miss the bulk of the preseason, but head coach Mike Smith said that he expects Jackson to be ready for the regular season.
"I don't think it's going to be anything that's going to be real significant," Smith said, via the official website. "He will be ready for the first game." Devonta Freeman, Jacquizz Rodgers, Antone Smith and Josh Vaughan are the guys behind Jackson. Freeman has been impressive throughout camp thus far and will now likely take the bulk of the preseason carries.
“Mr. Davis has expressed interest in a possible relocation of his NFL team to San Antonio.”
-Sheryl Sculley, San Antonio City Manager
It's no secret that the Oakland Raiders aren't in a good position when it comes to their stadium and its lease. The team's lease expires after the coming season and with no new stadium in sight, it's hard to imagine they're thrilled about re-upping said lease given the state of the current venue. The talk of potentially moving the team has been around for awhile, and it received new life on Tuesday.
Raiders owner Mark Davis reportedly met with San Antonio officials to discuss a potential relocation. San Antonio city manager Sheryl Sculley confirmed the meeting, saying they met with Davis and members of the Raiders organization two weeks ago. She also said that the city is “engaged in preliminary due diligence” after confirming the talk about relocation. Things are early on, but it sounds like San Antonio isn’t just being used as a bargaining chip this time.
“And I am paid extremely well -- which I am most grateful for, and I am very proud to be part of this organization.”
-Jim Harbaugh, 49ers head coach
San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh has had a successful run in his current role. He’s made the Super Bowl once and has made it to three consecutive NFC Championship games, but the two sides have yet to come to an agreement on a new contract. It’s been reported that Harbaugh is seeking a much bigger deal than the five-year, $25 million contract that expires after the 2015 season.
But thus far, Harbaugh has refuted any notion that he’s unhappy with his pay. On Tuesday, Harbaugh said that he is “paid extremely well,” and also noted that he’s not after more power. Whatever the case, it shouldn’t hurt him to wait until after the 2014-15 season to attempt to negotiate an extension -- a fourth NFC Championship and potentially a Super Bowl is certainly in the 49ers’ grasp, and that would give him a better deal, even if he says he doesn’t need one.
"Lions want an informed Ndamukong Suh to sign a deal he's happy with."
-Ian Rapoport, NFL Network
The Detroit Lions tabled contract talks with Ndamukong Suh for the time being, and may not pick them up again until the defensive tackle is a free agent. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported that the Lions want “an informed” Suh to “sign a deal he’s happy with.” He then said that the Lions are willing to let Suh explore the open market.
It’s an interesting situation, given that hitting the open market would likely guarantee Suh a lot more money than the Lions would be able to pay him. He may have issues with penalties, fines and things of that nature, but he’s still among the best defensive linemen in the NFL, and would surely receive a massive contract on the open market.
“I hope he will figure it out and it will all make sense and it will come to a resolution somewhere.”
-Pete Carroll, Seahawks head coach
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch is holding out from training camp, looking for a new contract. Lynch has been one of the best players on that team and has carried the load big time, especially last year when the Seahawks won the Super Bowl. But Lynch is getting up there in years and has a lot of wear from multiple seasons of 300-plus carries.
It’s unclear how far apart the two sides are, or if they’re even talking at this point. Whatever the case, head coach Pete Carroll hopes it gets resolved, sooner rather than later. Carroll said that he hopes Lynch will “figure it out and it will all make sense and it will come to a resolution somewhere,” via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.
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