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NFL notebook: Jackson skips 40 at Louisville pro day

[March 30, 2018] Quarterback Lamar Jackson once again declined to run the 40-yard dash in front of NFL teams at Louisville's pro day on Thursday.

Jackson, who has chosen not to hire an agent, skipped the 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine earlier this month. He took 59 snaps under center on Thursday, often throwing out of the shotgun or pistol formations, according to ESPN. All 32 NFL teams were represented at the event.

Jackson told NFL Network his game tape should "tell it all" if teams need to know how fast he is. NFL Network further reported that some teams are having trouble arranging meetings with Jackson.

--The Houston Texans and defensive end Jadeveon Clowney are "making a lot of progress on a mega-extension," according to a report from The MMQB.

Per The MMQB's Albert Breer, Clowney's new contract will "set the floor" for defensive end Khalil Mack's eventual extension from the Oakland Raiders, which the sides are expected to work toward this offseason. It also might impact defensive tackle Aaron Donald's negotiations with the Los Angeles Rams.

Texans general manager Brian Gaine indicated in February at the combine that the team was looking into extending the 25-year-old Clowney, who is set to make $12.3 million in 2018 on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract.

--The long-term contract impasse between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Le'Veon Bell may be getting under the star running back's skin.

On March 6, the team placed the franchise tag on the two-time NFL All-Pro for the second consecutive offseason. On Thursday, Bell posted on Twitter: "it's so hard to be a hero in a city that paints youu out to be the villain"

--Central Florida linebacker Shaquem Griffin accepted an invitation to attend the 2018 NFL Draft next month in Dallas, he told reporters after his pro day.

Griffin, the twin brother of Seattle Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin, has shined during the pre-draft process despite not initially receiving an invite to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. He impressed scouts and coaches at the Senior Bowl and soon after received an invitation to Indy, where he tore up the combine with the fastest 40-yard dash (4.38) by a linebacker since 2003.

The blazing 40 came a day after Griffin, who had his left hand amputated at age 4 because of amniotic band syndrome, did 20 bench-press reps with a prosthetic on his left arm.

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--Former New York Giants and New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith was visiting the Seattle Seahawks, according to a New York Daily News report.

Per the report, Smith was due to have dinner with Seahawks staff Thursday and visit the team's facility in Renton, Wash., on Friday. Smith visited with the Los Angeles Chargers on Wednesday and Thursday, according to multiple reports.

The 27-year-old spent the first four seasons of his career with the Jets, who took him in the second round of the 2013 draft. Smith joined the Giants on a one-year contract last spring and started one game in 2017, going 21 of 36 for 212 yards and a touchdown in a Week 13 loss to the Oakland Raiders. In 31 career starts, Smith has a 12-19 record.

--The Minnesota Vikings re-signed cornerback and punt returner Marcus Sherels, the team announced.

It is the fourth time in five offseasons that Sherels, a native of Rochester, Minn., has re-signed with the Vikings after his contract expired. The franchise's all-time leader in punt-return yardage (2,171) and punt-return touchdowns (five), Sherels has been with Minnesota for nine years, spending eight on the active roster.

"It's awesome," Sherels told the team's website. "I've spent my whole career here, and I love this organization -- the coaching staff, the training staff, the equipment staff, everyone."

--The Buffalo Bills signed former Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Phillip Gaines and former Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kaelin Clay, the team announced.

Gaines, who turns 27 in April, was a third-round pick in 2014 by the Chiefs and played in 41 games (16 starts) across four seasons, nabbing one interception and breaking up 14 passes.

Clay, 26, bounced around between four teams, including the Bills, during his first three years in the league after being a sixth-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2015. The Panthers traded Clay to the Bills last September, but the Bills waived him in October and the Panthers claimed him. He spent the rest of 2017 in Carolina before his contract expired in March.

--Field Level Media

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