The Jets have locked down their shutdown cornerback.Former Rams star Trumaine Johnson signed a five-year
Jamal Adams Jersey Youth , $72.5 million contract on Friday, boosting New York's improved secondary.
The 28-year-old Johnson, arguably the top free agent at his position, spent his first six seasons with the Rams and had 18 interceptions while establishing
himself as one of the best cover cornerbacks in the NFL.
His signing gives Todd Bowles' defense an unquestioned No. 1 cornerback ??and he'll certainly be paid like one of the league's best. The deal, which Pro
Football Talk first reported included $34 million guaranteed at signing, makes
Johnson's contract one of the biggest in franchise history.
"It's exciting. I was speechless when I finally gave my agent the green light," Johnson told the team's website . "It's the Big Apple. New chapter, new
beginnings and I get to add to this already great defense."
Morris Claiborne, who was the Jets' top cornerback last season, hit free agency but will return to New York on a one-year deal. The sides agreed to a
contract late Thursday night.
Johnson and Claiborne will combine with second-year safeties Jamal Adams and Marcus "The last two years, I've been tagged," Johnson told newyorkjets. "It's my first time going through this process. It's quite an experience. You lose sleep
and your agent is calling you every five minutes. But it worked out and I'm
happy to be a Jet."
On Friday, he posted a note on Instagram signaling his arrival to the Big Apple : "Landing Soon NYC! #JetWay." The accompanying photo featured Johnson
with the left side of his body in a Rams uniform and the Los Angeles skyline in
the background, with the right side in a Jets uniform with the New York City
Johnson's man-to-man coverage ability makes him a valuable addition to the Jets, where he will again work with secondary coach Dennard Wilson ??the Rams'
defensive quality control coach from 2012-14 and Johnson's position coach from
2015-16.
"I was with him in St. Louis and two years ago in LA," Johnson said. "He's very passionate about his work and that's what I love about him. Coach Bowles is
here, too, and I am familiar with him. Coast to coast, California to New York
and it's going to be fun out here."
If his right arm isn’t healed in time for his next start, maybe Vince Velasquez can pitch with his left.
Ambidextrous, indeed.
Hit on his pitching arm by a line drive, Velasquez made a dazzling throw with his left hand, and Philadelphia overcame an early injury to its starting pitcher
to beat the Washington Nationals 3-2 on Saturday night.
”It is well-known he is one of our best all-around athletes,” Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said. ”You just would never predict that.”
Velasquez was struck in the forearm by Adam Eaton’s liner in the second inning. He dropped his glove, hustled to retrieve the ball as it deflected
toward third base, and unleashed a strong toss with his opposite arm that nipped
the speedy Eaton at first for the final out.
”I tried to finish the play
Cheap Oren Burks Jersey ,” Velasquez said.
The Phillies pitcher actually spent his junior season in high school as a lefty-throwing center fielder due to bone chips in his pitching arm that
prevented him from taking the mound.
And on Friday night, Velasquez startled Phillies first baseman Carlos Santana by throwing a ball to him left-handed from the dugout in between innings.
”Kind of warmed up for that play today,” Velasquez joked.
So, Velasquez knew he could throw left-handed – he just didn’t know if he could make an accurate toss.
”I actually surprised myself throwing a strike right there,” he said.
After completing the play, Velasquez then dropped to the ground, writhing in pain and clutching his right arm. He was pulled from the game with a bruise,
having allowed one run and three hits.
X-rays were negative, a better result than he anticipated.
”I thought something was broken,” he said. ”Thanks to God, nothing is severe.”
Kapler said Velasquez would be further evaluated on Sunday. The pitcher said it was ”up in the air” whether he would be able to take his next turn in the
rotation.
”We’ll see how it feels,” he said.
Victor Arano (1-0) followed Velasquez with two scoreless innings.
Odubel Herrera homered and Jorge Alfaro and Aaron Altherr had RBI doubles as the Phillies bounced back from a 17-7 loss. Anthony Rendon homered for the
Nationals, who went deep seven times in Friday night’s romp at Citizens Bank
Park, but managed just eight hits against six Philadelphia pitchers.
”I thought we were going to score more than two runs after yesterday’s performance,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. ”We had our chances.”
Yacksel Rios kept Philadelphia in front by getting out of a jam in the eighth. After Adam Morgan allowed the first two runners to reach on a single and
a walk, Rios entered and got Rendon to line out to right
Cheap Jeremiah Attaochu Jersey , Juan Soto to pop out and Mark Reynolds to ground out.
Rookie Seranthony Dominguez pitched a scoreless ninth for his seventh save in his eighth chances. Dominguez retired the first two batters before pinch-hitter
Daniel Murphy doubled to right, but the right-hander retired Eaton on a
flyball.
”Cool as a cucumber,” Kapler said. ”A special performance.”
Jeremy Hellickson (2-1) returned to the mound for Washington after being sidelined since June 4 with a right hamstring strain. The veteran right-hander
allowed three runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings with four strikeouts and two
walks.
RED-HOT RENDON
Rendon is batting .396 in his last 13 games, with hits in 12 of those contests. His 85 career hits against Philadelphia are tied for his most against
any opponent.
WHAT A THROW
Alfaro upped his major-league lead to 15 base runners caught stealing when he nailed the swift Trea Turner for the final out in the fifth. Turner entered
second in the majors with 22 steals, but was easily out.
”Alfaro threw a bullet,” Martinez said.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Nationals: RHP Stephen Strasburg (right shoulder inflammation), out since June 10, threw a bullpen session on Saturday. … Washington transferred 1B Ryan
Zimmerman, who has been out since May 10 with a strained right oblique, to the
60-day DL.
UP NEXT
The teams close out the four-game series on Sunday afternoon with Washington LHP Gio Gonzalez (6-5, 3.68) facing Phillies RHP Jake Arrieta (5-6,
3.54).
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