NFL notes

Former Giant Jennings dies

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Former New York Giants punter and radio analyst Dave Jennings has died. He was 61.

The Giants announced that Jennings died at his home in Upper Saddle River on Wednesday morning. The team was informed of his death by his sister Susan Jennings and several close friends.

The most prolific punter in Giants history, Jennings had battled Parkinson’s disease, a chronic degenerative neurological disorder, since 1996.

Jennings played for the Giants from 1974-84. He holds the franchise records for punts (931 - 405 more than second-place Sean Landeta) and yards (38,792). Jennings was selected to play in the Pro Bowl in 1978, ‘79, ‘80 and ‘82. He punted a career-high 104 times in 1979, which was the Giants record until Brad Maynard had 111 punts in 1997.

Jennings punted for more than 4,000 yards in a season three times (1979-81) and had a career-best 44.8-yard average in 1980.

“Dave Jennings was one of the all-time great Giants,” team president John Mara said. “He was a valued member of the Giants family for more than 30 years as a player and a broadcaster, and we were thrilled to include him in our Ring of Honor. More importantly, he was an outstanding person who battled his illness with rare courage and dignity. We will miss him dearly.”

Giants chairman Steve Tisch said Jennings lived his life with class and dignity, and he was the ultimate professional as a player and commentator.

“Dave is and always will be a Giants’ Giant,” Tisch said.

Hall of Fame linebacker Harry Carson said Jennings - the first player he met when he joined the team in 1976 - was a great guy who was loved by everyone.

“The Giants were not very good when Dave and I were teammates in the 1970s,” Carson said. “Dave was one of the few bright lights on those teams as a punter.”

After leaving the Giants, Jennings punted for the Jets from 1985-87. He worked as a radio commentator for Jets games from 1988-2001.

COWBOYS Dallas signs draft picks

The Dallas Cowboys have signed both of their third round draft picks to four-year contracts.

Baylor receiver Terrance Williams was the 74th overall pick in April, six spots ahead of Georgia Southern safety J.J. Wilcox. The team announced the signings Wednesday.

Williams will get a signing bonus of more than $600,000, while Wilcox will get a bonus just under that figure.

With those deals in place, the Cowboys have five of their seven draft picks under contract. Unsigned are Wisconsin center Travis Frederick, the 31st overall pick in the first round, and second-round pick Gavin Escobar, a tight end from San Diego State.

Williams is expected to be the No. 3 receiver behind Miles Austin and Dez Bryant. The Cowboys drafted the 6-foot-2 Williams with the extra pick they got when they traded down in the first round.

Last season, he had 97 catches for 1,832 yards, a Big 12-leading 141 yards a game, and 12 touchdowns.

Wilcox moved to safety full-time from receiver for his senior season at Georgia Southern, and finished second on the team with 88 tackles. He also had two interceptions.

Sports, Pages 25 on 06/20/2013

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