Off the wire

FOOTBALL Eagles cut Jackson

DeSean Jackson is out in Philadelphia, just as Mark Sanchez was on his way into town. Unableto find a taker on the trade market, the Eagles released Jackson, ending the Pro Bowl wide receiver’s six-year stint with the team. His play-making days are over in Philadelphia, and the tailspin from key cog to unexpected free agent comes with a hint that off-field issues are at the root of the split. Jackson thanked the Eagles organization and fans in a statement Friday, and denied “unfounded reports” that he was released for any reason related to his lifestyle. “I would like to make it very clear that I am not and never have been part of any gang,” Jackson said. Before releasing Jackson, the Eagles announced they had signed Sanchez. Bounced out of New York after the Jets signed Michael Vick last week, Sanchez moved down the turnpike to Philadelphia in what essentially was a swap with Vick. Jackson was coming off a career-best season in Philadelphia, leading the team with 82 catches for 1,332 yards and 9 touchdowns. He had a $10.25 million contract for the 2014 season and was signed through 2016. Jackson has 356 career receptions for 6,117 yards and 32 touchdowns.

The Pittsburgh Steelers and free agent running back LeGarette Blount have agreed on a two-year contract that will give the team needed depth in the backfield behind Le’Veon Bell. Blount, 27, ran for 772 yards and a career-high seven touchdowns in 2013 for the New England Patriots. He added 166 yards rushing and set a team playoff record with four touchdowns in a playoff victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Blount has 2,711 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns in 56 games, with 28 career starts.

The Washington Redskins have signed free agent offensive lineman Mike McGlynn. McGlynn can play center and both guard positions. He has started 48 games over five NFL seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, Cincinnati Bengals and Indianapolis Colts.

The San Francisco 49ers have re-signed cornerback Perrish Cox to a one-year contract. The team announced the deal Friday. In a whirlwind two months last season, the three-year veteran went from San Francisco, to playing for Seattle and back to the 49ers - then participating in all but one defensive snap in a 23-20 wild-card playoff victory at Green Bay in January. Cox, 27, appeared in nine regular-season games and all three postseason games for the 49ers, and two games for the Seahawks.

Injured Clemson wide receiver Charone Peake was granted a medical waiver to restore his eligibility after missing most of last season. The school announced Peake’s status Friday. Peake, 6-2, was a starting receiver last fall but was hurt two games in when he tore a knee ligament in a September practice.

GOLF Mickelson makes cut

Phil Mickelson made the cut on the number in the Texas Open on Friday, blasting out of a green side water hazard to 5 feet to set up a birdie on the final hole. Mickelson shot a 2-under 70 after opening with a 77 at TPC San Antonio’s AT&T Oaks Course. Mickelson was 11 strokes behind leader Steven Bowditch, the Australian who had a 67 to reach 8-under 136. Mickelson was in the stream that runs in front of the 18th green after attempting to reach the par 5 in two from 288 yards with a 3-wood. Bowditch holed out from 83 yards for an eagle on the par-4. The 30-year-old topped the leaderboard at the end of a round for the first time in his PGA Tour career. Scott Gardiner (Farmington) shot a 69 on Friday and is 1-under 143 for the tournament. David Lingmerth (Arkansas Razorbacks) shot a 73-76-149 and missed the cut.

Jonathan Randolph holds a two-stroke lead over three competitors after the second round of the Web.com Chitimacha Louisiana Open a the La Triomphe Country Club in Broussard, La. Randolph is at 11-under 131 after firing a 6-under 65 on Friday. Glen Day (Little Rock) posted a 1-under 70 on Friday and is at 6-under 136. Tag Ridings (Razorbacks) shot a 3-under 68 on Friday, but his even-par 142 wasn’t good enough to make the cut.

Dori Carter might have gotten a bit ahead of herself late in the second round of the Kia Classic in Carlsbad, Calif., but she still left everyone else behind. After birdieing six of the first seven holes on the back nine, Carter bogeyed the final two holes for an 8-under 64. The round was her lowest in competition and broke the Aviara course record. Winless on the LPGA Tour, the former University of Mississippi player had 11 birdies and three bogeys. At 10-under 134, she has a two-stroke lead over Stacy Lewis (Razorbacks) and Cristie Kerr. Lewis shot 66, and Kerr had a 68.

TENNIS

Nadal, Djokovic advance

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic advanced to the Sony Open final in Key Biscayne, Fla., without playing a point Friday. Both advanced when their semifinal opponents withdrew for health reasons. They’ll play for the title Sunday in their 40th career meeting and their first of 2014. Djokovic received walkover for the second time in the tournament when Kei Nishikori withdrew because of a left groin injury. Four hours later, Tomas Berdych withdrew before his match against Nadal because of gastroenteritis. That left the tournament with only two women’s doubles matches for disappointed spectators. Former No. 1 Martina Hingis advanced to her first doubles final since 2007 when she and Sabine Lisicki beat Cara Black and Sania Mirza 6-3, 6-4.

FOOTBALL Raiders sign free agent Jones-Drew

ALAMEDA, Calif. - Free agent running back Maurice Jones-Drew is coming back home to Oakland after signing a three-year contract with the Raiders on Friday.

Jones-Drew returns to his native Bay Area after spending his first eight seasons with Jacksonville and starring in college at UCLA.

Jones-Drew joins quarterback Matt Schaub, defensive linemen Justin Tuck and LaMarr Woodley and receiver James Jones as successful veterans brought in by General Manager Reggie McKenzie this off season who are looking for a late career spark in Oakland.

“There’s a ton of talent here,” Jones-Drew said. “Reggie McKenzie and his staff have done a great job of piling on guys that are coming from programs that are winning and know what it takes. Granted, most of us have chips on our shoulders, at least I feel like I got [done] wrong. … It’s something that’s going to drive us and push us to that next level.”

The Raiders also signed two defensive linemen, bringing back Pat Sims to a one-year deal and signing former Green Bay Packer C.J. Wilson.

Jones-Drew had 8,071 yards rushing and 68 touchdowns for Jacksonville but was hampered by injuries the past two seasons. That led the Jaguars to let him test the market in free agency after his five-year, $31 million contract expired.

After more than two weeks on the open market, Jones-Drew finally found a new home in a familiar place. Jones-Drew grew up in the East Bay town of Antioch and starred at nearby De La Salle high school.

After ranking second in the NFL with 4,321 yards rushing in a three-year span from 2009-11, Jones-Drew has been limited to 1,217 yards in 21 games the past two seasons. He averaged a career-low 3.4 yards per carry last season.

Oakland did bring back injury-prone starter Darren McFadden (Pulaski Oak Grove, Arkansas Razorbacks) on a one-year deal but has no other proven tailbacks on the roster. The Raiders are hoping last year’s sixth-round pick, Latavius Murray, can contribute after spending his entire rookie year on injured reserve.

McFadden has missed 29 games over his six-year career with injuries and has averaged 3.3 yards per carry the past two seasons.

Sports, Pages 20 on 03/29/2014

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