r has been checking off

Once he was released by Jacksonville Mark Stone Jersey , running back Chris Ivory wasted little time moving on to Plan B: The chance to serve as LeSean McCoy's primary backup in Buffalo.

"I always felt I had something to prove and things didn't go as planned, man," Ivory said, referring to the Jaguars during a telephone conference call shortly after agreeing to a two-year contract with the Bills on Tuesday. "All I can do now is continue to stay dedicated to my craft and continue to build."

As for his new role behind McCoy, the Bills' workhorse, Ivory said: "It's whatever coach asks me to do."

Ivory's new deal guarantees him $3.25 million in pay, and was reached less than two weeks after he was cut . Ivory finished with just 382 yards rushing and a touchdown and was inactive for four of the Jaguars' final five games. He lasted just two seasons with Jacksonville after signing a five-year, $32 million contract as the Jaguars drafted Leonard Fournette last April and made him the starter.

The 29-year-old returns to the AFC East, where he topped 800 yards rushing in each of his three seasons with the New York Jets from 2013-15. His best season came in 2015, when Ivory had 1,070 yards rushing and scored seven touchdowns in 15 games.

Ivory is known for being a physical runner and provides the Bills a complement to McCoy's elusive style.

Overall, he has 4,852 yards rushing and 28 touchdowns in a career that began with a three-year stint with the New Orleans Saints.

Getting Ivory allowed the Bills to address a need at the position a little over a week before the start of the NFL's free agency signing period. Buffalo has three running backs eligible to become free agents, including fullback Mike Tolbert.

Ivory said he visited Buffalo and Cleveland since being cut by the Jaguars, and had phone conversations with other teams without revealing which ones.

"It just felt good when I got here Youth Derek Stepan Jersey , just felt the right place for me," Ivory said.

Teddy Bridgewater can’t help but smile these days.

Even through the sweat and exhaustion that mark the blazing hot days of training camp, the New York Jets quarterback still appreciates the little things about being a professional football player.

Because he almost wasn’t anymore.

“I get excited every day I get to get my ankles taped, lace my cleats up and run out of the locker room and practice because it was taken away from me for two years,” Bridgewater said after a recent practice.

“To be able to just wake up and know you have the opportunity to continue to do something that you love doing, it’s a great feeling.”

Bridgewater has the type of perspective few players ever get, or want to get, for that matter. He was able to come back from the type of injury that would end most playing careers.

But when the Jets open their preseason schedule Friday night against the Atlanta Falcons, Bridgewater will step on the field — and probably smile some more.

And then, he’ll get under center for what will likely be his most extensive game action in almost two years.

“Right now, I am doing everything I dreamed of doing and that is waking up and continuing to play football,” Bridgewater said. “It’s a wonderful feeling. It gives me the chills right now just thinking about it, knowing how the previous two years were. But you take advantage of this opportunity. I look forward to every day.

“Some people may say, ‘This is training camp. This is the grind of things, and I can’t wait to get to the regular season Youth Mark Letestu Jersey , things will be easier,” but I look forward to it. You embrace the grind because it was once taken from you.”

On Aug. 30, 2016, the former Louisville star was practicing with the Minnesota Vikings when he went down with a non-contact injury. He tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and dislocated the knee joint, and it is believed that only quick work by the team training staff and doctors saved Bridgewater’s leg.

Playing football again didn’t seem likely, given the severity of the injury. But Bridgewater never gave up believing in a big-time comeback.

“Never, never,” he said. “I had nothing but positive thoughts. I didn’t allow any negativity to even creep into my circle. I knew that if I’m negative, I’m going to have those negative thoughts and it may hinder my progress.”

So, Bridgewater approached his recovery and arduous rehabilitation with the same type of determination.

He learned to move his leg again. And walk. Then, jog. And, now, run.

Bridgewater gradually regained strength in his knee and trusted that it would hold up when he dropped back to throw a pass.

On Dec. 17, 2017 — nearly 16 months after he went down in a heap of pain and uncertainty — Bridgewater walked onto the field at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis in the fourth quarter against Cincinnati. The fans gave him a standing ovation, and he went on to throw two passes in the Vikings’ 34-7 win http://www.officialblues.com/authentic-adidas-dmitrij-jaskin-jersey , including one that was intercepted.

The stats didn’t matter. He had made it back.

Just as he always believed.

“I definitely feel like I’m good,” Bridgewater said of his health. “I’ve been working with the training staff here and we’ve been hitting it hard, and I’m excited. I’m looking forward to these upcoming preseason games and just getting out there and having fun playing football again.”

The Vikings moved on from Bridgewater during the offseason and allowed him to become a free agent. The Jets, with uncertainty at the quarterback position, signed him to a one-year deal.

The also brought back Josh McCown, the incumbent starter, and drafted Sam Darnold, the No. 3 overall pick out of USC who is considered the future of the franchise. Having them on the field with Bridgewater this summer has made for an intriguing quarterback competition.

“He has been a great team player, great in the meeting room and for the guys as well,” coach Todd Bowles said of Bridgewater. “I’ve got to say, this is the best three-quarterback combination room I’ve been around from a mental standpoint, so that is great to have.”

McCown is No. 1 on the depth chart, followed by Bridgewater and Darnold, and all three have had up-and-down moments on the field this summer. Off the field, all three quarterbacks have repeatedly talked about the camaraderie they have quickly established. And Thomas Vanek Jersey , there’s a ton of respect for Bridgewater willing himself to even get back to this point.

“Obviously, he’s had a long road recovery-wise from his knee, but his mind has been on football,” McCown said. “You can tell he’s sharp and I’ve been really impressed with everything he’s done. I think the future is really bright for Teddy. I’m excited for him.”

Bridgewater has been checking off milestones for most of the past 24 months. He’s not sure how long he’ll play Friday night, but whatever he does will be another positive.

The next goal on his list, though, is yet to be determined.

“I have to sit down and think about the next milestone,” Bridgewater said. “But for now, it’s just living in the moment, enjoying this opportunity and taking advantage of it.”

Authentic Oakland Raiders Jerseys