Jaguars News

"The Jaguars signed safety Pierson Prioleau on Wednesday and released quarterback Lester Ricard, who spent all last season on the team's practice squad. An unrestricted free agent, Prioleau, 30, heads into his 10th NFL season after spending the past three with the Washington Redskins as a role player in the system of new Jaguars defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. Having taken on an active role in tutoring young players during his days as a Redskin, Prioleau could play a similar role in helping members of the Jaguars secondary grasp the intricacies of Williams' system."

"The trade talk about Sheppard probably is not going away anytime soon. The Daily News reported yesterday that Sheppard's agent, Lamont Smith, was trying to shop the two-time Pro Bowl cornerback to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a package of 2009 draft picks."

"There's still a good possibility that Eagles cornerback Lito Sheppard will be traded before this weekend, when the Eagles will hold their postdraft minicamp. According to league sources, Sheppard's agent, Lamont Smith, has had extensive conversations with the Jacksonville Jaguars about a possible offer for his client. "

"Mike Ryan was on the ground floor of the building of the Jaguars. Ryan became the youngest head athletic trainer in the NFL in 1994 when former Jaguars coach Tom Coughlin hired him at age 31. The team was still working in trailers at the time, and Ryan was involved in the design of the training facilities at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium."

"Two years ago, just before Groves' junior season, they secretly tied the knot at a courthouse in Auburn. A formal wedding is planned for this summer. The unlikely marriage of a hulking defensive lineman from Mississippi and the tall, graceful sprinter with a thick Caribbean accent was vintage Groves - doing whatever it takes to win. "It's just like football," Groves said. "It takes a lot to get a [quarterback] sack, man. I got to keep grinding, keep grinding. That's what I had to do [courting Treska]. I saw something I wanted and I went after it." "

"Call it football custom. But stars playing identical positions on competing teams gravitate toward one another. Quarterback A finds quarterback B for the postgame handshake on a weekly basis during college football season. Such a situation between former Southeastern Conference defensive ends Derrick Harvey (Florida) and Quentin Groves (Auburn) - the Jaguars' first- and second-round picks - existed beyond college and into the pre-draft process."

"The Jaguars drafted the best available players named Williams in the fifth round Sunday. After failing in an attempt to move up into the third and fourth rounds, they traded down with Dallas in the fifth round to obtain a seventh-round pick. They then selected linebacker Thomas Williams of Southern Cal, coach Jack Del Rio's alma mater, and cornerback Trae Williams of South Florida."

"On paper, this looks like the best first-round pick of the Jack Del Rio era. The Jaguars were able to move up 18 spots to take Harvey, who should ultimately be an every-down pass rusher. You could argue Harvey doesn't merit the No. 8 overall selection, but this trade was the only way for the Jaguars to acquire the only elite pass-rusher left on the board. It was a necessary move if the Jaguars expect to take the AFC South title away from the Indianapolis Colts."

"Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland begrudgingly admitted he had discussions with Jacksonville last week revolving around six-time Pro Bowl defensive end Jason Taylor."

"The future is now. That was the message from the Jaguars on Sunday when they made a bold move to improve their pass rush by trading up to select defensive end Derrick Harvey of Florida and Quentin Groves of Auburn in the first two rounds."

"Jaguars defensive line coach Ted Monachino hid out in his office during the first round of the NFL Draft on Saturday, thinking there was no way his team would land the guy he coveted. Interestingly, that guy - Florida defensive end Derrick Harvey - thought otherwise."

"Derrick Harvey's addition means the Jaguars will have five former Gators on the roster. He replaces defensive end Bobby McCray, who signed with the New Orleans Saints. "

"The Jaguars weren't finished trading for defensive ends after the first round of Saturday's NFL Draft. In the second round, they swapped picks with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and selected Auburn standout Quentin Groves."

"The Jaguars will play a long waiting game today before finding out if they'll be able to select a pass-rusher in the first round of the NFL Draft."

"The draft hype has been inescapable this week, but if you ask the Jacksonville Jaguars draft team, it's a little unnecessary. The NFL draft, to them, is less of a fix-it than a tuneup. "We want to continue to add good people, continue to look for quality character, for people that can come in here and help us be a stronger football team," Jags Coach Jack Del Rio said. "I never want to approach it like 'we're one guy away, if we could just get this one guy . . .' That's a desperate approach, and I just don't believe in that.""

"Coach Jack Del Rio is confident the Jaguars can find a good player with the 26th pick in the first round of this weekend's NFL Draft. When he was a linebackers coach with the Baltimore Ravens, Del Rio coached probable Hall of Famer Ray Lewis, who was drafted 26th overall in 1996. "A lot of good football players come off the board at the bottom of the first round," Del Rio said."

"Historically, the Jaguars haven't been active traders in the first round of the NFL Draft. That could change this year because the No. 26 slot might entice them to move up to acquire a premium defensive lineman or trade down if somebody wants the team's first-round pick to land one of the quarterbacks rated below Boston College's Matt Ryan."

"The Jaguars are looking to add a pass-rusher, but they aren't trading for Jared Allen and probably won't go after Jason Taylor. Those were the indications from coach Jack Del Rio at the Jaguars' annual pre-draft news conference Tuesday."

"Like many of the positions in this class, the wide receivers are bolstered by a group of talented junior entrants. Michigan State's Devin Thomas seems to be the only surefire first-round pick among this group, but several receivers project to go in the second round."

"The Jaguars are stuck with a pedestrian pass rush, partly because of Reggie Hayward's injury problems, but also their own draft miscalculations. Everyone knows they passed on Terrell Suggs in 2003 for quarterback Byron Leftwich, but they also took Jorge Cordova and Anthony Maddox the following year when Allen was still on the board. Nothing haunts a team like a draft-day blunder. It's an open wound that can take forever to heal. That's why, with the market drying up, the Jaguars have to somehow find a dependable pass-rusher in the draft."

"Everyone knows defensive end is the club's most glaring need heading into the draft. The problem is that, at No. 26, the Jaguars won't have the opportunity to choose among the draft's top prospects. Don't expect the club to reach for a DE because of need. That won't happen. The Jaguars will draft a defensive end, just not in the first round. Keep an eye on a couple of the second-tier prospects, such as Hampton's Kendall Langford and Eastern Michigan's Jason Jones. The Jaguars have shown interest in them, especially Langford."

"Patience paid off big time for Jaguars quarterback David Garrard on Monday. Garrard, who spent four years toiling in the shadow of Byron Leftwich before winning the starting job nine days before the season opened last year, became the face of the franchise when he signed the most lucrative contract in Jaguars history. "

"Garrard on Monday signed a seven-year contract worth $60 million. With about $20 million in guaranteed money, including $9 million up front, it's more than enough for Garrard to afford the dream house he and his young family recently built."

"In July 1997, after Mark Brunell validated his team's faith in him as their long-term quarterback by leading a magical playoff run to the AFC championship game, the Jaguars gave him a five-year, $30.5 million contract. Accounting for the NFL's exorbitant inflation rate, Monday's six-year, $60 million extension for Brunell's former backup, David Garrard, was almost like a trip back in time. Once again, the Jaguars essentially championed a mobile quarterback with a nice-guy reputation as the face of the franchise."

"Less than a week after locking up coach Jack Del Rio to a long-term contract extension, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed an even more important piece to their immediate future. Their quarterback. David Garrard signed a six-year contract extension, his reward for guiding the team to its first playoff win since 1999."

"Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio made some risky moves last year. On Thursday, he reaped the rewards. Del Rio signed a contract extension that will keep him with the club through 2012, team owner Wayne Weaver announced."

"The feel-good vibe of Jack Del Rio's contract announcement Thursday took a somber tone when the coach and Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver responded to recent reports about provocative remarks police say were made by cornerback Brian Williams. Williams, according to recently obtained court records, launched into a racially charged tirade filled with profane and sexual remarks directed at Jacksonville police during a 2006 drunken driving arrest."

"Dolphins coach Tony Sparano had a confession to make about defensive end Jason Taylor, and it was about time he broke two months of public silence to get it off his chest Tuesday. So what gives? Does Sparano wants to see his team trade its only major star for some much-desired draft picks? Or is Sparano tired of Taylor's offseason devotion to his passion for Dancing with the Stars? Guess again... Even the Jaguars -- who appear at this point to be the team with the most interest in Taylor -- are believed to be willing to give up only a third-round pick."

"Cornerback Drayton Florence was surprised to receive a call from the Jaguars when the free-agency signing period opened last month... Florence was delighted to receive the call because not only were the Jaguars a playoff team last year, but coming to Jacksonville was a homecoming for the Ocala native, whose parents live here. "Once they called, it was choice No. 1," he said. "It's going to be fun coming back to play in Florida. It's going to be an exciting opportunity.""

"Wide receiver Jerry Porter couldn't stop smiling Monday. On the opening day of the Jaguars' offseason workout program, Porter was busy making a good first impression."

"Quarterback Quinn Gray, stymied in his attempt to find a backup job, decided Sunday to sign with the Houston Texans as their No. 3 quarterback. "

"The agent for quarterback David Garrard said he hopes to reach a deal with the Jaguars in the next few days but left open the possibility the two sides won't agree on a new contract this year."

"In the meantime, the Raiders began their search for a potential No. 2 quarterback by bringing in Jaguars backup Quinn Gray on Tuesday night. Contract negotiations are expected to continue today."

"The Carolina Panthers had their busiest shopping day of the free agency signing period Friday, adding Cincinnati linebacker Landon Johnson and Jacksonville running back LaBrandon Toefield."

"After a quiet first week of free agency, the Carolina Panthers made a splash on Friday by adding two potential impact free agents. The Panthers signed versatile linebacker Landon Johnson from the Cincinnati Bengals to a three-year, $10 million contract early in the day and then came back a few hours later and signed running back LaBrandon Toefield from the Jacksonville Jaguars to a one-year contract worth a modest $640,000."

"The Jaguars officially signed former Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy on Wednesday, along with first-year free-agent offensive tackles Ryan Gibbons and Pete McMahon. The Jaguars officially signed former Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy on Wednesday, along with first-year free-agent offensive tackles Ryan Gibbons and Pete McMahon."

"Salivating over the prospect of enjoying endless home-cooked meals, newly signed Jaguars cornerback Drayton Florence said he's home now."

"The Jaguars parted ways with another key veteran Monday when they released starting right guard Chris Naeole, who has spent the last six seasons with the team. Naeole, 33, suffered a torn quadriceps tendon last November in a game against New Orleans and finished the season on injured reserve."

"Seeking help on the defensive line, the Jaguars signed Chicago tackle Jimmy Kennedy late Monday to a $705,000 offer sheet that includes a reported $50,000 signing bonus. But it's likely Kennedy won't become a Jaguar. According to the Chicago Tribune, the Bears have the right of first refusal to match any contract Kennedy signs because of a clause that was written into his contract when he signed in December. The Bears won't receive compensation if Kennedy signs with another team and they decline to match the offer."

"Now Ayanbadejo has to take his search elsewhere, and he reportedly visited the New York Jets on Monday. Jacksonville and Green Bay are interested as well."

"It's hard to envision Marcus Stroud resuming his NFL career next season in a uniform other than black and teal. You pictured the mammoth defensive tackle as one of those Jaguars lifers. Or at least not exiting Jacksonville until his football tank was reasonably close to empty. The divorce - which became official Saturday with Stroud's trade to the Buffalo Bills - seemingly came out of nowhere. However, the truth is a disconnect between Stroud and the coaching staff had been gradually building through a difficult 2007."

"Jacksonville didn't expect to be able to sign defensive end Bobby McCray as a free agent, and he proved them right on Sunday, landing a five-year deal with the New Orleans Saints. Terms were not disclosed."

"Day 2 of free agency was a bittersweet one for the Jaguars. They lost a key member of the defense but might have gained another Saturday by trading three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Marcus Stroud to the Buffalo Bills for third- and fifth-round draft picks and acquiring free-agent cornerback Drayton Florence."

"The Bills completed a blockbuster opening to the NFL’s free-agency season by trading for defensive tackle Marcus Stroud of Jacksonville and signing defensive tackle Spencer Johnson from Minnesota. The moves, coupled with Friday’s signing of New York Giants linebacker Kawika Mitchell, bolster a defense that has ranked in the bottom eight in the NFL against the run the past three seasons."

"The Jaguars dove into the opening day of free agency Friday, signing former Oakland Raiders wide receiver Jerry Porter and ex-Miami Dolphins quarterback Cleo Lemon. The Jaguars also officially completed a trade with the Minnesota Vikings for wide receiver Troy Williamson."

"The Dolphins, who began the day with nearly $40 million in salary-cap space, signed former Raiders quarterback Josh McCown to a two-year deal worth $6.25 million... The Dolphins also obtained defensive tackles Jason Ferguson (formerly of the Cowboys) and Randy Starks (Titans); right guard Justin Smiley, who started for the 49ers; wide receiver Ernest Wilford of the Jaguars; tight end Sean Ryan, who has played for the Jets and the Cowboys; and veteran linebacker Reggie Torbor, who started in the Super Bowl for the Giants."

"The Falcons spent Friday, the first day of free agency, wooing Turner, who is considered the top running back available. Tennessee free agent tight end Ben Hartsock also met with the Falcons, and Jacksonville offensive lineman Maurice Williams was involved in contract talks with the team."

"Replacing Wilson, though, could be more difficult. That's why the Giants inquired yesterday about free-agent safeties Sammy Knight (Jaguars) and Eugene Wilson (Patriots)."

"Kawika Mitchell, a weakside linebacker for the Super Bowl champion New York Giants, signed a five-year contract with the Bills. He’s a 6-foot-1, 253-pounder who gives the Bills better size at a spot held last season by Keith Ellison. The Bills would be vastly stouter if they can close a deal on a trade for Jacksonville defensive tackle Marcus Stroud. "

"The Jaguars have given three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Marcus Stroud permission to seek a trade, according to his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, who added Thursday that "there are some teams that are interested." Rosenhaus didn't name specific teams or what the Jaguars' asking price might be."