Jaguars Trade Rumors

"This weekend's camp, which includes two practices each day Saturday and Sunday and one Monday, will provide the first glimpse of how Asante Samuel, Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown could be used by defensive coordinator Jim Johnson if they are all still around when the season begins. It also could provide the first public comments from Sheppard, who is unhappy with his contract situation but has chosen to remain silent since the Eagles signed Samuel. Sheppard did not return a phone call yesterday."

"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. "

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

"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 predraft rumor mill was really cranking Thursday, and the Bucs were in the middle of what was being cranked out. Along with the Minnesota Vikings, the Bucs are one of two teams who appear to still have interest in possibly trading for disgruntled and sometimes troubled Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Jared Allen."

"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."

"Jaguars quarterback Quinn Gray left Alameda without a deal after interviewing with team officials Wednesday. Gray remains under consideration, a league source confirmed, as the Raiders continue their search for a backup quarterback. Daunte Culpepper, who started six games for the Raiders last season, remains a possibility, especially if Oakland can't land Gray."

"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."

"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."

"The Jaguars are still looking to add defensive help, but New York Giants safety Gibril Wilson signed a lucrative with the Raiders on Friday, and Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Justin Smith appears out of Jacksonville's price range. In other news, defensive tackle Marcus Stroud, who's seeking a trade from the Jaguars, visited the Buffalo Bills on Friday."

"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. "

"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)."

"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."

"The Denver Post reported the Broncos may be close to trading cornerback Domonique Foxworth to the Lions. The paper said another possibility was a three-way trade involving the Jets, with Jets defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson going to Denver and Rogers going to New York."

"The Jaguars became a possible landing spot when they announced they will let defensive tackle Marcus Stroud seek a trade. With Stroud potentially moving on, the Jaguars have begun talking to the Lions about Rogers, according to reports in Jacksonville. The Jets and Broncos already were involved in the Rogers' sweepstakes, with Denver seemingly having the greatest interest."

"For those players whose contracts expire, that's a good thing. They're about to cash in, even though they might not have been starters or full-time players, such as San Diego running back Michael Turner and Jacksonville offensive lineman Maurice Williams. Both could be targets of the Falcons."

"The Vikings are expected to make a strong push to host Chicago Bears receiver Bernard Berrian and Cincinnati Bengals safety Madieu Williams, as well a defensive end, perhaps Bobby McCray of the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Vikings also reportedly offered a third-round pick for Houston backup quarterback Sage Rosenfels, but the Texans were not interested."

"The Giants see Wilson as an important piece to the defensive puzzle, but if Wilson holds fast to his desire to make as much as the top safeties in the league (six years, $30 million) he is going to have to find that financial windfall elsewhere... If the Giants lose Wilson, other options at safety are Madieu Williams (Bengals), Sammy Knight (Jaguars), Eugene Wilson (Patriots) and Erik Coleman (Jets)."

"The Jaguars also appear to be in discussions with the Detroit Lions to acquire defensive tackle Shaun Rogers, according to a league source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because such moves can't officially be transacted until today, which is the start of the NFL's new year. Detroit reportedly wants a second- or third-round draft pick as compensation for Rogers."

"Some players on the Jags' radar: DEs Justin Smith, Antwan Odom and Travis LaBoy; QBs Todd Collins and Josh McCown; S Gibril Wilson, WR Bryant Johnson and OL L.J. Shelton."

"Linebacker Jonathan Vilma and nose tackle Dewayne Robertson are on the trading block; the trading period begins Friday...The Saints and Jaguars are believed to have interest... The Jets may have committed a tampering violation by expressing their interest in Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel before the start to the free-agent signing period."

"The Vikings reached the final stages of negotiations Monday night to send receiver Troy Williamson to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a sixth-round pick in the 2008 draft, according to two sources with knowledge of the trade... The Vikings are expected to make the receiver position one of their primary targets in the free-agent period. Chicago's Bernard Berrian could be their top choice."

"Minnesota has agreed in principle on a deal that would send wide receiver Troy Williamson to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a second-day pick, believed to be a sixth-round pick, according to a person with knowledge of the situation."

"The free agent crop at receiver is intriguing, and the Jags likely won't pursue some of the more highly touted players like Chicago's Bernard Berrian, who will command one of the higher salaries on the market. Oakland's Jerry Porter is a proven playmaker and likely a more economical option at the position."

"1. Derek Anderson* 6-6, 229 CLE... Too good to let go."

"David Canter, the agent for Minnesota wide receiver Troy Williamson, confirmed Friday that the Vikings have allowed his client to seek a trade. Fourteen teams reportedly have been contacted about Williamson's services, and eight teams - including the Jaguars - have shown an interest."

"Teams believed to have expressed interest in Williamson include Cleveland, Jacksonville, Miami, Oakland, San Francisco, Seattle and Tennessee. Mike Tice, the Vikings' head coach when Williamson was drafted, is a member of the Jaguars' coaching staff."

"Jonathan Vilma's days with the Jets are numbered. The popular linebacker, whose star has dimmed in two seasons under Eric Mangini, has received permission from the Jets to shop himself for a potential trade, the Daily News has learned... The Jaguars and Saints are believed to be among the potential suitors. "

"Expect an attacking style of defense next season in Jacksonville. That's likely what former Washington Redskins defensive coordinator Gregg Williams would bring to the Jaguars after agreeing Tuesday to join the team's staff in the same capacity, according to two associates who said they spoke with the coach about the move. The sources requested anonymity because the hire hadn't been made official."

"Former Washington Redskins defensive coordinator Gregg Williams interviewed in Jacksonville on Tuesday, according to Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio, who remained coy about whether a decision to hire him was imminent. "Gregg was here," Del Rio said. "I will provide more info once the staff is completed.""

"Dave Campo, who has been the Jaguars assistant head coach/secondary for the past three seasons, interviewed for the secondary job with the Dallas Cowboys on Monday. Campo, the Cowboys' head coach from 2000-02, interviewed at the team's Valley Ranch headquarters to replace Todd Bowles, who left for the Miami Dolphins."

" On Monday, the Cowboys interviewed Dave Campo, a Dallas coach from 1989 to 2002, for their vacant secondary coach position."

" Dave Campo, the Dallas head coach from 2000-02, interviewed for the job as the team's secondary coach."

"With former head coach Dave Campo one step closer to rejoining the Cowboys as the secondary coach, coach Wade Phillips now has his sights set on adding another former head coach to his staff. According to a source, Dom Capers is headed to Dallas to interview for a spot on Phillips' staff, possibly as early as today."

" Five years after they fired him for finishing 5-11 for a third-straight season, the Dallas Cowboys apparently are ready to give Dave Campo another try. Only this time the job would be coaching the secondary, not the entire team. "

" Five years removed as head coach of the Cowboys, Dave Campo could be returning to Valley Ranch as secondary coach. According to a source, Dallas has received permission from the Jacksonville Jaguars to speak with Campo, who has served as the team's secondary coach and assistant head coach the last three seasons."

"According to a source, the Cowboys have requested and received permission to speak to Jaguars assistant Dave Campo about Dallas' vacant secondary coaching position."

"The Atlanta Falcons are expected to select Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Smith as their next head coach, according to league sources. An announcement could come as soon as Wednesday afternoon."

"Dimitroff said the Falcons' list is down to four candidates. They have interviewed former Baltimore defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, Jacksonville defensive coordinator Mike Smith and Minnesota defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier. New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo also is a candidate."

"Del Rio's agent, Phil de Picciotto, and the Jaguars likely will sit down to negotiate a new deal in the coming months. With NFL coaches now making anywhere from $1.5 million to $8 million, it's reasonable to think Del Rio has outperformed his current $3.3 million average, which was renegotiated after the Jaguars' playoff appearance two years ago."

"The Jags dismissed Charles Bailey from their front office, two sources with the Jags confirmed Saturday, clearing the way for valued director of college scouting Gene Smith to move up in the organization... Also Saturday, two sources close to Jacksonville defensive coordinator Mike Smith confirmed he had a second interview with the Atlanta Falcons on Friday for their vacant head coaching position."

"Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier interviewed for the Falcons' coaching job Friday night and Saturday, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. It was Frazier's first interview with the team and with newly hired general manager Thomas Dimitroff. The Falcons also on Friday brought Jacksonville defensive coordinator Mike Smith to Flowery Branch for a second interview — his first with Dimitroff."

"With a franchise-high 102.2 passer rating, Garrard likely played himself into a lucrative new contract. In fact, Garrard's long-term status with the Jags is among the top of the list of many decisions aimed at 2008, a list that includes Del Rio's contract and some potentially difficult decisions on veteran players."

"Find at least two immediate impact free agents. The Jags need pass rushers (see Jared Allen, Terrell Suggs), another receiver and maybe another safety -- and they'll have more than $30 million to fish with."

"However, the Dolphins have scheduled two more candidates for interviews today, including Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, 41; and Jaguars assistant head coach Mike Tice, 48, according to Jets Confidential."

"Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Smith will interview for the Atlanta Falcons' head-coaching vacancy later this week, according to an NFL source. The source, who requested anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the situation, said the Falcons requested and received permission from the Jaguars to talk to Smith."

"Gene Smith, the Jaguars' director of college scouting, spent Tuesday interviewing with Atlanta for its general manager vacancy, according to vice president of player personnel James "Shack" Harris. The Falcons interviewed Philadelphia general manager Tom Heckert on Monday in Atlanta, before bringing in Smith. An offer could be made before the weekend, according to reports in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution."

"On Tuesday, team owner Arthur Blank, and president/interim general manager Rich McKay, interviewed two more candidates for the vacant general manager's post New York Giants' vice president of player evaluation Chris Mara and Jacksonville director of college scouting Gene Smith, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The Falcons were granted permission to interview Tennessee defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz for the team's vacant head coaching position on Tuesday. "

"The fact that the Jacksonville Jaguars beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the AFC playoffs Saturday night won't hurt the chances of former Vikings coach Mike Tice, now Jacksonville's assistant head coach, to get a head coaching job. Tice will be interviewed for the Miami Dolphins vacancy, and if anybody deserves a second chance to be a head coach, it's him."