Torry Holt Signs 3-Year Deal in Jacksonville

Former St. Louis Rams wide receiver Torry Holt agreed to a three-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday that could be worth as much as $20 million.

The 32-year-old Holt agreed to a incentive laiden contract that grows financially based on the way he plays. The deal, a source told ESPN.com's John Clayton, calls for three years with base salaries totaling $13 million. While there is no signing bonus, the first year of the contract is guaranteed.

Holt drew interest from several teams, but decided on Jacksonville, who have been searching for a number 1 receiver since the retirement on long-time Jaguar WR Jimmy Smith in 2006. The Jaguars have added several wide receivers over the last few years with very limited success. Reggie Williams (2004) and Matt Jones (2005) were added via the first round of the draft and Jerry Porter (2008) was brought in as a free agent, all were released this off-season.

The seven-time Pro Bowler ranks 11th on the NFL's career list with 869 receptions. He caught 64 passes for 796 yards and three touchdowns for St. Louis last season.

Holt Close to Catching on in Jacksonville

ESPN's Chris Mortensen is reporting that the Jacksonville Jaquars are close to closing a deal with former St. Louis Rams WR Torry Holt.

The St. Louis Rams released Holt on March 13 shortly before he was due a $1.25 million roster bonus on March 17.

Holt, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, ranks 11th on the league's all-time reception list with 869 catches.

The 10-year veteran caught just 64 passes last year for 796 yards and three touchdowns, the fewest scoring catches of his career. His total receptions and total yards were the second-lowest of his career, ahead of only his rookie season of 1999.

The move to Jacksonville makes sense as the team recently released WR's Jerry Porter and Matt Jones.

Jones-Drew Gets His Extension

He's been asking for a contract extension and it appears as if Pocket-Hercules will be pocketing some dough.

Michael C. Wright from the Florida Times-Union is reporting that Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew agreed to terms today on a long-term contract extension.

Terms of the contract were not immediately available, but the club plans to announce the move today during a press conference at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. Jones-Drew regards himself as an elite running back and it appears as though he will be paid like one. It is speculated that his contract will pay him approx. $8 Million per year with $20 Million guaranteed.

Jones-Drew's agent, Adisa Bakari, is using the six-year, $49.3 million deal ($29.3 million in the first four years) signed by St. Louis running back Steven Jackson as the baseline for his possible extension.

Bills DT Stroud Signs Extension

The Buffalo Bills have signed defensive tackle Marcus Stroud to a two-year, $16.5 million extension. Raising the overall value of the final four years remaining on Stroud's contract to $28 million.

Stroud's agent Drew Rosenhaus the man responsible for this and many other extensions around the league these days has been quoted as saying his client's extension includes $12 million in guaranteed money, locking up Stroud through the 2012 season. Stroud was a Pro Bowl alternate last season.

The former Georgia Bulldog started all 16 games last season after being acquired in a trade with Jacksonville. In his first season with the Bills Stroud contributed with 45 tackles and 2.5 sacks bringing his career totals to 319 tackles and 24.5 QB takedowns The 30-year-old, who spent his first seven seasons with the Jaguars, was one of the key reasons Buffalo improved its defensive ranking to No. 14 during the 2008 campaign.

Saints Continue Defensive Make-Over: Add Prioleau

The New Orleans Saints have added some depth to their secondary with the signing of Pierson Prioleau, terms of the contract were not revealed.

Prioleau, 5-11, 188 pounds, is a veteran of ten NFL seasons who has played with the San Francisco 49ers (1999-2000), Buffalo Bills (2001-2004), Washington Redskins (2005-2008) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (2008).

The move reunites Prioleau with defensive coordinator Gregg Williams; they have worked together in Jacksonville, Washington, and Buffalo.

He has played in 129 career regular season games during his career, making 48 starts, and has accumulated 371 career tackles, along with five-and-a-half sacks, and 130 career special teams tackles.

He'll likely serve as a back-up for the Saints, behind recently signed Darren Sharper and holdover Roman Harper.

Saints Sign Spicer

The New Orleans Saints have announced the signing of veteran defensive end Paul Spicer to a one-year deal. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Spicer, 33, started his career in Detroit, but has spent the last 9 years with the Jaguars. He is following his defensive coordinator Gregg Williams from Jacksonville to New Orleans.

According to NFL.com the 10 year veteran has notched 252 career tackles along with 28.5 sacks (21.5 sacks coming in the last 4 seasons) and 1 interception.

Jacksonville Releases Troubled Jones

The Jacksonville Jaguars have released their troubled former first-round pick after his most recent arrest. Jones was jailed last week in Arkansas for violating a plea agreement that stemmed from a drug charge in 2008.

Matt Jones failed a drug and alcohol screening, when he drank beer while golfing with friends. He assured the judge it wouldn't happen again. The Jacksonville Jaguars and possibly the NFL are not willing to take that risk.

"All roster moves are decisions we feel are in the best interest of the organization," Jaguars general manager Gene Smith said. "This decision is a result of our ongoing player and roster evaluations. We expect responsibility and accountability, and those are important qualities as we continue the process of building this team."

Jones is coming off his best season where he caught 65 passes for 761 yards and two touchdowns, but his off field troubles clearly out weighed his on field production. In fact many expected Jones to get his walking papers last July after the original cocaine charges were filed.

Barnes Signs With Raiders

The Raiders were the early leaders in the race for Jaguars LT Khaliff Barnes, but then it appeared their interest had cooled. Well it has heated up again and the Raiders have inked the 5th year pro to a one-year deal. Financial terms were not released.

Barnes had been in contract talks with the Buccaneers but it was the promise of playing time in Oakland that sealed the deal. The Raiders have an opening at LT with Kwame Harris recently being released and Barnes has started ever since being a second-round choice of the Jaguars in in 2005 and was not willing to be a back-up.

"I think this is a great opportunity and place for me to start fresh," Barnes said. "I'm excited to be part of helping this franchise get back on top and I will have a shot to be the starter at left tackle and that's all I can ask for. I have a lot to prove and I'm betting on myself by agreeing to a one-year contract. [Raiders owner] Mr. [Al] Davis has a track record of taking care of his own guys and he promised me the same, if I take care of my business on and off the field."

Cowboys Hogtie Sensabaugh

The Dallas Cowboys released pro-bowl safety Roy Williams last week and may lose unrestricted free agent safety Keith Davis. In a move to address this suddenly thin position the Cowboys have added Jacksonville Jaguars free agent Gerald Sensabaugh. He has reportedly signed a one-year deal and we are all waiting on financial terms of the deal.

Sensabaugh, 25, should compete for the starting job at strong safety. If Sensabaugh, who is a physical player but lacks some coverage skills, doesn't win the starting job alongside free safety Ken Hamlin, he will be a solid reserve safety. Dallas has very little experience at safety besides Hamlin.

A four-year veteran, all with Jacksonville, is coming off his best season as a pro, yet the Jaguars made little attempt to re-sign him. He started 13 games in 2008 and had 70 tackles, four interceptions and eight passes defensed, all career highs.

He has played in 50 games, with 24 starts. For his career, Sensabaugh has 118 tackles, six interceptions and 11 passes defensed.

Matt Jones in Trouble with the Law, Again

Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Matt Jones was arrested Monday evening in Washington County, Ark., and is being held. Jones had troubles with the law last season and served a three-game suspension to end the 2008 season.

It is being reported that alcohol was found in Jones' system when he took a random drug test as part of a plea agreement that resolved his cocaine possession charge in July. He was charged with contempt of court.

Jones was given a choice of serving 10 days in jail or entering a six-week residential treatment program, The Florida Times-Union reported. He at first opted for the treatment program, but Judge Mary Ann Gunn suggested he think about what a prolonged stay in treatment would do to his NFL career. Jones then changed his mind.

Jones tested positive for alcohol on Feb. 27 and appeared in court on Monday and admitted using alcohol during a golf outing the day before the test. He was arrested and the judge set his bond at $150,000.

"The only issue today is that Matt admitted to the court that he drank a couple of beers while playing golf last week with a friend. I had a very positive conversation with the prosecuting attorney this evening in which she was adamant that 'this is not a new charge.'"

Jones was arrested and charged with one count of cocaine possession on July 10, 2008, when a Fayetteville police officer saw him inside a parked car allegedly cutting up cocaine with a credit card. The charge carried a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Jones pleaded not guilty and later reached agreement with prosecutor John Threet's office to send the case to drug court.

Peterson Reunites with Smith in Atlanta

Free agent linebacker Mike Peterson will be reuniting with his former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator and current Altlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith. Peterson signed a two-year deal, financial terms have not been disclosed.

Peterson, whose career began as a second-round draft choice of Indianapolis in 1999, where he played outside linebacker for four seasons. In 2003 he joined the Jaguars as a free agent and was moved to middle linebacker or in his case the appropriately named "Mike" backer.

In Atlanta, Peterson will likely return to his OLB roots as a replacement for either Keith Brooking or Michael Boley, both of whom have left as free agents this offseason. Peterson will also serve as a great mentor, with experience in the middle for second-year MLB Curtis Lofton, who is coming off a solid rookie campaign.

Peterson, who played atthe university of Florida. For his career, Peterson has played in 137 games, with 127 starts. He has 745 tackles with a high of 137 tackles in 2002, and he registered 100 or more tackles in four straight seasons (2002-2005). Peterson also has 19½ sacks, 15 interceptions and 22 passes defensed.

Falcons Sign Canadian Center

The is always a little bit of extra pride for me here at alldayfootball when a fellow Canadian is in the NFL. That pride continued re-emerged today when Windsor, Ontario native Brett Romberg, a free agent from the St. Louis Rams, sign a deal today with the Atlanta Falcons. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

The 6-foot-2, 298lbs. center, is a five-year veteran who played for Jacksonville (2003-05) and St. Louis (2006-08), The former University of Miami player has started 18 of his 33 career games including 14 games with six starts last season.

Romberg, has blocked for a pair of 1,000-yard rushers: Jacksonville’s Fred Taylor and the Rams’ Steven Jackson.

Tra Thomas Signs in Jacksonville

The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed veteran tackle Tra' Thomas to help improve their struggling offensive line. The terms of the contract were not immediately available but Thomas made $5.45 Million in base salary last season, so it is expected that he will make close or more than that figure.

The 12 year veteran turned down a contract offer from the Eagles in order to enter free agency. He is expected to replace Khalif Barnes as the teams left tackle. Barnes is a free agent and is searching for a new team.

Thomas, 34, is considered an upgrade over Barnes at left tackle. A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Thomas has started in 166 games in 11 seasons for Philadelphia after the Eagles took him with the No. 11 overall pick in the draft.

Grady Jackson Joins Lions

The Detroit Lions signed unrestricted free-agent defensive tackle Grady Jackson to a three-year contract Wednesday. Financial terms on the coontract were not disclosed.

The 6-foot-2, 345-pound Jackson played most of the past three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the sixth round (193rd overall) in 1997 and also has played for New Orleans, Green Bay and Jacksonville.

Jackson, had 23 tackles and two sacks in 15 games last season with Atlanta. He was one of the players named in the StarCaps fiasco last season but was not suspended. Jackson filed suit against StarCaps in Alameda County Superior Court in California in November, seeking restitution for any lost salary and damages for "false advertising and unfair business practices."

Since being drafted by Oakland in 1997, Jackson has toured the NFL with playing stops in New Orleans, Green Bay, Jacksonville Atlanta and now Detroit.

Bills Sign CB Florence

The Buffalo Bills have added CB Drayton Florence to serve as the teams nickle back. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Florence will join starters Terrence McGee and last years first round pick Leodis McKelvin in a group that now has five cornerbacks. Florences signing likely means that free agent Jabari Greer will no longer be pursued by the team.

Fresh off a one-and-done season in Jacksonville where he signed a lucrative six-year, $36 Million deal with about $12 Million guaranteed, Florence is trying to move past his dissapointing performance with the Jaguars and regain the form he had while a 3-years starter in San Diego when he had 182 tackles and 6 interceptions.

Jaguars Sign Safety

The Jacksonville Jaguars have sign S Sean Considine to a two year deal, financial term were not disclosed.

A 4th-round pick of the Eagles in the 2005 draft, Considine, 27 has started 17 of 46 games as a Philadelphia Eagle. He has 165 career tackles with 1.5 sacks, 2 Int's and 2 fumble recoveries.

Considine is known as a special teams maven and topped the Eagles last year with a career-best 32 tackles on special teams.

Falcons Love Fudge

Reserve safety Jamaal Fudge has agreed to a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons, according to his agent David Wyatt.

“Jamaal has been with coach [Mike] Smith since his days in Jacksonville,” Wyatt said. “He called to tell Jamaal that he was important to the team’s plans.”

Fudge played in 12 games and started one game. He played mostly on special teams, but expects to compete for a starting job this season.

WR Williams Busted for DWI and Marijuana Possession

Free Agent WR Reggie Williams, who played last season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, was charged with DWI and possession of marijuana after being pulled over and arrested during a traffic stop early Friday.

Houston police department spokesman John Cannon said the 25-year-old Williams was arrested about 2 a.m. on Houston's southwest side after officers smelled alcohol on his breath and a "strong odor" of marijuana in his vehicle. A search of the vehicle found a small amount of marijuana in its console, Cannon said.

He has since been released on a $1,000 bond.

Jaguars Bring Back Two

The Jacksonville Jaguars opened free agency by re-signing center Brad Meester and cornerback Scott Starks. Terms of their contracts were not disclosed

Meester, 31, has played his entire 9 year career in Jacksonville, last season Mester played in 10 games, all starts.

Starks, 25, has 1 career start in his 4 year career, all with Jacksonville with 2 Int's one of which he returned 55 yards for a TD.

Spicer Set to Be Released By Jags

According to Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Gene Smith the team will release veteran defensive end Paul Spicer on Friday.

The 33-year-old defensive end has been with the Jaguars since 2000, playing in 115 games with 63 starts. He is one of only seven players to play nine seasons for the Jaguars. He will finish with 28½ sacks, tied for third in team history. Last season, Spicer played in all 16 games, starting 10.