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A league source tells us that the Jacksonville Jaguars have signed defensive end Paul Spicer to a two-year contract extension.
The deal is worth $8 million, and it puts Spicer under contract through 2010.
Spicer, 32, is a nine-year veteran. He was due to earn $2.5 million in 2008, the final year of his contract.
In 2007, his eighth year with the Jags, Spicer appeared in 15 games, starting 12 of them. He’ll likely be counted on to provide leadership and depth if/when rookies Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves develop, and the magnitude of the salary indicates that Spicer will still be a key component of the rotation.
June 27th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
As a practical matter, the team has to be looking at 2008’s line being Paul Spicer at left end (where he’s always been a solid run defender and has become a decently productive pass rusher too), and Derrick Harvey at right end, with Groves and the rest of the situational pass rushers (Hawkins, Pettway) rotating in on passing downs.
What would be really interesting is the thing that the Jaguars have prepared to live without: Reggie Hayward bouncing back fully from the Achilles and turning back into the player that was an up-and-coming pass rusher in Denver and his first year in Jacksonville.
I think the team would love nothing more than to have a healthy Hayward and a productive Harvey at the two end spots, with a healthy rotation of Groves and the other situational pass rushers.
But, it’s clear from this signing that the team isn’t ready to bank on that wishful scenario becoming reality. Spicer is still needed, Hayward and the rookies all have to show that they can play first, before Spicer’s spot would be in jeopardy.
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June 27th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
He stayed away from voluntary workouts for a bit to express his displeasure for his current deal. Then he showed up for OTAs to prove his dedication to the team and the upcoming season even though the Jags spent their first 2 picks on his replacements. He handled his situation like a pro and got what he wanted out of it. Amazing what can happen when a coach and a player actually communicate.
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