The Jaguars have many key
unrestricted free agents and running back
Fred Taylor looks to be the top priority. Taylor and Jaguars are looking for a
long-term contract that could keep Taylor to the end of his career .
Taylor
is in his last year of his original six-year deal.
Sources have indicated that Harris
will get creative with salaries and he will build the team mainly through the
draft.
Harris plans on helping out the
salary cap issues by restructuring the contacts of several veteran players and
by re-signing back free agents at a bargain price. One of those free agents
under consideration is offensive tackle Todd Fordham.
The
6-foot-5 and 310 pound six –year veteran out of
Florida
State
is a key versatile backup. Fordham, 27,
played the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Jaguars before signing
with the Denver Broncos as an unrestricted free agent in 2001. Although he was
told he would compete for a starting job with his new team, Fordham never really
got a chance because of injuries and he was released.
Concerned over Tony Boselli’s continued health problems, the Jags added
Fordham to the roster for insurance. His salary was the minimum base of
$477,000.
Fordham started the remaining eight
games of the season. In 2002,
Fordham replaced the injured Zach Wiegert at right tackle.
According to a league source, Fordham
wants to be back in teal uniform for the 2003 season. If the Jaguars are
interested, he will most likely sign for the minimum base salary again.
Jags Free agency:
S Donovin Darius (UFA)
T Todd Fordham (UFA)
QB Kent Graham (UFA)
WR Patrick Johnson (UFA)
WR Kevin Lockett (UFA)
RB Stacey Mack (UFA)
TE Pete Mitchell (UFA)
LB Wali Rainer (UFA)
WR Bobby Shaw (UFA)
DT Larry Smith (UFA)
C John Wade (UFA)
G Zach Wiegert (UFA)
LS Joe Zelenka (UFA)
S Ainsley Battles (RFA)
CB Robert Bean (RFA)
LB Bobby Brooks (RFA)
LB Danny Clark (RFA)
DE Chris Combs (RFA)
P Chris Hanson (RFA)
G Leander Jordan (RFA)
OL Aaron Koch (RFA)
LB TJ Slaughter (RFA)
DE Paul Spicer (RFA)
CB Kiwaukee Thomas (RFA)