Jags re-sign free-agent center Meester, along with CB Starks
By Michael C. Wright Story updated at 10:44 AM on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009
The Jaguars used Day 1 of NFL free agency Friday to sign two of their own while adding an additional player from another team.
The club re-signed unrestricted free-agent center Brad Meester and cornerback Scott Starks, in addition to signing former Philadelphia Eagles free-agent safety Sean Considine.
The club didn’t disclose financial terms of the contracts.
But Meester signed a four-year deal, and Considine signed a two-year contract worth $3 million. Stark’s two-year deal averages approximately $1.3 million per year, with $1 million guaranteed.
“We had taken a look at several other teams, but we just felt this was the best fit for us, just the team and just knowing the coaching staff and guys like that and the direction we’re headed,” Meester said. “There was definitely some interest [from other teams], but I think overall this was our best fit, without a doubt.”
The club’s starting center and a 10-year veteran, Meester ranks third in franchise history in starts (129) and is one of just 10 players in team history to see action in 100 games. The Jaguars selected Meester in the second round of the 2000 draft, and the center kick-started his career by starting in a team-record 92 consecutive games (48 at left guard and 44 at center).
It was believed the Jaguars hoped to upgrade at center, but the available talent in free agency was out of the club’s price range.
Meester brings veteran savvy, locker room leadership and stability to the club’s offensive line, which was decimated last season by injuries.
Meester missed last preseason and the first six games of 2008 after sustaining a biceps injury during training camp. The year before, Meester started in 11 games because of an ankle injury.
“Being hurt the last couple of years has definitely hurt,” Meester said. “But having everybody back and being able to work this entire offseason together, we’ll be able to get back to form.”
Everybody on the line won’t be back, however. Starting left tackle Khalif Barnes, an unrestricted free agent, isn’t in the Jaguars’ plans for next season. So the club will likely kick off ’09 with a fresh face in Barnes’ position, added through free agency or the upcoming draft in April. Barnes is drawing interest from New Orleans, Oakland and Tampa Bay.
Starks signed his new contract with assurances from the staff that he’d be given an opportunity to start at corner, or, worst-case scenario, become the club’s No. 1 nickel back.
Selected by the Jaguars in the third round of the ’05 draft, Starks has played in 49 games with one start in four seasons. The 5-foot-9, 176-pound Starks is one of the club’s fastest players and a special-teams standout.
Starks has contributed 48 career tackles, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), two forced fumbles and 44 special-teams tackles. Starks played one game last season and suffered a torn ACL in Week 3 at Indianapolis before being placed on injured reserve.
Starks will at least add depth to a unit depleted by the release of free-agent bust Drayton Florence and the pending departures of Gerald Sensabaugh and free-agent safety Pierson Prioleau.
Considine figures into the mix, too, although it’s unclear if he was added to take over for Sensabaugh as the starting strong safety. A four-year veteran who has spent his entire career in Philadelphia, Considine received calls from eight teams shortly after the 12:01 a.m. Friday start of free agency, according to his agent, Rick Smith.
Considine, 27, quickly set up a visit to Jacksonville and signed the deal just hours later.
The 6-foot, 212-pound Considine played all 16 games last season with the Eagles as a backup, but he has started 17 games over his four-year career, posting 154 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two interceptions and seven pass breakups. Considine was never a full-time starter in Philadelphia, but the Eagles were well-stocked at safety with Brian Dawkins and Quintin Mikell.
Philadelphia placed Considine in the starting lineup halfway through the ’06 season, and he responded with 107 tackles, 1.5 sacks and an interception. A physical run-support safety with a knack for making big plays, Considine started eight games the next year and had 47 tackles and an interception, but he was limited by a shoulder injury. Considine was a fourth-round pick of the Eagles in ’05 out of Iowa.
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/football/jaguars/2009-02-28/story/jags_re-sign_free-agent_center_meester_along_with_cornerbac
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