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Torry Holt and Tra Thomas to be released, who else may have seen their last down as a Jaguar?

Today is the first day NFL teams can officially release players and "Black Monday" has already been confirmed for last year's two big Jaguar free agent signings. WR Torry Holt and LT Tra Thomas are both on the chopping block. Neither move is too surprising. Thomas was signed before the Jaguars took Eugene Monroe in the first round and didn't see the field most of the season.

Torry Holt's release is tougher to swallow, but understandable. The second year of the contract he signed last was mostly there in case he had more in the tank than anyone thought and the Jaguars couldn't afford to let him see free agency.

However, there are plenty of other candidates who will have likely seen their last downs as Jaguars. List below are my picks, in order from most likely to be gone to the least likely.

Star-divide

Should already have their lockers cleaned out

1. Brad Meester, C

Meester had been the Jaguars Rock of Ages in the middle. Meester has been with the Jaguars since 2000 and never gave up the starter center spot. However, this season was easily his worst. He was the 33rd ranked center in the league according to Pro Football Focus. With the youth movement on the offensive line and his high level of play seemingly gone, I think Brad Meester will be turning in his play book very soon.

2. Clint Ingram,LB

Ingram was easily the weak link in the linebacking corps this season. He was the one constantly being singled out for receiving tight ends and looking mediocre against the run. Ingram will be a restricted free agent this off season so it will be interesting to see what the Jaguars do with him. I would assume if there is any legit interest they'll slap a 2nd round tender on him to try and recover that draft pick. If not, they'll just let him walk.

3. Nate Hughes, WR

The feel good story is most likely over. After getting his redemption TD against the Texans, Hughes was never really a factor in any game. The Jaguars may elect to keep him around to see if he can have another good preseason, but he's still as good as gone.

The Crystal Ball is Fuzzy

4. Quentin Groves, DE

Groves was a non-factor for the 2nd consecutive year. Despite bulking up in an effort to become an every downs DE, he was still a consistent target for the opposition to run at and was never a factor in the pass rush. Worse yet, when he switched to being a 3-4 OLB (the position many projected him at) he didn't improve any. The Jaguars may feel he'll just never be a 4-3 DE, though at least one year under an actual D-Line coach could be what he needs.

5. Reggie Nelson, S
Was there any one player who has had more venom tossed his way than Nelson? The former Gator has been spiraling down after an excellent rookie season. In JDR's interview with BCC, he implied that Nelson wasn't fully committed, and that is a cardinal sin under Gene Smith. However, Nelson's first round pick status may buy him one last year before the Jaguars pull the plug.

Will be back next year

6. Troy Williamson, WR

Williamson had an excellent preseason and flashed why he was a Top 10 pick before having a season ending injury in Week 2. I really doubt the Jaguars will let him go without seeing he can pick up where he left off before the season ending injury.

7. Reggie Hayward, DE

The sad saga of HayDay continues. After finally looking like he recovered from his first season ending injury, he suffered another in Week 1 against the Colts. However, all reports seem to indicate the Jaguars are still committed to him and certainly need another solid DE on the roster.

0 recs  |  Comment 25 comments |

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What is Meester's contract status ?

I don’t see them re-signing him to an extension, but you don’t release an offensive lineman with starting experience until you’re certain you can replace him. And as we all know, just because a guy isn’t getting it done doesn’t mean there’s someone better on the team.

by pksiv on Feb 8, 2010 1:25 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

SIgned a two year deal last year

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by Tkopa on Feb 8, 2010 5:11 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah

I agree with pksiv. Unless we get a good center in the draft or via free agency, I’d still keep Meester because he’s been good for us for years. I know Dennis Norman has had Center experience, but he’s not better than Meester. If we get a younger talent in the draft then yeah maybe, otherwise I wouldn’t release him. I’d still keep Hughes too to see what he can further give to the Jags. All of the other players I can agree with.

by ajagsbeliever on Feb 8, 2010 2:53 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Hard to tell

if you know already because your comment is kind of ambiguous, but Dennis Norman has already been cut and signed by the Chargers.

by Ewdtrey on Feb 8, 2010 4:41 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

uche will be center

And he is more than capable

by Slvrgun on Feb 8, 2010 3:03 PM EST via mobile reply actions   0 recs

While I don't disagree

I think it’s going to take some time to make that decision. They also may choose to keep Meester as a backup in case someone gets injured. They usually keep 10 lineman so I can’t see them cutting last years starter this early in the offseason.

by pksiv on Feb 8, 2010 3:35 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

He's about as good

a backup as we could ask for(Sign). He didn’t start off the season all that bad. It was down the stretch that age was catching up to him. In a backup role he could have another couple good years. He’s already signed through like 2012 or something. And if we keep him that’s one less FA we have to sign, hence the likeliness of getting compensatory picks is improved.

by Ewdtrey on Feb 8, 2010 4:40 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I don't like

Uche at center. I think he’s improving at Guard. He’s a perfect Guard. But he’s a little slow into his stance for a center, and he’s not as nimble as great centers usually are. but he’s pretty fast and really strong, which is great for a Guard.

by Ewdtrey on Feb 8, 2010 4:43 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I agree that Uche is a better player at guard I find it difficult to bring in a Vet, center that will be more productive than meester, at the price and the draft has a weak group of centers. It seem that the draft has a good group of Guards that will be ready to play, Iupati if we trade down or Ducasse in the 3rd round. I would not mind bringing in a vet center because meester has become a major liability and if we have to reach in the draft for a player to fill a need then we get away from the BAP philosophy that we should covet.

by Jewasaurus on Mar 7, 2010 11:34 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Meester was the 33rd best center in the league, there are only 32 teams.

Whether it’s Uche, a rookie, or a band aid free agent, there will be a new center in Jacksonville

by Jonathan Loesche on Feb 8, 2010 3:13 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

oh yeah. i just caught that. can’t do much worse than the 33rd ranked center out of 32 teams. i like Brad, but the swing to the younger guys must continue. it can’t go for one year and then come to an abrupt stop.

Sean Jax Beach Bum

by cuffs007 on Feb 8, 2010 4:39 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Agree… Brad was not a leader this year.

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by floridafalcons#63 on Feb 8, 2010 4:55 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

so who are the most atractive center prospects....

you know gene knows that brad is 33rd best… and it only means that center position is on the list this year…

by mattarne on Feb 9, 2010 1:23 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Draft… J.D Walton (Baylor) Matt Tennant (BC) Scott Olsen (ND)

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by floridafalcons#63 on Feb 9, 2010 10:25 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

what about byers from USC???

frankDUBZ aka Frank Silba

"You have to stand for something, or you will fall for anything" - Me

by FRANKdubz on Feb 9, 2010 10:49 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Jeff

He can play G and C. I’ve heard he will play G in the league. Who knows though

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by floridafalcons#63 on Feb 9, 2010 11:54 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I like

Olsen. Good technique, plays with a mean streak.

If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik

by Bestjagfan on Feb 9, 2010 4:39 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Heyward is a UFA.

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by floridafalcons#63 on Feb 8, 2010 4:04 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

actually, Justin Harwig

of PIT finished 34th out of 34 in the rankings

MIA & OAK each had 2 Centers ranked.

by pksiv on Feb 8, 2010 4:54 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Now it's official

http://www.jaguars.com/news/article.aspx?id=8732

And Rob Meier is gone too. How can we forget about Rob. ’How" (sarcasm here)?

Life without knowledge is death in disguise

by Zoltan from Budapest on Feb 11, 2010 6:20 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

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