We learned late at practice today that the Jacksonville Jaguars have agreed to terms with a 3-year contract with Jacksonville native offensive lineman Jason Spitz. Spitz played high school football at Bolles High School in Jacksonville, Florida. He was a third round pick by the Green Bay Packers in 2006 out of Louisville. Spitz started at guard and center for the Green Bay Packers his rookie year and remained the starter before suffering a back injury 5-games into the season in 2009 that landed him on injured reserve.
Spitz was active for all 16 games for the Packers in 2010, but didn't start any games. Spitz is expected to come in immediately and compete for the starting left guard position and likely take over for veteran center Brad Meester in 2012, as this is the last year of Meester's contract. The signing of Spitz was made necessary with the release of Justin Smiley and last year's starting left guard, Vince Manuwai, failing his physical and being place in the non-football injury list.
Spitz is a good player when healthy on the interior line and shouldn't have much of a problem winning the job, as the signing could very well signal the end of Vince Manuwai's reign at the left guard position, and his spot on the Jaguars.