We
The #12 player on our list undeniably belongs listed among the greats in franchise history, and was a solid contender for a Top 10 spot, but ultimately, he ended up here at #12.
On to it...
#12. Leon Searcy, RT, 1996-2000
Leon Searcy was the Jaguars big-fish signing in the 1996 off-season. At the time of his signing, the Jags had made him the highest paid lineman in NFL history, and Big Searcy earned every dime.
Starting as the bookend compliment to Tony Boselli, Searcy handled the unusual task for a NFL right tackle, of protecting the quarterback's blind side. He started in all but one game over the course of his four active seasons with the Jaguars, and with the All-Pro Boselli, formed undoubtedly the best offensive tackle combination in the NFL over their four seasons together.
Searcy was the rare right tackle that could dominate the opposing defender in both the run and pass game. He regularly kept his guy off Brunell's back and with Boselli, allowed Brunell to lead the offense to four consecutive seasons of post-season appearances, including two AFC Championship games. He was a vital part of the team's miracle 1996 run, and the 1999 team that was to this day the franchise's best. During his time in Jacksonville, he anchored the right side of the offense that allowed a combined 7 Pro Bowl appearances between the quarterback and receivers, in his four seasons here.
The peak of Searcy's run came in his final season as an active member of the Jaguars. He was named to his first and only Pro Bowl team in 1999, and was also named to the 2nd team of the NFL All-Pro squad by the Associated Press. He suffered a devastating leg injury on the first day of training camp in 2000, and was immediately placed on injured reserve. Searcy would never play in Jacksonville again. He was signed by the Baltimore Ravens in 2001, following his release from the Jags, but again suffered a season ending injury in training camp after tearing his bicep. After failing his physical while attempting one more comeback with the Miami Dolphins in 2002, Searcy retired from the NFL.
Leon will forever be a fan favorite to any Jags fan that followed the team through their early success. He contributed to the Jaguars 1999 post-season rap song, to the detriment of the team and all things holy. Searcy was also known to be very, um, let's say "swagged out" before that term really came to be used like it is today. The guy basically lived his life like it was a rap video. Unfortunately, that has left Searcy in some dire straights recently.
Perhaps the most telling sign of how big an impact Searcy had on the franchise is since 2000, the Jaguars have yet to find a replacement at right tackle as good as him.
The Top-25 List:
#25. Aaron Beasley, CB, 1996-2001
#24. Bryan Barker, P, 1995-2000
#23. Donovin Darius, S, 1998-2006
#22. David Garrard, QB, 2002-2010
#21. Josh Scobee, K, 2004-Present
#20. Kyle Brady, TE, 1999-2006
#19. Kevin Hardy, LB, 1996-2001
#18. Brad Meester, C, 2000-Present
#17. Vince Manuwai, G, 2003-2010
#16. Mike Peterson, LB, 2003-2008
#15. Mike Hollis, K, 1995-2001
#14. Gary Walker, DT, 1999-2001
#13. Daryl Smith, LB, 2004-Present
#12. Leon Searcy, OT, 1996-2000