Rebuilding Jaguars sign OT Thomas to fill need, bring veteran leadership

[JKonaP]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80f27d48&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true

NFL.com Wire Reports

After bungling free agency last year, the Jacksonville Jaguars vowed to revamp their aging roster through the draft.

They made an exception for Tra Thomas.

Tra Thomas, OT

Jacksonville Jaguars

Age: 34

Height: 6-7 Weight: 335

College: Florida State

Experience: 12th season

The three-time Pro Bowl left tackle signed a three-year contract with the Jaguars on Monday, filling the team's most glaring need and moving him considerably closer to home.

Financial terms of the deal weren't disclosed.

Thomas, who allowed just two sacks in 658 pass attempts last season, is expected to step into a starting role in place of free agent Khalif Barnes and provide leadership on a Jacksonville team that finished 5-11 last season and then parted ways with three captains.

"Hopefully, I'm one of the key positions that's going to come in and help turn this team around," Thomas said.

The 6-foot-7, 335-pound lineman was a mainstay in Philadelphia the last 11 years. Thomas, who was the 11th overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft, started 165 games and has missed just 10 contests during his career.

"On behalf of the entire Eagles organization, I want to thank Tra Thomas for a fantastic 11-year run in Philadelphia," Eagles president Joe Banner said in a statement released by the team. "It's not often that offensive linemen get much praise and attention for their hard work, leadership and Pro Bowl play. But Tra deserves every ounce of it, and I know that our fans feel equally appreciative for everything he has done for this organization and the Philadelphia community. We will miss him and wish him all the best as he continues his career with the Jaguars."

Maybe this will allow a quality OT to slide to us at #13 since a lot of mocks have Jacksonville taking a tackle...

[Sweet Sassy Molassy]

This should help our chances quite a bit. I was just about to post this article.

[Rypien1191]

I guess they don't think much of Khalif Barnes. Wonder how much he would cost. Even as a backup.

[SirClintonPortis]

I'll bet Donovan is real pleased.

Hopefully whoever Thomas's replacement is will kindly let Andre Carter kill McNabb.

[Oldskool]

Here's a guy that I wish we would have looked at. He's a Ray Brown type of player that will be productive until his late 30s.

[Farbod21]

Here's a guy that I wish we would have looked at. He's a Ray Brown type of player that will be productive until his late 30s.

We already have an older RT who is a shadow of himself in Jansen. Please say no to 30+ year old OL. We need youth!

[ljs]

I love it...we get AH and the others are losing vet OT's.

Perfect. the season can't get here soon enough.

[Oldskool]

We already have an older RT who is a shadow of himself in Jansen. Please say no to 30+ year old OL. We need youth!

I wouldn't say that Thomas is a shadow of himself at all, but hyperbole is all the rage these days.

I do agree we need youth on the O-line but we have multiple needs and few picks. He would have been an upgrade to either scrub we have on the roster right now.

[Birdlives]

A little too late for that leadership. Matt Jones just got busted again. Looks like they're real thin at WR now.

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/03/09/another-arrest-for-matt-jones/