Donovan Darius and Paul Spicer sign with Jacksonville Jaguars for one day – NFL update
Donovin Darius has signed a contract for one day with the Jacksonville Jaguars so that he can end his career with the team just days after Paul Spicer did the same thing.
Darius played for the Jags for nine seasons, from 1998 to 2006. He was drafted in the first round, 25th overall pick, of the 1998 NFL Draft out of Syracuse University. At Syracuse, he set the school record with 379 tackles, the most ever by a
defensive back. When Darius was drafted, he became the highest pick in team history for a defensive back. In his rookie year, Darius led the Jaguars with 108 tackles in 14 games. He was arguably the strongest defensive player on the team until 2004 and had
started 37 consecutive games before an injury ended his 2004-2005 season.
Also during that season, Darius drew a $75,000 fine for an exceptionally risky clothesline tackle on Robert Ferguson, wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers. However, Darius apologized to him and visited him in the hospital. In 2005, he signed a contract
extension through 2008 but had a season ending injury in the second game of the 2005 season. He also broke his leg in November of the 2006 season and was then released by the Jags a month later.
Darius signed with the Oakland Raiders in 2007 but was released shortly after. He then signed with the Miami Dolphins but played only three games.
He is currently on the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) Executive Committee. Darius signed with the Jags for one day when he realized that it was time for him to move on from professional football. By signing, even if it is for one day,
he will be listed as having retired with the Jaguars.
In his 115 starts with the Jags, he has accumulated 858 tackles, 14 interceptions, seven forced fumbles and two sacks. His tackles are the second highest by a defensive back in team history and his interceptions rank third. He is the second player to sign
with the Jags for a day in the past week. On 23 February, 2011, Paul Spicer signed with the Jaguars so that the defensive end could retire with the team that he spent eight seasons with.
Spicer was first an undrafted free agent and signed with the Seattle Seahawks. However, he was released before the season started. He then went to the Canadian Football League (CFL) and played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. After the CFL, Spicer joined
the Detroit Lions practice squad before finishing his career with the Jags. His best season came in 2005 while playing for Jacksonville. He had 37 tackles, 7.5 sacks and two blocked passes, leading the Jags to their first playoff spot in six years.
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