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Unhappy Smith stays away from Jaguars' camp
Former JSU star says team not keeping promises made
By Eddie Pells
The Associated Press
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. ? The Jacksonville Jaguars were hoping for a fresh start. Instead, they opened training camp with a big problem.
Five-time Pro Bowl selection Jimmy Smith was a holdout Thursday when the Jaguars reported for camp.
Smith feels he's underpaid and says the Jaguars haven't made good on past promises to compensate him for what he is ? the most productive receiver in the NFL over the past five years.
"I'm not asking to be the top-paid receiver, but it's embarrassing," said Smith, a former Jackson State receiver scheduled to make $2.75 million this season. "Last year, promises were made by management. After last season, I wanted to see if they would keep that promise."
While Smith was a holdout, first-round draft pick John Henderson signed his contract Thursday ? a five-year, $10 million deal with a $6.7 million signing bonus to be split over two seasons. It means Smith was the only one missing from meetings on the first day of camp.
The promises Smith refers to are those he says the Jaguars made when he repeatedly agreed to restructure his contract to help the team deal with its salary-cap problems.
In 1999, Smith signed a five-year contract extension worth $19 million. Since then, he has extended his deal through 2006 in moves to help the Jaguars deal with the cap. He has gotten slight raises in those renegotiations, but still isn't among the 15 highest-paid receivers in the league.
Smith has more catches (479) and receiving yards (6,728) than any receiver in the league over the last five seasons.
"I don't want to do this, but I'm forced to do it," he said. "I have no other options."
Jaguars contract negotiator Paul Vance says the team has been talking to Smith and his agent, Gary Uberstine, since February, and the Jaguars have offered Smith a raise.
"Apparently, Jimmy feels he hasn't been offered enough," Vance said. "I've talked to the agent every day."
Uberstine did not return calls.
Coughlin said he didn't know of any promises that were made to Smith when he renegotiated his deals for salary-cap reasons.
Several teammates said they understand Smith's position.
"I really think he's very much underpaid," Fred Taylor said. "You've got guys who can't carry his shoulder pads to the field who are getting way more than he's getting. It's sick when you think about it."
Former JSU star says team not keeping promises made
By Eddie Pells
The Associated Press
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. ? The Jacksonville Jaguars were hoping for a fresh start. Instead, they opened training camp with a big problem.
Five-time Pro Bowl selection Jimmy Smith was a holdout Thursday when the Jaguars reported for camp.
Smith feels he's underpaid and says the Jaguars haven't made good on past promises to compensate him for what he is ? the most productive receiver in the NFL over the past five years.
"I'm not asking to be the top-paid receiver, but it's embarrassing," said Smith, a former Jackson State receiver scheduled to make $2.75 million this season. "Last year, promises were made by management. After last season, I wanted to see if they would keep that promise."
While Smith was a holdout, first-round draft pick John Henderson signed his contract Thursday ? a five-year, $10 million deal with a $6.7 million signing bonus to be split over two seasons. It means Smith was the only one missing from meetings on the first day of camp.
The promises Smith refers to are those he says the Jaguars made when he repeatedly agreed to restructure his contract to help the team deal with its salary-cap problems.
In 1999, Smith signed a five-year contract extension worth $19 million. Since then, he has extended his deal through 2006 in moves to help the Jaguars deal with the cap. He has gotten slight raises in those renegotiations, but still isn't among the 15 highest-paid receivers in the league.
Smith has more catches (479) and receiving yards (6,728) than any receiver in the league over the last five seasons.
"I don't want to do this, but I'm forced to do it," he said. "I have no other options."
Jaguars contract negotiator Paul Vance says the team has been talking to Smith and his agent, Gary Uberstine, since February, and the Jaguars have offered Smith a raise.
"Apparently, Jimmy feels he hasn't been offered enough," Vance said. "I've talked to the agent every day."
Uberstine did not return calls.
Coughlin said he didn't know of any promises that were made to Smith when he renegotiated his deals for salary-cap reasons.
Several teammates said they understand Smith's position.
"I really think he's very much underpaid," Fred Taylor said. "You've got guys who can't carry his shoulder pads to the field who are getting way more than he's getting. It's sick when you think about it."
