Posted at 1:06 p.m., Thursday, June 14, 2007
Jaguars release safety Donovin Darius
Associated Press
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars released veteran safety Donovin Darius today in a move that signaled the team's desire to go with younger and faster defenders.Darius, who turns 32 in August, has been a mainstay in the Jaguars secondary since he was the club's first-round pick in the 1998 draft.
The past two years he's had season-ending injuries. He missed 14 games because of a torn ACL in 2005. Then he started 10 games a year ago before breaking his leg on Nov. 20 against the New York Giants.
"Donovin has been a class guy both on and off the field," Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said. "He's been a ferocious safety known for big hits affecting people that want to try to come over the middle. He's a good young man that has done a lot of good things in the community and has been a positive influence in our locker room."
The Jaguars took Florida safety Reggie Nelson with their first-round pick in this year's draft and also selected Wake Forest safety Josh Gattis in the fifth round.
"We'll miss Donovin's leadership both on and off the field," cornerback Rashean Mathis said. "Personally, I'll miss someone who's become a very good and close friend."
Donovin finished his career in Jacksonville with 858 tackles, 14 interceptions, seven forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries and two sacks. He surpassed 100 tackles in a season six times and led the secondary in tackles in his first seven seasons with the Jaguars.
