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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Jaguars sign receiver Holt

Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Detroit center Dominic Raiola, left, a Saint Louis School alum, and linebacker Ernie Sims unveil the team's new uniforms. The Lions finished 0-16 last season.

PAUL SANCYA | Associated Press

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The Jacksonville Jaguars addressed their biggest need yesterday, agreeing to a three-year contract with veteran receiver Torry Holt.

The deal lessens the need for Jacksonville to get a receiver early in this weekend's NFL draft and gives the franchise its biggest weapon at the position since Jimmy Smith retired in 2006.

The Jaguars still might select a receiver with the No. 8 pick, especially since Holt will be 33 years old this summer and has been slowed by knee problems in recent years. Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree and Missouri's Jeremy Maclin are expected to be top-10 picks.

Jacksonville selected Reggie Williams (2004) and Matt Jones (2005) in the first round in consecutive years, but parted ways with the troubled receivers this offseason.

Holt certainly boosts the Jaguars' wideout position. The seven-time Pro Bowler ranks 11th on the NFL's career list with 869 receptions. He caught 64 passes for 796 yards and three touchdowns for St. Louis last season. The Rams released him in March days before he was due a $1.25 million roster bonus.

EAGLES

CORNERBACK WANTS NEW DEAL OR TRADE

Philadelphia has no intention of trading disgruntled cornerback Sheldon Brown, who says he wants out after the team refused to re-negotiate his contract.

Brown is scheduled to make $2 million this season, the first of four remaining on the extension he signed in 2004. The deal included a $7.5 million signing bonus.

Brown told www.ESPN.com yesterday he has asked to be traded. Later in the day, the Eagles responded with a statement.

The team called Brown's decision to go public with his situation "unfortunate and counterproductive," and explained how the extension he signed in 2004 "removed any concerns about health or performance that all other players in his draft class had to worry about."

Earlier this offseason, the Eagles traded cornerback Lito Sheppard, who also wanted his contract redone, to the Jets.

ELSEWHERE

PANTHERS:

Carolina has re-signed restricted free-agent safety Nate Salley and linebacker James Anderson to one-year deals worth $1.01 million apiece.

CHIEFS:

Wide receiver Jeff Webb has signed a one-year restricted free-agent tender to stay with Kansas City.