That strange noise you may have heard coming out of Jacksonville was Gene Smith drawing a hard line in the sand regarding disgruntled running back Maurice Jones-Drew.
The Jacksonville Jaguars general manager told the Florida Times-Union on Wednesday that he has no intention whatsoever of trading his holdout running back.
“Maurice is a Jaguar,” Smith told the newspaper prior to the team’s annual Kickoff Luncheon.
Smith was very direct when asked if he’d consider dealing last year’s NFL rushing leader.
“No,” he said.
Jones-Drew’s holdout entered its 35th day on Wednesday, with no sign of a settlement appearing imminent. The star running back, who chewed up a league-best 1,606 yards last season, has two years left on a five-year, front-loaded deal that is worth $31 million. Jones-Drew is slated to make $4.45 million this season and $4.95 million in 2013.
Earlier this month, Jaguars owner Shad Khan said that MJD’s absence from training camp “doesn’t even move the needle” in terms of stress. He reiterated his stance by saying, “This is not a team about one person,” then telling Jones-Drew, “Train’s leaving the station, Run, get on it.”
The comments didn’t sit well with Jones-Drew, who then let it be known that he was agreeable to being traded.
“Maurice wants to play for an organization that wants him and for an owner who respects him and values what he brings to the team – on the field, in the locker room and in the community,” said his agent, Adisa Bakari.
Khan stood by his comments when asked about them on Wednesday.
Fearful of the precedent they might set, Khan and Smith insist they have no plans to negotiate a new deal with MJD.
Jones-Drew signed his deal in 2009, prior to rushing for at least 1,300 yards in three consecutive seasons. He has become the unquestioned face of the franchise.
But critics will point out that Jacksonville has failed to reach the playoffs in each of Jones-Drew’s three years as a starter.
Jones-Drew is entering his seventh season. He has 6,854 yards rushing, 2,473 yards receiving and 74 total touchdowns. He carried a career-high 343 times last season, averaging 4.7 yards even though defenses knew he was the focal point of Jacksonville’s offense.
The Jaguars open the season Sept. 9 at Minnesota.
