Smith, Jaguars Come to Terms

Holdout receiver Jimmy Smith and the Jacksonville Jaguars have come to terms on a new contract, ending a holdout that endured through the team’s exhibition season. Terms of the contract were not immediately available.

Spokesman Dan Edwards confirmed that the Jaguars will make an official announcement today, ending a 38-day holdout that brought the Jacksonville offense to a screeching halt in the exhibition season.

In four exhibition games, Mark Brunell and the first-team offense didn’t manage a touchdown. Receivers Bobby Shaw and Patrick Johnson had trouble getting open, and Brunell showed little confidence in his new pass catchers.

Smith has been the most prolific pass catcher in the NFL over the last six years, although his big-play ability waned last season--he made just four plays of 30-plus yards and scored only eight touchdowns.

Smith’s contract, which would have paid him $2.75 million this season, didn’t put him among the 10 highest-paid receivers in the league.

He was seeking a deal that would have paid him about $12 million over the next two years. But the Jaguars were reluctant to hand over that much to a 33-year-old receiver.

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Troy Edwards, a 1999 first-round draft choice who had fallen out of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ receiver rotation, was traded to the St. Louis Rams for a sixth-round draft pick. Edwards, no longer being used regularly by the Steelers in any role, said he was resigned to being traded or released.

“I just want to play for someone who wants me,” said Edwards, who had 37 catches for no touchdowns the last two seasons. Edwards has a sprained knee and probably won’t be ready to play for a couple of weeks.

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An MRI on Houston Texan quarterback David Carr’s bruised right knee revealed no damage and the rookie should be ready for the season opener against Dallas.... Tight end Rickey Dudley and offensive guard Tre Johnson, two veterans trying to come back from injuries, were released by the Cleveland Browns. The team also acquired tight end Steve Heiden from the San Diego Chargers for a seventh-round draft pick in 2003.... Tight end Desmond Clark, Denver’s second-leading receiver last season, was released by the Broncos.... Russell Maryland, the top pick in the 1991 NFL draft who helped Dallas win three Super Bowls, re-signed with the team so he could retire as a Cowboy.... The Arizona Cardinals waived backup quarterback Chris Greisen, leaving rookie Josh McCown as the No. 2 quarterback.... Running back Maurice Smith and free safety Keith Lyle were among 13 players waived by the Atlanta Falcons.