Mark Brunell agreed to terms on a new contract that will delay the payment of a roster bonus now to be due on March 10. He will be traded tomorrow to the Washington Redskins in exchange for a third-round selection in next month's draft. Brunell started three games in 2003, completing 54 of 82 passes for 484 yards and two touchdowns. The three-time Pro Bowler enters his 12th NFL season.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have also signed new contracts with punter Chris Hanson and defensive end Paul Spicer, and the team released defensive end Tony Brackens today.
Hanson, 27, played in 37 games with the Jaguars since originally signing as a free agent in 2001. The fourth-year veteran, who was scheduled to be a restricted free agent tomorrow, missed 11 games last season after being placed on injured reserve with a leg injury. In three seasons with the Jaguars, he has punted 186 times for 43.9 yard average with 55 punts inside the 20 and made his first Pro Bowl appearance in 2002.
Spicer, 28, played in all 16 games in 2003 with the Jaguars and finished with 37 tackles, one interception and a fumble recovery. The 6-4, 292 pound, unrestricted free agent has played in all but two of his 53 games for the Jaguars including nine starts. For his career, he has 127 tackles, seven sacks and two forced fumbles.
The Jaguars now have 59 players under contract with 10 players becoming free agents tomorrow. Free agency begins on Wednesday, March 3.