The Jacksonville Jaguars have re-signed four veteran players to new contracts: linebacker Jeff Kopp, defensive tackle Jose White, offensive guard/tackle Todd Fordham and cornerback Ricky Parker. The Jaguars' current roster remains at 65 players.
Kopp, 26, started three games at strongside linebacker last year when Kevin Hardy was injured. For the season he made 14 tackles, one sack and one interception. Also a standout on special teams, he ranked third on the club with 17 special teams tackles in '97 and second with 15 special teams tackles in '96 despite not joining the Jaguars until the fifth game. Kopp joined the Jaguars as a veteran free agent. He played for the Dolphins in 1995.
White was re-signed last November 11 when Don Davey was placed on injured reserve. He played in four of the final seven games (including postseason), seeing action in the rotation at defensive tackle. He made six tackles, including two for loss, during the regular season. White, 24, spent the last three weeks of the '96 season with the Jaguars but was inactive for each game plus the playoffs.
Fordham, 24, joined the Jaguars as an undrafted rookie last season. He was waived in the final cuts and then re-signed to the practice squad for three games before joining the active roster. He played in just one game, seeing limited action in the season finale at Oakland. Fordham is the only Florida State player ever to play for the Jaguars.
Parker was a sixth-round draft choice of the Chicago Bears in 1997 who was waived and then signed to the Jaguars' practice squad on September 8 and to the active roster two weeks later. He played in 12 games and finished fourth on the team with 13 special teams tackles, earning a special teams game ball after making four tackles against Kansas City on November 9. Parker, 23, also saw limited action on defense in two games.
