The Jacksonville Jaguars today released three veteran players in wide receiver Torry Holt, offensive tackle Tra Thomas and defensive lineman Rob Meier. Monday was the first day NFL teams may waive or release players.
"After completing our postseason roster evaluation, we've made the decision in the best interest of the organization to release three veteran players with tremendous playing history in the league," Gene Smith, Jaguars General Manager/Sr. V.P. Player Personnel said in announcing the moves. "All three players have played ten or more years in the NFL and have made a positive impact on the Jaguars organization. These decisions certainly weren't easy ones, as Torry, Tra and Rob have over 350 starts between them and they still have the ability to contribute for other teams in the league."
Holt played in 15 games last year in his only season as a Jaguar and was third on the team with 51 receptions for 722 yards. His 63-yard reception against Miami was the team's longest of the season. Holt ranks as the top NFL receiver in the last decade with 868 receptions for 12,594 yards, and he was named to NFL All-Decade Team. For his career Holt has 920 receptions for 13,382 yards and 74 touchdowns. He has played in 173 games and started 158.
"Torry was a player-coach for us this past year in the way in mentored our inexperienced receiving group, and he was one of the leaders of our team," Smith said. "I'm confident that Torry will be a first-ballot Hall of Fame player one day. He's a seven-time Pro Bowl player who ranks 10th in NFL history in receiving yards and earned a Super Bowl ring with the Rams."
Thomas played in eight games with three starts in his only season in Jacksonville. The native of DeLand, Fla. is a veteran of 12 seasons in the NFL, the first 11 with the Philadelphia Eagles after he was drafted in the first round in 1988 out of Florida State. He has played in 174 games with 168 starts in addition to 17 postseason games started.
"I know Eugene (Monroe) and Eben (Britton) in particular benefited from Tra's veteran presence and craftiness as a player," Smith said in reference to the team's two rookie offensive tackles last year. "He's a three-time Pro Bowl player who played in five NFC Championship games and a Super Bowl with the Eagles."
Meier is a ten-year veteran who ranks fourth in Jaguars history with 138 games played for the team. He has 307 tackles and ranks ninth in team history with 21.5 career sacks. He spent the 2009 season on inured reserve.
"Rob was a seventh-round draft choice back in the 2000 draft who developed into a ten-year player for us, playing in 138 games," Smith said. "He's without question one of the toughest players to ever wear a Jaguars uniform."
