The Jaguars struck early in free agency for the third consecutive year, signing offensive tackle Tony Pashos to a five-year contract to become the team's starting right tackle. The Jaguars have also signed kicker Josh Scobee to a five-year deal.
"He'll start at right tackle," coach Jack Del Rio said of Pashos. "Mo's going to compete with Khalif (Barnes) at left tackle," Del Rio added, referring to Maurice Williams, who has been the Jaguars' starting right tackle since 2001.
Pashos, 6-6, 320, is a four-year veteran who had a breakout season for the Ravens last year as their right tackle. He was selected in the fifth round of the 2003 draft out of Illinois.
"We think he's an ascending player. We think he's stepping into the prime of his pro career. His size allows him to be firm in the pocket. He's not going to be bull-rushed back to the quarterback," Del Rio said.
"He's a big body; aggressive, physical right tackle. We saw an opportunity to get ourselves a player who would provide a firmer right side of the pocket and a little more movement in the running game," Del Rio added.
The Jaguars remain committed to the development of Richard Collier, an undrafted rookie last season who stunned the Jaguars with his talent. Collier's development will continue, Del Rio said. "We like him. We'll see how it plays out," he added.
Scobee was set to become a restricted free agent, but his future became obvious when the Jaguars announced on Thursday that Scobee had been tendered at the first-round level.
"He made significant improvement with his mechanics and accuracy," Del Rio said of Scobee, who converted 26 of 32 field goal attempts last season. Scobee has one of the strongest legs in the game and was second in the league in touchbacks last season.
"We've asked him to kick a lot of long field goals. He's a really good young player at that position," Del Rio said.
