PHOENIX, Ariz. – The venue is new, and the week is, too; the approach is not.
Jaguars General Manager David Caldwell, part of the franchise's contingent at the 2013 NFL Spring Meetings, said on Monday that as the league's free-agency period enters its second week the team's approach to the area is remaining the same.
"The plan is to keep working the plan," Caldwell said Monday afternoon.
That means that while the team did not sign unrestricted free agent Tyler Polumbus, an offensive right tackle who re-signed with the Washington Redskins Monday, there is no particular rush or panic to sign another player at the position.
Caldwell on Monday said the team remains interested in re-signing three of its own free agents: center Brad Meester, fullback Greg Jones and linebacker Daryl Smith.
"There's a chance all three could happen," Caldwell said.
Caldwell said he doesn't expect the Jaguars to sign any unrestricted free agents while the team's representatives are at the league meetings, which are taking place at the Arizona Biltmore and are scheduled to conclude Wednesday afternoon.
Polumbus' return to Washington leaves the Jaguars uncertain at right tackle. The team released veteran Guy Whimper in late February, and though third-year veteran Cameron Bradfield remains on the roster, Caldwell said at the recent NFL Scouting Combine the team had yet to decide on a starter at the position. Polumbus (6-feet-8, 305 pounds), 27, started 15 games for the Redskins last season.
Caldwell said the Jaguars made Polumbus an offer, but that he wasn't surprised he re-signed with Washington.
"We made it a difficult decision for him, and at the end of the day, he opted to go with what was familiar," Caldwell said.
Also around the meetings:
*Jaguars Head Coach Gus Bradley also is attending the league meetings, his first as the team's head coach. On Monday, he and the rest of the head coaches posed for a group picture, an annual tradition at the league meetings. Among the head coaches Bradley said he has spoken with most extensively this week: former Jaguars Head Coach Tom Coughlin. "I just had a great conversation with him – him and his wife (Judy)," Bradley said. "They expressed how much they appreciated the Jacksonville community, and the area – and his time there. They told me it's a great city and a great place to be a head coach."
*The Spring Meetings serve as the NFL's largest annual gathering, with the agenda often setting the tone for the league throughout the year. The focus this week: player health/safety and fan engagement, with the league continuing to search for ways to enhance the in-game experience.
*The owners also are expected to vote this week on a change to the so-called "Tuck rule," as well as a rule that would make it a 15-yard penalty for a running back to lower his head and initiate contact. The league's competition committee proposed those two issues for a vote, but opted against proposing changes to the league's offseason schedule and also opted against proposing a rule to expand the postseason.
*Among the Jaguars' contingent this week: Owner Shad Khan, President Mark Lamping, Chief Financial Officer Bill Prescott, Senior Vice President Technology and Analytics Tony Khan, Senior Vice President Fan Engagement Hussain Naqi, Senior Vice President Corporate Sponsorship Scott Massey, Senior Vice President Communications Dan Edwards, Vice President and General Counsel Megha Parekh and Manager Business Planning Kelly Flanagan.
