The Jacksonville Jaguars today signed veteran defensive tackle Marcus Stroud to a one-day contract so that he could retire as a Jaguar.  Stroud will be placed on the reserve/retired list. 

Stroud, the club's first-round draft pick and the 13th overall selection in 2001, played in 100 games with 84 starts in seven seasons with the Jaguars.  A native of Thomasville, Georgia, Stroud totaled 457 tackles, 22 sacks, seven forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries during his tenure in Jacksonville. 

"This is where I started my career and where I was able to have my most productive years," Stroud said.  "The Jaguars are like family and I know this is where I belong."

Stroud was traded to Buffalo in 2008 and played three seasons with the Bills, starting 45 of 46 games.  He signed with New England on March 4, 2011 and was released on July 29, 2011.  Stroud finished his 10-year career with 647 tackles (414 solo), 29.5 sacks, nine forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries, 170 quarterback hits and 43 tackles for loss.   He played in 146 games with 129 starts. 

Stroud was voted a starter in the Pro Bowl for three consecutive seasons from 2003-05, joining Tony Boselli as the only Jaguars voted to start in three straight Pro Bowls.   He teamed with John Henderson for six seasons (2002-07) to give the Jaguars one of the NFL's biggest and best defensive tackle tandems.  The duo remains the only Jaguars defensive players to be selected to multiple Pro Bowls. 

Stroud's 22 sacks with the Jaguars are tied for the sixth in team history.  He is one of 19 players to play in at least 100 games for the Jaguars and one of only eight defensive players to accomplish the feat.  His 68 consecutive starts from September 8, 2002 to October 1, 2006 mark the third-longest starting streak in team history. 

Stroud anchored a Jaguars defense in 2006 that ranked second in the NFL, the highest ranking in team history.  From 2003-06, the Jaguars ranked third with only 37 rushing touchdowns allowed and second with only 11 100-yard rushers allowed during that span.   

A former University of Georgia standout, Stroud is now the fifth veteran to retire as a Jaguar after finishing his career with another team.  Tony Boselli, Donovin Darius, Paul Spicer and Fred Taylor all previously returned to retire as Jaguars.