Jaguars sign free agent DE Hugh Douglas

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., March 15 (UPI) -- The Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday landed one of the biggest prizes of the free agent class this offseason by signing defensive end Hugh Douglas.

It was reported that Douglas received a five-year deal worth $27.01 million, including a $6 million signing bonus.

Douglas, 31, has been one of the NFL's top defensive ends for the past eight years, the first three with the New York Jets and the last five with the Philadelphia Eagles. A former first-round draft pick out of Central State in Ohio, Douglas has been to three Pro Bowls and has had at least eight sacks in six of his eight seasons.

"Hugh is one of the premier defensive ends in the league," first-year Jaguars Coach Jack Del Rio said. "We're looking forward to adding his speed and play-making ability to our defense. Particularly exciting is what he can add to our pass rush."

The Jaguars also signed Marc Edwards, a blocking fullback who spent the last two seasons with the New England Patriots.

The 6-2, 280-pound Douglas had 55 tackles (43 solo) and his 12.5 sacks were second in the NFC and fourth in the NFL. He led his team in sacks for the sixth time in his eight seasons.

With the help of Douglas, the Eagles ranked fourth in the NFL defensively and reached the NFC Championship game for the second consecutive season. In his five seasons with Philadelphia, Douglas has 51.5 sacks and seven forced fumbles.

Douglas immediately becomes one of the cornerstones of a Jacksonville team that seeks a revival under Del Rio, who replaced the fired Tom Coughlin following a second straight 6-10 season.

The Jaguars' defense ranked 20th in the league last season and added linebackers Mike Peterson and Keith Mitchell via free agency earlier this week.

The signing of Douglas could end the Jaguars' tenure of defensive end Tony Brackens, who has played in just 17 games over the last two seasons due to injury.

Douglas was a first-round draft pick of the Jets in 1995 and was named the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year after making 10 sacks. His first career sack was of current Jaguars quarterback Mark Brunell in 1995 and his position coach for his first two seasons was current Jaguars defensive line coach Ray Hamilton.

In three seasons with the Jets, Douglas tallied 118 tackles, 22 sacks and five fumble recoveries including a 62-yard recovery for a touchdown against Miami in 1996.

Edwards, 28, signed with the Patriots in 2001 and helped lead the Patriots to a Super Bowl victory over the St. Louis Rams. He played with the Cleveland Browns for two seasons after being traded by San Francisco in 1999. He was selected in the second round in 1997 by San Francisco.

Edwards never has missed a game in his six years in the league, including 56 starts in the 96 contests. In 2002, he caught 23 balls for 196 yards and rushed 31 times for 96 yards. In his career, he has 119 receptions for 968 yards and eight touchdowns along with 117 carries for 392 yards and two scores.