Jags and Scobee reach deal with 2 hours to spare

With two hours and two minutes to spare before the deadline for franchised tagged players to reach a long term agreement with their respective teams, The Jaguars and kicker Josh Scobee agreed to terms of a multi year contract. Josh Scobee will be in black and teal for the next four years. His deal is one that pays him better than Conner Barth and Matt Prater (kickers that were also franchised this year). Tania Ganguli who is leaving the Times Union at the end of the month broke the story on Twitter. All of Jag Nation breathed a collective sigh of relief as another piece of the Jaguars arsenal was retained. Scobee's deal is one that is worth $13.8 million dollars and includes a $3.75 million dollar signing bonus as well a $1 million salary in the first year. his salary then averages out to $3.45 million per year giving him the second best multi year contract among kickers in the NFL.

For months there was no communication between Scobee and Jags and then as it grew closer to the deadline talks resumed. When I asked Mark Long of the AP what were the odds of the Jags and Scobee reaching a deal via Twitter he replied 50-50. Scobee had been very adamant that he had no intention of signing the franchise tag that had been placed on him. It looks like it payed off as he now has the long term contract that he was seeking.

Nicknamed Scobee Bryant by Jag Nation, all of the AFC South particularly the Colts cringe when the game is on the line, time is dwindling and Scobee takes the field. He has been clutch on kicks as far as 59 yards. Four more years of performances like that is enough to make any opposing team sick. I for one can't wait for football season to start. The Jags now need to get Justin Blackmon and Bryan Anger under contract so the 2012 campaign can begin. The Jaguars and Josh Scobee are ALL IN!!!

Jags resume contract negotiations with Josh Scobee

Yesterday Vito Stellino of The Florida Time Union reported that the Jags have restarted contract negotiations with Josh Scobee. The Jags had hit Scobee with the franchise tag and Scobee has previously stated he would not sign the tag preferring to work out a long term deal with the Jaguars. Other kickers in the league including Conner Barth and Matt Prater had been franchised by their respective teams and have worked out deals in the 13million to 14 million dollar range over the next 4-5 years. This gives Scobee and his agent Ken Harris some leverage as Scobee who has a 2.88 million dollar base salary for his franchise tag could be able to get to the 4 million dollar per year range.

The Jags and Scobee (and his agent) have not had contact for months. This reportedly left Scobee frustrated as reported by Tania Ganguli last week. Eugene Frenette of the Times Union said tweeted that the Jags and Scobee would reach a deal before the league deadline of July 16. All of Jag Nation pretty much tweeted "its about time". Many  Jaguars fans have shown support for Scobee and have called on Jaguars General Manager Gene Smith to get a long term deal done. Scobee says he is not looking for a deal to be the highest paid kicker in the league but he does want a fair deal based on his talents and performance. Scobee has been very clutch the last few seasons. All of Jag Nation remembers the 59 yarder he kicked against the Colts. If you forget take a look here.