Jacksonville, Fla. (AP)— The Jacksonville Jaguars used veterans, rookies,
former first-round draft picks and a few undrafted guys in hopes of generating
consistent pass rush last season. Even with different schemes, various blitzes
and some new faces, nothing really worked.
The Jaguars finished with a franchise-low 14 sacks in 2009, the fifth-lowest
total in NFL history.
Owner Wayne Weaver, general manager Gene Smith and coach Jack Del Rio all
vowed to revamp the defensive line, knowing the team stood little chance of
making the playoffs without more quarterback pressure.
They may have found a solution with two-time Pro Bowler Aaron Kampman. The
30-year-old defensive end signed with the Jaguars on Sunday, giving the
small-market franchise a big-time boost to their pass-rush woes.
Jacksonville, which also elevated its special teams with the signing of Kassim Osgood
this weekend, targeted Kampman before free agency began Friday.
The Jaguars hoped to land Kampman or former Tennessee defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, who signed a four-year contract worth $26 million with Detroit.