The Jacksonville Jaguars completed a trade for sixth-year quarterback Luke McCown and signed eight players to their practice squad. McCown was acquired from Tampa Bay for an undisclosed draft choice on Saturday evening. To make room on the roster for McCown the Jaguars released veteran quarterback Todd Bouman.
McCown, 6-4, 217, has played in 12 career games with seven starts. He was a fourth-round pick by Cleveland in the 2004 draft and was acquired via trade by Tampa Bay in 2005. His career totals include 142 of 238 passing for 1,617 yards with nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions for a 75.2 rating. In the 2009 preseason, he played in three games for the Buccaneers and finished 15 of 28 passing for 108 yards with two touchdowns for a team-high 86.6 rating.
A native of Jacksonville, Texas, McCown set school records at Louisiana Tech for completions (1,088), attempts (1,827) and passing yards (12,994). He finished with 88 touchdown passes, the eighth-most in NCAA Division I history. He comes from a family of quarterbacks as his brother Randy started at Texas A&M from 1997-99. His brother Josh currently plays for the Carolina Panthers.
Seven of the club’s eight practice squad players had been with the team throughout the preseason and had been waived in final cuts on Saturday. The Jaguars’ practice squad players are:
Richard Bartel, QB, Tarleton State – First-year pro has spent time with Dallas and Cleveland. Was originally signed as a rookie free agent by the Cowboys in 2007. Spent time on Dallas’ practice squad in 2007 and 2008. Was signed to Cleveland’s practice squad on November 26 and was signed to active roster on December 24. Threw for 2,033 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior.
Brock Bolen, FB, Louisville – Rushed for 1,321 yards in college. Signed with Jaguars as undrafted free agent in April.
Michael Desormeaux, SS, Louisiana-Lafayette – Four-year letterman at quarterback and made transition to safety with the Jaguars. Named Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Year as a senior.
Jeremy Navarre, DE, Maryland – Started 48 of 50 games at Maryland and finished with 25.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks.
Cecil Newton, C, Tennessee State – Four-year letterman and part of an offensive line that led the OVC in rushing for two consecutive seasons.
Cameron Stephenson, G, Rutgers – First-year pro was originally a fifth-round pick of Pittsburgh in the 2007 draft. Has spent time with Pittsburgh, Green Bay, Philadelphia and New Orleans. Signed by the Jaguars off Saints’ practice squad on Dec. 16 and dressed but did not play in season finale.
Tiquan Underwood, WR, Rutgers –Seventh-round pick was one of three wide receivers selected by the Jaguars in 2009. He finished with 132 receptions for 1,931 yards and 16 TDs in four seasons at Rutgers.
Josh Vaughan, RB, Richmond – Signed with Jaguars Aug. 11 after spending spring with Tampa Bay. Rushed for 3,339 yards and 34 TDs in college.
NFL teams are limited to eight players on their practice squad.