JAGUARS RE-SIGN KEENAN MCCARDELL

May 24, 1998 at 08:00 PM

The Jacksonville Jaguars today re-signed Pro Bowl wide receiver Keenan McCardell to a contract extension. Length and terms of the deal are not disclosed by the team.

"You have to give the Jaguars credit, they continue to show a commitment to winning and taking care of their core players," said McCardell, who was the first player to be voted to the Pro Bowl in Jaguars' history. "I am happy they consider me one of those core players and I am excited to get the deal done."

"I think we all feel it is time to go to that next level. We don't consider ourselves a young expansion team anymore," continued McCardell. "With the moves that have been made this off-season, Mr. Weaver and the organization are showing that the Jaguars want to win now, as well as in the future."

"Extending Keenan's contract is an example of our resolve to retain our marquee players," said Michael Huyghue, the Jaguars' senior vice president of football operations. "Keenan is a contributor to this team, as well as a contributor to our community."

McCardell, 28, originally signed with the Jaguars as an unrestricted free agent on March 2, 1996 after spending the previous four seasons with the Cleveland Browns. He played in all 16 games in 1995, leading the Browns in receiving yards with 709 on 56 receptions.

In 1996, McCardell emerged into one of the league's best receivers. Starting 15 of 16 games, McCardell lead the Jaguars and finished 10th in the NFL with 85 receptions. He also ranked 12th in the NFL with 1,129 receiving yards and his 16 catches for 232 yards on Oct. 20 at St. Louis tied for the third-most receptions in a game in NFL history. In 1997, McCardell started all 16 games for the first time in his career and ranked second in the AFC and sixth in the NFL with 85 receptions for a career high 1,164 yards, which ranked 10th in the NFL. In his Jaguars career, McCardell has 170 receptions for 2,293 yards, a 13.5-yard average and 8 touchdowns.

TAVIAN BANKS AND CORDELL TAYLOR SIGN CONTRACTS

Jacksonville Jaguars draft picks Tavian Banks and Cordell Taylor signed contracts with the team today. Eight of the 11 draft picks are now signed.

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