Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Bobby McCray signed his tender offer today and the Jaguars signed rookie punter Adam Podlesh to a contract. McCray, a restricted free agent, enters his fourth season with the team. Podlesh becomes the fourth of this year's draft choices to sign.
McCray, 25, led the Jaguars with a career-high 10 sacks in 2006. The veteran defensive end started 12 of his 15 games in place of Reggie Hayward, who missed the final 15 games on injured reserve. McCray has started 20 of his 47 career games in Jacksonville after being selected in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft out of Florida. He has 97 tackles, 19 sacks and six forced fumbles in his career.
Podlesh, 23, was drafted with the Jaguars' first of two fourth round picks, and was one of 11 players selected by the Jaguars in the 2007 NFL Draft in April. He joins Brian Smith, Josh Gattis and Uche Nwaneri as the first Jaguars draft picks to sign a contract.
Podlesh was the 101st overall selection in the draft and the first punter drafted overall. The 5-11, 202-pounder served as Maryland's punter for all four years. He became the first Maryland player to be named All-Conference four straight years. The Pittsford, N.Y. native ranks second in team history with 216 career punts for 9,314 yards with a 43.1 gross average and 38.5 net average. He has never had a punt blocked.
The team is scheduled to hold its final OTA (organized team activity) practice on Thursday, June 14 at 10:30 a.m.
