Jags to trade D. Northcutt

[Shwaz]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4284754

The Jacksonville Jaguars are looking to trade veteran receiver Dennis Northcutt, the most productive receiver they have left from last year's team, Northcutt's agent confirmed.

"They have indicated that they intend to trade him and are trying to do so," agent Jerome Stanley said in an email exchange with ESPN.com.

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Northcutt joined the Jaguars as a free agent in 2007 and in 29 games caught 88 passes for 1,146 yards and six touchdowns. He also did some work as a return man. He came into the league as a second round pick by Cleveland out of Arizona in 2000.

The Jaguars have already parted ways with two receivers who they once valued as first-round draft picks. They were uninterested in re-signing Reggie Williams, a free agent, and released Matt Jones, who'd gotten in off-field trouble. They also cut 2007 free agent signee Jerry Porter.

Jones, Northcutt and Williams combined for 146 of the team's 335 receptions in 2008.

Rebuilding Jacksonville signed Torry Holt, after he was released by St. Louis. First-year general manager Gene Smith also spent three of the team's nine draft picks on receivers: Mike Thomas, Jarett Dillard and Tiquan Underwood.

Not so sure I understand the need to trade Northcutt. If Holt were to go down with an injury we'd be left with a rookie squad for the most part.

[copperfiend]

They really like the three rookies they drafted.

[Shwaz]

I've read some great things about all 3 rookies college careers, high moral standards and inspiring performances at the OTA's. I'm just a little weary of shopping our most productive receiver before any of these guys have put their pads on and shown what they can do in a real practice.

[copperfiend]

I wonder what they would be able to get for him anyway.

[fsu813]

5th round pick. maybe.

[copperfiend]

I am not even sure of that because the Cowboys got nothing for TO. It seems like more and more that NFL teams don't trade picks for veteran players. Personally, I would hang on to Northcutt at least until training camp.

[I-10east]

I wonder what they would be able to get for him anyway.

A Whopper, large fries, and a large coke. LOL. Man, what might've been if he didn't drop that TD in the NE playoff game.

[mtraininjax]

Guys and Gals, this was in the paper a few days ago. This is old news. Smith wants to trade him or get rid of him as he is not part of his strategy. Neither Smith or Del Rio would comment to the TU, so they had to get Northcutt's agent to spill the beans through ESPN.

I say good riddens to the old baggage, let's see if Smith can generate a winner.

[ProjectMaximus]

northcutt goin to the lions for safety gerald alexander

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4290825

[blizz01]

Interesting - they just resigned safety Marlon McCree & drafted a safety (Michael Desormeaux).  I doubt Reggie Nelson has anything to worry about, however.

[Shwaz]

Heres Paul Kuharsky's take on the trade.

I think Jaguars GM Gene Smith deserves applause on this one.

Earlier this week it came out that Jacksonville was looking to move veteran receiver Dennis Northcutt. ESPN.com senior writer John Clayton is reporting that the Jags have made a deal, getting safety Gerald Alexander from Detroit in exchange for Northcutt.

Alexander played five games last year before a neck injury put him on the shelf. But he was a second-round pick out of Boise State just two years ago, started 16 games as a rookie and turns 25 on Sunday. Northcutt is 31.

Northcutt can be a help to the Lions as they look to get Matthew Stafford going. And Alexander adds depth to a position where the Jaguars need it -- Reggie Nelson's play dropped off in his second year and the strong safety spot doesn't have an incumbent.

Newcomer Sean Considine and swingman Brian Williams could play there, but the team may be better with Williams as its second corner.

A healthy Alexander can bring additional competition to the group and seems a reasonable exchange for Northcutt, provided the Jaguars have what they think at receiver with Torry Holt, Mike Walker, Troy Williamson and three draft picks.

According to Clayton, Alexander is due base salaries of $460,000 this season and $550,000 in 2010.

[copperfiend]

Good trade.