JACKSONVILLE - The Jaguars treated quarterback Byron Leftwich just like any rookie Wednesday: They taped him to the goalpost after practice.
"I knew it was coming," he said. "I welcomed it, because it showed that it wasn't anything personal."
Of course, Leftwich isn't just another rookie. He's the future of the Jaguars, and he wanted to be paid like it. After a 19-day holdout, the first-round draft pick and the team agreed to a contract that will pay $23-million to $30-million over five years. It's actually a seven-year deal, but the final two seasons will be voided if he meets certain performance incentives.
Yes, there were some feathers ruffled. Coach Jack Del Rio grew increasingly terse with his answers about the holdout as it progressed. Management - scrutinized for making the pick when there were more glaring needs - teetered on the verge of looking ridiculous. Fans remembered a promise Leftwich made when he was picked seventh in April; he said he would be at camp on time.
But now it's over.
"It doesn't really matter now," Leftwich said. "If there's something I could take back, it's those statements I made back in April. But I didn't know the process would be that hard."
He'll receive $11.4-million up front. The big sticking point on the contract was the voidable years and incentive money to be paid toward the end of the deal.
"Now that he's here, we'll look at it and decide what the best plan is," Del Rio said of Leftwich.
The first day was a whirlwind. Leftwich signed at 1:30 a.m. He made it to the team hotel around 3, and was up and preparing for meetings by 6.
Leftwich spent the holdout going between his new home in Jacksonville and a workout facility in Bradenton. He tried to stay sharp, but realized there was no substitute for working out with NFL players. "It's not like you're throwing to Jimmy" Smith down there, he said.
In other news, the Jaguars waived defensive tackle Larry Smith, more than two weeks after he collapsed on the field because of heat exhaustion. Del Rio said the fifth-year player came into camp out of shape and was late to practice on Tuesday.
BENGALS: Coach Marvin Lewis announced that rookie Carson Palmer will follow starter Jon Kitna in the quarterback rotation against Detroit on Saturday night. Palmer, the No.1 overall pick, is listed third on the depth chart behind Kitna and Shane Matthews but is progressing quickly despite a strained tendon in his right foot.
BROWNS: Running back Lee Suggs, a fourth-round pick out of Virginia Tech, agreed to terms on a five-year contract. The 6-foot, 205-pounder had shoulder surgery in May, and coach Butch Davis said the club won't know if Suggs can play this season until he takes a physical today.
COWBOYS: Running back Adrian Murrell signed, marking his return after missing two seasons. Murrell played eight seasons, the last in 2000 for Washington, when he had 20 carries for 50 yards. He played for coach Bill Parcells in 1997 with the Jets, gaining 1,086 yards and scoring seven touchdowns.
EAGLES: Running back Brian Westbrook bruised a bone on his right knee while trying to catch a pass from Donovan McNabb. Westbrook was helped off the field but walked out of the locker room on his own. He had an MRI and was scheduled to be examined by team physician Peter DeLuca.
49ERS: Pro Bowl defensive tackle Bryant Young will miss two weeks after surgery today to remove a bone spur from his left ankle.
SEAHAWKS: Defensive tackle Chad Eaton will be out about a month after minor knee surgery. He is expected to miss the Sept. 7 opener against New Orleans.
TITANS: Cornerback Andre Woolfolk, the team's top draft choice, will be out for up to four weeks with a dislocated toe.
