Darius signs one-year tender

[WebHamster]

Jacksonville, FL (Sports Network) - The Jacksonville Jaguars signed safety Donovin Darius to the franchise one-year tender contract.

Darius, who was tagged as the club's franchise player for the second consecutive year, will make a guaranteed $4.1 million in 2004 -- the average of the five highest-paid safeties in the league.

Darius and the Jaguars have been unable to come to terms on a long-term deal, forcing the two sides to settle for the one-year agreement. If the two sides do sign a long-term contract by March 17, Jacksonville would recover the use of its franchise tag.

A 1998 first-round pick, Darius has played six seasons in the NFL -- all with Jacksonville. He has played in 87 career games, starting all of them, and has nine interceptions and 470 tackles.