Raiders sign SS Darius
07/10/2007
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OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- The Oakland Raiders bolstered
their already strong secondary Tuesday, signing safety Donovin
Darius. Terms were not disclosed for Darius, who had spent his entire
nine-year career with the Jacksonville Jaguars before being
released on June 14. In Oakland, Darius joins a defense that ranked first in the
league in pass defense last season. He will help solidify the
safety position that already includes Michael Huff, the club's
first-round pick in 2006. "We are extremely excited about adding Donovin to the Raiders,"
first-year coach Lane Kiffin said. "He will bring us strong
competition and he gives us added flexibility in our secondary." Oakland needs tons of help on both sides of the ball after going
a league-worst 2-14 last season. "This is an organization that I feel is heading in the right
direction with the new coaching staff and the players," Darius
said. "I am very optimistic about joining a team that has such
great history. I look forward to being part of the Silver and
Black." Although he served as one of the leaders of Jacksonville's tough
defense, Darius became expendable this offseason when the
Jaguars used a pair of draft picks on safeties, including the
21st overall pick on former Florida safety Reggie Nelson. The franchise's all-time leader in tackles, Darius played in 10
games last season before suffering a broken right leg November
20 against the New York Giants, ending his campaign. It marked the second straight year that Darius had his season
cut short by an injury. He suffered a torn left ACL in the
second game of the 2005 campaign. A first-round draft selection in 1998, Darius collected 858
tackles, 14 interceptions, seven forced fumbles and two sacks in
his career with the Jaguars. The 225-pounder had 48 tackles
last season.
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