Jeremy Mincey released by Jags
— -- JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Jaguars defensive end Jeremy Mincey has struggled with accountability issues throughout the season, and they finally cost him his job.
The Jaguars released Mincey on Friday after he was late for another team meeting, according to a source close to the team. That comes nearly three weeks after he did not make the team's trip to Houston because he overslept and was late for a team meeting.
Coach Gus Bradley and general manager Dave Caldwell met with Mincey to deliver the news.
"Jeremy and I had a talk this morning, and it just felt like it was time to move forward," Bradley said. "It wasn't one particular thing that caused the reaction. I think it was just a combination of things. Jeremy's a good football player, good person, and I enjoyed my conversation with him today and I can't thank him enough for what he's done for this organization and his contribution, but we just felt like it was time to make this decision."
Mincey overslept and was late for a team meeting Nov. 23, and Bradley decided not to take him on the team's trip to face the Texans and also fined him an undisclosed amount. Mincey was inactive for the Jaguars' Dec. 1 game at Cleveland, although he did make the trip.
Mincey said he had some other minor transgressions over the past few months and that missing the Nov. 23 meeting was the tipping point for Bradley. Mincey has a 3-month-old daughter and owns a recording studio in Jacksonville, and he said he had gotten caught up with both of those things while his commitment to football slipped. He said he was grateful for Bradley's punishment because it helped him reorganize his priorities.
In March 2012, Mincey signed a four-year contract worth $20 million that included $9 million guaranteed -- an $8 million signing bonus and a $1 million salary in 2012. He led the team in sacks in 2010 (5.0) and followed that up with the best season of his career in 2011: a team-high 8.0 sacks and team-high four forced fumbles to go along with 57 tackles.
But he had just three sacks and 41 tackles in 2012, the first year of his new deal, and 14 tackles and two sacks in eight games this season. He missed three games with a concussion in addition to the two he missed for disciplinary reasons.
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