“I still feel right in everything I did,” Jones-Drew said at EverBank Field, shortly after meeting with coach Mike Mularkey. “I’d do it the same way.”
Slideshow: See photos from the press conference
Despite having two years remaining on a deal that was front-loaded to reward his early-career performance, Jones-Drew skipped all of the voluntary and mandatory activities last spring and missed all six weeks of training camp.
Jones-Drew considered sitting out the first nine weeks or the entire season but ultimately opted to report and not risk losing game checks.
“I could have forced something,” he said, referring to a longer hold out or requesting a trade. “Obviously, this is something I made the decision to do back in January and we got to this point. Now we’re over it, it’s solved for the time being and we’re ready to move on.”
Jones-Drew would not comment when asked twice about whether he and the team had resolved the $15,000 daily fine for missing training camp.
The Jaguars return to practice Monday after a three-day break to start preparation for the season opener at Minnesota.
“I think I’m game ready now,” Jones-Drew said.
In a statement released by the team, Mularkey said: “I had a really good visit with Maurice and I welcomed him in. It was good to finally speak face-to-face. I can tell he’s ready to go so we’ll be working with him to get him up to speed as quickly as possible. It’s great to be able to proceed with our preparation for the opener and the season beyond with Maurice as a part of the plans.”
General manager Gene Smith also released a statement, saying in part: “We’re glad to now have everyone in and working as a team to win football games.”
Jones-Drew said he holds no ill will against the Jaguars but admitted disappointment over owner Shad Khan’s “get on the train” comment last month.
“I was disappointed about the comments,” Jones-Drew said. “I expect people outside the organization to make those comments. When you do get it from inside the organization … you expect a little more appreciation. ... Certain people handle things certain ways.”
Despite the dispute with the Jaguars, Jones-Drew said it doesn’t change his view of where he wants to play.
“Why wouldn’t I [want to stay]?” he said. “This is a team that gave me an opportunity. Just because we’ve had a disagreement about a contract situation doesn’t mean I don’t want to end my career here.”
Holdouts and star players haven’t been an ideal match recently in the NFL. Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis held out for all of camp in 2010, reported and was almost immediately injured. Last year, Tennessee running back Chris Johnson held out and his numbers dipped markedly.
“My goal is to come in, learn the offense and do what I can to help the team out,” Jones-Drew said.
Update 2:30 p.m. | Maurice Jones-Drew spent about 30 minutes answering questions from reporters about his 38-day holdout.
He said he believes his refusal to report to camp was still the right thing to do, that he has no regrets and that it was his decision.
Jones-Drew thought about extending the holdout into the season, but decided not to.
Jones-Drew said he has no hard feelings about how the situation ended. “I don’t want anyone to think I hate someone.”
Though he hasn’t practiced, he said he believes he’s “game ready now.”
“I didn’t practice in camp all of last year and I was able to perform,” he said.
The running back wouldn’t talk about the $1.2 million in fines he has accumulated, saying it was between him and Jaguars.
He said he was “disappointed” with owner Shad Khan’s “get on the train” comment. “You expect a little more appreciation.”
Update from Vito Stellino at 11:15 a.m.
Running back Maurice Jones-Drew followed the advice of owner Shad Khan and got on the train Sunday morning.
With the Jaguars holding firm in their refusal to give him a new deal, he ended his 38-day holdout -- tying for longest in team history -- and reported in time to start collecting regular season paychecks.
He is due to make $4.45 million this year and $4.95 million next year.
Now coach Mike Mularkey has to decide whether to reduce the $1.2 million he was fined.
The other question is what impact Jones-Drew will have after missing the entire off season program.
Rashad Jennings will start the opener in Minnesota next Sunday and since the Jaguars will get a roster exemption for him, it is uncertain how much or whether he will play in the opener.
Jones-Drew signed a frontloaded $31 million deal in 2009 and wanted a new deal but the Jaguars, starting with owner Shad Khan, was adamant that they weren’t going to give him a new deal. And general manager Gene Smith said the Jaguars weren’t going to trade him.
So Jones-Drew had no option if he wanted to start collecting paychecks to report. But players who suffer long holdouts often suffer various injuries so it remains to be seen if Jones-Drew can stay healthy. He also has to learn a new offensive system.
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