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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted at 2:17 p.m., Saturday, August 30, 2008

NFL: Jaguars' Taylor, Smith arrested in separate incidents

Associated Press

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville's career rushing and receiving leaders were arrested in a span of about five hours.

Running back Fred Taylor was arrested outside a Miami Beach nightclub early today and charged with disorderly conduct. Former receiver Jimmy Smith was arrested Friday night on a drunken driving charge in Jacksonville.

Taylor was released on his own recognizance and agreed to appear in court at a future date, according to Miami Beach Police Department spokesman Juan Sanchez. Taylor was not taken to jail.

Sanchez did not immediately return a phone message left by The Associated Press. He told the Florida Times-Union that Taylor was arrested about 4 a.m. outside Club Cristal, but said he had no other details.

Smith was arrested after he tried to drive around a DUI checkpoint about 10:45 p.m. Friday. Jacksonville Sheriffs officers said there was a "strong odor of marijuana" coming from Smith's car and marijuana butts in the console. They searched the car and found marijuana and an open container of beer.

Smith failed a field sobriety test and was charged with open container and possession of marijuana less than 20 grams, both misdemeanors.

"I'm dealing with a very difficult, very personal issue and I know this is not the solution," Smith told the Times-Union. "Everybody has issues. My issues are just magnified."

Jaguars spokesman Dan Edwards said the team had no comment on the arrests.

Smith's lawyer, Hank Coxe, told the Times-Union his client was released around 9:30 a.m. Saturday after posting $503 bail.

Smith served a four-game suspension to begin the 2003 season for violating the league's substance abuse policy. He abruptly retired in May 2006, leaving the game with 862 catches and 12,287 receiving yards.