To kick-start talks towards a new long-term contract, Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Rashean Mathis is skipping the team's voluntary "Organized Team Activity" sessions, Vito Stellino of the Florida Times-Union reports.

According to Stellino, Mathis called head coach Jack Del Rio to inform of his plans to skip the team's 13 OTA sessions, which got underway today.

When asked if the team planned to talk to Mathis or offer him a new contract, Del Rio replied "No", adding that he wasn't unhappy with Mathis' absence, but that he looking for dedicated players who attend every OTA session.

As Gregg Rosenthal of ProFootballTalk.com points out, such language from the head coach is in violation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and Del Rio could face a fine for implying that these sessions are not voluntary.

Mathis, 29, has two years and $8.4 million dollars remaining on a five-year, $25 million dollar contract extension Mathis signed in 2005, just two years into his four-year rookie contract. Mathis had a breakout season in 2006, intercepting 8 passes and earning Pro Bowl honors.

Injuries have limited Mathis to just 22 games over the last two seasons. His $3.95 million dollar base salary makes him the 13th-highest paid cornerback in the NFL, so the timing of his quest for a new contract is puzzling. Still, that's no excuse for Del Rio to say what he said on Monday.