Would Fred Taylor be an upgrade for our RB collection? - Page 2 - New England Patriots Forums

Mogamedogz · 02-16-2009, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richter

No, no they wouldn't be. Taylor, as much as I'd love him to be a Patriot, is about 3 years past his prime and still a likely candidate for a torn groin muscle, and Lewis runs the 40 in about 8 seconds now. Morris right now is better than either of those guys.

You cant be serious.

Lets look at the age/health of Taylor vs. Morris over the last three seasons:

Taylor (33) -
G GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD FUM Lost
13 13 143 556 3.9 34 1 16 98 6.1 17 0 1 1
15 15 223 1,202 5.4 80T 5 9 58 6.4 18 0 2 1
15 15 231 1,146 5.0 76 5 23 242 10.5 36 1 3 2

Morris (32*)

G GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD FUM Lost
13 7 156 727 4.7 35 7 17 161 9.5 42 0 1 1
6 2 85 384 4.5 49 3 6 35 5.8 18 0 0 0
12 4 92 400 4.3 55 1 21 162 7.7 44 0 4 2

You are gonna sit there and tell me with a straight face that Morris is the better back of the two right now?? Come-on man!

I love Sammy, but Taylor has been the much better back over the last few seasons and there is no logical reason to believe that he would not be an upgrade over Morris (if the $$ was right).

BradyBranch39 · 02-16-2009, 12:47 PM

YES. SIGN HIM!

This one's obvious, IMO.

PatsChamp88 · 02-16-2009, 01:09 PM

Quote:

The team initially asked Taylor if he wanted to retire.
“I said, ‘No, I’m not ready for that,’” Taylor said.

Quote:

Michael C. Wright of the Florida Times-Union reports that former Jaguars running back Fred Taylor offered to take a pay cut in order to remain with the team, but that the team said no.

Per PFT some interesting writing about him being cut guess they just really wanted him out of there. Looks like they are going to draft or get a FA RB to compliment MJD.

g-fresh · 02-16-2009, 01:45 PM

If he is willing to take less money to play for a winner then I would sign him in a second. We have the depth to have a quality running game in case he gets injured but he would be the big threat in the backfield that we don't have right now. Don't get me wrong I think LoMo, Morris, and BJGE are definitely capable of carrying the load, but none of them are the weapon Taylor would be. Might be a bit like adding Dillon was...

The_Riddler · 02-16-2009, 01:50 PM

With a motivated LM, Sammy Morris, BJGE and KFaulk. Why are we thinking we need RB help? I'm confused. I think our offense is pretty much all set with the exception of the Bust Ben Watson. Let's focus on guys like Jabari Greer, Mike Brown and others that can help the team. We don't need a RB, that I know.

Pats726 · 02-16-2009, 02:37 PM

Yes...again...for cheap money only....a GOOD addition...but beacoup bucks?? No...theer are OTHER needs that are more important...defense....etc...but cheap?? Absolutely!!

CanadianPat'sFan · 02-16-2009, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maverick4

Ha, I knew this thread would be here.

I wouldn't go after Taylor. Our 3-4 headed RB corps is already good enough

I totally agree and think with all the draft picks we have I think one can be used on a young guy as we have a few nice vets. Please say no to LJ Denver is a good place.

signbabybrady · 02-16-2009, 02:55 PM

I'ld take him and IMO he would easily be an upgrade over Jordan. Come get a ring Taylor

CrazyDave · 02-16-2009, 03:04 PM

I've always liked the guy. As I recall, he was cruising along pretty good, and then had a couple of injuries.
He's been somewhat under the radar ever since.
Am I thinking of the right guy?
He was a beast when he first showed up, right?

Richter · 02-16-2009, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mogamedogz

You cant be serious.

Lets look at the age/health of Taylor vs. Morris over the last three seasons:

Taylor (33) -
G GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD FUM Lost
13 13 143 556 3.9 34 1 16 98 6.1 17 0 1 1
15 15 223 1,202 5.4 80T 5 9 58 6.4 18 0 2 1
15 15 231 1,146 5.0 76 5 23 242 10.5 36 1 3 2

Morris (32*)

G GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD FUM Lost
13 7 156 727 4.7 35 7 17 161 9.5 42 0 1 1
6 2 85 384 4.5 49 3 6 35 5.8 18 0 0 0
12 4 92 400 4.3 55 1 21 162 7.7 44 0 4 2

You are gonna sit there and tell me with a straight face that Morris is the better back of the two right now?? Come-on man!

I love Sammy, but Taylor has been the much better back over the last few seasons and there is no logical reason to believe that he would not be an upgrade over Morris (if the $$ was right).

All I can say is that context matters. Morris has less wear and tear. Taylor carried a heavy load for plenty of seasons. On top of that, he played for a run-first team that focused on grinding out games. Since Morris has been here, he's been in more of a vertically-oriented offense. When he's been asked to carry the load, he's produced. Taylor has ceded carries to Maurice Jones-Drew, and was clearly benefiting from that arrangement. It's easier to run when you have a miniature wrecking ball wearing down the defense for you first. I think Taylor is fantastic, but his 33 with a ton of wear versus Sammy's 32 with a lot less wear, combined with the fact that Taylor averaged less than 4 yards per carry last season and generally looked a lot older and slower leads me to believe that RIGHT NOW, Morris is a better back. Over the course of their careers, that's obviously not true, but at this moment in time, all the evidence points in favor of Morris as the guy I'd rather have toting the rock next season. Morris hasn't been the most durable guy either, but I'll take my chances with him versus a damn near over the hill Taylor.