Curran: Could Jason Taylor be in Patriots' plans? - New England Patriots Forums

JSn · 03-04-2009, 05:17 AM

I didn't see this article pop up yesterday (maybe it did?).

Anyway, to start the talk fresh, here's Tom's take:

Could Taylor Be in Patriots Plans? - NBC Sports Blogs

Quote:

New England is the most likely fit. Bill Belichick has devoted about an hour of verbal odes to Jason Taylor combined since he became Patriots coach in 2000. Every time the Pats had the Dolphins, Belichick would prattle on about how dominant and unblockable and game-altering he was. Tom Brady loves Taylor (they're similar guys) and there's just an immense amount of respect in Foxboro for him. Given the way the Patriots accomodate veteran stars who can help them in a specific role, it's reasonable to assume New England would make sure Taylor got his time with his family this offseason as long as he showed up for training camp knowing what he was supposed to do. With Mike Vrabel gone to Kansas City and the Pats having cap space from the Matt Cassel trade, Taylor can almost certainly expect a call from the 508 area code.

slash83 · 03-04-2009, 05:37 AM

He isn't the jt of old but I think he can still put pressure on the qb, an upgrade over vrabel imo.

JSn · 03-04-2009, 05:47 AM

I think it's a brilliant move if we can address OLB, specifically the pass rush, and CB in FA. Then we have all of our picks to develop players. Witha couple of hits like last year, we could find ourselves in a pretty favourable cap situation next year when extensions will be paid (if the cap matters next year).

Also, this move addresses the youth movement, because Taylor would obviously be a 1-2 year plan. Inserting Peppers gets a guy who can upset locker-room economics and who is still past or at his peak. I much prefer the idea of developing an edge-man in the system.

Fencer · 03-04-2009, 07:13 AM

Taylor 2 years past his prime > Vrabel 2 years past his prime

***mayoclinic*** · 03-04-2009, 07:21 AM

I personally don't see it, but I think the Pats are directly encouraging some of these rumors and creating smokescreens. Ray Lewis, Jason Taylor ... these moves don't make sense to me, but they may put pressure on others to make some deals more aggresively. Peppers?

***Rob0729*** · 03-04-2009, 07:25 AM

If Taylor is willing to take a value contract and dedicate himself this offseason to football, he is definitely worth a pass on. I think his poor year last year had a lot to do with Dancing with the Stars. He might have been in great shape, but dancing probably made him out of football shape.

***Clonamery*** · 03-04-2009, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mayoclinic

I personally don't see it, but I think the Pats are directly encouraging some of these rumors and creating smokescreens. Ray Lewis, Jason Taylor ... these moves don't make sense to me, but they may put pressure on others to make some deals more aggresively. Peppers?

I dunno but I see Taylor long before Peppers.

***patsfaninpittsburgh*** · 03-04-2009, 07:58 AM

The Peppers deal is interesting.

We have a guy who wants to play in a 3-4 right when all these teams are going 3-4. However, he claims that he's interested in only a few teams.

Will Julius not go for a mega contract with someone like Kansas City (way under the cap and haven't reached the minimum salary threshold) all because he wants a ring?

patman12 · 03-04-2009, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob0729

If Taylor is willing to take a value contract and dedicate himself this offseason to football, he is definitely worth a pass on. I think his poor year last year had a lot to do with Dancing with the Stars. He might have been in great shape, but dancing probably made him out of football shape.

He got injured when he was kicked in the calf and then needed subsequent emergency surgery to drain blood from near his ankle. I'm not sure how that translates to being out of football shape.

PatriotsReign · 03-04-2009, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob0729

If Taylor is willing to take a value contract and dedicate himself this offseason to football, he is definitely worth a pass on. I think his poor year last year had a lot to do with Dancing with the Stars. He might have been in great shape, but dancing probably made him out of football shape.

If he took time out from his normal workout routine to go on that show, I think that's extremely sad. Why on earth would such a thing have such a strong draw to anyone who actively plays professional sports?

It just doesn't make any sense....it's freakn' dancing!