Reports: Fred Taylor signed

[ctpatsfan77]

Re: Fred Taylor Signed

Which is besides the point - he's coming to the team that had the 2nd best rushing offense in the league according to Football Outsiders. (see here: FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Football analysis and NFL stats for the Moneyball era - Authors of Pro Football Prospectus 2008) The running corps was already strong, it just got stronger.

And, of course, don't forget that was with Cassel, who didn't put as much fear into opposing defenses as Brady. (By the same measure, they were #1 in 2007, with the best pass offense of all time, and virtually the same absolute number.)

 

[signbabybrady]

Re: Fred Taylor Signed

This signing is superior to the Corey Dillon signing. With Dillon you got a great power back but very little ability to make catches. Putting Taylor in the backfield doesn't scream running play every play. This should be a good fit.

without hindsight I would agree. Taylor comes with no baggage like CD and he is more versatile, they both had hall of fame careers leading up to us. But with hindsight we know CD had 1600 yards and got a ring and I cant imagine Taylor being superior to that.

As to where he fits in the team I think he comes in and is instantly the best back on the team. He wont limit Faulks role. Maroney if he can ever bounce back from his injury woes could threaten to be the number one back. We all love Morris but he is no Taylor and if Maroney is healthy is probably better too. Lawfirm is a nice guy to bring into camp in case one is hurt but I have no problem cutting him when camps over he showed he could be adequate last year but I don't think he will ever be a starter in the NFL (unless multiple injuries)

 

[TimU]

Re: Fred Taylor Signed

Boy, 33 years old is ancient for an NFL tailback, and his numbers have been in decline. I have to think that it is more likely than not that he will not help us. Sorry to sound negative, but really how many RBs have a good year at this age?

 

[BradyManny]

Re: Fred Taylor Signed

And, of course, don't forget that was with Cassel, who didn't put as much fear into opposing defenses as Brady. (By the same measure, they were #1 in 2007, with the best pass offense of all time, and virtually the same absolute number.)

Its a good point - and its also worth noting that once Cassel really hit his groove for real down the stretch, the running game seemed even more effective.

I know McD is gone, but I hope we continue that kind of pass-run balance into 2009 with Brady coming back.

 

[BradyManny]

Re: Fred Taylor Signed

Well, RBs hit the age wall faster and hard probably than any other position. Dillon went from 1635 yards in 2004 to 733 in 2005. Shawn Alexander went from league MVP to JAG in about two years. LaDamien Tomlinson went from record breaking MVP season two years ago to above average this past season.

The guy is 33 years old and to expect him to be any more than a role player who can make a big impact in a limited roll is being overly optimistic.

Disagree - he's a year removed from 2 extraordinary back to back seasons. If Jones Drew's #s didn't drop as well, then I would agree w you Taylor might've hit the wall. But as it is - the variable in last season's dip in production is the Jags O-Line. Until proven otherwise, Taylor still has the potential to be a 5 YPC guy, which is rare.

Plus, in New England, he'll be carrying much less of the load. I'm think 10-15 carries a game. I'm almost thinking this will be a rotational thing where LoMo carries the ball in quarter 1 & 3 for instance, Taylor in 2 & 4 - Morris sparing them both in between, and of course, Faulk in on 3rd downs. They were doing that a little bit w Lamont, saving him for the 4th quarter for instance, before he missed all those games w injuries.

 

[Patjew]

Re: Fred Taylor Signed

This signing is superior to the Corey Dillon signing. With Dillon you got a great power back but very little ability to make catches. Putting Taylor in the backfield doesn't scream running play every play. This should be a good fit.

No way, unless Taylor is the best back in the NFL this year. Dillon was much more than a power back in 2004. He ran wild that year.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Re: Fred Taylor Signed

BTW--to answer the question about Morris: he counts $1.38M against the cap, but only $375K of that is pro-rated signing bonus money.

 

[jays52]

Re: Fred Taylor Signed

Boy, 33 years old is ancient for an NFL tailback, and his numbers have been in decline. I have to think that it is more likely than not that he will not help us. Sorry to sound negative, but really how many RBs have a good year at this age?

It ain't about age, it's about carries and running style. Once a guy gets around 3000 carries, the plot just falls flat down the chart. Taylor is still under 2500 carries, runs low and takes incredible care of his body. Put on the tape, he's still got burst, he's one hell of a blocker, he can catch out of the backfield, he is a well rounded vet who not only knows how to, but can still play at a very high level in this league.

 

[unoriginal]

Re: Fred Taylor Signed

I'm as pumped as much as anyone here, but I do not see him as the #1. I see him as a replacement to Lamont Jordan in the #3 slot as a goaline back

Jacksonville used MJD and Greg Jones as their goalline tailbacks in 2006 and 2007, not Fred Taylor. He's not a goalline specialist.

 

[Patjew]

Re: Fred Taylor Signed

4 very solid backs going into next year (as of today). That's great. Nice pick up, fellers.

See I told you (no I didn't) that losing Pioli won't hurt at all (yes it will)!

 

[TripleOption]

Re: Fred Taylor Signed

No way, unless Taylor is the best back in the NFL this year. Dillon was much more than a power back in 2004. He ran wild that year.

Maybe so, but Taylor has that G-O-N-E that Corey didn't. Taylor is strong enough to run the Power-O with authority but he can go yard, too. I like it.

 

[Patjew]

Re: Fred Taylor Signed

Maybe so, but Taylor has that G-O-N-E that Corey didn't. Taylor is strong enough to run the Power-O with authority but he can go yard, too. I like it.

I like it too, but I don't want anyone to forget how CD was so great in 2004. He was busting runs outside that year too. I'm not talking about the Dillon who became slow as hell in 2005 and 2006. But it was all worth it for what he brought in 2004, IMO, weirdo or not.

Don't get me wrong, I think this Taylor signing is great. Just not Dillon-in-2004-Great.

 

[WhiZa]

Re: Fred Taylor Signed

Jacksonville used MJD and Greg Jones as their goalline tailbacks in 2006 and 2007, not Fred Taylor. He's not a goalline specialist.

I guess I was being hopeful. We really don't have a goal line back atm. Just a plethora of every down backs.

I really hope Taylor decided to take a pay cut to play with a team with a chance to win the SB.

 

[WhiZa]

Re: Fred Taylor Signed

I like it too, but I don't want anyone to forget how CD was so great in 2004. He was busting runs outside that year too. I'm not talking about the Dillon who became slow as hell in 2005 and 2006. But it was all worth it for what he brought in 2004, IMO, weirdo or not.

Don't get me wrong, I think this Taylor signing is great. Just not Dillon-in-2004-Great.

Yea, I mean, does anyone expect Taylor to break the Patriots single season record for yardage like Dillon did?

 

[jays52]

Re: Fred Taylor Signed

Just watch some of Taylor's runs. I remember watching a few JAX games and repeatedly saying "There it is, hash, numbers, sideline...6". He gets a seam, he's ghost like swazey.

 

[Raymond]

Re: Fred Taylor Signed

I like it.

 

[hwc]

Re: Fred Taylor Signed

I'm guessing that the Patriots are going to be run-heavy this year so Brady doesn't have the carry the load too much. Adding Taylor makes perfect sense if that's the case.

Thanks. I needed a good chuckle to start the morning!

I understand what you are saying, but I don't expect any offense with Tom Brady, Randy Moss, and Wes Welker to be "run heavy".

 

[LoganMankinsPancakeBlocks]

Re: Fred Taylor Signed

Boy, 33 years old is ancient for an NFL tailback, and his numbers have been in decline. I have to think that it is more likely than not that he will not help us. Sorry to sound negative, but really how many RBs have a good year at this age?

His numbers declined last year and last year only; which was due to the Jags O-Line being destroyed by injuries. Prior to last year, he had the best year of his career with a 5.4 YPC and over 1200 yards.

This isn't a guy who has had a bunch of years that are getting worse and worse and has clearly declined, he had 1 off year stats wise behind a bad offensive line. He is 33 and maybe he is done, but based on what I saw of him last year (Indy game, nationally televised games, I think you are going to be very pleasantly surprised. He still has the speed and tackle breaking ability he's always head and I think he's going to be huge here.

 

[TimU]

Re: Fred Taylor Signed

It ain't about age, it's about carries and running style.

Says who?


Here is a table of the top 25 rushers in NFL history (which is the right peer group for Fred), showing their rushing yards and yards per carry the year they turned 33. The table also shows how many additional seasons each one played after the age of 33. Four of players are still active and haven't yet played their "age 33" season. Of the other 21, 9 never made it to age 33 in an NFL uniform. The other twelve averaged 493 yards on 3.6 yards per carry.

So, based on the evidence of the best backs in league history, Fred Taylor has a 42% chance of retiring and a 58% chance of having a mediocre season in part time duty. That sounds about right to me.



PLAYER YARDS YPC years left
Emmitt Smith 1064 3.8 2
Walter Payton+ 533 3.7 0
Barry Sanders+ done 0
Curtis Martin done 0
Jerome Bettis 368 3.3 0
Eric ****erson+ 91 3.5 0
Tony Dorsett+ 456 3.5 1
Jim Brown+ done 0
Marshall Faulk done 0
Marcus Allen+ 764 3.7 4
Edgerrin James ?
Franco Harris+ 279 3.6 1
Thurman Thomas+ 152 4.2 1
LaDainian Tomlinson ?
John Riggins+ 553 3.1 3
Fred Taylor ?
Corey Dillon done 0
O.J. Simpson+ done 0
Warrick Dunn 786 4.2 ?
Ricky Watters done 0
Tiki Barber done 0
Eddie George done 0
Ottis Anderson 784 3.5 2
Jamal Lewis ?
Joe Perry+ 95 2.6 3

 

[zoostation]

Re: Fred Taylor Signed

This signing is superior to the Corey Dillon signing.

Am I missing something? Didn't CD rush for 1600 yards in 2004 while punishing and wearing down opposing linebackers?