SMY: Pats interested in Fred Taylor

mayoclinic · Feb 21, 2009

Re: pats interested in fred taylor

Box_O_Rocks said:
I think he can make the squad.

Over whom? I can't see them carrying more than 5 RBs total. Maroney is a lock unless he somehow gets injured again. Faulk is a lock as a 3rd down back/receiver out of the backfield. That leaves Taylor (assuming he is signed), Sammy Morris, Law Firm and Heath Evans (assuming we resign Evans; he has said he would like to retire a Patriot). One of them has to go. I could see not resigning Heath Evans and going without a true fullback; I could see taking the experienced vet Taylor over BJGE; and I could possibly see cutting Morris, though he was very productive for us and provides a nice between the tackles style of running which we need. I just can't see us keeping all 6. Take your pick.

BradyManny · Feb 21, 2009

Re: pats interested in fred taylor

mayoclinic said:
Over whom? I can't see them carrying more than 5 RBs total. Maroney is a lock unless he somehow gets injured again. Faulk is a lock as a 3rd down back/receiver out of the backfield. That leaves Taylor (assuming he is signed), Sammy Morris, Law Firm and Heath Evans (assuming we resign Evans; he has said he would like to retire a Patriot). One of them has to go. I could see not resigning Heath Evans and going without a true fullback; I could see taking the experienced vet Taylor over BJGE; and I could possibly see cutting Morris, though he was very productive for us and provides a nice between the tackles style of running which we need. I just can't see us keeping all 6. Take your pick.

I think the latter part of your statement on Morris makes him a lock to me.

FWIW, Morris had the 5th highest DVOA amongst running backs w > 100 carries with 14.7%.

For those less than 100 carries, the #s are pretty out of whack, but its worth tossing out there that Faulk had an absurd 46.5% DVOA, Jordan had a 21.9% and BJGE had a 6.3%.

Fred Taylor had a -12 DVOA...ouch, but I'm inclined to believe the purported decimated O-Line had something to do with that.

DW Toys · Feb 21, 2009

Re: pats interested in fred taylor

stinkypete said:
Taylor's definitely past his prime, but that does not mean he it totally ineffective. The current crop of Pats RBs are kind of a committee anyway, it could be argued that there isn't a complete back in the bunch.

The question is what does Taylor bring to the team that Morris, Faulk and Maroney don't?

Maroney has a major flaw people do not discuss. It's vision. He has tools but he would run into the back of a pile when one lateral step and he is gone. I am sorry but I think LJ would be a better on field fit than Maroney easily. That will tick people off but I am 100% correct and no one can shout that fact down. Remember I said on the field. He has vision and that has made him successful. I like Taylor but not for a full year load. I would take a shot with Fred.
I would still take picks for Maroney for a loss of a few hundred grand against the CAP.
DW Toys

Box_O_Rocks · Feb 21, 2009

Re: pats interested in fred taylor

mayoclinic said:
Over whom? I can't see them carrying more than 5 RBs total. Maroney is a lock unless he somehow gets injured again. Faulk is a lock as a 3rd down back/receiver out of the backfield. That leaves Taylor (assuming he is signed), Sammy Morris, Law Firm and Heath Evans (assuming we resign Evans; he has said he would like to retire a Patriot). One of them has to go. I could see not resigning Heath Evans and going without a true fullback; I could see taking the experienced vet Taylor over BJGE; and I could possibly see cutting Morris, though he was very productive for us and provides a nice between the tackles style of running which we need. I just can't see us keeping all 6. Take your pick.

Over whom? Not my yob mon, but NE RBs have a tendency to get dinged up in Training Camp/Preseason. Sign Taylor and let the fur fly, we'll see who survives.

jmt57 · Feb 21, 2009

Weren't we debating about the Pats carrying 'too many' RBs last year, with Maroney, Morris, Jordan, Faulk (and depending on your designation, Evans) last pre-season? Yes, I know that worked out well, but are we really expecting that many games lost due to injury at RB again? So remove Jordan and replace him with BJGE, add Taylor and now the Pats go with five (six including Evans, or a FB that may replace him) running backs?

If Fred Taylor replaces another RB, which one? If not a RB, what position then gets one less player?

BionicPatriot · Feb 22, 2009

This running game will be ridiculous if they can actually grab him. I wonder how cheap he'd come though.

Seneschal2 · Feb 22, 2009

Whenever Belichick salivates over a player, you can bet he'll do everything possible to bring him on board. And the following comments weren't that long ago - Jan '08:

Bill Belichick Press Conference - 1/8/2008

Fred Taylor, you just can't say enough about him. He's a great runner. He's a strong, powerful guy. [He's] very nifty in the open field, excellent blitz pick up, one of the better blockers that we've seen in the league from his position. He's a complete player [and] does a great job.

Bill Belichick Conference Call - 1/6/2008

I think Fred Taylor is one of the best backs in the league. He's a tremendous football player, he's got big speed that, like [Maurice] Jones-Drew, that can take it the distance as well as pound out the tough yardage.

BelichickFan · Feb 22, 2009

jmt57 said:
If Fred Taylor replaces another RB, which one? If not a RB, what position then gets one less player?

With all due respect to BJGE, Fred Taylor is a likely hall of famer so that's a fairly easy answer. Kind of like how we found room for Randy Moss.

Exactly how the carries would be shared is more interesting but those things usually work themselves out.

Pats726 · Feb 22, 2009

BelichickFan said:
With all due respect to BJGE, Fred Taylor is a likely hall of famer so that's a fairly easy answer. Kind of like how we found room for Randy Moss.

Exactly how the carries would be shared is more interesting but those things usually work themselves out.

I don't think the choice is between BJGE and Taylior...Taylor is replacing Jordan...GE is the young RB of the future..there will be room for him..and yes RBs always get dinged...so it's better to have more than less. Also of note is that I would think they would bring in 1 or 2 rookies to compete for the future. I think CoachB like GE as well..as he doesn't lose yardage and doesn't dance...

BelichickFan · Feb 22, 2009

Pats726 said:
I don't think the choice is between BJGE and Taylior...Taylor is replacing Jordan...GE is the young RB of the future

I was just filling in roster spots for him. Clearly Taylor would replace Jordan and be an upgrade. I think BJGE is a JAG of the future, not "the young RB" of the future. With Taylor, Morris, Maroney, Faulk, I think GE would be battling for a roster spot and probably eek one out based on the age and injury history of the others.

JSn · Feb 22, 2009

Is it possible that Evans is done in NE and Hochstein is our full-time short yardage FB/TE, allowing for one extra roster spot for RB?

mgteich · Feb 22, 2009

The patriots don't have a roster spot for "the running back of the future". If they did, then they would draft a running back. Running backs usually have a very short time span in the NFL. They are expected to have a role immediately. BJGE is just not worth a roster spot if the patriots bring in a veteran to add to Morris, Maroney, and Faulk. If a fall of famer came in, then BJGE is a total non-issue. I expect anyone that comes in to sign a two-year contract. We would then be all set through 2010 (Faulk will almost assuredly be extended).

We just don't have a roster spot for a developmental player signed through 2010 who might be needed in 2011.

If BJGE is such a prospect, then surely we can get a decent draft choice for him.

The reality is that he can come to camp, and make the roster only if there is an injury in camp or even later, as was the case in 2008.

When Belichick needs or wants a running back, he goes to free agency and signs one.

Raymond · Feb 22, 2009

mgteich said:
The patriots don't have a roster spot for "the running back of the future". If they did, then they would draft a running back. Running backs usually have a very short time span in the NFL. They are expected to have a role immediately. BJGE is just not worth a roster spot if the patriots bring in a veteran to add to Morris, Maroney, and Faulk. If a fall of famer came in, then BJGE is a total non-issue. I expect anyone that comes in to sign a two-year contract. We would then be all set through 2010 (Faulk will almost assuredly be extended).

We just don't have a roster spot for a developmental player signed through 2010 who might be needed in 2011.

If BJGE is such a prospect, then surely we can get a decent draft choice for him. The reality is that he can come to camp, and make the roster only if there is an injury in camp or even later, as was the case in 2008.

When Belichick needs or wants a running back, he goes to free agency and signs one.[/QUOTE]

I agree with the first part. But you speak as if this is how they always do it.

LoMo was a first round pick.

StyLeZ X · Feb 22, 2009

He's meeting the the Bills and Pats this week. Ouch what a hard choice

mayoclinic · Feb 22, 2009

StyLeZ X said:
He's meeting the the Bills and Pats this week. Ouch what a hard choice

Unless Marshawn Lynch's personal problems run him out of the league, Taylor would probably see more playing time with the Pats. No comparison if he wants to be on a contending team. This would be a nice move if it doesn't cost too much.

patsox23 · Feb 22, 2009

mayoclinic said:
Unless Marshawn Lynch's personal problems run him out of the league, Taylor would probably see more playing time with the Pats. No comparison if he wants to be on a contending team. This would be a nice move if it doesn't cost too much.

From everything I've ever read or seen about the guy, there is NO WAY, at this point in his career, that he goes to Buffalo instead of N.E. The guy is a pro's pro, wants to win and doesn't have a ring. N.E. may be a better situation, even if for slightly less $$$, and I can't imagine he'd go to a team IN THE PATRIOTS DIVISION that, because they're in the Patriots Division, has very little shot at winning anything substantial during the span of time remaining in his career.

mgteich · Feb 22, 2009

Having to draft LoMo was a failure for Belichick, probably the worst first round pick since Klemm. He didn't get his running back in free agency and was forced to use a first round choice on Lomo. And the patriots did draft Edwards on the first round in 1998. So, no, that isn't the way they ALWAYS do it. However, getting veterans is the preference as it was with Antowain Smith, Dillon, Morris and Jordan.

The patriots, and especially Belichick, have done much better with first round linemen Seymour, Willfork, Warren, and Mankins. Although some may differ with his strategy, Belichick has also used first rounders for tight ends. Our starting tight end has been a first rounder for several years. In the last couple of years, the patriots have done well drafting at other positions for pure need: Meriweather and Mayo.

Raymond said:
mgteich said:

The patriots don't have a roster spot for "the running back of the future". If they did, then they would draft a running back. Running backs usually have a very short time span in the NFL. They are expected to have a role immediately. BJGE is just not worth a roster spot if the patriots bring in a veteran to add to Morris, Maroney, and Faulk. If a fall of famer came in, then BJGE is a total non-issue. I expect anyone that comes in to sign a two-year contract. We would then be all set through 2010 (Faulk will almost assuredly be extended).

We just don't have a roster spot for a developmental player signed through 2010 who might be needed in 2011.

If BJGE is such a prospect, then surely we can get a decent draft choice for him. The reality is that he can come to camp, and make the roster only if there is an injury in camp or even later, as was the case in 2008.

When Belichick needs or wants a running back, he goes to free agency and signs one.[/QUOTE]

I agree with the first part. But you speak as if this is how they always do it.

LoMo was a first round pick.

Click to expand...

Richter · Feb 22, 2009

mgteich said:
Having to draft LoMo was a failure for Belichick, probably the worst first round pick since Klemm.

Klemm wasn't a first round pick.

BelichickFan · Feb 22, 2009

mgteich said:
Having to draft LoMo was a failure for Belichick, probably the worst first round pick since Klemm.

Maroney's only failure so far is the inability to stay on the field. He has a solid career average of 4.3 (better than Addai btw) which isn't great but is far from a failure. He's a little boom or bust as a RB for my liking, some great games, some bad ones but he's not close to a failure - we just need the guy to stay on the field this year.

mayoclinic · Feb 22, 2009

BelichickFan said:
Maroney's only failure so far is the inability to stay on the field. He has a solid career average of 4.3 (better than Addai btw) which isn't great but is far from a failure. He's a little boom or bust as a RB for my liking, some great games, some bad ones but he's not close to a failure - we just need the guy to stay on the field this year.

Maroney has been ok but has by no means been stellar, even apart from injury issues. We've had better production form our other 1st round picks in the Belichick era. Whether he comes around is still up in the air.

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