Reports: Fred Taylor signed

Re: Fred Taylor Signed

RobAllan said:

Disagree. This is a GREAT signing whatever the money. He'll get 12 carries a game in our multiple-rb scheme. And those will be solid carries. Don't forget-- the dude can block and catch too. And he'd be an excellent mentor for LoMo. There are some parallels in their careers and if he can get LoMo to be productive for us long-term that'd be worth the money alone.

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I think people vastly overestimate the "mentoring" effect. Maroney is an established veteran in the league who's largely looking to overcome injury issues. Hopefully, Taylor does rub off on Maroney (especially if he can somehow allow Maroney to mimic his relative health after a string of injuries earlier in his career), but I don't think Maroney is going to change too much because of Taylor's presence. They have vastly different running styles and skill sets. And as for Taylor's 12 carries a game being solid... maybe, but I watched him run quite a bit last year, and he was awful. Everybody is in a rush to make excuses for him because the Jaguars offensive line was hurt, but Maurice Jones-Drew was able to remain productive and didn't look like he was running in quicksand. He didn't look like the same runner at all. Hopefully that was just an aberration, but I'm not expecting too much.

Re: Fred Taylor Signed

MassPats38 said:

As he is $1.7 million against the cap if he stays or $2.1 million if he leaves, the difference is $400k with the real difference being him holding a spot that could otherwise be assigned on the 53-man roster.

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No, its not, because he can either play, or hes on the IR, and not using a spot.

Re: Fred Taylor Signed

BelichickFan said:

Sweet. He immediately becomes our best RB since the 2004 Dillon. Although his YPC were down last year, in addition to their OL being a mess they really screwed with him by giving him 10 carries or less in half the games. Although Jones-Drew's average was 0.3 higher, his average went down quite a bit last year too (4.6 to 4.2) so last year's stats are tough to gauge reality.

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Sadly, I agree with you. I like Fred Taylor. But when a 33 year old FA RB becomes your best RB in the stable, what does that say about the rest of the guys? In any case the Pats will have a very strong platoon of RBs. Maroney can continue to underachieve, and the Pats running game will still be good between Taylor/Morris/Faulk. If Maroney breaks out, unlikely I know, the Pats running game is going to be scary. Sounds to me like the perfect BB move - low cost, low risk, high upside. Let's go Fred Taylor!

Re: Fred Taylor Signed

Richter said:

I think people vastly overestimate the "mentoring" effect. Maroney is an established veteran in the league who's largely looking to overcome injury issues. Hopefully, Taylor does rub off on Maroney (especially if he can somehow allow Maroney to mimic his relative health after a string of injuries earlier in his career), but I don't think Maroney is going to change too much because of Taylor's presence. They have vastly different running styles and skill sets. And as for Taylor's 12 carries a game being solid... maybe, but I watched him run quite a bit last year, and he was awful. Everybody is in a rush to make excuses for him because the Jaguars offensive line was hurt, but Maurice Jones-Drew was able to remain productive and didn't look like he was running in quicksand. He didn't look like the same runner at all. Hopefully that was just an aberration, but I'm not expecting too much.

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I don't know. MJD was pretty pedestrian last year the few times I saw him. Looking at the numbers, it's kinda deceptive. It look productive, but it's really not. MJD is a great talent and last year, he looked average, as did Taylor (how has likely lost a step too).

The Jags were terrible offensively and I think Garrard sucks personally. The o-line was terrible too. As a team, they had above average talent at RB. The fact that it was mediocre at best (18th) tells me something else was going on. No WR's at all.

Not making excuses, but the Taylor signing is classic BB. Low risk, low cost, high upside. He surely won't be carrying the load, but given that he brings a totally new skillset to that position for us, it could be a great signing. Don't forget..... TFB, is likely back...... Moss is there, Welker, Wats......... err, well you know what I mean.

Point is, with his style of running and "out of the backfield" versatility, that's gonna cause a lot of defenses to pay closer attention to the LOS, while still worrying about the other pieces we have in play. He could add an element that is very difficult to deal with defensively.

Re: Fred Taylor Signed

Welcome Fred I am sure you are here for a specific reason...In Bill we trust

I was hoping for Larry Johnson. If Fred were in his prime this would be an exciting pick up. Maybe, just maybe, Fred can help push Maroney out the door into obscurity.

Re: Fred Taylor Signed

Richter said:

I think people vastly overestimate the "mentoring" effect. Maroney is an established veteran in the league who's largely looking to overcome injury issues. Hopefully, Taylor does rub off on Maroney (especially if he can somehow allow Maroney to mimic his relative health after a string of injuries earlier in his career), but I don't think Maroney is going to change too much because of Taylor's presence. They have vastly different running styles and skill sets. And as for Taylor's 12 carries a game being solid... maybe, but I watched him run quite a bit last year, and he was awful. Everybody is in a rush to make excuses for him because the Jaguars offensive line was hurt, but Maurice Jones-Drew was able to remain productive and didn't look like he was running in quicksand. He didn't look like the same runner at all. Hopefully that was just an aberration, but I'm not expecting too much.

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MJD's YPC took a big hit going from 4.6 to 4.2 and moving into the starter role. Taylor, who was also plagued by nagging injuries last year, saw his YPC plummet from 5.4 to 3.9. But that also doesn't take into consideration that Taylor was the supplemental back and he was 32.

The O-line issues certainly weren't the ENTIRE issue, but there were some of the issue.

My hope is that Taylor can come in and push Morris and BJGE for playing time and be productive when he's given the ball. Not sure you can expect much more from a 33 year old RB.

This is a great move. He'll only be called upon for a limited amount of carries, so he should be that much more effective. Great compliment with Faulk and Morris. I hope Moroney comes back full strength, because that will be a solid backfield.

I heard somewhere earlier it was for 2 years and I just heard Schefter say it is in the vicinity of 2.5 mil not sure if he meant a year or overall I would guess a year..........he was throwing out the number in reference to the RB market and specifically Ward potentially going to Cincy.

Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice Always loved Fred and what he brought to the Jaguars since the late 90's. Big hearted guy, missed a lot of playing time to injuries though, I think he still has 2 years in him for sure.

Our next Corey Dillon?

Welcome aboard FRED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Best quote from the Jaguars message board on how they feel about Fred going to the Pats:

Think about it as losing a pet or loved one. They are going to a much better place.

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jaguars.com forum -- almost shed a tear.. - Jaguars Forum

i just saw on espnnews that taylors deal was 2 years/15M. i tivo'd it and rewound it and it said that. im assuming that was an error and it was for 1.5M. anybody have any input

Re: Fred Taylor Signed

KDPPatsfan85 said:

Hobbs is a #2 Corner at best!! He is one of the best Kick returners in the game!! Maroney is injury prone and i hope we can trade him this season and grab another RB that wont get injured every 2 games!!

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Nice- 9 posts and I already know to put you on my ignore list. that didn't take long.

billdog3484 said:

i just saw on espnnews that taylors deal was 2 years/15M. i tivo'd it and rewound it and it said that. im assuming that was an error and it was for 1.5M. anybody have any input

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I hope so- that would be absolutely insane.

It cant be 15M for 2 years, thats stupid @ 33, Im assuming its like 1m a year.

NFL Network's Total Access has confirmed this singing.

I want to see the numbers.....but I love the signing....welcome to the Pats....you are going to have an impact!

Taylor made the decision to join the Patriots after spending Tuesday visiting the Buffalo Bills, who offered a contract prior to his departure. Once Taylor decided to join Patriots, the two sides haggled for a short time on whether he’d sign a two- or three-year contract. Both sides agreed to a two-year, $5 million deal, which included a $1.5 million signing bonus.

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Fred Taylor signs with Patriots | Jacksonville.com

WHy commit that money when we already have Maroney getting big cash at the same position, not to mention proven talent on the depth chart. I think this signing is more of a challenge to other RBs on the squad. How much is Taylor gauranteed to get?

BruschiOnTap said:

WHy commit that money when we already have Maroney getting big cash at the same position, not to mention proven talent on the depth chart. I think this signing is more of a challenge to other RBs on the squad. How much is Taylor gauranteed to get?

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The way we go through RB's, we'll use them all. Taylor is the best insurance Brady's knee could have.