patsox23
Experienced Starter w/First Big Contract
- Joined
- Sep 13, 2004
- Messages
- 7,430
- Reaction score
- 60
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Fred Taylor plans to end his career in Jacksonville, signing a three-year contract extension Thursday that could keep the 31-year-old running back with the Jaguars through the 2010 season.
Taylor ran for 1,146 yards and five touchdowns last year and averaged a career-best 5.0 yards per carry.
Agent Drew Rosenhaus said the four-year deal totaled $23 million.
"This is a contract that effectively should help Fred finish his career in Jacksonville," Rosenhaus said. "It also rewards him as one of the elite running backs in the league."
Taylor's previous contract was worth $2.55 million annually. He asked for an extension before last season, but the Jaguars wanted him to prove he could stay healthy after missing a combined seven games the previous two years.
Taylor showed he was better than ever, teaming with rookie Maurice Jones-Drew to give the Jags one of the best running back tandems the league.
Taylor, whose early career was marred by injuries, strained his right hamstring Dec. 10 against Indianapolis, pulled up lame on his first carry the following week at Tennessee and then missed the Dec. 24 contest against New England.
The Jaguars lost both games without Taylor, finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs for the sixth time in seven years.
Taylor, who grew up in South Florida and went to college at Florida, had considered finishing his career elsewhere if the Jaguars didn't offer him a new deal.
Taylor ran for 1,146 yards and five touchdowns last year and averaged a career-best 5.0 yards per carry.
Agent Drew Rosenhaus said the four-year deal totaled $23 million.
"This is a contract that effectively should help Fred finish his career in Jacksonville," Rosenhaus said. "It also rewards him as one of the elite running backs in the league."
Taylor's previous contract was worth $2.55 million annually. He asked for an extension before last season, but the Jaguars wanted him to prove he could stay healthy after missing a combined seven games the previous two years.
Taylor showed he was better than ever, teaming with rookie Maurice Jones-Drew to give the Jags one of the best running back tandems the league.
Taylor, whose early career was marred by injuries, strained his right hamstring Dec. 10 against Indianapolis, pulled up lame on his first carry the following week at Tennessee and then missed the Dec. 24 contest against New England.
The Jaguars lost both games without Taylor, finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs for the sixth time in seven years.
Taylor, who grew up in South Florida and went to college at Florida, had considered finishing his career elsewhere if the Jaguars didn't offer him a new deal.