ScrewDrvr
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CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.Turns out his injury was actually injuries... He had two turf toes on opposite feet. One from the Cincy game and the other from Buffalo.
It could only happen to the Pats.
Taylor is more than aware that the Steelers are by far and away the stingiest run defense in the NFL and on-pace as one of the best run-stopping unit in the history of the NFL. It’s been that way ever since Taylor was with Jacksonville and he ran against them twice a year in the old AFC Central.
“I understand this team,” Taylor said. “I know them really well. You look over and it’s the same guys, with the exception of a starter [Aaron Smith] that’s out and [Brett] Keisel, he’s a little banged up [hamstring] but everybody else on that defense has been the last seven or eight years. The personnel doesn’t change and what they do. Coach [****] LeBeau does what he does and he is a great coach. If the opportunity is there I’d love it but it starts today and me going out there and trying to do the best I can.”
So while it would be nice to have another weapon to take on the latest incarnation of the “Steel Curtain”, Taylor doesn’t want to get hopes up until his passes his first test in practice this week.
“I don’t want you guys [media] to jump too far ahead and say, ‘Oh, Taylor is coming back this week.’ I’m not sure. We’re going to start slow and go from there and see how it feels,” he said.
Taylor revealed that he actually tweaked one of the toes on his left foot during the season opener against Cincinnati, then hurt one of his left toes late in the game against Buffalo, the more severe injury that has kept him off the field since.
Because of the tendon and ligament damage done on the left side, there was a fear that Taylor would have to undergo surgery, but he saw several doctors and it began to improve, making it unnecessary.
“Initially, it (appeared) worse and then after doing the second opinion, stress test, third opinions it got better,” Taylor, 34, said. “That’s why I’m excited just to be able to be here talking to you guys. Initially, we thought it would be surgery. It wasn’t that. Just being able to train, treatment, train , I feel great. The initial prognosis was bad, to the point of tears and all that. All the other stuff that comes with it, but I’m here and we’ll see how it goes from this point, go from there.”
Taylor revealed the injury was different from one he suffered in the season opener, which was a less-severe turf toe issue on his right foot. He said that was frustrating because it happened on the last play of the Patriots' victory against the Bengals. But, obviously, the second toe injury was far worse, and the long-term implications were more threatening.
Taylor wouldn’t tip his hand regarding his status for this weekend's game in Pittsburgh and wanted to caution people from overreacting to his return to practice. At the very least, it's a step in the right direction, and with the always-looming possibility of retirement, it's a significant landmark for a guy who might not have known if he'd ever take another NFL snap.
After wriggling free from a media scrum at the locker of new neighbor Shayne Graham, Taylor smiled and said, "Don't blink, you might see me out there today. I don't make a big deal of it, but I'm definitely closer."
Taylor said he suffered the initial injury in his right toe at the end of game one and that limited him through the third game of the year. He then hurt the left toe and said that was "a lot more severe."
"It's more the joint, but in this part case it was tendons, ligaments and a lot of other stuff," Taylor explained. "I guess that's the reason for me being out the time that I was out. I'm actually a lot better, so I'm looking forward to just trying to improve and get back, whenever that is. I don't want you guys to jump too far ahead and say, 'Oh, Taylor's coming back this week.' I'm not sure. We're gonna start slow and see how it goes from there."
As for his understudies, BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead, Taylor said, "They've played well and they'll continue to play well. They prepare well and have some very good coaches. As you can tell, the trend of the running back position is just, 'Find anyone off the street and throw him in there.' That's the way the NFL feels about it, but it does take some talent to make that position go. They both have talent."
I don't think any of our backs are going to have alot of success against this Pitt D....I think alot of u are also thinking of the old Fred Taylor that was quick and hit pretty hard....He isn't that guy anymore..much, much slower. Secondly, unless the OL has an epiphany....don't look for a lot of yarss on the ground.In the nick of time too with Pitts run Dand bad weather approaching.
Q. Hey Mike, what is the deal with Fred Taylor? He's been out for over two months with a toe injury. Let's have a sanity check here: Even if he completely broke it, wouldn't he be working his way back by now, and if it was really that severe of a toe injury, wouldn't we have seen him on crutches or in a boot? -- Paul (Hoboken, N.J.)
A. Paul, I think Taylor's toe injury is a balance issue. Bill Belichick previously said that Taylor had some initial struggles. I thought he'd be back by now. Just a hunch, but I wouldn't be surprised if we see him this week.
I don't think any of our backs are going to have alot of success against this Pitt D....I think alot of u are also thinking of the old Fred Taylor that was quick and hit pretty hard....He isn't that guy anymore..much, much slower. Secondly, unless the OL has an epiphany....don't look for a lot of yarss on the ground.
they were disucssing the injury in the 98.5 sports hub a few days back. Looks like it is a very tough injury to deal and apparently it had ended careers. by all means, it looks like Fred's last year with us but I do hope he goes out with a bang
Hope not.
Save fragile Freddy for the Colts. He'll run all night long on that group.
A pee-wee running back would run all night long on that group.
You just described Fred Taylor in a Patriot uniform.
That's taking it a little far, methinks. Taylor is the best RB we have on staff. Unfortunately, he's also the most injury prone.
I agree with you and that speaks directly to the sad shape the RB position is in on this team. Fred Taylor has been a waste of space on this roster. All the talent in the world means nothing if you can't stay on the field. Hopefully Taylor can actually finish out the year in uniform. The Patriots need him badly.
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