View topic - Fred Taylor - a Steeler?

[steelmoney Profile]

Peter King thinks it is possible, but then again, it's Peter King...

Now, the first question for Fred Taylor is: Why should anyone in the NFL take a chance on you? Taylor's 33 years old, which is the age running backs often are in their third year of retirement. Or fourth.

Well, there are three reasons why Taylor is a very good gamble -- and not even a significant gamble, because he's not going to cost much money -- for a contender who needs a back to carry the ball 200 times this fall:

1. Taylor hasn't gotten too beaten up over the second half of his career, so he should be able to be the kind of role-playing back a contender could use. Since turning 28 five years ago, he's been a part-time running back and he's averaged 210 carries a year over that span.

2. He also averaged 4.7 yards-per-carry over that five-year stretch. Now, last year that number plummeted to 3.9 a pop, and teams will look at that drop off and say, "He's falling off a cliff.'' Maybe he is. It's a legitimate concern, and it'll take some pouring over tape to see if the holes simply weren't there for the Jags in 2008 (Maurice Jones-Drew's per-carry average also dropped, in his case half-a-yard from 2007-08) or if Taylor's really done.

3. Hunger. Taylor wants it bad.

"This change inspires me so much,'' he said from his Miami home late Monday. "I'm ready for it. It's like my first shot at free-agency. I expect to go somewhere and run till my wheels fall off.''
GALLERY: All-time rushing leaders for one team

Taylor's first words when I got him on the phone were, "Yeah, I got whacked." But he expected it. When the Jags called last Friday to say they wanted to meet with him in Miami on Monday, and that owner Wayne Weaver would be coming along, it was a pretty good hint they weren't coming down to discuss a salary cut.

"It was very professional and respectful by Mr. Weaver," said Taylor. "They handled it first-class, and I'm very appreciative of that. I am not disappointed in the Jags by any means. They could have just called me, or they could have called Drew [agent Drew Rosenhaus], but they took the extra step to come down here and tell me to my face. Men show up. Men tell you things to your face. And I will never forget that. I will call Mr. Weaver in a few years, and I will retire as a Jaguar. My loyalty for 11 years has been to the Jaguars, just like Emmitt Smith's loyalty was to the Cowboys. Whatever team I sign with, I will retire as a Jaguar.''

It's the time of year for the chopping block. Baltimore dumped Chris McAlister Monday. Denver cut Dewayne Robertson, one of the most disappointing high first-round picks in recent history. The Bucs will do the same in the next day or two with Jeff Garcia. So there's nothing surprising about Jacksonville cutting a 33-year-old running back as Jones-Drew prepares for the final season before his contract expires.

"Realistically, you anticipate it will come to this," Taylor said. "When you get past the 10-year mark, you can never be comfortable. They asked me if I was interested in retiring. I said no. Definitely no. I want to play in a Super Bowl so bad, and the Super Bowl's down here in Miami next year. I want to be in that game. Two years ago, Plaxico [Burress], my child's godfather, won the Super Bowl. This year, my little cousin from Belle Glade [Fla.], Santonio Holmes, was the MVP in the biggest game in the world. My taste for that game is getting stronger and stronger. And honestly, I feel fresh. I get inspired by young guys and showing them what I can do. There are a lot of young guys I'm still quicker than. God gave me a lot when he was handing out ability. I still have a lot."

I'll be surprised if Indianapolis, New England and Pittsburgh do not at least sniff around Taylor. The Colts have seen Taylor shred them several times over the past few years. Bill Belichick won Super Bowls with Antowain Smith and Corey Dillon, two backs in the twilight of their careers with something to prove, and he knows he can't trust Laurence Maroney to stay healthy. (I know he's got Sammy Morris, and I love Sammy Morris, but Taylor and Morris would be a pretty good 1-2 punch come December.) The Steelers have a very good insurance policy in Mewelde Moore behind Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall, but Mike Tomlin loves the running game, and he loves productive veterans.

New Orleans, Arizona, Chicago and Green Bay should sniff too.

We'll see. I say Taylor has a good contributing year left.

[brian19889 Profile]

I dont think that Taylor being a Steeler would be a bad thing. The guy has been a Steeler Killer for a long time, maybe he could have some success and be a good #2 back for Willie...but then again, the RB position is also deep for the Steelers with Mendenhall, Parker, and Moore....Thats why the guys in the office are paid to make the decisions, because thats a tough one.

[toomuchmerrilhoge Profile]

I don't see the value of adding Fred Taylor to our roster, unless it's dirt, dirt cheap. With Mendenhall coming back, we should have some semblance of a power running game next year (provided we make some moves on O-line as well).

[No l Gravity l Profile]

More chance of them picking up Dre Bly if BMac leaves.

[Snockered Pedestrian Profile]

More chance of them picking up Dre Bly if BMac leaves.

Has Mr. Bly found his Super Bowl ring yet?

[lloydrules Profile]

<sigh> Is there some kind of law in nature that makes a myriad of Steeler fans bring up any free agent of note as a possible Pick up, no matter how implausible? It never fails. Who ever gets cut of note, no matter how much NOT a fit, a bevy of Steeler fans will assert the free agent is a possible Pgh pick up.

#1.) This team has REAL NEEDS. Running back is NOT one of them. FWP, Mendy and Moore have us set. If this team signs anyone of note it will be for the OL. If not, they are complete retards.

#2.) Fred is sounding all excited about finally being a free agent. No one is going to sign him thinking he is their #1 back, hence he won't get paid like one either. He is more delusional than Kemo's agent.

[lloydrules Profile]

I don't see the value of adding Fred Taylor to our roster, unless it's dirt, dirt cheap. With Mendenhall coming back, we should have some semblance of a power running game next year (provided we make some moves on O-line as well).

Fred's less of a power runner than Mendenhall (who isn't much of one either to be honest). Fred is a cut back runner. He likes to hop into a new hole and jet. I've never really seen him take his head down and mow anyone down. And he makes no sense for Pgh even if he came at league minimum. Not a fit. Not a need.

[steelmoney Profile]

<sigh> Is there some kind of law in nature that makes a myriad of Steeler fans bring up any free agent of note as a possible Pick up, no matter how implausible? It never fails. Who ever gets cut of note, no matter how much NOT a fit, a bevy of Steeler fans will assert the free agent is a possible Pgh pick up.

#1.) This team has REAL NEEDS. Running back is NOT one of them. FWP, Mendy and Moore have us set. If this team signs anyone of note it will be for the OL. If not, they are complete retards.

#2.) Fred is sounding all excited about finally being a free agent. No one is going to sign him thinking he is their #1 back, hence he won't get paid like one either. He is more delusional than Kemo's agent.

Is Peter King a Steelers fan?

[lloydrules Profile]

<sigh> Is there some kind of law in nature that makes a myriad of Steeler fans bring up any free agent of note as a possible Pick up, no matter how implausible? It never fails. Who ever gets cut of note, no matter how much NOT a fit, a bevy of Steeler fans will assert the free agent is a possible Pgh pick up.

#1.) This team has REAL NEEDS. Running back is NOT one of them. FWP, Mendy and Moore have us set. If this team signs anyone of note it will be for the OL. If not, they are complete retards.

#2.) Fred is sounding all excited about finally being a free agent. No one is going to sign him thinking he is their #1 back, hence he won't get paid like one either. He is more delusional than Kemo's agent.

Is Peter King a Steelers fan?

No, he's an-out-of-touch writer. He makes so many assertions that are so far off base it's not even funny. He's a pawn. He reports on whatever ppl tell him with no filter of common sense in the process. Whatever NFL personnel tell him he just regurgitates it without applying independent thought. For instance, he said the Jason GilDONG was going to be one of the highest sought free agents in the entire NFL, when anyone with half a brain knew he sucked at that point... I mean REALLY sucked. And that fatso sat there and even claimed that - before he was a free agent - that teams were really hot to trade for him.

And you are going to listen to anything he says with any credibility.

Anyone who listened to Peter Load say Taylor could be a fit in Pgh and bought it is a fool.

[steelmoney Profile]

<sigh> Is there some kind of law in nature that makes a myriad of Steeler fans bring up any free agent of note as a possible Pick up, no matter how implausible? It never fails. Who ever gets cut of note, no matter how much NOT a fit, a bevy of Steeler fans will assert the free agent is a possible Pgh pick up.

#1.) This team has REAL NEEDS. Running back is NOT one of them. FWP, Mendy and Moore have us set. If this team signs anyone of note it will be for the OL. If not, they are complete retards.

#2.) Fred is sounding all excited about finally being a free agent. No one is going to sign him thinking he is their #1 back, hence he won't get paid like one either. He is more delusional than Kemo's agent.

Is Peter King a Steelers fan?

No, he's an-out-of-touch writer. He makes so many assertions that are so far off base it's not even funny. He's a pawn. He reports on whatever ppl tell him with no filter of common sense in the process. Whatever NFL personnel tell him he just regurgitates it without applying independent thought. For instance, he said the Jason GilDONG was going to be one of the highest sought free agents in the entire NFL, when anyone with half a brain knew he sucked at that point... I mean REALLY sucked. And that fatso sat there and even claimed that - before he was a free agent - that teams were really hot to trade for him.

And you are going to listen to anything he says with any credibility.

Anyone who listened to Peter Load say Taylor could be a fit in Pgh and bought it is a fool.

so it's listening to Peter King (listening with credibility?) that bothers you or Steeler fans suggesting the Steelers pick up every free agent who hits the market?
seems like you changed your mind there

in any case, I agree Peter King is a douche and if you look at my original post I put a disclaimer at the very top
it was posted as fodder for discussion, or not...not much else Steeler to discuss til we sign some FAs and the draft is upon us