Pats sign Fred Taylor

[Roy Hobbs]

The New England Patriots addressed their need for depth at running back on Thursday evening, reaching an agreement with free agent Fred Taylor. ...

The terms and financial details of the contract, which will be officially signed on Friday, were not immediately available. The deal was confirmed by team sources and sources close to the player.

The addition of Taylor provides the Patriots a veteran back who could battle fourth-year veteran Laurence Maroney for the starting job. It also continues the Patriots' recent tradition of adding veteran backs to bolster their depth chart. [/quote]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3939283

Good signing by the Pats.  Taylor isn't great, but he adds good depth.

[Hoyo de Monterrey]

The New England Patriots addressed their need for depth at running back on Thursday evening, reaching an agreement with free agent Fred Taylor. ...

The terms and financial details of the contract, which will be officially signed on Friday, were not immediately available. The deal was confirmed by team sources and sources close to the player.

The addition of Taylor provides the Patriots a veteran back who could battle fourth-year veteran Laurence Maroney for the starting job. It also continues the Patriots' recent tradition of adding veteran backs to bolster their depth chart.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3939283

Good signing by the Pats.  Taylor isn't great, but he adds good depth.
[/quote]

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Lamont Jordan. It was fun watching him play, and he played hard for us while he was here. Good luck.

[Chris]

I love this signing.  I have always been a big fan of Taylor.  He certainly isn't what he used to be in his prime, but he will be a nice compliment to the guys they already have. 

[Donoghus]

I have to assume its a low base contract with incentives.  In that case, I think its a great signing.  Belichick loves the veteran backs and the Pats use their running backs in platoon mode so there won't be too much asked of Taylor.  If nothing else, hopefully this will light a fire under Maroney's butt.

Pats also signed TE Chris Baker today.  Another solid signing.

[Cman]

Good signing for the Pats.
I wonder if they have any shot at D. Brooks.

[Brickowski]

Good signing for the Pats.
I wonder if they have any shot at D. Brooks.

You can be sure they are trying. Belichick loves guys like Brooks.

[yall hate]

I wonder if this is the end of Maroney. 

The chances that BB keeps Maroney, Morris and Taylor is doubtful (none of the three will contribute to special teams...)  plus faulk will be here, plus someone at FB.  that is a lot of players at one position that dont offer 'flexibility'.

[Donoghus]

I wonder if this is the end of Maroney. 

The chances that BB keeps Maroney, Morris and Taylor is doubtful (none of the three will contribute to special teams...)  plus faulk will be here, plus someone at FB.  that is a lot of players at one position that dont offer 'flexibility'.

Aren't they basically looking at the same platoon as last season substituting Taylor for Jordan, though?   I understand the flexibility concern but they weren't getting much from last year's crop, either.  They were all situational guys.

[Cman]

I wonder if this is the end of Maroney. 

The chances that BB keeps Maroney, Morris and Taylor is doubtful (none of the three will contribute to special teams...)  plus faulk will be here, plus someone at FB.  that is a lot of players at one position that dont offer 'flexibility'.

Aren't they basically looking at the same platoon as last season substituting Taylor for Jordan, though?   I understand the flexibility concern but they weren't getting much from last year's crop, either.  They were all situational guys.

Yes, this is my take -- Fred Taylor replaces LaMont Jordan.  If he provides more than Jordan did, great.  If Maroney finally has a break out year, great.  But keeping Taylor, Maroney, Morris and Faulk makes sense, at least for now.  We will see what happens with injuries, etc.

[Truck Lewis]

i love the taylor signing.....

i was hoping that they would make a run at Bart Scott..he would be perfect is our system,,,but it looks like the Jets are throwing a truckload of cash at him..so oh well

[yall hate]

I wonder if this is the end of Maroney. 

The chances that BB keeps Maroney, Morris and Taylor is doubtful (none of the three will contribute to special teams...)  plus faulk will be here, plus someone at FB.  that is a lot of players at one position that dont offer 'flexibility'.

Aren't they basically looking at the same platoon as last season substituting Taylor for Jordan, though?   I understand the flexibility concern but they weren't getting much from last year's crop, either.  They were all situational guys.

I guess...Although I think of that situation as being necessitated by the fact that Maroney and Jordan were banged up a fair amount and had huge chunks of games where they were injured.  Had they all been healthy, my opinion is that one of the group wouldnt have been here.  I guess it is just my opinion so time will tell, but I'll be curious to see

[yall hate]

i love the taylor signing.....

i was hoping that they would make a run at Bart Scott..he would be perfect is our system,,,but it looks like the Jets are throwing a truckload of cash at him..so oh well

I dont know...Picking up a penalty flag and throwing it into the stands, having to be restrained from attacking an official, mocking BB in the ensuing press conference after the game (hoody, short answer, monotone, etc...) gives me pose about whether he is our 'type of player'.  And that was all during one game against us, haha.

[Toine43]

I wonder if this is the end of Maroney. 

The chances that BB keeps Maroney, Morris and Taylor is doubtful (none of the three will contribute to special teams...)  plus faulk will be here, plus someone at FB.  that is a lot of players at one position that dont offer 'flexibility'.

Aren't they basically looking at the same platoon as last season substituting Taylor for Jordan, though?   I understand the flexibility concern but they weren't getting much from last year's crop, either.  They were all situational guys.

Jordan was actually good in limited time. Any idea on where he's headed if he's not staying in New England. A google search yielded no information for me.

Our problem last year was that none of these guys besides Faulk could stay healthy. Taylor hasn't exactly shown in the past that he can stay healthy, either. Also, will the law firm (BenJarvus) be hanging around at Pats camp this season? He probably belongs in the CFL, but at least he had a lot of heart.