New England Patriots Player Profile: Fred Taylor

June 21, 1:22 PMNew England Patriots ExaminerSean Crowe

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Patriots running back Fred Taylor
(AP Photo)

In the second edition of Patriots Player Profiles, we'll take a look at the newest player in the Patriots' deep group of running backs.

Fred Taylor

The Patriots signed Fred Taylor to a two-year deal worth $5 million earlier this offseason. Taylor received a $1.45 million signing bonus and will receive a $1.55 million base salary in 2009 and $2 million in 2010.

Taylor played his college ball at the University of Florida. Even though he was stuck in Steve Spurrier’s heavily pass-oriented offense, Taylor established himself as the premier running back in all of college football in his junior and senior seasons.

His best college game came in his senior season, when he rushed for 162 yards and 4 touchdowns against the number one rushing defense in the country (Florida State).

Taylor was drafted ninth overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 1998 NFL draft.

Other running backs taken in the first round of the 1998 draft:

• Robert Edwards (18th overall to New England)
• John “XFL Legend” Avery (29th overall to Miami)

Fred Taylor currently ranks 16th all time in NFL rushing yards with 11,271 yards. John Riggins is 15th all time with 11,352 yards.

Taylor is the only 1000 yard rusher in Jacksonville history, achieving the milestone in 1998, 2000, 2002-2004, 2006, and 2007.

Taylor owns all of the following Jacksonville records:

• Rushing (all time): 11,271
• Rushing (single season): 1,572 yards (2003)
• Longest Run: 80 yards
• Yards per game (all time): 80.5
• Yards per game (single season): 107.6 (2000)
• Rushing Touchdowns (all time): 62
• Rushing Touchdowns (single season): 14 (1998)
• Total Touchdowns: 70
• Total Touchdowns (single season): 17 (1998)
• Total Yards from scrimmage (single season): 2,942 (2003)
• Single game rushing: 234

In all, Taylor owns over 30 Jacksonville team records.

Taylor became only the third running back in NFL history to rush for over 100 yards in nine consecutive games in 2000. The other two running backs to rush for 100 yards in nine or more straight games are Barry Sanders and Marcus Allen.

Earned the nickname “Fragile Freddie” because of the injury problems he dealt with early in his career. Unlike most running backs, he’s actually become more sturdy as he’s gotten older, missing only 12 games (10 due to injury) since 2002.

He never fumbles the ball. He’s only lost two fumbles in his last 791 carries.

His agent coming out of college was the infamous William “Tank” Black, who was accused of improperly funneling cash to college players, was implicated in a money-laundering case and a ponzi investment scheme, and was charged with stock fraud and cheating his clients by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Black allegedly stole millions from his clients, including nearly the entire $5 million bonus Taylor received with his rookie contract.

Despite his ridiculous numbers, Fred Taylor has only appeared in one Pro Bowl (2007).

Taylor missed the last three games of the 2008 season with torn ligaments in his left thumb. He is said to be fully recovered from the injury.

Player Analysis:

Fred Taylor is one of the best running backs in NFL history. It’s amazing that he doesn’t get any attention from the national media. Only 15 running backs in NFL history have rushed for more yards, and that number will shrink over the next two years. When he stops playing football, there will be a place for him in the NFL Hall of Fame.

The Patriots have decent depth at running back, but nobody with the resume of Fred Taylor. He’ll likely get the starting nod over Laurence Maroney, and he, Maroney, and Sammy Morris will share the bulk of the rushing duties. If he stays healthy, and still has something left in the tank, his situation is a lot like Corey Dillon’s was when he got to New England.

And in case you forgot how that worked out, pop in the video of the Patriots' Super Bowl victory over the Eagles.

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Questions? Comments? Insults? You can email them to Sean Crowe at scrowe@gmail.com.

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