Fred Taylor picks Patriots

Interesting decision. I've read that most Jags fans think there is still something in Taylor's tank. Hopefully that's true. I also think we've seen the last of Lamont in a Pats uniform, which I initially hoped they would resign. With Taylor, Morris, Maroney, and Faulk as the chief contributers, that's one impressive RB group. Wow.

According to what Schefter said on NFL Network, it's already a done deal.

Good for the Pats..another low risk deal for a tested player. Should he not make it he is gone. Should he fill the need as a backup like a couple of 'old running backs' last year the deal is golden!

that would be great, and maroney could finally go on dancing with the stars.

Good for the Pats..another low risk deal for a tested player. Should he not make it he is gone. Should he fill the need as a backup like a couple of 'old running backs' last year the deal is golden!

That is great news for the Pats running game! With a healthy Maroney (hopefully!), Morris, & Faulk, we should have a well-balanced offense next year. Superbowl or bust!!

LOVE it. Taylor's a horse when he's healthy. The equation for success running the football is to combine a young, unheralded back with just-out-of-their-prime veterans. Tim Hightower-Edgerrin James, Cardinals. Corey Dillon-Laurence Maroney, Patriots. Jerome Bettis-Willie Parker, Steelers. Taylor-Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars.

Hopefully Taylor/Morris/Faulk and Maroney/Green-Ellis join that list.

Great pickup!!

get rid of maroney...he's terrible soft runner. taylor morris jordan and faulk...the backfield is set

I really like this decision. I've always like Fred Taylor as a player. Comining out of college I hoped that the Pats would have drafted him. You can't have enough running backs!

Great pick up by the Pats. Fred Taylor is a good teammate, he is good in the locker room and still has tread on the tires. I like this pick up. And although I do not think LaMont Jordan did anything to hurt his chances to resign with the Pats...he was a loner in the locker room, keeping to himself and really not bothering with his teammates. I think Taylor will be great for 10 - 15 carries a game. And as MG stated above, with Sammy Morris and Kevin Faulk, Heath Evans and Green-Ellis I just think they improved greatly. I would love to see the Pats trade Maroney and get a draft pick..

Now it's time to concentrate on the Defense!!!

#1....I agree.....if true, Belichick has made a great living here in New England....year after year with no premier running back......his game plan is...running back by committee is a given that works for the Coach......in Belichick we believe......this coming season the Patriots will always have fresh back in there to keep the drives alive.....Go Pats Go.

I'm a Pats fan living in Jacksonville and I watch a lot of Jaguars games as well.

Taylor is explosive and still very quick with some of the best vision in football. One cut is all it takes with Fred. He's a tremendous compliment for Sammy Morris and his more physical style. He had a mediocre season last year and only had 3.9 per rush, but the Jags had perhaps the worst O-Line in football (which was injury-plagued) and Jones-Drew had a letdown season as well, while poor David Garrard became good friends with the turf. I don't think you want to have him be a 25-carry back especially at his age (33), but I expect him to be a huge contributor for the Patriots.

QUE THE DUCKBOATS!!!!!!!

I agree that this is a good deal for the Pats, but in my opinion, the grouping should go: Taylor, Morris, Faulk, and Green-Ellis. BenJarvis earned a spot on our roster with the way he played last year. I'm done waiting for Maroney's upside to manifest. Cut Maroney I say, and give the law firm a chance to get some playing time.

I love this deal, although I was kinda hoping for Larry Johnson. Being said, Johnson seems to much of a Prima Donna. I've always liked Taylors game, & agreed, time to let Maroney shine somewhere else. He gets injured when the wind blows...

This is a great deal. Taylor will have 100/game and he still has the pop to break one for 40 yards. I look forward to seeing him play.
p.s Congrats Brady. May you never get a divorce!

Agreed he is a talented back and could be a big piece of the puzzle if healthy, But, this signing is probably the last addition to the RB's this offseason and If he gets injured in the 5th game of the season and the Pats have to put him on IR, it means we'll have missed the opportunity to add a RB who is a better bet to play 16 games. I'm just not crazy about signing an injury prone RB

Good move.Maroney better wake up or this is his last year here

It's amazing he's averaged almost 1,000 yds per season with his injury history. His numbers are great, will he make it through the season though? We'll see... Now, let's move forward with the Cassel for Peppers negotiations so we can REALLY go undefeated this time!

Cut Moroney and save some cap space!! Morris, Taylor and Faulk is enough for the next 2 years while grooming a younger RB

i guess that means no Jordan next season. Evans is in FA as well so fred taylor is gonna take 2 positions?

Very good move. Figure out Cassel, then extend WIlfork and Mankins.

Nice signing. Fred will be a great addition to the clubhouse.

Jean Carl Parisien says, i think this is the guy they wanted to draft years ago. Looks like they finally got their guy

I don't think this precludes the Pats getting Larry Johnson as well. I don't think they have "given up" on Maroney, but they have at least settled into expecting very little from him. They never seem to have enough RBs or LBs.

I woundn't mind them bringing in Brooks as well. I like the Taylor pick up but I think Brooks would be an awesome addition to the defense

All day Fred Tay! The bad part of his sigining means no more lamont jordan who i really thought deserved more carries, and hopefully the statements about cuting Faulk to free up 3 mil are nothin, if anything cut maroney Kevin Faulk means too much and is a 1st down machine.

great move for the pats!!!!!! i like the move alot. i still like maroney. but me know bb like i do,he has to show us something this year. now i know there thinking D D D IN THE DRAFT THIS YEAR!!!!! also so a big high five to tom brady!!!!! and his new lady. tom is a great guy,and we are really bless to have him on are team!!!!!

Happy for Fred Taylor! As I have said before, he was very respected here in Jax, and though getting up there in age, the man can still move. He doesn't have a superstar attitude, will be great on and off the field and I'm glad he'll be a Patriot. Welcome aboard, Fred.

great article,very good comments,looks like we have some educated fans here
for the patriots. i particularly like the comment by mike regarding maroney.
this would be great to get a top draft pick in exchange for him.
"good luck fred taylor,your'e now with greatness"

As a Jags fan, This would be a very good pickup for you guys..IF taylor can stay healthy.. I havent followed Kyle Brady as closely but he seemed to work out for the Pats as well.. I never understood why the Jags got rid of him..

good call Eric (on extending Wilfork and Mankins). This is another Dillon-esque move, in the clock-killing category. Don't sleep on BenJarvus Green-Ellis either, I believe in this kid. I don't think we need to be crazy in free agency either. it's not an overwhelming FA market.

I like the signing, Maroney will not be going anywhere, he will be a Patriot in 2009, his contract is very cap friendly....Cap room will be had once Cassel is dealt....I was hoping they would go after DeAngelo Hall though....

Id say This is the death knell for Maroney. he has to many problems for a young guy.

now if we can trade cassell, and somehow blow the edpense account to get Peppers.
Wow could you imagine , the aditions of taylor and peppers, to this team.
Talk about ouch!

Marc, Cutting Maroney would actually cost more than keeping him. He's here, and hopefully one of these days he'll get a clue and become the back that he is capable of being.

By inference, either Lamont Jordan is too old or Maroney is still injured. BB will keep five running backs but not six. Who just got an axe blade raised up preparatory to a big chop?

Does anyone know what Maroney's cap number is? That will tell you whether he is gone or not.

Do we sign his groin to a separate contract?

Well...let's make sure we got bodys to protect Brady...one more to the knee then "Kapoo"....

Get rid of Maroney. Take Taylor and pick a back in this years draft who is a diamond in the rough. If we get two years out of Taylor that will give the young back a chance to develop. Its a good pick....!!

Pats linebackers always raved about Taylor, he's someone Belichick's coveted a long time. I think he will be an upgrade over Jordan, and a good veteran presence for Maroney, who (contrary to most of you apparently) I think is in line for a breakout year. Dude played with a torn shoulder last year, Taylor will get him finishing his runs again.

keep maroney! deal cassel and load up on DEFENSE! D WINS RINGS REMEMBER!?!?! 01,03,04

Pats sign TE Chris Baker from the Jets?

I love this forum. All the clowns that have always listened to nitwit radio for all these years now seem to have transitioned over to responding to these blogs. Mike - you personally know that Fred Taylor is a "Great Lockerroom guy". MG - relying on the useless opionion of "Jag's fans - they think he has something left in the tank" - Jeeesch

I think this is a brilliant move. Quality guy and player who wants to win a ring. Reality is that he is not an every down back anymore--hasn't really been for a couple years--but 10-15 runs a game he could be the new form of Corey Dillon. I am not too anxious to throw the baby out w/the bath water (Maroney)--he, even in college, shared running time--w/Morris bruising, Taylor doing his thing, and then a team worn down in 3rd, 4th quarter--that is really when Maroney's speed could be devastating. I like Green-Ellis--but think he still needs some refining--remember our schedule this past year--he did not really face quality D's--keep him on practice squad for the inevitable injury. And of course Faulk rules on third down. Bottom line is we need a serviceable TE, hello Chris Baker, and CB/S/LB. We will score points--but as shown in the last two super bowls---you gotta be able to make a stop in the last two minutes of a game---and that doesn't necessarily come from a ball hawking secondary --we need lineman and LB's to get after the QB. The Steelers secondary is nothing grand--but when you have the QB's head on a swivel wondering where his next hit is coming from.... If we sack Eli on the miracle catch--or actually hit him more during that drive---Mercury Morris is proven to be the classless idiot he is....

You guys will not regret this decision ... Freddie T is the man and a complete team player ... He hasn't had a decent O-line in years! As a Jag's season tix holder and former Bostonian, i recommend the Pats should pick up Mike Peterson as well ...
same mold ...

They should have got LARRY JOHNSON

NFL.com is reporting the Pats signed TE Chris Baker from the Jets today as well

This sounds like a good move. Last year we suffered from having Morris, Jordan, and Maroney all injured at the same time. Green Ellis performed well but he is not a #1 option. I think he earned himself a roster spot for 09 in any case. If we can have either Taylor or Morris at 100% health for each game that would be a huge advantage over last year.

My guess is Maroney will stay because according to Patscap he is a $2m cap hit if he is cut, and the Patriots only save about $350k by cutting him. The Pats need salary cap and despite his draw backs, keeping Maroney for the term of his contract is their best option financially.

This signing, if true, suggests that the Patriots realize the do not want to draft a RB in the first three rounds due to other needs.

taylor, morris, faulk, jordan & green-ellis...

Now that's gettin er done!

looks like an opportune time to cut-ties with Maroney & hopefully be able to actually get something for him.

Mike - how valuable could Maroney be to another team after ending the season here injured?

How much will Patriots pay him & how much does he count against salary-cap vs. if he leaves? Who knows, maybe they could work a package deal to the Lions for Maroney & Cassell...........................

I doubt you will see Maroney gone. I still believe the Pats will give him one last look this year.. Maroney is only 24 years old, a youngster amongst running backs.

How many running backs to the Patriots need on their roster? If one of them can switch to inside linebacker, another to outside linebacker, one to cornerback and one to safety, leaving what, three at running back??........then maybe we've shored up the weaknesses on the team. I don't understand the acquisition.

Cutting Maroney wouldn't save much in cap space. Love him or hate him, he's playing on a rookie contract and having someone with his talent (realized or otherwise) playing for "peanuts" is an asset too valuable to discard.

Signing Fred Taylor=awesome. As last year proved, the stable can never be deep enough.

dump maroney now!

taylor and morris tag teaming on 1st and 2nd - with faulk spotting on passing 2nds and 3rds would be a potent trifecta.

Maroney is the only explosive guy on the roster. I see no reason to let him go, we know not to count on him but that doesn't mean he couldn't be a huge asset, especially in combination with the tough running of Morris and Taylor.

shades of Dillon. Let's do this.

Its my understanding he his still one of the most feared open field RB's in the league...can you say yards after catch!

I too wished they had taken Fred many years ago.

Gotta get rid of Cassell somehow. The 14 million is killing our flexibility.

Oooh, I like the Peppers for Cassel talk, J-Bone. I was thinking draft picks all the way, but if that could be done straight up, it would be great for the D. Still think the Panthers are happy with Duhhh-loam, but that could change.

He has only beenaround 2 seasons and been hurt alot yes but i think they need to give one more yearyou know (1 2 3 strikes your out) plus i heard somewhere that if they cut maroney this year he will cost more against the cap then to keep him

Nice

This move is awful...The Patriots have the PERFECT trade piece in Tom Brady. I have been saying it all long this team is in need of a youth movement. Cassel is our future not Brady. When Bledsoe when down I was the only one who said to get rid of him and keep Brady and look how that turned out. Now I am the only one who wants to get rid of Brady and keep Cassel. So it is clear I know my stuff. Brady is still considered one of the best players in the league so we can get a good RB for him. IMO they should trade him for a young stud like Ronnie Brown or LT. WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!!!

don't any of you pay attention? cutting maroney would actually cost the pats more in cap dollars than holding on to him?

I think this is an awesome pick up. Fred Taylor will be the bruising RB that we need. He'll fit the role that Corey Dillon provided the Pats during their 2nd Superbowl winning run! Great low-risk pick up by the Pats.

As a 40 year pats fan living in florida, I can tell you first hand that Fred Taylor is going to be a great addition to the backfield. He's a solid, durable guy and will be reminiscent of Corey Dillion's tenure in NE. Congrats to Tom and Gisele! A real Power Couple. I guess Tom will have to brush up on his Portuguese now!

Please no! The Pats are trying to get young! His best years are behind him.

This move is awful...The Patriots have the PERFECT trade piece in Tom Brady. I have been saying it all long this team is in need of a youth movement. Cassel is our future not Brady. When Bledsoe when down I was the only one who said to get rid of him and keep Brady and look how that turned out. Now I am the only one who wants to get rid of Brady and keep Cassel. So it is clear I know my stuff. Brady is still considered one of the best players in the league so we can get a good RB for him. IMO they should trade him for a young stud like Ronnie Brown or LT. WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!!!

Wade..don't break your arm patting yourself on the back. LOL...seriously..other than defense..this Patriots team is pretty stout offensively..they don't need to make a huge impact on offense. Getting rid of Cassell will help the Pats free the cap space for defensive players, anything they do on offense right now is just tweaking the roster. Brady is nowhere near done, and In my opinion..Matt Cassell will never be another Tom Brady, Matt's a nice quaterback, who'll have a long hopefully successful career...it just won't be with the Patriots. This is a great move for the Patriots...Fred Taylor in a limited role, along with the other RB's on the roster is more than sufficient. Getting rid of Tom Brady would be a HUGE mistake.

J. Peppers will earn 16 million next year - first off how would that contract be looked at in the locker room with Seymour, Wilfork, Warren et al. Second- why tie up all that money at what is arguably your strongest position - when there are glaring needs with the DB's?
Sorry dude - the Bledsoe / Brady vs Brady / Casssel arguemnet doesn't fly. Bledsoe simply wasn't the qb that was going to win a championship- tended to throw a bit too many int's at the absolute worst times in games..

This will give the Pats one of the most explosive backfields in the league, barring injury. I have a feeling that they will let Heath Evans go, even though he was a really good "hard-nose" player. They will keep Maroney, Morris, Faulk, Taylor and Green-Ellis. Morris played a little fullback in Buffalo and Miami. You can run him early in games with Maroney and then bring in Faulk and Green-Ellis on third down, and then bring in the battering ram Taylor to close out games.

I also like the Chris Baker signing. He is a legitimate starting tight end who can catch and block equally well, sort of like Watson. Dave Thomas seems like more of a pass catcher.

With these offensive holes filled, the Pats can focus the draft on the defense, and maybe the offensive line. Once again, they should be Super Bowl contenders.

this will help Brady recover from that knee injury

Go Gators!

Nice first day if the Patriots sign Taylor,Baker and Bodden.All three would fill needs Bodden would step in and be a solid RCB,Baker can at least Catch a Ball when thrown to him and Taylor is a perennial 1000 yrd back even in a rotation.They could still use another Defensive lineman especially if Mike Wright signs with another team.The other news is not as good with Gaffney following McDaniels to Denver possibly.

GREAT pick up. Now trade Macaroney to whomever gives up the best offer. Taylor, Morris, Faulk, the young kid that played for us last year (cant remember his name) and whomever we draft this year. I like our RB's.

Good move! This should be a very exciting offseason for the Pats, and with any luck, we will be learning any minute now where Cassel will be headed, and what the Pats will be receiving in return. The draft this year is bountiful with tools the Patriots can use. Hopefully Brady will come back with some fire in his belly- the last full game he played was on February 3, 2008.

Nice signing. Nevertheless, let's see how long he will actually stay on the roster. I remember the hype of Victor Hobson last year. Or the other free agent signing who didn't make it out of camp.

As a New England native living in Florida (A Gator Alum who was forced to watch Jags games the past 5 years) let me tell everyone that Fred Taylor will fit in well. He's a team guy willing to do anything it takes to win, never gets in any trouble and still has more speed than Morris, Faulk, or Jordan. I wouldn't be surprised if this makes Maroney available in a trade (maybe packaged with Cassell???).

Remember Dillion,went over1600 yards his first year here.Then put on a ring.Pats stole him and they just stole Taylor.

If we trade Cassel.....who could back up....maybe a Damon Huard, or even a Jeff Garcia...or would we put our faith in O'Connell???? Comments?

This puts a little stress on the other running backs. Someone is going to be traded or let go. Hopefully a trade because the Pats running backs are pretty good all and all.

If we trade Cassel.....who could back up....maybe a Damon Huard, or even a Jeff Garcia...or would we put our faith in O'Connell???? Comments?

If we trade Cassel.....who could back up....maybe a Damon Huard, or even a Jeff Garcia...or would we put our faith in O'Connell???? Comments?

kfchaission-you are an idiot

As a Jaguars fan I hate this but the Pats got themselves a great running back. I know he didn't have a good year last year but the o-line sucked. MJD didn't do that great either. I still think that Taylor could play a couple more years and have close to 1,000 seasons if givin the chance. The big knock on Taylor is that he can't catch.

Hate to tell you guys but Taylors done...he's lost several steps and prefers not to get hit. If he's such a great team player, why was he the only one who didn't stay in Jacksonville for off season workouts? Del Rio is taking back control of the team and Fred had to go...

Does the trade include Fred Taylor's groin?

Bill G...... we traded for Taylor???? Who or what did we give up in this trade?? You big dummy!!

Bill G...... we traded for Taylor???? Who or what did we give up in this trade?? You big dummy!!

I love this signing. This is a great move for the Pats. It's nice to see them pick up one of the most sought after free agents and actually need him. It'll be interesting come the 09 season.

Two questions... who are the signed RB's and did the Pats have to give up anything to get him? I thought he was a Free Agent without compensation.

Signing Taylor makes for good decision making. He will be a much better game breaker than LaMont. The training camp competition will lift Morris' game, and Taylor will be a-plus insurance policy.

The big question mark that is Maroney is also delayed at least another year.

We have a multi-dimensional RB corps. I like it.

You idiots are lucky to have Fred Taylor. I've never seen more rude, boorish fans than Patriot fans. Are you all married to your cousins? From the likes of what I saw in Foxboro, there's not enough chlorine in your gene pool.