Jags say sayonara to Taylor
Jacksonville Jaguars coach Jack del Rio flew to Fort Lauderdale to let the franchise's all-time leading rusher know that his services are no longer needed.
The Jags were expected to release Fred Taylor, who was due to earn $6 million in 2009. But the fact that they didn't want Taylor at a reduced rate is a little surprising.
Although Taylor had a career low in yards per carry (3.9) and only had 556 yards last season, the Jags suffered a lot of injuries on the offensive line and Taylor finished the season on IR and missed the remaining 3 games.
But Del Rio believes that Taylor can and will stay play (just not in Jacksonville).
He trails John Riggins by 81 yards for 15th and Jim Brown by 1,041 yards. He has previously said that he would like to pass Brown, who currently ranks 8th all-time, before retiring.
The Jags were expected to release Fred Taylor, who was due to earn $6 million in 2009. But the fact that they didn't want Taylor at a reduced rate is a little surprising.
“We offered to take a pay cut, but their decision was made,” Taylor said. “They wanted to go young was their reply.”Maurice Jones-Drew will now be the man in Jacksonville. From a fantasy perspective, I've seen some sites projecting (on the assumption that the Jags would cut Taylor) as the #2 overall draft pick. (For the record, I wouldn't select Jones-Drew with the 2nd-overall pick in a fantasy draft.)
Although Taylor had a career low in yards per carry (3.9) and only had 556 yards last season, the Jags suffered a lot of injuries on the offensive line and Taylor finished the season on IR and missed the remaining 3 games.
But Del Rio believes that Taylor can and will stay play (just not in Jacksonville).
"You don't turn 33 without losing a step, but he's clearly worked hard. He's worked hard to allow himself to play at a high level. To hold off talented youngsters, you've got to do that, and he's worked his tail off to have that be the case."Taylor, drafted 9th overall by the Jags in 1998, ranks 16th all-time on the NFL rushing list and made his first-ever Pro Bowl appearance in 2007.
He trails John Riggins by 81 yards for 15th and Jim Brown by 1,041 yards. He has previously said that he would like to pass Brown, who currently ranks 8th all-time, before retiring.
