On one play yesterday, Fred Taylor cut back his run after seeing a hole in the front line. Then he preceded to burst through the hole and into the secondary of the Carolina Panthers. He then outran Carolina's secondary in a footrace to the endzone for an 80 yard TD. Oh yeah, Fred Taylor is 31 years old. He is turning 32 in January.
Fred Taylor, for those of you that don't know about him, is the starting runningback for the Jacksonville Jaguars. That simple fact has been the sole reason he hasn't been to a pro-bowl yet in his career.
Jacksonville doesn't get a lot of media attention or national exposure. Fred Taylor has quietly become of the greatest runningbacks to ever play the game. He just surpassed Eddie George on the all-time NFL rushing leaders list to overtake the 18th spot on the board. What I have seen out of Fred Taylor this year has been incredible. For a guy that is in his 10th season in the NFL he is still making all the moves and still has all the speed a 3 year back has. Fred is finding the holes, bursting through the front line and still running through tackles. So far this season he has accounted for 944 rushing yards and 3 TDs. That stat comes from splitting carries with Maurice Jones-Drew. Maurice Jones-Drew usually gets all of the 3rd down carries and most of the goalines, with the rest usually going to Greg Jones.
There are other backs in the NFL that are currently having better seasons, Joseph Addai, LT, Willie Parker, Willis McGahee. However, none of those are quite as incredible as Fred Taylor's. He had past years where he derserved to go the pro-bowl but wasn't selected because it is a fan vote. Most of the fans didn't know who Fred Taylor was.
1998 - 1223 yards 14 TDs
2000 - 1399 yards 12 TDs
2002 - 1314 yards 8 TDs
2003 - 1572 yards 6 TDs
2007?
Fred Taylor is a guy that has never complained about not having the exposure he deserves. He has never said a word. He just goes out every Sunday and gives it everything he has. I'm writing this blog to make people aware of what he has done this season and past seasons. Out of all the top 50 rushers in NFL history, Fred Taylor joins only Antoine Smith as one of two players to not go to a pro bowl. He is only one in the top 25 all time to not make it to Hawaii at least once.
I want everyone to be aware of Fred's accomplishments and what he has done this season sharing carries. Since the fans are the ones that vote for the pro bowl I want to make fannation aware that Fred Taylor deserves to go this season, as it may be his last. Give Fred something he derserves, something he has deserved for a long time. Give him a trip to Hawaii this season to put the exclamation point on his incredible career. Fred Taylor has to much pride to ask for votes himself so me, as a lifelong Jaguar fan, am asking for him.
To really get an idea of how good his career has been, take a look at this video of some of his best runs over the past few seasons.
Click Here for another video of some great runs earlier in his career as a Jaguar.
Anne V
Kayla Oberg
NFL Cheerleaders: Week 11
Best Players 6-5 and Under
Comments (16) Add A Comment
He will NEVER be talked about as 1 of the best
He is a very good RB, not an elite 1
djroxalot: Happy…
Los Angeles, CA
Total Comments (19485)
hes no Jim Brown, Walter, Payton or LT but the guy has had a virtually invisible incredible career. He is 18th all time in yardage. Why shouldnt he visit Hawaii at least once?
Jagator
Gator Country, FL
Total Comments (943)
hes no Jim Brown, Walter, Payton or LT but the guy has had a virtually invisible incredible career. He is 18th all time in yardage. Why shouldnt he visit Hawaii at least once?
Jagator
Gator Country, FL
Total Comments (943)
I think he deserves it, but he won't get it. Good blog though.
G.O.A.T. is back?
Scranton, PA
Total Comments (12359)
1998, 6th in AFC in rushing yds behind Terrell Davis, Marshall Faulk, Eddie George, Curtis Martin and Ricky Watters. 2nd in rush TD's behind Davis.
2000, 5th in AFC in rushing yds behind Edgerrin James, Eddie George, Mike Anderson, and Corey Dillon. 5th in rush TD's behind Anderson, George, Lamar Smith, and James.
2002, 7th in AFC in rushing yds behind Ricky Williams, Ladainian Tomlinson, Priest Holmes, Clinton Portis, Travis Henry, and Jamal Lewis. 9th in rush TD's.
2007, 4th in AFC in rushing yds behind Willie Parker, LaDainian Tomlinson, Willis McGahee. 12th in rush TD's.
I don't see a compelling case that he should have made it in any of those years. Only the top 3 get to go.
The Ram
Pittsburgh, PA
Total Comments (28589)
Great blog for a Taylor-supporter, but I dont see him getting picked this year and the reason he is not having a top 3 season is because he is splitting carries with Jones-Drew. Hard for a guy to make the PB when he isnt a feature back.
Cassidy's House:…
Whatsittoya, NO
Total Comments (16281)
Sorry, left out 2003
4th in AFC in rush yds behind Jamal Lewis, La Dainian Tomlinson, and Clinton Portis. 12 in rush TD's.
The Ram
Pittsburgh, PA
Total Comments (28589)
Deserved or not, Fred Taylor will likely never shake the "Fragile Fred" image he got labeled with early in his career. He is tied for fifth in rushing in the AFC. I doubt he gets that trip to Honolulu.
Keepinitreeuh
Total Comments (611)
you and I both know ram that the best player doesnt always go to the pro bowl because of fan voting. Taylor was behind those players in those years I mentioned but the main reason he didnt go is because of the fan vote and not that many people know any on the players on the jaguars. Many times the pro bowl is more of a popularity contest rather than who actually deserves it. How many times has Michael Vick been again? I just think with that many good years of running, him being 32 in January and possibly close to his last season that he should go. I really think thats the only thing that keeps him coming back every year. Because he wants to get to go one year just to highlight his career.
Jagator
Gator Country, FL
Total Comments (943)
He is having a very good year.
NORCALSURFER777
San Mateo , CA
Total Comments (2236)
Good RB that has helped the Jaguars advance. The two-back system with Jones-Drew hurts him a bit to really be considered but then again, perhaps he's having the year he is because of the relief. I'd take him on my team but I don't see a good argument for a Probowl spot. The real question is, does he make it to the HOF?
The Big Cat
Long Island, NY
Total Comments (875)
Taylor is a monster this year he is under estimated by his opponents and then he runs all over them. In my opinion he deserves a pro bowl position but people dont reconize his ability so i dont think he will get in but he has my vote.
Jamie0
Total Comments (195)
Pro Bowl is, more often than not, a popularity contest....lots of times, the most deserving players get passed up for more popular players. Fair is a concept in NFL
Zags4final4
Lost Somewhere In, WA
Total Comments (1274)
Hmm...the thing about Taylor is, yes, he didn't get a Pro Bowl, but I can't find a year where there were people who went that were less deserving, really.
Lifer: Metallica…
Total Comments (9689)
He does deserve one. Especially with his age. Usually 30 is the mark. Incredible !
Squeeb
Total Comments (942)
He is a very good running back.But you are going way overboard with the whole one of the greatest.He has been solid WHEN HEALTHY which is the reason he never makes the pro bowl.He doesnt play whole seasons and he is always topped by other running backs.So very good running back yes.Great running back absolutely not
st*rainman*sssc*
Troy , NY
Total Comments (289)
Comment
Remember to keep your posts clean. Profanity will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.