Patriots camp report: Taylor latest senior solution
By Mike Freeman | CBSSports.com National Columnist Follow Mike More Pats: Five things | RapidReports | Bleacher Report | 
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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The voice was distinct and loud, resonating over the practice field. "Hey, Freddy T," yelled Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, "over here!"
Fred Taylor hurriedly jogged toward Brady and lined up in the backfield behind the quarterback. Practice had just ended, but Brady and the backs went overtime. There were numerous routes run and short throws performed with the meticulous care of a cool-headed wedding planner.
Taylor in a Patriots uniform. It just seems ... odd. Like Batman wearing Superman pajamas. Taylor playing in New England isn't on the same seismic scale of John Unitas ending his career in San Diego or Joe Montana playing in Kansas City, but it's in the same solar system.
Taylor played 11 seasons in the football outer rim that is Jacksonville, where he became one of the most productive backs ever, averaging in the top 10 in a number of rushing categories.
And now he's here. While Brady and other Patriots are as identifiable in New England as a Kennedy, Taylor could probably walk down a Boston street and blend in with the tourists.
The irony of his situation isn't lost on Taylor. As a Jaguar he engaged in pitched battles against the Patriots and, like many other franchises, emerged bloodied and beaten. Those whippings nurtured a healthy curiosity of how the Patriots were able to consistently beat Jacksonville when the Jaguars were themselves no slouches.
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Sleeper ... Laurence Maroney: Maroney only appeared in three games in 2008 and didn't even total 100 yards with no touchdowns. We later found out Maroney had a broken bone in his shoulder, but the Patriots appear to be losing patience with their former featured back. New England proved to be successful going with Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk, LaMont Jordan and BenJarvus Green-Ellis with Maroney out. This year, Maroney will again compete for carries, but he is the most talented running back on the roster. He's worth the risk if he can bounce back from last year's dreadful season and live up to the potential he showed only two years ago. Breakout ... Greg Lewis: Finding a breakout player for the Patriots isn't easy. Lewis is as close as it gets in his competition with Joey Galloway to be the No. 3 wide receiver. If Lewis wins the job, he's in line for the best season of his career. Lewis will find it hard to beat out Galloway, if he's healthy, but the Patriots have had success using their WR with Jabar Gaffney in that role the past two years. If Lewis wins the job, he's worth a late-round pick in all formats. Bust ... Sammy Morris: Morris has been a quality free agent pickup for Fantasy owners the past two seasons. Last year, when Maroney (shoulder) and LaMont Jordan (calf) were hurt, Morris led the Patriots in rushing with 727 yards and seven touchdowns. He also added 17 catches for 161 yards. This year, Maroney is back, and the Patriots replaced Jordan with Fred Taylor. Kevin Faulk remains the likely third-down back, and BenJarvus Green-Ellis will also get a look. We still like Morris as the potential goal-line back, but he's not going to be as successful as he was last year. -- Jamey Eisenberg Current Draft Averages QB: Tom Brady (11th overall) RB: Fred Taylor (151st) WR: Randy Moss (16th) TE: None |
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Taylor has spent weeks with the New England franchise and the mystery is gone. He won't say it exactly, because Taylor doesn't want to insult the franchise he called home -- and still loves -- so let's say it for him: The Patriots have Brady, more talent, more professionalism, more everything. And did we mention Brady?
Taylor's quote on the matter is as deliciously amusing as it is accurate.
"I was wondering why they always kicked our asses in the playoffs," said Taylor. "Now you see why up close and personal."
It's unclear where Taylor fits into the Patriots' muddled and forever oscillating backfield, just that he does.
Taylor still has something left. The burst may no longer burn like an Apollo rocket, but there's still some kick remaining and the hunger has yet to be quenched. It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone if Taylor -- once again -- proves people wrong.
After all he's done it so many times before.
Old, decrepit, fragile -- he has been called all of those things and yet Taylor plugs along, a career as lasting as a manhole cover.
Is Taylor done? Not quite. Not yet.
"I can still play," Taylor said. "Don't count me out."
The question for Taylor is, can he break through a bunched backfield? The answer is complicated. It's not even clear who the starter is, though for now it's likely Laurence Maroney.
"Whoever goes out first is the starter," joked Taylor.
While the Patriots will likely advance far in the playoffs this season, there's one caveat. Coach Bill Belichick still seems fairly committed to a back-by-committee approach.
Historically, teams that use a number of backs fail to reach a ground identity -- and the Patriots have more rushers than some Senators do women on the side. Many of the backs are also older than 30, a number that usually signals the end of a career for a runner. There's Taylor (33), Kevin Faulk (33) and Sammy Morris (32). Maroney and BenJarvus Green-Ellis add the youth.
GoDropkicks: Coach Belichick is always quite tough on his players, yet many of them seem to love playing for the guy. What does he do that makes up for all the toughness and keeps the players from turning on the taskmaster, like in so many other situations? Fred Taylor, running back: You hear about how good a coach Belichick is and now you see it. He is tough, but he's fair. The thing I see is that he works as hard as the players. You have respect for him because he wins, but there's also respect because you know he's putting in the extra hours just like you are. Plus, he's got Super Bowl rings. That's always going to get respect in a locker room.
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Belichick is performing a dicey experiment with his 21st century version of the Over the Hill Gang. Belichick's so supremely talented he's one of the few coaches who could do it, and all he has to do is look at who he has signed before. Belichick turned troubled or aged players on their way out of the league into stars before, with such names as Junior Seau, Randy Moss, Corey Dillon and Rodney Harrison, among others. Taylor is possibly another old dude Belichick can temporarily turn young again.
"We feel like we have good competition at the running back position," Belichick said earlier in camp. "Those guys have all really proven themselves. Laurence has done a lot of great things for us. Sammy Morris has done a great job for us. We like the players we have there in the backfield. We'll let them compete and let them play. I would think that we'd be able to get production from all of them."
"We all always want the ball," said Taylor of NFL backs. "But this isn't a track team and this isn't basketball. We can share if we need to share."
So here he goes again. Taylor is back, in not so familiar settings, but he's back.
And don't be shocked if he makes one final great run.
