Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars / Photo: Newscom

With next season (2010) scheduled to have no salary cap, the Jags really could’ve forced Maurice to spend a number of consecutive years as a restricted free agent, something he obviously would’ve wanted to avoid. So, to offer some security and put MJD in a good mood, the team chose to get a deal done now and lock up their top offensive weapon (6,003 all-purpose yards and 40 touchdowns in three seasons). He’ll be a marked man, but Maurice promised a return on their investment:

“The Jaguars didn’t have to do this. They wanted to; they felt that way about me. Some guys get paid and shut it down. That’s not the way I am.”

Now, the verdict is still out on just how MJD will fare touching the ball some 300 times in a season. But at 5′7″ I can tell you he rarely takes a big lick from any defender and he’s built like a bowling ball so he’s more likely to be dishing out the punishment than receiving it. As long as his knees can withstand the extra workload, I think the next four years will find Maurice Jones-Drew at his very best.

Source: Jaguars.com

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Jags Give Maurice Jones-Drew Another Term

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

It looks like former Jacksonville Jags running back Fred Taylor will be finishing his National Football League career in New England — where all good veteran players go to end their time in the NFL. All partial kidding aside, it’s really a perfect fit. Fred still has some tread left and won’t be expected to shoulder the workload. He’ll share time in a currently crowded backfield with Laurence Maroney, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Kevin Faulk and Sammy Morris and contribute maybe 10 touches each week. And that’s on a good week. Plus his leadership and knowledge of the game will pay huge dividends to the team. Fred spent the first 11 years of his career with the Jags.

Source: NFL.com, Photo: Newscom

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Patriots Sign Fred Taylor

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

The Jacksonville Jags released running back Fred Taylor today. I wasn’t surprised and I’m sure Fred wasn’t, either. He hasn’t been the team’s number one running back for several seasons and didn’t fit with the team’s ongoing, offseason facelift. So after 11 years in Jacksonville, Fred was given his walking papers. It’s difficult to see this happen — especially when the guy has been such a good player for one team for so long. But I can understand why the decision was made. And apparently, it wasn’t about the money. Fred is 33-years-old and was scheduled to make $6 million next season. Let’s face it. In the National Football League, 33-year-old running backs do not make $6 million. But he was willing to take a pay cut. So, Fred’s age played more into this decision than anything financial. The Jags wanted to work with their crop of younger running backs. Head coach Jack Del Rio talked about it:

“He clearly wanted to play football so, out of respect to him, we’re doing this early so he’ll have a chance to catch on. We just see a very talented group of backs, a very competitive group, and felt it’s time to move on as a football team. He’s still got some talent. I’m sure there will be interest by other teams.”

I think Fred could expect roughly 10-12 touches per game playing as a backup to a younger teammate at the running back position. After all, he’s got some tread on his tires. He’s piled up 11,271 yards in his career, good for 16th place on the all-time NFL rushing list. It’s rare a running back lasts as long as Fred has. So a limited role is really the only reasonable option.

Source: Jaguars.com, Photo: Newscom

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Jaguars Release Fred Taylor

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

A year after Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor’s death, NFL players are still living scared. And with good reason. There’s an interesting article in the 11.24 Dec 01 2008 ESPN Magazine that features seven current NFL players discussing their own concerns and experiences with crime and the issue of safety in their own lives — Clinton Portis, Ben Roethlisberger, Dunta Robinson, Kevin Mawae, Derrick Brooks, Branden Albert and Fred Taylor. In the “special report,” ESPN senior writer David Fleming writes:

“When asked about their fears, players cite the same frightening flashpoints: New Year’s Day 2007, when Broncos defensive back Darrent Williams was shot and killed outside a Denver nightclub while riding in his limo; November 2007, when Taylor was murdered; June 2008, when Oakland receiver Javon Walker was robbed and beaten unconscious near the Vegas strip; and September 2008, when Jaguars lineman Richard Collier was paralyzed and had to have his leg amputated above the knee after he was shot 14 times in what police say was a retaliatory shooting.”

Two things really stood out to me in this report and both were related to the issue of vulnerability. Denver Broncos security chief Dave Abrams said he fears for players’ families, as in kidnapping for ransom. And Fred Taylor pointed out that would-be criminals know athletes can’t have guns with them at the team facility — not even in the parking lot. So players are even more of a target between where they work and where they live.

NFL players are targets. They’re in the public eye so they’re easy to find. And it’s well known they have money. Lots of money. So, it’s not uncommon for an NFL player to live in a gated community with an elaborate security system. Or to own a gun. Or to hire a bodyguard. At just about every NFL event I’ve been to, players are accompanied by one or more guys who look like bodyguards. It’s all about protection and safety. And sadly, there seems to be less and less of it. Sure, NFL players (and people in general) need to be smart about where and when they are. But even at home — as was the case with Sean Taylor — the issue of safety is a major concern now more than ever.

Source: ESPNtheMag.com

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NFL Players Are Still Living Scared

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

With about a month to go before NFL training camps open, quarterback Byron Leftwich is without a job. Which is hard to believe considering Byron was the starting QB of the Jacksonville Jaguars a year ago at this time. But after a demotion and release — then a brief, unsuccessful stint with the Atlanta Falcons last season — Byron has been spending his time in a daily workout program at a high-tech training facility near Miami, Florida. NFL players Plaxico Burress, Frank Gore, Anquan Boldin and Fred Taylor have been among those working with him. Byron has lost 25 pounds and joked that if he put on a #81 jersey, people would mistake him for Randy Moss:

“I believe in myself. I’ve got confidence in myself. I won’t allow this to start second-guessing my ability. These types of things happen, man. You’ve got to stand up and see the light at the end of the tunnel. I know I can play the game of football. I’m not gonna let anybody tell me I can’t.”

Despite his substantial injury history, I’ve got to believe some team will take a chance on Byron. He’s damaged goods, no doubt — but I believe he can and will serve in some sort of backup role in 2008. It might not happen until, ironically, an injury creates a need. But I believe it will happen.

Source: Washington Times, Photo: Newscom

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Byron Leftwich Still Looking for Work

As a member of the Pro Football Writers of America, I have a vote in the Annual PFWA Awards. Below are the five categories, the nominees, and who I voted for.

Horrigan Award (for the person — not a player or team PR staffer — who helped the media best do its job last season):

• Roger Goodell, NFL commissioner. Roger’s background in NFL public relations and his understanding of our jobs have helped improve the lines of communication between the media and teams. His appearances at our writers meetings at the Super Bowl, where he asks about our concerns, are further proof of his commitment to getting it right.
• Mike Holmgren, Seahawks coach. Mike enters his final season as the Seahawks’ coach — and perhaps his last as a coach anywhere. Those who cover him regularly consider it an upset that he has never won this award, considering his openness and incredibly consistent availability, even to those critical of him. Mike is very patient in explaining his thinking about a variety of issues, including those that other coaches might be reluctant (read: paranoid) to discuss.
• Jerry Jones, Cowboys owner. Since purchasing the Cowboys in 1989, Jerry has been one of the most outspoken owners in all of sports. Never shy about giving his opinion, he is willing to speak to reporters on just about any subject, and fill your notebook to the brim. He is occasionally criticized for his opinions, but the fact that he is always willing to give them makes him one of the most valued people in the league.
• Bill Polian, Colts president/general manager. Bill has been particularly good at providing big-picture observations about the league, competition committee issues, and the Draft. A number of writers have commented about his candor at the Scouting Combine. Bill is never shy about stating his opinions, even if he occasionally ruffles the feathers of the people he works with throughout the league. In other words, he’s good copy.
• Dan Rooney, Steelers owner. A previous Horrigan nominee, Dan remains a go-to-guy among NFL owners. He is consistently available, and the fact that he speaks his mind on a variety of subjects — whether they pertain to the Steelers or the NFL — makes him one of the league’s most important voices. Perhaps the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree; Dan’s father, Art Rooney Sr., is a previous Horrigan winner.

My Vote: I’m going with the Commissioner. While I have not worked with him personally, I’m impressed with what he has done during his short time in office. Plus, he’s originally from the town I currently live in.

Good Guy Award (for the player who best helped the media do its job).

• Brett Favre, Packers. One of those who nominated him said, “No better interview in the game. Ask the guy a question and he’ll bare his soul.” Also noted that he continued to do conference calls, at least more than some of his quarterback brethren.
• Bob Sanders, Colts. Cited for his willingness to be accessible and have something to say, win or lose, good or bad.
• Darren Sharper, Vikings. One who nominated Darren called him “terrific” over a long period of time.
• Fred Taylor, Jaguars. One who nominated him said, “His career has been a media learning curve, and this year was the best by far.”
• Jason Taylor, Dolphins. Several folks noted his willingness to be candid and offer something to say in what was a difficult season all around.

My Vote: This was easy. Brett Favre. I’ve interviewed him three times and he’s the best interview. I’ve gotta say, I like the Bob Sanders nomination, too. Bob’s also a great interview, but Brett’s in a league of his own on and off the football field.

Halas Award (for the individual in the NFL who overcame the most adversity to succeed last season.)

• Eli Manning, Giants quarterback: Playing under intense scrutiny in the largest media market, Eli got hot in the last half of the season and led his team to three postseason victories on the road and into the Super Bowl. He played the best games of his career when they mattered most.
• Kevin Everett, Bills tight end: In the opener, Kevin sustained a fracture and dislocation of his cervical spine that his doctors characterized as “life-threatening” the day after the injury, and stated it is likely to leave him with permanent neurological impairment. However, on September 11, 2007, Kevin showed significant movement in his arms and legs, which led doctors to speculate that he may eventually be able to walk again. Kevin walked in public for the first time at Ralph Wilson Stadium before the home finale against the New York Giants on December 23, 2007.
• Washington Redskins: The entire team rallied together after the shooting death of teammate Sean Taylor, piecing together a four-game winning streak to qualify for the playoffs. One Seattle writer — the Redskins lost a wild-card game there — was impressed by the sincere closeness of the players and the spirit of cooperation with the media.
• Plaxico Burress, Giants wide receiver: He endured a season of serious ankle injuries that limited his ability to practice. Still, he was the Giants’ top receiver with 70 receptions for 1,025 yards. He also set a franchise playoff record in the NFC title game with 11 receptions for 154 yards as the Giants advanced to Super Bowl XLII, where he caught the game-winning touchdown pass in the Giants’ 17-14 upset of New England.
• Greg Ellis, Dallas linebacker: The NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2007, Greg returned from a torn Achilles’ tendon suffered Nov. 12, 2006. He returned in Game 4 of 2007 and had the first of 12.5 sacks, tying for the team lead. During his injury and contract squabble with the Cowboys, Greg was credited with his mentoring and leadership to younger players.

My Vote: These are all great stories, but how can I vote for anyone other than Kevin Everett? He’s a walking miracle and it was inspirational to be as close to his situation as I was this past season.

Rozelle Award (for the P.R. staff that best helped the media do its job):

• Arizona Cardinals: Mark Dalton, senior director, media relations. The Cardinals have never won the Rozelle Award.
• New York Giants: Pat Hanlon, vice president of communications. The Super Bowl champion is a multiple Rozelle award winner.
• Philadelphia Eagles: Derek Boyko, director of football media services. The Eagles are a multiple Rozelle award winner.
• San Diego Chargers: Bill Johnson, director of public relations. The Chargers are a finalist for the second consecutive year.
• Seattle Seahawks: Dave Pearson, director of communications and broadcasting. Seattle has become a perennial finalist and received the most nominations for the second time in three years.

My Vote: This is another easy one. The Philadelphia Eagles are great to work with. Who else would get Lito Sheppard on the phone with me while he’s eating breakfast in the team cafeteria? There are some teams that didn’t get enough votes to be on this list, but I’d like to credit the Bills, Jags, Browns, Steelers and Ravens for always going the extra mile for me and being teams I can count on.

McCann Award (named in honor of the first executive director of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Dick McCann Award is given annually by the PFWA to honor one of its members for distinguished service)

• Vic Carucci: After a cup of coffee with the Utica Observer Dispatch in 1979, Vic Carucci gained his first NFL beat with the South Jersey Courier Post, where he covered the Eagles for three seasons. He then went to the Buffalo News in 1982 and tracked the Bills for 17 seasons, all four Super Bowl losses included. He served a two-year term as PFWA president. Vic joined NFL.com in 1999 and has been there since. He has authored nine books on NFL subjects, five of them New York Times best-sellers. He continued to work this past season despite undergoing cancer treatment, which has been successful.
• Vinny DiTrani: Never having worked for another paper, “The Sage” started out at the Bergen Record in 1967. He took over the Jets beat in 1969, the season after they won Super Bowl III, and assumed the Giants beat in 1974. Aside from a stretch when he covered the league from 2001-03, Vinny has covered the Giants ever since, going to four Super Bowls as a beat reporter. Vinny is a longtime member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Board of Selectors.
• Peter Finney: The Big Easy native is nearing 63 years at the New Orleans States, then States-Item, then Times-Picayune. Peter Finney was hired as a high-school writer in 1945 and became sports columnist in 1961. His tenure easily encompasses the lifespan of the Saints; they were 40 by the time he could write about their first NFC title appearance. Peter continued to cover the Saints (and the city) through the Hurricane Katrina aftermath. He has covered every Super Bowl except for the first two — because his sports editor thought it was a fad.
• Alan Greenberg: The longtime Hartford Courant writer died in March 2007 of a heart attack. He was 55. Alan, a Baltimore native and Syracuse grad, got his first big break from the Atlanta Constitution and was hired by the Los Angeles Times in 1979. Six years later, he joined the Courant. He covered all three of the Patriots’ championship teams.
• Len Pasquarelli: After graduating from Pitt and working as a teacher, coach and stringer for a few years, Len Pasquarelli became editor of Pittsburgh Steelers Weekly in 1978. He joined the Pro Football Weekly staff in 1982 and then went to the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel to handle the Colts beat in 1986. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution hired Len to cover the Falcons in 1989. A decade later he continued his nomadic trek, entering cyberspace with SportsLine.com before landing at ESPN.com in 2001. Len became ill during Pro Football Hall of Fame voting at the last Super Bowl and had emergency, quintuple bypass surgery — but not before he voted and wrote his column.

My Vote: Vic Carucci. I worked alongside Vic during the Bills home games this season and have nothing but respect for him. I am pretty humbled by what these guys have done. I’ve been covering the NFL for about eight years now and I’m quite confident in my abilities, but I feel like a rookie compared to this list. I know when to keep my mouth shut and my ears open. And when I’m around these guys, that’s exactly what I do.

Special thanks to Mark Curnutte, Bob Glauber, Tim Graham, John McClain and Jeff Legwold for compiling the finalists; and to PFWA president Alex Marvez for the mini-bios.

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Pro Football Writers of America Awards

Jacksonville Jags RB Fred Taylor has been added to the 2008 Pro Bowl roster for the first time, replacing Willie Parker of the Pittsburgh Steelers. It will mark Fred’s first Pro Bowl appearance in his 10-year career. He is the first Jags offensive player to make the Pro Bowl since Jimmy Smith was named a starter in 2001. Fred is the club’s career, single-season and single-game rushing leader. He ranked fifth in the AFC in rushing in 2007 with 1,202 yards on 223 carries and led the AFC with a 5.4 average per rush. He tied for first in the NFL with four rushes of 50-plus yards and finished with two of the four longest rushes in the NFL this season.

Fred rushed for 100-plus yards in five consecutive games to close out the regular season, the only NFL player to record five straight 100-plus rushing games. He rushed for a season-high 147 yards on 25 carries at Pittsburgh on 12/16, his most since he had 165 on 10/30/05 at St. Louis.

Fred had several highlights in 2007 including:

• Became the 21st player in NFL history to reach 10,000 career rushing yards as he accomplished the feat on 11/11 at Tennessee.
• Surpassed the 1,000-yard mark for the season at Pittsburgh on 12/16, his seventh career season with 1,000 rushing yards. The seven are tied for the ninth-most in NFL history.
• Broke free for a team-record 80-yard touchdown run against Carolina on 12/9 in the fourth quarter. Had a 76-yard run against Houston on 10/14.
• Tied Jimmy Smith for the most touchdowns in team history with 69.
• Set franchise record for yards from scrimmage against San Diego on 11/18, surpassing Jimmy Smith (12,285), and surpassed him for the most all-purpose yards in team history on 12/23 vs. Oakland.
• Rushed for 1,202 yards in 2007, the sixth-most by a player at age 31 or older since 2000.
• Rushed for 147 yards against Pittsburgh, the most rushing yards by an opposing back in Heinz Field history. Fred also owns the Three Rivers Stadium record with 234 rushing yards on 11/19/00.

And if that wasn’t enough convincing, Fred ranks among the best in NFL history in a bunch of categories, including:

• 17th with 10,715 rushing yards
• 8th in rushing yards per game (84.4)
• 10th in yards from scrimmage per game (102.2) and 36th in NFL history with a team-record 12,978 yards from scrimmage
• 5th with 311 rushes of 10-plus yards
• 4th with 13 rushes of 50-plus yards
• Tied with the third-best yards per carry average (4.7) among the top 25 rushers in NFL history
• One of only 28 players with 2,000-plus carries

Finally. Fred Taylor is headed to Hawaii. This should’ve happened a long time ago. Fred deserves better than alternate status, but at least it’s something. And as they say, better late than never.

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Justice is Served: Jacksonville Jaguars RB Fred Taylor Makes AFC Pro Bowl Roster

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL

The NFL playoffs begin today and tomorrow with Wild Card Weekend. This afternoon, the Washington Redskins play at the Seattle Seahawks (NBC, 4:30 PM ET) and this evening, the Jacksonville Jaguars visit the Pittsburgh Steelers (NBC, 8:00 PM ET). Wild Card Weekend continues tomorrow with the New York Giants at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (FOX, 1:00 PM ET) and the Tennessee Titans traveling to face the San Diego Chargers (CBS, 4:30 PM ET).

Today’s game between the Washington Redskins and Seattle Seahawks will feature two of the most successful coaches in NFL history in Joe Gibbs of Washington and Mike Holmgren of Seattle. They’ve appeared in a combined seven Super Bowls, winning four. Coach Gibbs ranks third all-time in playoff wins with 17, and by coaching the Redskins on Saturday, he will tie Chuck Noll (24) for the third-most playoff games coached in history. There was a time this season when many felt Coach Gibbs was too old to be coaching, that he couldn’t keep up the pace. But he’s proven them (and me) wrong as the ‘Skins won four straight to get into the postseason.

One of the main reasons that Jacksonville is in the playoffs is the rushing production of 10-year veteran Fred Taylor. Fred finished the year ranked ninth in the league in rushing with 1,202 yards, averaged 5.4 yards per carry, and closed the regular season with five consecutive 100-yard rushing performances. One of those games came against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 15 at Heinz Field, where the Jags will play tonight. Fred ran for 147 yards in that game, the most that Pittsburgh’s top-ranked defense gave up on the ground all season. Amazingly, Fred was again snubbed for the Pro Bowl.

Playing away from home has not been a problem for the New York Giants this season. The G-men come into their game against the Bucs with a franchise-record seven-game road winning streak. Including this year’s 16-0 New England club, only nine teams in history have entered the playoffs with seven or more consecutive road wins.

The San Diego Chargers and Tennessee Titans finished the season with the most interceptions in 2007. The Chargers ranked first with 29 pickoffs and tied an NFL record set by Dallas in 1985 for the most interceptions at home with 22. The Titans tied Indianapolis for the second most in the league with 22. Chargers Pro Bowl cornerback Antonio Cromartie led the NFL with 10 interceptions, breaking a 46-year-old franchise record (Charlie McNeil had nine in 1961) in the process. LB Keith Bulluck led Tennessee with five INTs. When the teams meet tomorrow, it will mark only the fourth playoff game since 1970 between clubs with the top interception totals.

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NFL Playoffs Begin With Wild Card Weekend

Sixteen carries for 45 yards isn’t anything to get excited about, but in Fred Taylor’s case today, it was. First and foremost, his Jacksonville Jaguars beat the Tennessee Titans 28-13 to improve to 6-3 and tie the Titans for second place in the AFC South behind the Indianapolis Colts. Secondly, he became the 21st player in NFL history to rush for more than 10,000 yards in his career in the process. Pretty impressive for a guy who has never made the Pro Bowl and holds franchise rushing records for a career, season and game. After the game, Fred said he was shocked the Titans announced it and added:

“Look at the smile on my face. I’m thankful. It’s been a roller-coaster ride, ups and downs. I probably questioned myself once or twice along the ride whether I could do it.”

I can’t believe Fred’s never made a Pro Bowl. The guy was made to run the football. Sure, he’s had his share of injury problems throughout his NFL career, but that makes this 10,000-yard achievement all the more impressive considering he’s only played 16 games twice in his first nine seasons. Six of those nine seasons he’s gone over 1,000 yards and he’s on-pace to do so this year as well. With Maurice Jones-Drew taking some of the load off Fred (and thus prolonging his career), he’s not getting as many carries, but he’s productive with the ones he does get, averaging 4.2/run.

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Fred Taylor Moves Over 10,000 Career Rushing Yards as Jaguars Beat Titans