Cards sign Chester Taylor.

[O]

kentsomersKent Somers

Cardinals agree to terms with Chester Taylor. Flying into AZ tonight, says league source.

 

[Shane]

Woohoo Hes not a Steeler!

 

[PJ1]

Was hoping for someone younger. Guess they wanted some experience back there in case Beanie goes down. Taylor may have too much experience.

 

[joeshmo]

The guy has no legs to run the ball anymore. But he can still find and sit in a zone and catch the ball pretty well.

Was a pretty good pass blocker when with Minny but I don't know how well he does at it now a days?

 

[joeshmo]

There was a lot of competition for him once he was cut, so while I do not think he has anything in the tank at least other teams tried hard for him and we came out on top. Something that usually doesn't happen with free agents when we get into a competition.

 

[Krangodnzr]

UGGGGGGGGGGGGGH

Horrible signing, even for a depth signing. I know Whisenhunt is in love with runningbacks with good fundamentals, but I was hoping we would sign someone who could actually run with the football. Taylor offers nothing as a runner anymore.

 

[Shane]

The guy has no legs to run the ball anymore. But he can still find and sit in a zone and catch the ball pretty well.

Was a pretty good pass blocker when with Minny but I don't know how well he does at it now a days?

What I dont get is how he can have such dead legs? The guy has only averaged 110 carries per year. Not a big workload at all for a RB. You wouldn't think he would be ground down like a workhorse would be.

Who knows. Im sure the Bear OL wasn't much help largely considered one of the worst in football. (not that we are much better)

 

[Dayman]

I was afraid we'd settle for Taylor. Normally, I'd say we could do worse, but with Taylor's 2.4 ypc last year, it's debatable.

At least he's still a solid pass blocker. As far as running the ball goes, I really think he's done.

 

[Jetstream Green]

Taylor adds some experience, but as stated by another too much experience which has left little of his physical ability. Would not be shocked if the Cardinals still keep A. Smith and go with 4 backs along with Sherman at FB

 

[joeshmo]

UGGGGGGGGGGGGGH

Horrible signing, even for a depth signing. I know Whisenhunt is in love with runningbacks with good fundamentals, but I was hoping we would sign someone who could actually run with the football. Taylor offers nothing as a runner anymore.

Since i am not a fan of him running the ball anymore either I am just playing Devils advocate here. Who was out there that was better, a lot of them didn't actually get cut, Slaton and Tashard Choice to name a few that didn't get cut.

 

[joeshmo]

What I dont get is how he can have such dead legs? The guy has only averaged 110 carries per year. Not a big workload at all for a RB. You wouldn't think he would be ground down like a workhorse would be.

Who knows. Im sure the Bear OL wasn't much help largely considered one of the worst in football. (not that we are much better)

Doesn't matter how many carries you get, age is still age. Plus you got to add in his receiving work load, 3rd down workload where he didn't get any carries, and his pass blocking work load.

 

[kerouac9]

Football Outsiders is hilarious sometimes...

With 2.38 yards per carry, Taylor is the first running back since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970 to average less than 2.4 yards per carry in over 100 carries. He put up some fascinating stat lines. Ten carries for 13 yards against the Bills. Eleven carries for 10 yards against the Dolphins. Eleven carries for five yards (!) against the Vikings. Six carries for a loss of three (!!) against the Eagles. Was Mike Martz trying to prove some kind of point by feeding him the ball so often and unproductively? Taylor’s decade-long run as a Backup to the Stars appears to be over; all the “veteran reliability” in the world cannot offset rushing averages that plunge into 0.45 yards-per-game territory.

At least he had 7 yards per catch last year on 26 receptions.

 

[joeshmo]

At least he had 7 yards per catch last year on 26 receptions.

What did FO rank the Bears OL last year? It was pretty low wasn't it???

 

[football karma]

well--

with the Cowboys keeping four RBs ( meaning Tashard Choice was kept), really the choices were Larry Johnson, ex of Miami or perhaps Dimitri Nance of the Packers.

Assuming they keep Alphonso Smith ( do they?) the cuts are one of the TEs, Talley the DE and Sturdivant or Walker

 

[Mitch]

I have my concerns as well about Taylor as a #2...however, as a #3, he's a very good signing. Give him credit for doing his homework---he has a very good chance to play more in Arizona than anywhere else. Hopefully, he comes with a chip on his shoulder and wants with a passion to prove all the nay-sayers wrong. Plus, he has plenty of playoff experience---which is always a plus.

 

[Shane]

well--

with the Cowboys keeping four RBs ( meaning Tashard Choice was kept), really the choices were Larry Johnson, ex of Miami or perhaps Dimitri Nance of the Packers.

Assuming they keep Alphonso Smith ( do they?) the cuts are one of the TEs, Talley the DE and Sturdivant or Walker

I really really hope they keep Mr. Smith

 

[THESMEL]

Well after seeing the Bears oline this preseason, It may not be all on Chester Taylor!
I like a veteran with knowledge to offer.

 

[kerouac9]

What did FO rank the Bears OL last year? It was pretty low wasn't it???

Last in pass blocking, but "only" 29th in Adjusted Line Yards and 32nd in Power Success.

Here's what their annual has to say about the Bears' line:

Most of the Bears’ line problems last year stemmed
from a lack of continuity, which is why all of the new
personnel and position-flipping is such a cause for
concern. Given a whole offseason, training camp, and
preseason to work with, offensive coordinator Mike
Martz and line coach Mike Tice were still playing
mix-and-match on the offensive line when the 2010
season started. They must now work in two new starters
and also move a third player to a new position
during a truncated camp. The configuration we just
described was how the Bears lined up in early August.
By the time you read this, Carimi or Omiyale may be
back at left tackle, or the Mikes may have come up
with some new configuration.

Who's excited to see the Cards integrate possible 2 new starters into the offensive line, or insert Deuce back into the startling lineup with 0 preseason reps with Keith and Sendlein?

 

[joeshmo]

Last in pass blocking, but "only" 29th in Adjusted Line Yards and 32nd in Power Success.

Knew they were bad but not that bad. Thanks for the info.

 

[Jetstream Green]

It still comes down to one thing- Beanie Wells. He is our starter and let's hope he can finally hold up for a season

 

[sportznutt]

Cardinals agreed to terms with RB Chester Taylor, formerly of the Bears.

Arizona was desperate for a third-down back who could also take over as the lead back should Beanie Wells go down with an injury. Whether Taylor still has the ability is as a 32-year-old coming off 2.4 yards per carry in 2010 is in serious doubt. He's no lock to take over passing-down duties from LaRod Stephens-Howling.

rotoworld

 

[THESMEL]

Feed The Bean

beanie is gonna tear up the nFL this year, Hope He gets 25 carries a game and 2000 yards, not Chris Johson wispy Fairy type yards.

But Jim brown pissed off Shrek type 2000 yards!

It still comes down to one thing- Beanie Wells. He is our starter and let's hope he can finally hold up for a season

 

[Crazy Canuck]

I'll wait until he puts on a uniform, runs, catches, blocks at least once - before declaring this an ugHHhhh pickup.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I don't know how anyone can be complaining about this pickup. He was the best RB available and, if he doesn't make it, or has "dead" legs, who cares. They just cut him. The Cards have no proven runner behind Wells. Taylor has at least had some semblence of success in the NFL.

 

[JeffGollin]

It's not as if the Cards want him to be Beanie's backup (do they)? Or replace LSH as our passing down specialist (do they)?

He does have a wealth of experience and creds as a receiver and pass blocker, and if all he does is provide veteran depth ballast, it figures to be a good thing. But not at the expense of demoting or losing A. Smith & his inside running ability. (We should carry 4 RB's plus Sherman).