Cards sign Chester Taylor.

[40yearfan]

Well, one thing about it. We are now arguing about who the Cardinals signed rather than hearing about how cheap they are because they didn't sign every other team's rejects.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Tyrell Sutton??? Is this just a random name being thrown out there or do you guys see alot in those 25 carries over 16 games in 2 years (1.6/game). There is no possible way for us to have any accurate assesment on what he is. From college, I remember a little guy from Northwestern that wasn't all that impressive. We have a little guy in LSH. I could throw out the name I like, Shaun Draughn, and say's he alot better and it would be every bit as valid as Tyrell Sutton, And Draughn is a rookie with zero career carries. I can at least see the argument that Portis is a better fit, if in shape. He's at least shown something in the NFL.

 

[Krangodnzr]

Dude, really? Sutton has all of 130 yards rushing for his career? Can he pick up a blitz? Can he come out of the backfield and catch? 'Cuz Taylor excels in those areas... Ogbannaya has all of 50 yards for his career - and didn't even play last season!
C'mon man...

You know I'm generally pretty forgiving of the coaching staff, but I just don't think a guy who averages below 3 yards a carry and was ranked by Football Outsiders as a very poor blocker is the answer.

I'd rather bring in youth who can actually run with the football, the primary task of a tailback. Taylor has shown he can't really help you in this aspect. If Beanie goes down, we have no back on the roster that could legitimately carry the load. I realized Obannaya and Sutton aren't necessarily going to be able to as well, but Taylor has proven he can't now. I'd rather the unknown, than the option that proven it can't.

Or another option out there is making a trade for a back on someone's roster. I'm actually quite optimistic for this season, and I'd like for us to be prepared to win some football games.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

You know I'm generally pretty forgiving of the coaching staff, but I just don't think a guy who averages below 3 yards a carry and was ranked by Football Outsiders as a very poor blocker is the answer.

I'd rather bring in youth who can actually run with the football, the primary task of a tailback. Taylor has shown he can't really help you in this aspect. If Beanie goes down, we have no back on the roster that could legitimately carry the load. I realized Obannaya and Sutton aren't necessarily going to be able to as well, but Taylor has proven he can't now. I'd rather the unknown, than the option that proven it can't.

Or another option out there is making a trade for a back on someone's roster. I'm actually quite optimistic for this season, and I'd like for us to be prepared to win some football games.

Why do you think Taylor can't do it? He's had one bad year with a team learning a new offense and a horrible OL. Granted he was not effective last year but the guy has averaged over 4 yards per carry over his career. I think people are putting too much emphasis on Football Oustiders, Football Prospectus or whatever other statistical sites are out there. Football is the ultimate team sport. If the RG misses an assignment, and there's no way for these sites to know that unless they know the line calls on the field, which they have no possible way of knowing,it reflects poorly on the RB.

 

[Krangodnzr]

Why do you think Taylor can't do it? He's had one bad year with a team learning a new offense and a horrible OL.

He's 32 years old, hasn't been very good the past two seasons. I think it's a crock to blame it all on the Bears line, Forte wasn't as bad and I don't think Forte is really all that good either.

Granted he was not effective last year but the guy has averaged over 4 yards per carry over his career. I think people are putting too much emphasis on Football Oustiders, Football Prospectus or whatever other statistical sites are out there. Football is the ultimate team sport. If the RG misses an assignment, and there's no way for these sites to know that unless they know the line calls on the field, which they have no possible way of knowing,it reflects poorly on the RB.

Well I watched some Bears football last year, and he wasn't very good. My argument is that there has to be someone out there better than Chester Taylor.

I understand when we bring in the Fred Bennetts, the Crezdon Butlers of the world. Those guys are purely depth signings that will play in dime packages. But all of our RBs will play meaningful snaps, and with us carrying LSH who offers very little as a traditional RB, we need someone who can carry the rock effectively. I just don't that's Chester Taylor anymore.

 

[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).[/QUOTE]

We're not going to be dressing 5 on game day, and Smith can still go to the PS. If you keep them all, who do you cut? This has a domino effect.

It doesn't have to be a RB. Talley would be a prime example of a DMW followed by Walker or conceivably someone from ou newly expanded corps of DB's

 

[JeffGollin]

Just a thought but Taylor's only lousy year was with the Bears. Who was his OC? (Martz). When did they use him? (mainly passing downs). What does Martz like to do most on passing and running downs? (throw the ball). What were the Bear linemen mainly focus on? (pass blocking/not run blocking).

Could be a reason for Chester's lack of production.

 

[WarnerHOF]

the fact that he averaged 4.4 yard per carry last year versus Taylor's pathetic 2.7 and he excels in pass blocking... and he's always been better and is younger.

Porter did not look that good last year IMO. I have the Redskins/Texans game from last year on tape and all I see a broken down Portis who probably can't run faster than a snail. He is 20 pounds overweight this year so I imagine his is in even worse shape. Just remember he was playing in the same offensive system that has made mediocre RBs look good.

 

[Duckjake]

Did anyone else read that tidbit that the Steelers officially have the oldest defense in league history, even if Hood pushes Aaron Smith to the bench?

That's surprising considering how many 30 and older guys we have on defense.

Dockett,Porter,Haggans,Lenon,Wilson plus Holliday and Eason. And Kerry Rhodes just turned 29.

The big difference is in the secondary I guess.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

or insert Deuce back into the startling lineup with 0 preseason reps with Keith and Sendlein?

Duece has been playing with those two for almost two years. Ridiculous. Players don't get memory wipes before each season.

This thread has Cardinal terrets:

The Cardinals sign ...he sucks, he's terrible..... __________

Are we really debating whether a bunch of no names with no better or worse potential than Antonio Smith, and a 20lb overwieght-recovering-from-injury Portis are better or worse than a over the hill running back in Chester Taylor?

The Cardinals were, are, and will be screwed at RB. The minute Williams went down that was the case.

Enter Larry Croom, and get on with it.

 

[Dayman]

Why do you think Taylor can't do it? He's had one bad year with a team learning a new offense and a horrible OL. Granted he was not effective last year but the guy has averaged over 4 yards per carry over his career. I think people are putting too much emphasis on Football Oustiders, Football Prospectus or whatever other statistical sites are out there. Football is the ultimate team sport. If the RG misses an assignment, and there's no way for these sites to know that unless they know the line calls on the field, which they have no possible way of knowing,it reflects poorly on the RB.

Taylor benefited from playing behind some amazing O-lines in Baltimore and Minnesota. That obviously won't be the case here. And a steady decline in ypc for a 30+ year old is a huge red flag for any RB.

All of this would be easier to overlook if he wasn't such a jerk. But he is.

http://insideravens.blogspot.com/2007/10/chester-taylor-blows-up-again.html

The bizarre behavior of running back Chester Taylor didn't begin mere days ago in the Minnesota Vikings' locker room.And the zany Detroit native's thug-life persona was launched long before he left the Baltimore Ravens as a free agent two years ago.

Taylor arrived in Baltimore as a soft-spoken, low-key rookie from the University of Toledo, seemingly humble and eager to prove himself in the NFL. Yet, his little-boy voice ultimately masked a nasty Eddie Haskell personality, one that manifested itself again this week in another fight with a teammate.

The news reports of Taylor throwing a chair at Vikings defensive end Erasmus James surprised no one surrounding the Ravens, nor did the shiner he's presently sporting underneath his right eye.You see, Taylor has always liked to fight. Didn't matter how big the guy was, he would always take them on as he embraced the "Eight Mile" movie fantasy in real life.

One Ravens employee remarked about Taylor in the wake of his latest brawl: "He's just so stupid. He'll never change. He's a thug."

Taylor mystified teammates in Baltimore with his self-destructive behavior: challenging street toughs in night clubs to fights, scrapping with unknowns in bathrooms. One time, he got a beer bottle broken over his head.

Taylor's life was threatened by armed men outside of Baltimore and Washington, D.C. bars. It was as if he had a pronounced death wish.As Brown says, "It wasn't me, I told you. It was him that was crazy. I think Chester is bi-polar."

No argument here.Taylor used to amuse himself by muttering racial slurs under his breath about reporters. There were pictures circulating on the Internet and throughout the Ravens' old training complex of the running back dancing shirtless at bars with several women surrounding him.Many said the money and fame had swelled his head.Somehow, Taylor always avoided trouble with the law.Yet, the Ravens were aware of his misbehavior and it was a negative factor when they were deciding whether to retain Taylor or Jamal Lewis during the 2005 offseason.

Okay, Brad, let's talk about it.Let's talk about how Chester Taylor is a time bomb ticking away in your locker room.Maybe you don't need my unsolicited advice since you were smart enough to draft Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson.Until next time, keep an eye out for the man the Ravens' players used to call 50-Cent for how he imitated the gangsta rapper's clothes and attitude.He's the guy in your locker room wielding a chair, sporting a black eye and darkening the Vikings' reputation.

 

[seesred]

I liked what I saw of Alfonso Smith. Sorry we didn't get to see him in more situations. Taylor for the most part is over the hill, but he does give us expierance but at what cost? We will see how it shacks out in the end. Even the hyphen has more to offer running the ball and catching. I just hope the Bean can stay healthy and have that break out season. Now we need him more than ever.

GBR
40

 

[Mainstreet]

Anyone know if Alfonso Smith will be released? I hope not.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Taylor benefited from playing behind some amazing O-lines in Baltimore and Minnesota. That obviously won't be the case here. And a steady decline in ypc for a 30+ year old is a huge red flag for any RB.

All of this would be easier to overlook if he wasn't such a jerk. But he is.

http://insideravens.blogspot.com/2007/10/chester-taylor-blows-up-again.html

WOW!

Crazy stuff. I knew nothing about any of that!

Screw his bad legs, I am more worried about his bad head.

 

[TJ]

The good news is Taylor hasn't missed a game since 2007 and has never missed more than 2 games in a season his entire career, so he is durable. He can catch the ball in the backfield and pick up blitzes (which will be important with this crappy o line).

Of course, the bad news is he's old, slow, and not a very good runner anymore.

I dont like the signing but the reality is he's only going to get 5+/- carries/game.

Any way you slice it, whoever we signed wasn't going to be a player of consequence. There was going to be plenty of concern anyway. TAylor is effectively our #3 running back since R. Williams was slotted as the back up to Beanie.

 

[slanidrac16]

I liked what I saw of Alfonso Smith. Sorry we didn't get to see him in more situations. Taylor for the most part is over the hill, but he does give us expierance but at what cost? We will see how it shacks out in the end. Even the hyphen has more to offer running the ball and catching. I just hope the Bean can stay healthy and have that break out season. Now we need him more than ever.

GBR
40

I'm kinda hoping the Cards held Smith out of the last preseason game because he is the only big back that could carry the load if Beanie goes down for any length of time.
I really doubt they cut him.

 

[Chopper0080]

I have no problem with this as it gets LSH more carries on non obvious passing downs. Being a reliable blocker and keeping LSH fresh is worth it in my opinion. Taylor is the #3 back.

 

[Mainstreet]

I have no problem with this as it gets LSH more carries on non obvious passing downs. Being a reliable blocker and keeping LSH fresh is worth it in my opinion. Taylor is the #3 back.

I hope you're not saying LSH is the #2 RB. He is a situational RB and to use him otherwise will probably get him hurt. I'm still hoping the Cardinals keep Alfonso Smith. Taylor would sort of fill the role Wright used to serve.

 

[CardsFan88]

While decline is inevitable, I don't think Chester was helped much with the role he took on. If he was used normally I suspect he'd of had numbers quite a bit better than what he got. If you're a 3rd and 1 guy, and everyone knows it, you're not going to be a 4.0 ypc guy.

His numbers were better when people hadn't pigeonholed him. Does that mean thinks will change here? Who knows.

I'm willing to give a guy a shot to reclaim a bit of glory. If we can use him in more ways, but not over-expand his role too much, I think he can raise that average back up a decent amount. Either way, we needed a smash mouth type of guy, and he fits the bill.

With Beanie, Lester, and LaRod, we have 3 different backs. Not three guys trying to be the same.

I don't mind the pickup at all. There's a small chance he regains some of what it appears he 'lost' in the past couple of years, and a good shot he's just an average productive member of the club. I really don't think he's going to suck if we use him correctly. I'll be interested also to see how 'quick' he is these days.

I just don't like how he was used overall, and he has shown the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. 40 catches or more in 4 seasons is not bad. Although I don't remember how good of a pass catcher he is. Either way, I'd love to see a cb try to tackle him after a catch.

Hopefully he pans out decently and doesn't suck.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Taylor benefited from playing behind some amazing O-lines in Baltimore and Minnesota. That obviously won't be the case here. And a steady decline in ypc for a 30+ year old is a huge red flag for any RB.

All of this would be easier to overlook if he wasn't such a jerk. But he is.

http://insideravens.blogspot.com/2007/10/chester-taylor-blows-up-again.html

I don't put much into what a blogger says. That stuff may, or may not be true. But, if the Ravens were so concerned about off field issues,as the blogger portends, why would they keep Jamal "Prisoner 195A764" Lewis. Like everything else, their decision came down to talent and money. Lewis was a 1st round pick that had rushed for 2000 yards, coming off a federal jail sentence, and could be kept on the cheap. Taylor was late round pick hitting free agency after a nice year.

The gangster rap stuff, I'm sure a good % of the league falls into that category. Heck, I put Gee into that category .

 

[Dayman]

I don't put much into what a blogger says. That stuff may, or may not be true. But, if the Ravens were so concerned about off field issues,as the blogger portends, why would they keep Jamal "Prisoner 195A764" Lewis. Like everything else, their decision came down to talent and money. Lewis was a 1st round pick that had rushed for 2000 yards, coming off a federal jail sentence, and could be kept on the cheap. Taylor was late round pick hitting free agency after a nice year.

The gangster rap stuff, I'm sure a good % of the league falls into that category. Heck, I put Gee into that category .

Aaron Wilson is actually one of the more respected NFL writers out there right now. He's a beat writer who writes a blog, not just a kid writing for a Bleacher Report type site.

Also, Taylor has been in three fairly well publicized fights with teammates, including the one when he threw a chair at Erasmus James that ended up hitting Bryant McKinnie. I realize things happen in football, and all of this might not be that big of a deal, but I thought it was worth noting.

What I'm most concerned about is that 2.4 ypc and the lack of burst he showed in preseason.

 

[AsUpRoDiGy]

Per Sando

Turns out Taylor's 2.38-yard average with the Chicago Bears last season was the worst since the 1970 NFL merger among running backs with at least 100 carries in a season.

Good signing Whiz...

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Per Sando

Good signing Whiz...

There sure is alot of angst over a guy who may get 50 carries this year. If he much more than that, the Cards are in trouble anyway. He's better than last year's #4, Wright. That's who we should be comparing him to.

 

[AsUpRoDiGy]

There sure is alot of angst over a guy who may get 50 carries this year. If he much more than that, the Cards are in trouble anyway. He's better than last year's #4, Wright. That's who we should be comparing him to.

Regardless, when you sign someone who has the worst ypc in the last 40 years, that's pretty bad. It's certainly not a promising stat to say the least...

 

[Cheesebeef]

There sure is alot of angst over a guy who may get 50 carries this year. If he much more than that, the Cards are in trouble anyway. He's better than last year's #4, Wright. That's who we should be comparing him to.

Beanie's injury history suggests Taylor may find his way on the field for more than 50 carries.