What's Next for Fred Taylor After His Release?

Let the NFL free agency frenzy being. Yesterday, the Jacksonville Jaguars announced that they will release running back Fred Taylor. In his career with the Jags, Taylor has rushed for over 11,000 yards and 60 touchdowns.

Next season, Taylor was scheduled to receive $6 million, which would have been a huge hit to the Jaguars' salary cap. With Jones-Drew and Chauncey Washington in the backfield, the Jag’s should be ok in the running department next year.

But what’s next for the former Jag? Which team has interest and would be a great fit for him?

Let’s start with the Tampa Buccaneers—a team that Freddy-T has strong interest in. The Bucs have Ernest Graham and Cadillac Williams already, but with an oft-injured Caddy and Graham’s body breaking down last season, Taylor would seem to thrive in the Bucs' system.

He’s a power runner and would be a great third down back while also providing protection for the Bucs' new quarterback—whoever that may be.

Taylor states that he wants to play for a winner. Therefore, the next logical team on the list would be the New England Patriots.

With Laurence Maroney not panning out, an aging Kevin Faulk, and an injured Sammy Morris, Freddy-T could easily rush for 800-1,000 yards in the Patriots' system. Taylor seems to fit the Patriots' mold of only signing character players and reminds you a lot of Coery Dillon toward the end of his career in New England.

Though Taylor is reluctant to leave Florida since that is where he grew up and went to college, if he’s serious about playing for a contender, he may not have a choice.

The Bucs have a new coach and a new quarterback coming in, the Dolphins are set in the backfield, and the Jags will only sign him again if he’s willing to take a serious cut in pay. So, it seems as if Taylor’s best options lie outside of the Sunshine State.

With other mainstays being released (Dre' Bly – Broncos, Deuce McAllister – New Orleans, Chris McAlister - Baltimore Ravens) on Tuesday, there should be many more to come down the pick in the days to come.

Teams are attempting to become younger, while shedding money from the cap, but, it could be at the expense of team chemistry. Freddy-T is a beloved figure in the Jags' locker room and in the city.

If he does go by way of the Patriots, here’s hoping that he finally wins that elusive championship that he’s been searching for.

-JH