Man, can you guys imagine what Fred Taylor, in his prime, could have accomplished with gunslingers like David Garrard, The Tractor Guy, and Blaine Gabbert at the helm??? Or deep-ballers like Matt Jones and Reggie Williams? Imagine the gaping holes Freddie would've seen with future Pride members like Mike Thomas or Mike Sims-Walker lining up as #1 WRs?
MJD is nowhere NEAR Fred's level. No one would even know who MJD is if he had to put up with all the 8-man fronts Taylor did in his prime.
Quote:I don't think Meester comes back unless this team asks, and I believe they'll be focused on replacing him most likely in free agency, so I doubt they ask. I'm expecting him to retire and head home.
You were right.....he announced his retirement today. Guess he's had enough.
Quote:You were right.....he announced his retirement today. Guess he's had enough.
13 years in the NFL for someone who isn't kicking a football is a pretty major feat. Same thing for his consecutive start streak. For an interior lineman to play that long missing as little time as he has is pretty amazing.
Quote:Man, can you guys imagine what Fred Taylor, in his prime, could have accomplished with gunslingers like David Garrard, The Tractor Guy, and Blaine Gabbert at the helm??? Or deep-ballers like Matt Jones and Reggie Williams? Imagine the gaping holes Freddie would've seen with future Pride members like Mike Thomas or Mike Sims-Walker lining up as #1 WRs?
MJD is nowhere NEAR Fred's level. No one would even know who MJD is if he had to put up with all the 8-man fronts Taylor did in his prime.
Um.... not sure if serious. He had his best year of his career in 2011 when Blaine was a rookie. He faced 9 man fronts regularly.
But I agree that Fred was much better. He was an absolute freak similar to AP. 4.3 speed who could run you over or make you miss.
Reports on the demise of MJD's career are greatly exaggerated. Though this may be his last year as a Jaguar, I have a strong feeling he's gonna have 3 more high caliber years before its all said and done.
I really hope we can get a deal done that keeps him a Jaguar.
Quote:Reports on the demise of MJD's career are greatly exaggerated. Though this may be his last year as a Jaguar, I have a strong feeling he's gonna have 3 more high caliber years before its all said and done.
I really hope we can get a deal done that keeps him a Jaguar.
I have to believe very few people have the mindset that his career is over.
Quote:13 years in the NFL for someone who isn't kicking a football is a pretty major feat. Same thing for his consecutive start streak. For an interior lineman to play that long missing as little time as he has is pretty amazing.
Isn't 2013 Meester's 14th season?
Either way, quite an accomplishment, all those years as a starter for the same team.
I'd like to see MJD back here for at least two years, and I have to believe that if he and Dave are being honest, they will work something out. MJD might ask Greg Jones about going to a team that has a shot at the playoffs (ok, so don't ask Darly Smith, point conceded). There are no sure things.
It would be nice for the face of the franchise to get one more taste of what a playoff run is like.
Quote:I really doubt Gus or Caldwell will let go of MJD. You can tell they get along, and MJD still has juice in his tank. Plus, MJD's family wants to live here and he even stated " he wants to stay, and his agent will get it done. " Highly doubt he'll be gone.
I believe this to be the case. If you asked last year, then of course not lol. I also think that MJD recognizes that we've finally got something special brewing and would like to be a part of that. Of course money & emotion are two different opposing animals, but I'm thinking he'll get paid what he feels he's worth or needs, to remain here.
I don't think he will be back. I think he will try to catch on with a potential contender that needs depth at running back.
Quote:I don't think a few years is long enough to put a player in what's suppose to be a hall of fame group for the franchise. We're talking about a team that hasn't won a single division title one playoff win and no championships during this time period. How many players do we want to induct during the first 14 years? Ill be cool with adding to the pride when we do something worth recognizing or someone does it for a long time like Freddy did.
Who said we were adding him to the pride? So far as I saw, the guy just said he was an all-time great Jaguar, which is what I supported. But since you brought it up, I'd bet he does get in eventually.
Quote:Who said we were adding him to the pride? So far as I saw, the guy just said he was an all-time great Jaguar, which is what I supported. But since you brought it up, I'd bet he does get in eventually.
Your probably right he will get in eventually, if he's considered an all-time great that's what the pride is for. I would disagree with the argument but it's not something I'll lose sleep over. He's been a good player for the Jags and I've enjoyed watching him.
I'd like to see MJD stay a few more years and then hand the reigns over to Kelvin Taylor. Full circle.
Quote:I have to believe very few people have the mindset that his career is over.
From FBT's Original Post:
"From my perspective, I'd like to see them work out a reasonable deal to keep Drew around, not as a feature back, but as the grizzled veteran who can still make a play here or there. That kind of arrangement extended the career of Fred Taylor, and allowed MJD to develop into a feature back. I'd like to see that process continue with MJD and his heir apparent as of today, Toddman."
Perhaps I'm reading your OP incorrectly, but the "grizzled vet" comment makes me think more of a RB that's washed out. The concept of making a play here or there also implies tacitly that only glimpses of the old player will occur on an inconsistent basis. MJD's rookie year and also his 2nd year, when Freddie was the "girzzled vet" showed a very different reality from what you described above.
Freddy was still the featured back and he basically ran off a huge play in practically every game I saw in 2007. He was also the featured back when MJD was a rookie in 2006.
Now if you're speaking about 2008, yeah I agree he'd been pushed aside for MJD--and rightfully so. MJD was clearly gonna be the great player we now see.
But I disagree with many opinions (not yours, but alot of other posters) I've read that we're gonna/have seen a huge drop off from MJD in regards to your original post. Like I said, I see MJD having at least 3 if not 4 seasons of big productivity. The injuries he had this year and last are ones that I don't think will hinder future success. To me, his injuries mean his tread is a bit deeper than Freddie's during this same time frame if comparing careers.
It is pretty interesting to put Freddie and MJD's careers side by side in terms of statistics and years played in the league. I think we have a potentially similar situation (as you pointed out) where he have a great RB and have the opportunity to transition into another great one. I see MJD's career in terms of Fred Taylor's 2004 or 2005 year, in terms of how productive he can be. Not in terms of Taylor's 2008 "grissled vet" year in which he subsequently went to the Pats to die---metaphorically speaking.
We're not yet in a position where we need to absolutely dump MJD, or let him go to another team to wash out. The benefit to us as Jaguar fans is that MJD's leverage is zilch, so we can hopefully entice him to stick around and be a big part of a playoff push in the next 2 seasons.
If MJD has 3 great years left, which I think he does, he'll be the crafty vet that we can utilyze while bringing in a new RB, or fully developing Todman.
Either way, I think it would be a shame to not try and keep Maurice.
Quote:With the final home game this Sunday, we could be watching the end of the Maurice Jones-Drew era here in Jacksonville. If he's not able to go on Sunday, then it would end with a whimper.
MJD has been the face of this franchise through some pretty difficult years, and he's certainly provided Jaguar fans with a many fantastic memories. If this is his last home game in teal and black, it's a shame, but that's the way things go in the NFL.
From my perspective, I'd like to see them work out a reasonable deal to keep Drew around, not as a feature back, but as the grizzled veteran who can still make a play here or there. That kind of arrangement extended the career of Fred Taylor, and allowed MJD to develop into a feature back. I'd like to see that process continue with MJD and his heir apparent as of today, Toddman.
If what Caldwell and MJD have said in recent weeks is any indication, perhaps this won't be his last time in the stadium playing for the Jags. But, if that doesn't come to fruition, I'll tip one back and thank Pocket Hercules for the memories.
On a side note, this is most likely the last home game for Brad Meester. While his play of late hasn't been spectacular, his entire body of work over the past dozen plus years is worth recognizing, and his contributions to this community are beyond compare. Brad's a good guy, and a good ambassador for this organization. His presence will be missed, albeit not as much on the field these days.
Agree to a point. All sentiment aside though, he has become a multi-millionaire as a result of his time here. Like the saying goes, Find a good running back, run them into the ground for a few years, make them filthy rich in the process, and then say goodbye. Lather, rinse, repeat. Next up.
hope mojo stays another year or two
Quote:Agree to a point. All sentiment aside though, he has become a multi-millionaire as a result of his time here. Like the saying goes, Find a good running back, run them into the ground for a few years, make them filthy rich in the process, and then say goodbye. Lather, rinse, repeat. Next up.
You're just trying to make me mad! I'm not falling for it! :thumbsup:
MJD hasn't been run into the ground yet. He's got 3 or 4 seasons left. I'm telling you... He's still lathered. Don't rinse him out yet.
Quote:I'd like to see MJD stay a few more years and then hand the reigns over to Kelvin Taylor. Full circle.
3 year deal and it can happen!