Quote: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.
"Grizzled vet" means he's a guy who has a wealth of experience he can pass along to the next generation of players. Fred Taylor was a grizzled veteran when MJD was drafted. Doesn't mean he's washed out at all.
Caldwell should offer him a small contract, due to his recent lack of speed and separation, but wealth of experience. Let MJD decide where his heart is. If he takes the deal and plays 2 more years as a "grizzled" back up, great! If not, then he doesn't make it onto the stadium wall in my eyes.
I hope they can work out a deal. Being hurt the last 2 years, he may not get very good offers from other teams. We can give him an incentive-laden contract.
I honestly don't think he will leave - we need him as a star until we have our stars of the future ( Ace, Joeckle, etc) and he is not done yet - he still has something in the tank and someone will pay him - hope he means it when he says he wants to stay - After the Freddy heartbreak I really need MJD to stay...
Quote: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.
He was obviously not serious. He is making the point the MJD put up ridiculous number in spite of being part of a terrible team/offense. Can you imagine the numbers MJD would have put up if he had Keenan and Jimmy spreading the field?
Quote:I honestly don't think he will leave - we need him as a star until we have our stars of the future ( Ace, Joeckle, etc) and he is not done yet - he still has something in the tank and someone will pay him - hope he means it when he says he wants to stay - After the Freddy heartbreak I really need MJD to stay...
Freddy heartbreak? He stay 11 years? How long did you want him to stay?
Quote:I honestly don't think he will leave - we need him as a star until we have our stars of the future ( Ace, Joeckle, etc) and he is not done yet - he still has something in the tank and someone will pay him - hope he means it when he says he wants to stay - After the Freddy heartbreak I really need MJD to stay...
But hes not a star anymore.
Quote:But hes not a star anymore.
He's still the most visible player on this roster despite the drop off in production on the field. So, yes, for this team he is a star.
Being a younger guy, i really don't have as much memories of the Coughlin era. I became a die hard during the Del Rio era. MJD will always be one of my favorites, so many great memories of him, one of the greatest jags of all time, probably number 2 behind Fred. I put him over Jimmy because of being a better role model. I think we can get a deal done with him, but if not, these 8 years have been a great ride. He will go into the pride no matter what.
Quote:He's still the most visible player on this roster despite the drop off in production on the field. So, yes, for this team he is a star.
Also, the run blocking has been dreadful this year, especially the first half of the season. Id like to see how he can play with a new guard and center, plus a year under his belt passed the injury. Not saying he is the MJD of old, but i still think he can be a good player.
Quote:Also, the run blocking has been dreadful this year, especially the first half of the season. Id like to see how he can play with a new guard and center, plus a year under his belt passed the injury. Not saying he is the MJD of old, but i still think he can be a good player.
I still think he could put up 1,200 yards and 10 TDs (total)
I rather doubt he'd be willing to take a backup role. He's got too much pride to be taking a back seat to anyone.
Regards.................the Chiefjag
Quote:I rather doubt he'd be willing to take a backup role. He's got too much pride to be taking a back seat to anyone.
Regards.................the Chiefjag
Not a backup role. Somebody could say:
"We want you to play the Fred Taylor role and another RB to play the young MJD role."
I never considered Fred Taylor a backup.
Quote:He was obviously not serious. He is making the point the MJD put up ridiculous number in spite of being part of a terrible team/offense. Can you imagine the numbers MJD would have put up if he had Keenan and Jimmy spreading the field?
yeah it wiuld have been impressive, but Fred is on another level.
IMO at his prime Fred is a top 5 pure RUNNER of the football since 2000. Im not factoring blocking/receiving ect.
I remember when my son was being born in 06 didnt have a middle name for him yet till i seen Mojo running!! 12/17/06 Thank god for Maurice..
Quote:I remember when my son was being born in 06 didnt have a middle name for him yet till i seen Mojo running!! 12/17/06 Thank god for Maurice..
Haha I tried for Freddy Maurice when my son was born in 07 but my wife won the name battle. Lookin back I like the name she picked better now but her original pick was hideous she liked "Giovonie" yuck!
I told her there was no way. it was the one And only name veto I won!
I think there is a big difference between 28-30 year old Fred Taylor and 28-30 year old MJD. Taylor didn't lose a step until his last couple years in the league. MJD needs to lose weight tbh.
Not trying to be mean; I love the guy. I have an autographed picture of him in my man cave. I just think for his sake, he needs to get some speed back; however, I'm not sure if that is possible without going on roids or something.
If he can get healthy....he'll get back in shape again. He may not be quite as quick as he once was but he'll still have good vision seeing the holes plus he's got the experience to help with the next guy.