Among free-agent RBs, he’ll draw the most interest. Andrew Brandt
The National Football Post continues its breakdown of free agents who will hit the open market on Friday, the start of a new league (and uncapped) year. Today: running back Chester Taylor.
Background
The Vikings have obviously made a commitment to Adrian Peterson by taking him at the top of the draft in 2007 and at some point will make a further commitment in the form of a long-term contract. That leaves Taylor in the background in Minnesota, now with an opportunity to step out of Peterson’s shadow with a new team. The Vikings love Taylor and would like to keep him but know it will be difficult with what’s ahead for Peterson and having to deal with RFA Ray Edwards. So Taylor will be set free to gauge the market.
Cost
The cost will depend on the level of bidding. It likely will not reach the level of Brandon Jacobs, who last year garnered a four-year, $25-million deal with $13M guaranteed, but it might rival the deal that Jacobs’ backup with the Giants, Derrick Ward, received from Tampa Bay -- a four-year, $17M deal with $6M guaranteed and $13M over the first three years. Taylor’s contract will certainly outpace the running back deals made last year by the Broncos with Correll Buckhalter and J.J. Arrington (later rescinded due to injury) for four years and $10M, with less than $2M guaranteed.
Value
At first glance, there’s the combustible combination of the position of running back and the age of 30. With those two facts, I would usually advise teams to head for the hills, as I have previously detailed the graveyard full of bad deals for older running backs, with a couple recently buried this year.
However, that may not be the case here. In fact, teams are said to be more interested in Taylor than all other running back options out there, including LaDainian Tomlinson, Brian Westbrook, Darren Sproles, Thomas Jones and more. The reason? The all-important tread on the tire, for which Taylor is seen as having a lot left.
In eight years in the league, Taylor had more than 160 carries (an average of 10 per game) only once, in 2006 with the Vikings, before the arrival of Peterson. From backing up Jamal Lewis in Baltimore to backing up Peterson in Minnesota, the feeling around the league is that Taylor has some legs left to help a team for one more contract. He will get that from one of a host of suitors – the Chargers, Bears, Giants, Lions, Patriots and ever-present Redskins are all said to be sniffing around Taylor.
Yes, it goes against all principles that a 30-year-old running back will have a strong market in free agency, but that’s where we are. Taylor – not Westbrook, not Tomlinson, perhaps not even Sproles – will be the prize of the free-agent running back class of 2010. Two former superstars – Tomlinson and Westbrook -- will watch and wait while Taylor, at the same age as they are, negotiates a strong third contract in the NFL.
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How can you pay a career backup who is 30 starter money? I thought Taylor had a great year and is a solid back, but for far less money wouldn't you rather have Toby Gerhardt, LeGarrett Blount or any of a half dozen other rookies? RB is the easiest position to transition to from college, and plenty of rooks have had big years.
I'm not knocking Taylor, but I just can't see giving him a big contract.
HANG ON TO TAYLOR.......
Andrew, I have a crazy theory that just came up on a Packers discussion board, and I was wondering what you thought of it.
Say you're a perennial bottom-end team, like the Detroit Lions, who usually pick in the top five of the draft. After giving Matthew Stafford his contract last year, you're not sure if you can handle another top-two draft pick and the financial commitment (and risk of busting out) that comes with it.
So what do you do? Target a restricted free agent who just received a first-round tender, like Brandon Marshall or another position of great need for you (like anything on defense). Offer them a contract and then try and outbid the player's original team for his services. It should be plausible to do, because you'd be willing to pay anything less then the accepted contract for a No. 2 pick. Sign the player and ship your No. 2 to that team. Congratulations, you've just acquired a proven star player at lesser cost then it would've been to get him in the draft, and the 'financial albatross' of a top-two pick is now hanging around somebody else's throat.
The catch, of course, is the Lions passing up the chance to get whatever player they have ranked highest or second highest on their draft boards. And if they believe that player is better, or could be better than any new player, it's not in their interest to make the trade. But if they don't have any player ranked as high as they do the man who's currently an effective player, why not go for it?
@ Journeyman - the Lions front office have a lot of confidence in evaluating/drafting, and aren't afraid of busts. It's been said that they will not flinch when it comes to making a high draft pick this year - because it could send messages to the fans and players that they are uncertain.
Good luck to Chester as long as he leaves the Vikings
thompson and marcarthy going to look at free agency ,when our qb is sacked 1000 times this yr and is but out for the year oh than the two bullheads ( thom,and macarthy,have to look for another qb. because rodgers is out no pass blocking ,no pass rush dumb penlatesand on and on?
Chad Clifton is a penalty machine that kills drives eh? He should fit right in with the Skins then in taking Chris Samuels place another Mr. Drive Killer.
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Mar 04, 2010
02:17 PM
Taylor earned this opportunity, but Sproles may well put a team over the hump in terms of making big plays.
Both will help good teams, Taylor for his all around game and consistency moving the chains. Sproles for what he creates in the extra yardage. Faulk is limited to third down back status, each of these backs is best in some kind of role that is based on support of the game plan and its situations.
Sproles could be an upgrade anywhere, a third down back able to make six points out of a swing pass or return. He has to wait for someone else to get start money and play from that point. Each of these solid and experienced players may have to let the other one advance the pay scale before they get inked to new money.